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Influencer Exposes The Truth Behind Those ‘Perfect’ Instagram Photos With Her 30 Side-By-Side Pics
People love to scroll through glossy photos of Instagram influencers with both awe and envy - but one Instagrammer decided to get real with her followers and remind them not everything online is as it seems. Amsterdam based vlogger Rianne Meijer has 353k followers and a plethora of gorgeous images that document her life of fashion and travel, but as Meijer revealed, the key to an enviable photo is all about the angle.
In a series of side-by-side shots, she shared magazine-worthy poses next to hilariously candid (and not as flattering) photos in the same outfit. In her caption Meijer wrote: "So while waiting here at the airport in Berlin I figured no better way to spend my time than to keep it real. This is not gonna be some long emotional story (not that there’s anything wrong with crying and talking to yourself in the shower obviously) but just a little small reminder that every pic you see on my account is one in a hundred (or sometimes four hundred) and it was all about the right angle, right lighting and of course the right filter. Nothing perfect about me and nothing perfect about my life (except for @royatiya, and my parents❤️). Just a girl with big dreams who’s going to regret posting this in 1,2,3..."
Scroll down below to see how this influencer got real with the internet and don't forget to upvote your favs!
More info: Instagram
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Social media has become a heavy presence in our society and researchers have taken notice. It might seem obvious (maybe not) but scrolling through Instagram and even putting yourself out there for display has played into negative body image. Don't believe it? A systematic review was conducted in 2016 with 20 papers worth of proof.
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Research done on social media, body image and beauty standards suggests that who we compare ourselves to online plays an important role in how we see ourselves.“People are comparing their appearance to people in Instagram images, or whatever platform they're on, and they often judge themselves to be worse off,” said Jasmine Fardouly to the BBC, a postdoctoral researcher at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. "In a survey of 227 female university students, women reported that they tend to compare their own appearance negatively with their peer group and with celebrities, but not with family members, while browsing Facebook. The comparison group that had the strongest link to body image concerns was distant peers, or acquaintances."
Not all pages are created equal when it comes to their effect on our psyche. Researchers found that “fitspiration” images in particular – which often feature beautiful people performing exercises, or at least pretending to – might make you harsher on yourself. In 2017 associate professor at the University of West England, Bristol, Amy Slater, published a study in 2017 in which 160 female undergraduates viewed either #fitspo, self compassion quotes, or a mix of both, all sourced from real accounts on Instagram. Those who viewed only #fitspo scored lower on self-compassion, but the ones who viewed the compassionate quotes (e.g. “You’re perfect just the way you are”) were nicer to themselves – and felt better about their bodies.
#4
goodmorning 5 years ago
The smile make people beautiful anyway ,so the first picture is not fake form me. I think the lesson is given by the puppy. Don't try too much ,Be yourself , be natural and you always will be beautiful .
#5
Rafael Castro 5 years ago
I would love to hang with the girl on the right, rather than the one on the left, in EVERY set of pics. :)
#6
Non-New-Toni-An 5 years ago
I have never been in a hot air balloon, I'm sure it would be awesome! I was at a festival in Portugal where drunken revellers were going up in a balloon but I didn't want to do it unless I was sober!!!!!
#9
Rob Roy Metre 5 years ago (edited)
I love the honest one more than the pro photograph with this one. Incredible how much you're face changes with the right angle and lighting and so on. I've seen other models do this and always admire their honesty. One of them looks like a goddess with all the makeup and styling and the fairy clothing, but you'd just walk past her in the street without it all. It's a bit of fantasy and there's nothing wrong with that as long as you know it is. Thank you for sharing.
#10
CookieNeerrrrd 5 years ago
Im honestly not that bothered by both pics... but the right scares me cuz WHAT IF SHE FALLS OFF?????? I hvae a phobia of heights okay no judge plz
#11
Natasha Forchione 5 years ago
Geez, I can't believe posing in your underwear for the world to see has become so commonplace now
#13
Hilliary Smith 5 years ago
Actually, there are straight lines in those flowers, which means they are cultivated. She's probably standing in the empty paths left for the gardeners. So she's doing the opposite of ruining the flowers! She's avoiding the flowers, and avoiding waiting into the middle of a field of wildflowers! Kudos to her!
