Kseniya I. Content Marketing Expert

Instagram photo editing trends you need to try ASAP

Social media photo editing trends are constantly changing, reflecting our moods and fashion trends. We have collected 6 top trends that you should definitely try in your SMM in 2022.

Desaturated tones

Gone are the days of sharp editing and saturation pumping. Desaturated tones are what everyone is craving for in 2022. We're talking about lowering brightness, a hint of sharpness, and saying goodbye to vibrant colors.

To achieve this effect, reduce the brightness and highlights. You can easily achieve this look by editing directly from your phone's camera settings, but you can use photo and video editing apps.

If a dark pitch is not to your liking, you can still play with desaturated tones. Try lowering the saturation and increasing the brightness.

Unedited photos

The raw photo trend has gradually gained momentum over the past 12 months and is expected to become a major trend in the near future. A stream of brands and creators are now decorating their feeds with no edit photos.

Even the most natural photos are subject to some editing, but the trick is to make them invisible. To do this, make minor changes to the contrast, brightness and color correction. This trend towards minimal editing goes hand in hand with the rise of authentic content in recent years, which has changed the way brands and creators interact with their communities.

Once upon a time, brands strove for the perfect experience. But in 2022, brands will become more open, honest and vulnerable in their communities.

Text overlays

Adding synchronized text overlays is a great way to tell a strong story, and it also looks very aesthetically pleasing. To capitalize on this trend, use external editing applications such as InShot. You can download and import fonts and add them to the screen within the specified time.

Light glare and reflections

Highlights and reflections are another hot trend making a splash on social media.

These changes are appearing in Generation Z feeds and creators, influencers and millennial-focused brands. You don't need fancy lighting or a photo studio to achieve this effect, it can all be achieved through editing.

To recreate this trend, try an editing app like the Pink Papaya app (iOS) to apply highlights, shadows, and a prism feature, or Tezza (iOS and Android) with its light and shadow effects.

Pink tones and filters

Pink tones and filters can make your social media account look whimsical and nostalgic. Think of a 90s Barbie as an aesthetic that's perfect for a millennial-oriented audience. There are many free editing apps and presets available to help you recreate this effect.

Warm tones

Warm tones bring a sense of coziness and richness to any content and are perfect for interior design, portraits, and product shots.

To recreate this trend, look for red-brown presets. A great starting point is the "Toasty" and "Warm" Tezza series and VSCO.

Keep in mind that creating a cohesive Instagram aesthetic for your feed isn't as important as it used to be. This means that you can experiment with different options. Don't be afraid to try something new!

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