Whether you’re seeking travel tips, restaurant recommendations, fashion inspo, or your next healthy recipe — there are countless Instagram “influencer” accounts with thousands of followers that are managed by self-proclaimed experts in their fields. But how much of it is real? Do these influencers *actually* love these places/things or are they just being paid to share about them? The only way to find out: try it for yourself!
When planning a recent trip to Europe, I found myself — in true social media manager form — following a variety of city-specific influencers to find the most Instagrammable places & restaurants possible. After realizing what I had done, I made it a mission to seek out some of those spots, get my own Instagram-worthy shots — and find out if they were the real deal.
Covent Garden (London, United Kingdom)
Influencer photo via @lukecabrahams
Rating: 5/5
This was just as beautiful in person as it is in the photos! It was unfortunate that the man on watering duty had JUST stopped by the plants, but with blooms that bright I’m sure they have to be meticulous about the maintenance. The editing was simple & quick, and I loved every moment of it (my go-to editing app is Snapseed!). Added bonus: the Covent Garden has great shops & restaurants, so you can take in the atmosphere while dining & grabbing souvenirs for your loved ones!
Le Consulat (Paris, France)
Influencer photo via @dr_difilippo
Rating: 4/5
I won’t lie — this took SO. MUCH. EDITING. In my honest opinion, the scene was beautiful on its own, set in an absolutely stunning neighborhood, AND the restaurant had wonderful food. I don’t think my photo needed as much editing as I did, but I was determined to get to a somewhat-comparable level to the influencer’s photo.
Sacre-Coeur (Montmartre, Paris, France)
Influencer photo via @tatiana_liccia
Rating: 3/5
This one felt like a major fail — and that’s totally ok! I’m not sure if this influencer had access to a third-story apartment across the street and a heavy duty camera lens or just brought a very large ladder with them, but this shot is completely unattainable for the average human with an iPhone. The top of that carousel is so high off the ground! I didn’t even attempt to edit this one because I knew I had been defeated. You win some, you lose some, right? That being said, it was still stunning IRL and I was so happy I was able to see it for myself.
My final takeaways…
- I now have a deep appreciation for the time & effort these influencers put into getting the perfect shot, editing, and curating an aesthetic on their feeds. It’s not easy!
- Take everything influencers post with a grain of salt and have realistic expectations. Yes, these places were truly beautiful IRL, but nothing looks quite like it does in photos that have been strategically edited for hours.
- Choose wisely. If you pay close attention to their feeds and stories, it’s fairly easy to tell which influencers truly care about sharing an authentic view of their lives versus those who are solely doing it for the free food/travel/perks.
Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.