#17
Sue Sanders 5 years ago
Watch especially the thighs. A minor of change in posture and she goes from supermodel to just a woman hanging out.
#18
Laurie Goff 5 years ago
Which filter do you use to get rid of the double chin? Cause I want that!
#21
#22
Rob Roy Metre 5 years ago
The one on the left is really high maintenance and stand offish. The one on the right is someone you can tell your most personal thoughts and cuddle while watching a late night film.
#23
Bluebell Rizzi 5 years ago
In this instance, I actually genuinely like the second picture better. In the others, I'm not going to say she looks better just because she's pulling a more natural face. But yeah. This one.
#24
#25
Colin Leetham 5 years ago
Instagram influencer critiques 5 Guys, discovers new Coke flavors are c**p.
#27
Sue Sanders 5 years ago
Head tilt, thigh action, a few strands of hair more adventitiously placed, and the story changes dramatically. First is professional; second is a best friend snapping pics.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Roger Haywood 5 years ago
I'm sorry if this comment offends, but I think these so called 'influencers' are just a bunch of self absorbed, arrogant snobs with over-inflated egos.
My O My 5 years ago (edited)
So, if I get this right I don't need no new looks but some photoshop skills...
Daria B 5 years ago
Smart move, I'd say. She knows what's going on with the trends and the directions in which they move. She skillfully collected all the followers when it was fashionable to love influencers, now she's ridiculing herself because she knows that's what people want to see. I might be giving too much credit to someone here, but I see this is more intelligent than it looks like. Having said that, I'm not a fan of such influencers either. Maybe if there were one with an actual artistic concept...
Bathsheba 5 years ago
These "staged vs. reality" threads are a cheesy Instagram trend in themselves. Oooh, look at me, I'm being so unguarded and 'real' showing you what's behind the mask. So raw and honest, showing off a *slightly* less polished version of my conventionally attractive and fashionable self.
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
The first line of this article baffles me - "People love to scroll through glossy photos of Instagram influencers with both awe and envy" - exactly what people would that be? Pretty clearly not Pandas!
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
1: I notice she uses a warm filter to make herself look more tan. 2: I don't believe she ate any of the food in front of her but she needs to. I shouldn't be able to see your ribs, it's not healthy to be overly skinny.
Country Nana 5 years ago
I don't mind. Live and let live. But don't we all delete photos in favor of ones that make us look better? I even do it with friends and family. If there's a reason for keeping an unflattering selfie or what not, then I keep it, of course.
Leodavinci 5 years ago
The point of all this being...? Beyond the absurdity that half are "fake" and half are "real". All of them are equally "real" (or equally fake). Each photo of each pair is "all about the right angle, right lighting and right filter". In each pair, the second "candid" "real" photo is just as staged as the first one.
Pobin Rice 5 years ago
Imagine being a this worthless pointless drain on society giving nothing back to any community in any way. What happened to actually having knowledge and a personality
Dian Parama Kosala 5 years ago
Wtf thats just photshoped photo vs real ones.. And WTF is influencer?
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago (edited)
This is so f*****g contrived it hurts. "LOL guys I spend every second of everyday working on my appearance but I have flaws just like you other humans! See, look at me making a face and using only 40 filters instead of 100!"
Jill 5 years ago
Is it just me or are lots of the IG pics compared to the normal ones just her with different facial expressions (posing and photoshop ofc too)? In the IG ones she rarely smiles while in the normal ones she at least has some expression on her face. In that case, I would much rather lead a normal life than an IG one.
Alusair Alustriel 5 years ago
Call me elder, but I don't really understand the idea behind "influencer". What do they do exactly? They make a bunch of photoshoped selfies and then what? I know what INFLUENCE means, but how are they calling themselves that, if they have never been heard of?
