Kimberly Espinel, the creator behind The Little Plantation is all about making plant-based food sexy. If you don’t think that is possible then you haven’t seen Kimberly work yet. Not only does Kimberly share delicious and nutritious recipes, but she also makes it all look absolutely stunning. Her moody, rich tones paired with her expertly styled settings makes you want to dive into her photos and take a bite.
Along with her stunning food photography, Kimberly is also an extremely accomplished educator in her field. She teaches everything from food photography to Instagram strategy to blogging. In everything she does, you can see her passion for creating as well as her willingness to share her knowledge with others.
It is Ok To Transition Slowly:
When you talk to a lot of entrepreneurs, you’re bound to hear all different types of stories about how people quit their 9 to 5 and started their own business. Some say they just up and quit one day and started their business the next. Others say it took them years and years of working a full-time job and nurturing their ideas hustle before they went full time. Different approaches work for different people.
In my opinion, jumping into a business full time right out of the gate sounded terrifying. There was no safety net, I had never done anything like it before and didn’t know if it would actually work out.
So, both Kimberly and I worked part-time while building up our business. This worked great for us because we were able to focus more on our business without throwing away the safety net altogether. I was able to save a little with the money I got from my part-time job, while still giving more attention to my business than a full-time corporate job would allow me to.
Whatever you choose, just know that it is ok to transition slowly, at your own pace. Do what you feel comfortable with and don’t give in to the pressure of what other’s before you have done.
Instagram Tip 1:
Focus on making your grid visually appealing
If you’ve been on Instagram for a while you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say and Instagram grid. That’s the 9 photos that show up at one time when someone scrolls through your feed. Kimberly says having a consistent look on your grid is a great way to really step up your game on Insta.
Check out this great article from plannthat.com all about2 4 great grid ideas for Instagram and how you can get started making your next theme. They show you different examples and exactly how you can plan your posts so that you can achieve a certain look for your grid.
Instagram Tip 2:
Instagram is not just a visual platform, but also a social platform.
We all know how easy it is to get lost in an endless scroll on Insta. We’ve all done it and it’s a great way to get inspired, keep up with friends and check out other’s work and ideas. However, if scrolling is all you’re doing, then you’re really missing out on a lot of Instagram’s potential.
Take some time while you scroll to interact with what you’re seeing. Whether that’s liking posts, commenting, sending a quick DM or following someone, you need to incorporate the social aspect into your social media.
Instagram Tip 3: Have a unique voice
Letting people get t know you and what makes you unique through Instagram is key to mastering the app. Even if you feel like you’re boring or that you have nothing to say, trust me, there is something about you that someone will find interesting,..even if you don’t. So share your personality through your captions, through video and your Instagram stories. Don’t be afraid to share just because you feel that people won’t care. Someone out there will resonate with what you’re saying so don’t overthink and just be yourself!
How to take better photos for your blog and social media:
Really pay attention to where your light is coming from. If you’re shooting flat lays, it’s really important that the tabletop you’re using is right next to a window. If you’re dealing with harsh light, then consider getting a diffuser to soften it a bit.
Resource List:
You Are a Badass®: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
