Nowadays, we’re all familiar with what it takes to get content for social media. 4.9 billion people on the planet use at least one form of social media, and 85% of people with cell phones use social networking sites. So there’s no reason to shame anyone who wants a cute pic in front of the Eiffel Tower or who wants a selfie of their family out at a celebratory birthday dinner. The difference, however, between the average Instagram user and those featured on Influencers in the Wild, is that most of us know the appropriate etiquette for taking pics in public.

It’s important not to impose on those around you or cause a traffic jam when trying to get content for social media. Apparently, many people still need to learn this though, as Influencers in the Wild has shared over 1,200 photos and amassed an impressive 4.9 million followers. So we’re not trying to shame anyone for caring about their Instagram aesthetic or wanting to capture lifelong memories on vacation. But just remember when you’re taking pics in public, you’re not the only one around!   

Now, not every single person featured on this list is actually an influencer. I’m sure plenty of them are just regular Instagram users like you and me who share content just for fun. But it’s likely that some of them do dream of making money off of social media, as 54% of 13 to 38-year-olds want to become influencers. And who can blame them? There’s serious money to be made on social media, as 1 News reports that “micro-influencers” who have between 10,000 to 50,000 followers can make up to $170,000 a year from social media.

30% of children in the UK listed being a YouTuber as their top career choice, which might sound funny to some of us in older generations, but those kids may be onto something. The largest creator on the platform, Mr. Beast, has over 104 million subscribers and earned approximately $90 million in 2021. Perhaps parents should actually be encouraging their kids to pursue careers online! 

Because of how popular it has become to chase the dream of becoming an influencer, people are encouraged to do increasingly crazy things online that will gain them attention. And unfortunately, some people believe that all press is good press. Pranking innocent people in public, spending exorbitant amounts of money on huge meals that will inevitably create lots of waste and creating drama in their personal lives are just a few of the ways influencers can get attention on the internet. Of course, there are plenty of harmless and even wholesome ways content creators can gain followers too, but it’s a sad truth that unhinged photos and videos are more likely to spread like wildfire. 

It’s perfectly possible to take photos and videos in public while respecting your fellow human beings. You shouldn’t feel ashamed to get that bikini pic while on vacation, and you should never miss an opportunity to capture you and your partner enjoying a lovely picnic. But there are a few ground rules to keep in mind. According to Harry Guinness at How-To Geek, it’s important to make sure that you’re actually in a public place. Some places, such as malls and museums, have certain restrictions on photos and recording because they’re actually considered private locations. If someone asks you to stop taking pictures, be respectful and move on to another location.  

It can also be obnoxious to bring excessive amounts of gear when you’re in a public space if you’re going to be in other people’s way or blocking pedestrian traffic. “Try and limit yourself to your camera, one lens, and a normal backpack-sized bag,” Guinness recommends. “If you need a tripod, flashes, or a telephoto lens to get the shot you want and you’ll be able to carry and use them without interfering too much with everyone else, then go ahead, but you shouldn’t be carrying them with you everywhere.”

You also need to be mindful of not taking photos and videos of strangers when filming in public. Aside from being annoying, it can actually be illegal depending on where you are, so be sure that you’re not breaking any laws. “Even if street photography is legal, harassment almost certainly isn’t,” Guinness adds. “If you start following one person, continuing to photograph them after they ask you to stop, or getting up in their face, you’re going to start running afoul of other laws. The number one rule of taking photos of other people is don’t act like a creep or stalker.”

And while you might feel pressured to use social media because, well, over half of the planet uses it, remember that it’s not actually a requirement. You can always free yourself from the world of influencers and viral TikTok teens. Some people might even find you more attractive for having little to no virtual footprint. Serena Smith wrote a piece for Dazed in 2022 titled ‘Why are people with no social media so [dang] hot?’, and she points out that “there’s something about being online that is just fundamentally embarrassing.” If one person in a relationship could find themself featured on this list, it’s quite likely that their partner is nowhere to be found on social media.

Many people might also be attracted to the personal traits associated with not being present online. “Usage of social media apps like Instagram are correlated with narcissism and body image variables, and not always in a good way – more usage can be detrimental to self-perception, and those who are more narcissistic spend more time on social media apps,” Dr. Alex Jones, a senior lecturer in Psychology at Swansea University, told Dazed. “A lower use or lack of social media is probably associated with a certain kind of personality, and they are most probably less vain and less narcissistic.”

How are you feeling about your favorite influencers after viewing this list, pandas? Of course, they’re not all inconsiderate in public, and there’s nothing wrong with getting great pics for Insta! But perhaps some of them need a reality check when it comes to what is appropriate behavior “in the wild.” We’d love to hear your thoughts on these pics in the comments below, and then if you’re interested in checking out Bored Panda’s last article featuring Influencers in the Wild on Instagram, you can find more shameless pics right here!