Pseudo Puppy 5 years ago
good lighting, good angle, and never showing the 'bad' photos... the foundation of all fashion / commercial / advertising / portrait / wedding photography. It's the difference between "photography" and "snapshots".
Elizabeth 5 years ago
I really enjoyed this thread, and find it interesting that I like the person in the imperfect photos so much more than the person in the perfect ones. Those unflattering shots show her personality and makes it look like she may be a lot more fun to hang with than the perfect photos convey.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
I can't help but wonder how fulfilling it is to be an infuencer. Do they feel like they're making a positive impact on others? What happens when their looks fade?
Calum Sanderson 5 years ago
Literally all of the second images are better looking because they're warmer and REAL.
Katinka Min 5 years ago
I love these. They'd be perfect for any modelling or acting classes. the girl really knows her angles. And it also shows how totally absurd all these 'casual' pics in Instagram are. They feel about as real as 80s/90s sitcoms.
Laura West 5 years ago
Who exactly does an "influencer" influence? Someone explain this to me. I can only see them influencing other complete morons who rely too heavily on social media. Well, that and 13 year old girls.
Glynis Lailann 5 years ago
I think Influencers are part of the problem why we have so many 'fake people' today. It is so refreshing to meet Real People which is a rarity in current times. If you don't have the right things, clothes, drive the right car or travel to the right destinations then we are considered to be Nobodies. My message: Get A Life & Get Real.
Yehudit Hannah Cohn 5 years ago
I think everyone is missing the point--the model is trying to tell us that we shouldn't believe everything we see, nor should we deprecate ourselves because we don't look like what we see.
Jackie Butts 5 years ago
Actually this was a pretty good demonstration for how different angles really produce different results. I will never be a model, but I would like to look my best in photos (especially the ones that distant friends and family see on-line) I am always a smiler, never a pouter or duck face...although my husband and I enjoy making faces at the camera and those pictures seem to get the most approval (laughs) from everyone. (and we are in our 50's) As for the whole Instagram/Influencer thing...maybe I am too old to be affected by it. I don't follow anyone that I don't actually know.
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
She and/or her photographers know her best camera angles and expressions. She really can look like a goddess or like any other pretty, slim young woman. The difference is what she can project. If people are willing to be influenced, more power to her. It's no difference than the advertising celebrities did on their radio and television shows early in those industries.
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
She seems smart and I like her. I bet in 5 years she'll be doing something way more interesting than 'influencing.'
AzKhaleesi 5 years ago
@Roger Haywood, I don't think Natasha meant that in an attacking way. She was saying that it's sad that these influencers make more money then us that are educated and are good at our "normal" 9-5 jobs.
Roger Haywood 5 years ago
I'm sorry if this comment offends, but I think these so called 'influencers' are just a bunch of self absorbed, arrogant snobs with over-inflated egos.
My O My 5 years ago (edited)
So, if I get this right I don't need no new looks but some photoshop skills...
Daria B 5 years ago
Smart move, I'd say. She knows what's going on with the trends and the directions in which they move. She skillfully collected all the followers when it was fashionable to love influencers, now she's ridiculing herself because she knows that's what people want to see. I might be giving too much credit to someone here, but I see this is more intelligent than it looks like. Having said that, I'm not a fan of such influencers either. Maybe if there were one with an actual artistic concept...
Bathsheba 5 years ago
These "staged vs. reality" threads are a cheesy Instagram trend in themselves. Oooh, look at me, I'm being so unguarded and 'real' showing you what's behind the mask. So raw and honest, showing off a *slightly* less polished version of my conventionally attractive and fashionable self.
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
The first line of this article baffles me - "People love to scroll through glossy photos of Instagram influencers with both awe and envy" - exactly what people would that be? Pretty clearly not Pandas!
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
1: I notice she uses a warm filter to make herself look more tan. 2: I don't believe she ate any of the food in front of her but she needs to. I shouldn't be able to see your ribs, it's not healthy to be overly skinny.
Country Nana 5 years ago
I don't mind. Live and let live. But don't we all delete photos in favor of ones that make us look better? I even do it with friends and family. If there's a reason for keeping an unflattering selfie or what not, then I keep it, of course.
