Bookstagram

by Bethany Maines 

 

Courtesy @bilbliophilealley

For those not on Instagram you may be slightly mystified by the term “bookstagram” that has popped up recently in book circles. Instagram, land of a thousand hashtags, has spawned a beautiful and glorious trend in book circles: photographing books.  It’s hardly revolutionary, but as a graphic designer who has long thought that book covers are an underrated art form, I am all in.  Bookstagram spans a wide variety of looks – from the simple “what I’m reading” to the carefully curated wishful thinking lifestyle shots, bookstagram runs the gamut of what can be done with books. 

I have also recently started experimenting with my own books. It’s fun to experiment with different props and filters to make insta-art. I think what I learned quite promptly is that lighting is everything.  Getting a good light source that doesn’t make a glare on the book cover seems to be the hardest part.  Why are book covers so shiny?!

Are you on Instagram?  Do you need more books and dog photos in your life, then follow me: @Super_Insta_B

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Bethany Maines is the author of the Carrie Mae Mystery Series, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her fifth degree black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.