Heyylloo Blogger World. So if you know me, you know one of many obscure hobbies is to collect dolls and run a dollstagram ( Instagram .) For those who don't know what that is, it is basically taking photography using dolls as the subject and posting it on Instagram. There is a whole niche community on IG and they are very kind and creative. I have been on this scene for a few years and I have endured all the horrid beginner photos and experimental fails. So, here is your guide to starting!
1) CHOOSE YOUR STYLE
Now, on Dollstagram there are two prevalent types of styles. The Multi-Doll account or the Single Doll Account. You need to make your choice, then you can move on forward. A Multi-Doll account is just an account with photography of many different dolls. A single doll account is an account for one doll. She/He is the main character and these accounts typically have detailed "life-like" pictures of this character in it's day to day life. Kind of like how beauty influencers blog on Instagram and post lifetyle photos. Somewhat like that. People usually pick out a doll that resembles them and use the single doll account as a way to reflect their own life. I will list the Pros and Cons of each style.
Multi-Doll Accounts: PROS
-Flexible and You Can Post Anything.
-Can Feature all of the dolls you love.
-Full of variety and always changing.
- No need for continuity and fancy feeds.
Multi-Doll Accounts CONS:
- It can become tedious work to set up photo shoots for each different doll
- There is a lack of brand identity and even a slight change tends
to confuse your followers as to who you are. ex:(username change)
- You will end up buying more dolls than necessary to constantly keep things fresh and not be posting the same batch of dolls over and over.
Singe Doll Accounts: PROS
- Brand Identity is formed as only one doll face is representing you.
-You can stem into lifestyle blogs,YouTube, and other social medias because that one doll is your trademark and creates a cohesive following on many platforms.
-The doll can be a mini you and you can portray your life through it.
-You will only need to invest in doll accessories to make detailed photos rather than numerous dolls.
Single Doll Accounts CONS:
- You might get bored of using one doll over and over.
- You will have to follow a more strict feed/ theme style to make the photos more pleasing.
- If that doll breaks or gets damaged your in trouble unless you have a second duplicate, this is especially bad for people who use fancy modified and altered dolls, or some older doll from years ago that is not on the market anymore.
2) NARROW DOWN YOUR INTERESTS
Now that you have selected your style, its time to fine tune your IG page.Do you want to have a color coded feed? Like a white clean feed or a pastel feed? Consider all of this and plan ahead. Do you just want a mixed feed? Then make sure your photos are diverse and vary. What posts are going to be your "thing." Outfit of the day posts, doll hairstyle posts, doll in nature photography, or doll in her cute bedroom photography? Choose the iconic post that is so you. For example, I like to post my Fashion Illustrations in my feed as well. Even though it is different, it adds a uniqueness and lets me place all my creative hobbies on one page. The drawings are kind of my iconic thing. Other dollstagrammers know its immediately me when they see doll photos and drawing photos. Your "type of posts" is solely based on your interest. Here are some ideas:
- Doll in her/his bedroom doing every day activities.
-Doll amongst flowers/ Nature/ rivers/ pastel skies.
-Doll in different outfits showing off her/his outfit of the day.
-Doll fashion photos, with cute layouts of doll clothes/shoes/accessories.
-Doll Fantasy photos, edited surreal photography.
-Doll traveling photos, in front of cities, attractions, landmarks.
- Doll aesthetic photos, recreating "Tumblr Aesthetic."
The options are really endless, you just have to find your iconic thing. You can be more out of the box and come up with your own ideas as well. This is an open and artistic community.
3) SETTING AND SUPPLIES
So you have decided on the vibe of your page. Time to gather the supplies. If your doing indoor photoshoots, gather up backdrops to use. You can use colorful cloths, scrap book printed paper, glitter paper, colorful paper, fancy pillows, a doll house. Or you can even take a cardboard box and make your own little doll bedroom/apartment. It would give you a good stable place to always take photos. Add in small Barbie furniture and decor and your good to go. There are many tutorials on Youtube on how to make your doll a custom home using simple things around the house. With dolls almost anything pretty, colorful, and detailed can be a backdrop. Now, you also have to gather props and accessories. Barbie has accessory packs that are sold in stores that are compatible with most dolls. The packs include things like clothes, shoes, mini foods, cell phones, makeup, laptops, sports gear, musical instruments, and so on. The Dollar Store is also a good choice to find small toys that work as great props. Small quarter toy machines tend to have small toys that work well. Small charm key chains also do well. The options are endless. You just need to keep your eyes open for small little knick knacks that can make doll sized props.
4) CAMERA AND EDITING
Now, some people use fancy DSLR cameras, which do produce gorgeous results but you don't have to! If you have a decent phone with a decent camera, good lighting, the right backdrop, and the right editing can produce the same results. Try to take pictures in natural light, by a window or outside. Or find a brightly lit place in your house or have an extra flashlight or lamp. For editing the best app hands down is Picsart. I have been using it for years. Picsart really has it all, stickers, photoshop, fixing photo resolutions, even changing things like clothes, hair color, and eye color. It even has beautiful lens flares, bokeh filters, and rainbow reflection, to use. Just use the app, you will realize the endless options with it. The stickers are so good that I can even insert some as props or clothing and it looks realistic. Just try it!!! Watch tutorials on the app if you have to.
5) NETWORK AND ENGAGE
Once you start posting content, head over to other Dollstagram pages! Follow them and comment. Talk to other newer or smaller pages and make friends. If you comment enough on people's posts you will be accepted and recognized in the community and in turn others will do the same for you. You have to build up engagement. Always post content on your highlights and stories to gain more attention. In a niche hobby it can take a while, but the audience you will get will be genuine and real.
WRAPPING IT UP!
Well this was my beginner guide to starting a dollstagram! Let me know how it goes. My own IG user is @Dolls.Day. Add me and let me know you came from this post and lets be friends!
Hope you found this useful since it is hard to find niche related info on the internet.
Thank You For Reading!
-ISBAH xoxo
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