It’s time to flip the focus on the men behind the posts. Preen talks to different Instagram husbands and boyfriends who work just as much as our favorite influencers to get that shot just right, with or without credit.
Behind every successful woman is a very supportive boyfriend—and that goes to be true for fashion and lifestyle blogger Camille Co. She may have started doing things on her own, but as she found love, she also found an Instagram husband in the form of Joni Koro.
Their relationship is actually on the down low, but you might recognize him because he regularly appears on Camille’s Snapchat and even on her Instagram account. We found out that he’s now responsible to some (if not all) of Camille’s OOTDs and social media entries. In that light, we caught up with Joni and asked him how life has been since he become an Instagram husband to one of Manila’s famous bloggers.
Scroll down and get to know him, too!
Describe an Instagram husband.
Haha! I don’t think there is a single description which would suit all the Instagram husbands in the world, but the famous video for sure gives a good sneak peek to some of the aspects of being an IG husband. I think it’s just a fun extra layer to the relationships today, you help her out she helps you out. That’s how relationships should work anyways, right?
What is Camille’s best angle?
She always insists it to be the left side of her face, but to me she is pretty from all angles. I think when you are very invested in a profession like this, you end up spending some quality time in front of the mirror—the more you keep staring at yourself the more things you see and start preferring one over the other, sometimes justified sometimes not. Anyhow, apart from the left side, lower angle is important to elongate her already long legs.
How many shots on average does it take to get it right?
This depends on how hot day it is. If she’s already feeling the heat on her skin when we reach the shoot location it’s only a quick shoot and we are done. She’s not too picky either, she knows what she is doing and we wrap the shoot fast. Also, she often feels uneasy if people start staring during the shoot so that pushes us to be more efficient.
How many lattes have you drank cold or meals have your eaten cold?
This is debatable—I would say a few and she’ll probably deny (LOL). But to be honest, one thing she really loves is food, if she feels the food takes too long for all of it to be on the table she rather start eating than sacrifice the taste over a photo.
Best tip for low lighting conditions.
Oh my, I’m really not a professional photographer. Most of the stuff I know I’ve learned shooting Camille. I guess no flash is usually better than with flash then edit the photo to adjust the colors instead.
Have you and Camille fought over a photo?
No, not yet. It’s her business and passion, I don’t want to push my views to her. If any. How it usually goes: She picks a spot, takes a test shot, and I’ll try to follow the orders. Sometimes I’m too slow which causes some annoyance, but other than that it’s been a smooth ride.
What do you think of the new Instagram logo and layout?
I love the new layout! I’m from the Nordics so the cleaner and simpler the design the better.
Favorite photo editing app?
I used to never use any editing apps, but now I’m addicted to Snapseed. I’ve even started editing the photos I randomly send to my family and friends, not only the ones I post on IG. It’s incredible how much you can do with your phone alone. I have to admit though, often the photos get retouched by Camille after my desperate tries to fix them. She’ll go, “Hay nako, send it to me.”
Favorite filter?
I have no favorite filter since I never use them. Although, when I’m made to choose between a few picture options, apparently I always go for the VSCO version. That’s all I know.
Advice for all Instagram husbands out there.
I don’t think I’m in position to give advices to anyone. Being an IG Husband is part of the relationship in today’s connected world so I’ll leave the relationship counselling to the professionals. If your girl or boy is invested in social media just support it. Being an IG husband doesn’t mean you have to be enslaved, do it because you love your partner but also set your own boundaries on how far you want to go for the perfect photo. Being an IG husband should be fun, so if you are not comfortable with something just talk about it, be on the same page. I’m sure your partner will understand.
Do you get annoyed when you have to stop so Camille can take a photo?
No, not at all. I actually often steal her spots to send some photos to my friends and family. She has a good eye, which inevitably leads to sometimes having to stop quite a few times on the way. Camille usually posts 4-6 photos a day, meaning she really has to have a huge photo stock to choose from. Especially as she also wants to take care of her feed.
What do you always remember during your shoots?
Stick to the test shot framing, less floor more sky, be fast… and be faster. I’ve seen some bloggers and IG Husbands going around with a huge bag of accessories, but luckily Camille is not one of those. We might have the DSLR with us, but that’s it. No gazillion lenses and other stuff to get confused with.
What has being an Instagram husband taught you?
I’ve actually learned a lot about photo angles, framing, fixing the camera settings, etc.—in general, I learned about photography. I used to be such a newbie, the progress has been slow but steady. Now I even rarely succeed without any prior advice. Surprises me every time.
Describe your dream Instagram moment or bucket list Instagram shoot.
For me, the dream IG moment with Camille would have a genuine setting—the location doesn’t have to be Burj Al Arab or Bora Bora in French Polynesia to make the picture great. Although both great photo spots, I’m sure. I appreciate a sincere photo, not too editorial, in which you can sense the mood and which makes you go “oooooh.” There are a lot of these millionaire cashcash accounts on Instagram, but to me those are just fake and soulless. Beautiful place and setting can be found anywhere.
Who do you look up to for inspiration?
Skip. Photography-wise, none really.
What kind of equipment do you use to make your life as an Instagram Husband better?
Camille has few cameras—DSLR and a smaller one. If it’s only IG photo, we often use iPhone but if blog photos then usually DSLR. We don’t have any tripod or such, I’m the human twopod. What would really make my life easier would be stronger thighs. Shooting blog photos in a weird squatting position makes me not only look funny, but also my back sweaty and pictures shaky. But as said, we don’t go around with a huge set of accessories, just with a very simple setup.
Photos courtesy of Joni Koro