Ok ladies, real talk, with the holidays here and all the parties and gifts and family to document, there's no shame in admitting your man might need some help in the "Instagram Husband" department. (An Instagram Husband is a significant other who takes any and all pictures of their partner in various poses, in front of walls or fun backdrops, and of them living their best, basic life.) No shame in sliding this link into their DM's with the hope that they'll get the hint. I enlisted the help of my brother and his wife with demonstrating my sure fire tips to improving your photos and upping your feed esthetic. 

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"Thanks to Whitney's tips, Robert learned how to become the perfect Instagram husband in a FLASH"

- Olivia Jones

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"I'm glad I gave it a SHOT and now feel confident with my picture taking ability!"

- Robert Jones, Instagram Husband

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1. Be aware of the surroundings. 

Anticipate your partners' needs and reasoning behind wanting the picture. New shoes? Cute outfit? Fun Wall? Figure it out in the two seconds she gives you between asking for a picture and striking a pose. And above all make sure whatever it is makes it in the picture. Example below: Pre Instagram Husband Guide Robert took a picture of Olivia and half the side walk, Post Instagram Husband Guide Robert realized what was missing and improved his composition by 100%.

(Actual cell phone images, curtesy of Robert Jones)

2. Contrary to what you used to think, it is not just "one and done."

Keep taking pictures. Take them in between shots, take them while she moves, and poses. We are going for a variety here. She may not like her hair in one or the way her jacket falls in the next. Just take a ton.

Left: my photo, Right: Robert's

3. Locking focus is your friend.

With all the posing and moving around, you'll want to make sure your wife is in focus (or you'll have to do it all over again) Most phones have the option of locking focus by tapping and holding down where your subject is. This makes tip number 2 so much easier. 

4. Don't cut off the shoes. Or any outfit piece for that matter. 

Just don't. If your lady knew she wanted pictures taken, then she meticulously planned out ever aspect of her outfit. It is part of her brand and sells her look - helping her Instagram feed mirror that of influencers. 

Robert had a close call with this one. her toes are just barely in frame. The carefreeness of looking off in the distance helps save the composition. 

5. Don't forget the close up.

Be sure to grab a close up - major brownie points if you tell her to look down to capture her makeup and/or eyelashes. Chics love their eyelashes and giving them a direction will help them see you as responsible, capable and creative (and you might even get done taking her pictures faster.)

6. Get on a different level.

Mix it up! Have her sit, get down on the same level and take the picture. We're looking for more variety in her feed. Don't mind onlookers or those passing by, put on your tunnel vision and take pictures of your woman. 

7. Have fun with it.

Not to sound like a cop out for the last one, but if your wife/girlfriend/partner loves you enough to ask for her picture taken, you can take that as an opportunity to enjoy your time together and do something for her. Notice the way her reflection looks on the table, or the way she laughs while you fumble through taking her portrait. Tell jokes, release that smile and show her just how beautiful she is to you.