Leodavinci 5 years ago
The point of all this being...? Beyond the absurdity that half are "fake" and half are "real". All of them are equally "real" (or equally fake). Each photo of each pair is "all about the right angle, right lighting and right filter". In each pair, the second "candid" "real" photo is just as staged as the first one.
Pobin Rice 5 years ago
Imagine being a this worthless pointless drain on society giving nothing back to any community in any way. What happened to actually having knowledge and a personality
Dian Parama Kosala 5 years ago
Wtf thats just photshoped photo vs real ones.. And WTF is influencer?
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago (edited)
This is so f*****g contrived it hurts. "LOL guys I spend every second of everyday working on my appearance but I have flaws just like you other humans! See, look at me making a face and using only 40 filters instead of 100!"
Jill 5 years ago
Is it just me or are lots of the IG pics compared to the normal ones just her with different facial expressions (posing and photoshop ofc too)? In the IG ones she rarely smiles while in the normal ones she at least has some expression on her face. In that case, I would much rather lead a normal life than an IG one.
Alusair Alustriel 5 years ago
Call me elder, but I don't really understand the idea behind "influencer". What do they do exactly? They make a bunch of photoshoped selfies and then what? I know what INFLUENCE means, but how are they calling themselves that, if they have never been heard of?
Pseudo Puppy 5 years ago
good lighting, good angle, and never showing the 'bad' photos... the foundation of all fashion / commercial / advertising / portrait / wedding photography. It's the difference between "photography" and "snapshots".
Elizabeth 5 years ago
I really enjoyed this thread, and find it interesting that I like the person in the imperfect photos so much more than the person in the perfect ones. Those unflattering shots show her personality and makes it look like she may be a lot more fun to hang with than the perfect photos convey.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
I can't help but wonder how fulfilling it is to be an infuencer. Do they feel like they're making a positive impact on others? What happens when their looks fade?
Calum Sanderson 5 years ago
Literally all of the second images are better looking because they're warmer and REAL.
Katinka Min 5 years ago
I love these. They'd be perfect for any modelling or acting classes. the girl really knows her angles. And it also shows how totally absurd all these 'casual' pics in Instagram are. They feel about as real as 80s/90s sitcoms.
Laura West 5 years ago
Who exactly does an "influencer" influence? Someone explain this to me. I can only see them influencing other complete morons who rely too heavily on social media. Well, that and 13 year old girls.
Glynis Lailann 5 years ago
I think Influencers are part of the problem why we have so many 'fake people' today. It is so refreshing to meet Real People which is a rarity in current times. If you don't have the right things, clothes, drive the right car or travel to the right destinations then we are considered to be Nobodies. My message: Get A Life & Get Real.
Yehudit Hannah Cohn 5 years ago
I think everyone is missing the point--the model is trying to tell us that we shouldn't believe everything we see, nor should we deprecate ourselves because we don't look like what we see.
Jackie Butts 5 years ago
Actually this was a pretty good demonstration for how different angles really produce different results. I will never be a model, but I would like to look my best in photos (especially the ones that distant friends and family see on-line) I am always a smiler, never a pouter or duck face...although my husband and I enjoy making faces at the camera and those pictures seem to get the most approval (laughs) from everyone. (and we are in our 50's) As for the whole Instagram/Influencer thing...maybe I am too old to be affected by it. I don't follow anyone that I don't actually know.
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
She and/or her photographers know her best camera angles and expressions. She really can look like a goddess or like any other pretty, slim young woman. The difference is what she can project. If people are willing to be influenced, more power to her. It's no difference than the advertising celebrities did on their radio and television shows early in those industries.
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
She seems smart and I like her. I bet in 5 years she'll be doing something way more interesting than 'influencing.'
AzKhaleesi 5 years ago
@Roger Haywood, I don't think Natasha meant that in an attacking way. She was saying that it's sad that these influencers make more money then us that are educated and are good at our "normal" 9-5 jobs.
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