How To Post Both Landscape And Portrait On Instagram (step-by-step Guide)
Hey there, Instagram explorers! Ever scroll through your feed and notice those amazing photos that perfectly fill your screen, whether they're wide and sweeping like a sunset over the ocean, or tall and elegant like a magnificent skyscraper? And then you try to post your own pic, maybe of that delicious brunch spread you just created or your adorable dog doing something hilariously silly, and BAM! Instagram crops it weirdly, cutting off half the bacon or your pup's perfectly perky ears. It’s like trying to fit a whole pizza into a tiny square box – frustrating, right?
Well, guess what? You don't have to live in a world of awkward Instagram crops anymore! It’s actually super easy to share your moments exactly how you want them, whether they’re meant to be enjoyed horizontally or vertically. Think of it as giving your photos the perfect frame, so everyone can see the whole story, not just a snippet. And trust me, a well-formatted photo can make a world of difference in how much people engage with your awesome content.
So, let’s dive in and become Instagram framing ninjas! It’s not rocket science, I promise. We’re going to break it down step-by-step, so by the end of this, you’ll be posting like a pro, ready to impress your friends and followers with your perfectly composed shots.
Why Bother With This Whole "Orientation" Thing?
Okay, okay, I hear you. "Why do I even need to think about this? Can't Instagram just figure it out?" Honestly, sometimes it does a decent job. But have you ever seen a picture of a sprawling landscape that’s been squished into a portrait orientation? It looks like a really long, skinny postcard that’s been folded in half. Or a tall, majestic waterfall that’s been chopped up into a square? It loses its grandeur, right?
The truth is, the way a photo is framed directly impacts how it’s perceived. Our brains are wired to appreciate certain shapes for certain subjects. A wide, panoramic shot invites us to take in the whole scene, to explore its breadth. A tall, vertical shot draws our eye upward, emphasizing height and detail. By understanding this, and by using Instagram’s features to our advantage, we can make our photos more impactful, more engaging, and frankly, just more enjoyable to look at.
Plus, let’s be real. When your photos look good, you feel good. It's like wearing an outfit that fits perfectly versus one that's a bit too tight in the shoulders. The perfect fit just makes you feel more confident and ready to show off! So, let’s make your Instagram feed the most stylish outfit in town.
The Magic of the "Multi-Select" Feature (It's Not Just for Your Grocery List!)
This is where the real wizardry happens, and it’s surprisingly simple. Instagram has this awesome feature that lets you select multiple photos and videos to post at once. It’s like creating a mini-story or a photo album right within a single post. And this, my friends, is your secret weapon for posting both landscape and portrait images without them fighting for screen real estate.
Think of it like this: You’ve just had an amazing day at the park. You took a stunning panoramic shot of the entire park from a hilltop – that’s your landscape beauty. But then you got some adorable close-ups of your dog chasing a butterfly, or your friend laughing – those are your portrait stars. Instead of choosing just one, or having Instagram butcher the framing, you can combine them!
The key here is to understand that while the main image in a multi-select post will often default to square, Instagram is smart enough to show the subsequent images in their original orientation (or a more suitable cropped version) as your viewers swipe through. This is the game-changer!
Step 1: Open Up Your Instagram App and Get Ready to Shine!
First things first, launch your trusty Instagram app. You know the drill – tap that little colorful camera icon. Then, instead of just hitting the big shutter button to take a new photo, you’re going to tap the little square icon in the bottom left corner of the camera screen. This is your gateway to your phone’s photo library. It’s like opening the doors to your personal memory vault!
Once you’re in your library, you’ll see all your glorious photos and videos. Take a deep breath and get ready to choose your stars. No more second-guessing which single photo is "the best." Today, we're posting a whole lineup!
Step 2: Unleash the "Select" Power!
This is where the magic really kicks in. See those little circles in the top right corner of each photo and video thumbnail? Those are your selection buttons. Now, here’s the crucial part: tap the very first photo or video you want to appear in your post. This is important because the first one often dictates the initial display. Ideally, pick a strong square or a landscape that you don't mind being the initial focal point.
Once you’ve tapped the first one, a little number will appear in that circle, indicating the order it will appear in your post. Now, here’s where you get to be the curator! Go ahead and tap all the other photos and videos you want to include. You can select up to 10 items in a single post, which is plenty for a mini-story.
Want to post that breathtaking landscape and those charming portraits of your cat napping in a sunbeam? No problem! Just tap the landscape first, then tap your cat photos. Or maybe you want to show off your amazing hike from start to finish: a wide shot of the mountain in the distance, a medium shot of you on the trail, and then a close-up of a cool wildflower you found. You can do it all!
Step 3: Swipe, Swipe, Swipe! The Glorious Reveal
After you’ve selected all your wonderful images and videos, tap the little arrow in the top right corner of your screen. This takes you to the editing and sharing stage. And this is where you'll see the magic unfold.
You’ll notice that you can now swipe left to see all the other images and videos you’ve selected. And here’s the best part: Instagram is much smarter now. While the very first image might be displayed in a square (or its original aspect ratio if it's already square), as you swipe through to your other selections, you’ll see that they’re much better at displaying their original orientations!
That stunning landscape photo you took? It will appear wide and glorious. Those tall, elegant portraits? They’ll be tall and elegant. It’s like Instagram finally understands that sometimes, a square just won’t cut it. It respects the original shape of your art!
A Little Storytime: The Travel Blogger's Dilemma
Imagine Sarah, a travel blogger who just visited the most incredible ancient ruins. She has this one jaw-dropping photo of the entire complex, sprawling out under a blue sky – a perfect landscape. But then she also captured this incredibly detailed shot of a single, intricately carved stone – a beautiful portrait. If she posted just the landscape, the stone detail would be lost. If she posted just the portrait, the grandeur of the ruins would be missed.
Before, she’d have to agonizingly choose, or try to crop both in a way that made them look… okay. But now, using the multi-select, she can post the landscape first to give her followers context and scale, and then, with a simple swipe, they can dive into the exquisite detail of that single stone. Her followers get the full experience, and her engagement goes up because people are spending more time looking at her content!
It's like telling a story with chapters. You set the scene, then you zoom in on the interesting bits. And the more people are engaged, the more likely they are to see your other amazing posts, follow you, and become part of your online community. Pretty cool, right?
Pro-Tips to Make Your Posts Even More "Wow!"
- The Order Matters: Think about the narrative you want to tell. Usually, it’s best to start with a strong, attention-grabbing image, often the widest or most impactful one, and then follow with close-ups or supporting details.
- Video is Your Friend: Don't forget you can mix photos and videos in a multi-select post! A short video clip can add dynamism to your storytelling.
- Filters and Edits: You can apply filters and edit each image individually before you finalize the post. This is your chance to make everything look cohesive and polished.
- Captions are Key: Use your caption to tell the story behind your photos. Explain why you chose to show them in this order, or highlight specific details.
So there you have it! You are now officially equipped with the knowledge to post both landscape and portrait photos on Instagram like a seasoned pro. No more awkward crops, just beautifully presented memories that tell your story exactly as you intended. Go forth and share your world, in all its magnificent dimensions!