Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Charlene Retanan @charetzel

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

My name is Charlene, 23 years old and I’m the Philippines. I am currently living two lives: I’m a Software Engineer by profession and I’m a content creator/artist by passion. I’ve been an art lover for as long as I can remember, I’m a photography enthusiast I mainly use Instagram for to host my photos. In Youtube, I make contents (covers, lifestyle and travel/personal vlogs). I am also one of the faces of Adober Studios under a Philippine broadcasting company, ABS-CBN. And starred in several of their web series on Youtube (Bakit Ka Single, Unspoken Rules and Dear Adobers)

In spite of the busy schedules, I always opt to be as grounded as possible and just be that woman who loves to learn and explore. I just love the art that’s why I always push myself and allot time for the things I love.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I just want to capture a person who aspire to be the best of herself through creative shots by posting genuine situations of a day-to-day life of a Filipino woman. I mostly post photos of travel, sceneries, daily life, portraits and self portraits.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

My Instagram handle is @charetzel. It is actually a combination of my name "CHArlene RETanan". I just added the "-zel" part so it could look fun and when people read it they would think about pretzels which is warm in the heart (and in your tummy too)

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

I mainly use Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom for my photos and if I don’t have time to sit in and use my desktop apps, I use Vsco or Lightroom Mobile app.

What I usually do is I shoot outside or be in an event or just plain traveling, I just collect photos and from there I select the good ones and enhance it with the said apps that I’m using. I don’t really go over editing, I just want to make the photos pop like enhancing colors, brightness (if needed), and sharpening it. I love my photos with nice and bright colors but a little faded out.

I also use this sort of feed planner app called Planoly, where you can, guess what? Plan your Instagram feed! It’s actually very helpful because you could already see what your feed would actually look like if you have this photos on your Instagram. So, I use this app if I have backlogs to post.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I mostly follow bloggers/vloggers like Camie Juan. She’s my favorite influencer and she inspires to continue what I’m doing for she is one of the most strong women that we have in the industry. She just speaks what’s on her mind and I can super relate to her because we both share the same love for art and traveling.

I also follow Jessica Clements and Maya Stepper. They are both international models, but don’t get me wrong I don’t really aspire to be exactly like them. I mean yes, they really do have a beautiful face and really nice bodies, but I do love them for their personality and what they fight for. They are both outspoken women who fights for women and their beauty is actually just a plus.

I also love Karoline Pietrowski and a local Filipina artist, Valerie Chua. I so love their art. Karoline creates the cutest paintings and Valerie is a fantastic painter. I am so in love with it and actually looking forward to buy or commission an artwork by them.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Experience the beaches here in the Philippines! We have lots of beautiful beaches here and they should really go and see it.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

As ironic as it is, I don’t really like the term influencer for nowadays there are a lot of "influencers" who have a huge following, but some of them don’t really influence people in a good way. I rather be a figure who use this "influence" to spread good things to the internet because we really need it. Or maybe use this influence to make an relevant advocacies.

But to answer the question, as an influencer I loved that I could reach out and connect to lots of people who have the same passion and values in life. It makes it more easier for us to contribute and work on the things we love to do together.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

One thing that I can give you is know your people. Know the people who works for you because with this you can truly engage your campaigns and possibly reach your goals easier and more fun as well. Being authentic maybe, just don’t push things or campaigns that really doesn’t voice out your own beliefs and values. It’s another cliche for "Just be yourself"

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Relating to my answer to number 8, just be yourself. But this time, be your better self. Creating quality and original content is not easy. It requires lots of time and preparations, it’s work. Nothing comes easy in a blink of an eye for everything we do we should work hard for it. Just like you thinking that if I wanted to be famous or be known for what I do, it all starts with an initiative to do what you want. And lastly, it is far more of a good feeling if you reach your peak by doing your own contents and being as original as it is.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I get to know more the industry and meet people who could help in growing my career. I also love that I learn lots of things from each brands that I partner with and I also get to meet good friends along the way.

Topics:

• Art
• Fashion
• Film, Music & Books
• Hair & Beauty
• Health & Fitness
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

Philippines