How Influencers are using Instagram Camera Effects to Engage their Following
How do you know when a technology is picking up traction? When it comes to the mainstream. And, what better way to gauge that than to consider what the leaders of modern society’s social mainstream are doing- influencers and creators. Instagram camera effects have been around since 2019, but with the launch of IG Shops and Reels, the platform is ramping up its promotion of the camera effects feature. In accordance with this shift, creators of the platform have also jumped on board, creating their own custom camera effects to help engage their following. Here, we have compiled a list of over 40 influencers who are using Instagram camera effects to deepen their interactions with their followers.
Inspired by what you see? If you are a creator, manager or brand looking to have your own custom camera effect created, our team is here to help. Simply reach out to us with some information on your brand and what you’re looking for, and it would be our pleasure to help!
Travel & Photography Influencers using Camera Effects
From stunning landscapes to faraway lands, photographers and travel bloggers make their living off sharing the beautiful sights of the world through their lenses. Why not take some of those ‘island vibes’ and transfer the feeling into an Instagram filter? Especially given that many influencers of this kind create and sell their own presets, a filter effect for their following to enjoy is a natural extension of the real world-turned digital experience. Check out the examples that we’ve compiled here, including Lauren Bullen and Chelsea Yamase.
- Lauren Bullen @gypsea_lust (2M)
This famous Australia-native and Bali-based travel blogger also has a photo editing and preset app.
- Dean Michale Unglert @deanie_babies (1.3M)
- Marie & Jake Snow @mariefeandjakesnow (1M)
The husband and wife Snow team are travel bloggers, but also ethical fashion label entrepreneurs.
- Chelsea Yamase @chelseakauai (1M)
This Hawaii-born beauty’s feed doesn’t disappoint, being full of nature shots. Chelsea is also a free diver, acroyoga teacher and general adventurer.
- Luke Stackpole @withluke (468k)
- Nolan Omura @nolanomura (443k)
Omura is a 23-year old water-based photographer & videographer from Hawaii with a stunning feed, and physique to boot.
- Alen Palander @alenpalander (790k)
This content creator’s feed exudes dark vibes, but his Instagram filters feature simple camera styles.
- Emilie Ristevski @helloemilie (1.3M)
- Carmen Hunter @carmenhuter (159k)
Carmen Hunter is based in Innsbruck, Austria.
- Aggie @aggie (815k)
Canadians on IG
As an agency based in Canada, we wanted to demonstrate our national pride by sharing some of our country’s favourite creator talent. Among the featured creators, you will notice a trend of body positivity, female empowerment and health, with a little kick of Bachelor Nation as well. These Canadian ladies are all using their Instagram filters on a regular basis when posting stories and sharing their day-to-day with followers. On the other hand, while she has a filter, Nicole Zajac gets very real with her following when it comes to the potential negative implications of Instagram filters. For example, those that morph the face in extreme ways, like by changing face or feature (eyes, nose, cheekbones) shape. All technologies are a double-edged sword, a reality that is always top of mind for our team at New Future Creative.
- Nicole Zajac @nicolezaajac (102k)
- Sarah Nicole Landry @thebirdspapaya (1.7M)
A household name in Canada, Sarah, known by her handle, is known for breaking down stigma around body image and getting real about relationships.
- Cassey Ho @blogilates (1.9M)
Get your pilates on! Cassey Ho shares her fitness journey and tips, tricks and workouts (via YouTube) to help her followers achieve the same.
- Jonita Hayer @lemonpoppyseedgirl (91k)
- Kaitlyn Bristowe @kaitlynbristowe (1.9M)
Bristowe is best known for being theBachelorette Season 11, but was also recently on the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2020.
Drag Queens
We certainly hope that more drag queens jump on the custom Instagram filter bandwagon, because this content is fabulous! Our team at New Future Creative looks forward to seeing more drag filters, especially if they allow the user to try on the queens’ signature looks.
- Trixie Mattel @trixiemattel (2.2M)
One of America’s most famous drag queens, Trixie Mattel’s filter Barbara helps to promote her new album of the same name, her third album to date.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race @rupaulsdragrace (3.2M)
Okay… so this may not be a person who’s an influencer, but the institution that is RuPaul’s Drag Race certainly definitely has a lot of influence.
