Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Lydia Richardson @lydia.rich

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

As of now, I am working out the details for my upcoming trip to Scotland this spring. Originally I am from the islands of Bermuda, but as of now I live and go to school in the United States. In Bermuda, I grew up in a community of outgoing and fun-loving people. Throughout my life I have remained the same way, friendly and determined to live the life I’ve been given in the best way I can. I am going to Scotland in March to see friends and family as well as for the many incredible photography opportunities.

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

On Instagram I primarily post the photos I’ve taken. My main interests are photography, travel, and socialising. I wouldn’t mind taking and posting pictures for brands on Instagram. My photos are typically of nature with the occasional photo of a friend or myself that I or someone else has taken during one of my photoshoots. Photoshoots for me usually include finding a location to spend the day taking pictures with friends.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

My name on Instagram is a shortened version of my name, Lydia Richardson. It’s also that way because of the name of my photography business, Lydia Richardson Photography. I like my pages to be easily accessible by those who know me.

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

I use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and of course, VSCO Cam. In Lightroom and Photoshop, depending on my end goal for the photo, I adjust the brightness, contrast, and colour levels of each picture. I have VSCO Film Packs 02 and 03, as well as the Jannik Obenhoff Lightroom presets, and from one of those I’ll choose a filter to put on my picture based on the aesthetic and colour scheme I’m going for. If I’m not satisfied with how the image looks, I’ll pop it into VSCO Cam on my phone and finish up the editing before posting it. To watermark my photos, which I only do for my website, I created a custom brush on Adobe Photoshop.

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

My favourite instagrammers are @jamesrelfdyer, @brittneyborowski, @brandonwoelfel, and @rmkhnert__. They are all photographers that are great inspirations to me and prompt me to continue with my own photography.

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

My favourite thing to do on Instagram is design a colour-coordinated feed! Not only is it pretty to look at, but it teaches you good skills about editing your photos so that they can all match, and how to create differences in photographs taken in environments that are similar so that all of your photos are unique. To do this, simply choose a colour you’d like to set as your theme, choose a filter or set of filters that work well together, and think ahead so that your photographs have what you need in terms of the background or subject colours.

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

My favourite part about being an influencer is watching other people realise what they’re capable of and be inspired to continue reaching towards their goals and aspirations. I like to make sure that nobody feels as if they’re incapable of doing whatever it is they wish to achieve.

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

If you’re advertising towards older people, make your campaigns simple and sweet so that they are easy to understand and follow. If you’re advertising your campaign towards younger people such as I, make your images and words eye-capturing but not so in a way that it’s irritating. Simplicity but creative flare will draw people to your advertisements. Key words are important and make sure that you are advertising a product or service that is relevant to the people viewing it otherwise it won’t be very successful in drawing clients.

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

It’s extremely important to make sure that the content you are posting is your own or that you have permission to share it. Although you may love someone’s images and are dying to take pictures like them, it’s important to respect their hard work and instead of copying or stealing it, use them for inspiration and create something while crediting them for your inspiration.

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

The thing I like most about partnering with brands is sharing a product that I know works well and is genuine to the people who look up to me and respect me so that they know it’s a reputable product and company. Nobody wants to buy anything from a website or company that they aren’t sure is legit, and brand partners help to decrease some of that worry. As well as that, from partnering with brands I can try products that maybe I’ve never tried before or have always wanted to try, and share my experience with everyone so that they can have it too.

Topics:

• Animals & Pets
• Cooking
• DIY & Crafts
• Food & Drink
• Hair & Beauty
• Nature & Outdoors
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

United States of America