- Heidi N Closet @heidincloset (724k)
Don’t miss out on the pun here! The ‘Heidi’s Gap’ camera effect serves to showcase this queen’s signature tooth gap.
Instagram Filters among German Influencers
Somewhat random, but it turns out that Germany-based creators have been early adopters when it comes to having custom Instagram effects for creators. This demonstrates that once adoption of this technology becomes a trend in an influencer niche (or any market segment for that matter), you need it to stay relevant. Will you be a leader or be playing catch-up?
- Ana Johnson @anajohnson (1.1M)
- Maren Wolf @marenwolf (1.7M)
For cute chubby baby pics, Maren Wolf’s feed is a must-see!
- Dagi @dagibee (6.3M)
As a content creator, Dagi’s filters feature lots of freckles and light filtering. But the personality is also a serial entrepreneur- don’t skip out on checking out her ventures.
- Sara Desideria @saradesideria (763k)
- Jana @janasdiary (345k)
- Tim Johnson @timjohnsonx (163k)
Tim is the husband of content creator Ana Johnson, as well as a podcast host and entrepreneur.
- Caroline Daur @carodaur (2.7M)
Musicians using custom camera effects to spread their music
Musicians are a subset of creators for whom using camera effects makes even more sense. Effects can be created to feature a snippet of a song each time that they are played, meaning that artists' music can be discovered by new fans as the Instagram effects are spread virally! For 35 other musicians who are using custom Instagram filters to help spread their music, check out our blog post on the subject.
- Ella Eyre @ellaeyre (482k)
- Little Mix @littemix (13.8M)
The iconic British girl group has five camera effects to discover, but none of which actually feature their songs! Guess they don’t much need the help with the breadth of their loyal following.
- Mabel @mabel (1M)
This British-Swedish singer-songwriter’s filters are named for the songs that they feature and promote- ‘Boyfriend’ and ‘Tick Tock’.
- Becky Hill @beckyhill (197k)
- Ella Henderson @official_ellahenderson (434k)
- Grace Carter @gracecarter (80k)
- Bebe Rexha @beberexha (10.6M)
Bebe Rexha’s signature red mane is featured prominently in the three lavish filters on her profile.
- John Legend @johnlegend (13.5M)
The legend himself actually features a Christmas-themed Instagram filter on his account, pictured on the featured image of this content piece.
- Kacey Musgraves @spaceykacey (2.1M)
- Olivia O’Brien @oliviaobrien (1.4M)
Camera Effects of Celebrities & Others
From classic celebrities like Ellen Degeneres and Jamie Lynn Spears, to camera effect pioneers like Carmen Kroll, we’re covering them all.
- Ellen Degeneres @theellenshow (95.1M)
- Caelynn Miller-Keyes @caelynnmillerkeyes (1.4M)
- Bobby Berk @bobby (2.8M)
Bobby is a star of the reality TV show Queer Eye, bringing his interior design skills to the table in assisting people revamp and reinvent their lives for the better.
- Sara Shakeel @sarashakeel (1M)
Did you know that crystal artists exist? Well, they do, and Sara is proof. Check out her profile to be dazzled.
- James Wedmore @jameswedmore (93.6k)
- Jamie Lynn Spears @jamielynnspears (2.1M)
- Jamie Milne @everything_delish (307k)
- Carmen Kroll @carmushka (1M)
In all likelihood, you have used one of Carmen’s Instagram filters. Their subtle camera styles, the sheer number of them, and their relative popularity have made them some of the most popular filters on Instagram. In fact, the success of her camera effects have been measured at 3 billion impressions.
Which of your favorite creators would you like to see a custom Instagram filter from? These digital assets are still relatively new, but will increasingly become a tool for influencers to engage and monetize their following. The latter would come through influencer-brand partnerships, with influencers using product or brand-centric filters when sharing brand partners’ products or services. Given this, we invite both creators and brands with foresight to consider introducing their audiences to Instagram filters ahead of their integrations with the Instagram shopping experience.
Want to create a custom Instagram effect of your own? Reach out to us via the form below! In the meantime, you can also check out our other articles here, and see our past client work.
