Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Mary Van Namee @simplymare

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

I’m Mary and I’m a 20 year old from Northern Indiana. I am currently a full time college student studying Sociology. I have a photography business on the side and that’s typically how I spend my free time.

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

My brand is all about owning who you are and creating active and creative lifestyles. I battle mental health issues, so having an active and creative lifestyle enables me to keep moving. I post a lot of lifestyle photos — I like to focus on projects I’m working on for my blog, decor, and lifestyle.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

I started with a generic name and as my brand grew, I settled more into Simply Mare. To me, it just means that I am me and nobody can stop me from being whatever that is. I am focused on creating a positive environment for myself and those around me, so that’s what simplymare means to me.

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

If the photos come from my Nikon, all of my editing occurs in Lightroom. If they’re taken on my iPhone 6s, I start in VSCO to play with my exposure, highlights, etc. and then proceed to an app called 1967. Here, typically, I’ll settle on one of two chosen filters and then my photos are ready to be posted!

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

I really like @candidlychan and @happilygrey. Both of them have their own clear, eclectic style and I really admire that. I like that they’re extremely relatable, too– their accounts and blogs aren’t all about business and I think that’s what makes Instagrammers unique.

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

That 2017 is going to be my year. I’m expanding my little photog business so I can try to help other instagrammers establish and own their brand and to really fall in love with themselves as that’s what my brand is about!

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

I love the engagement. I’m always getting new people commenting and following me and I think it’s just a really unique experience to be able to connect with so many individuals all across the world. Being able to step outside of my smal circle of friends and still feel like I belong is really cool, too.

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

I think that it’s important to really know who your audience is. The point of social media is to engage and get people interested in what your brand has to offer, so really getting to know those sets of people is important before starting any campaign or release for product. I think that’s what helps maintain authenticity, because if you remain true to yourself, your followers will do the same and they will develop a thirst for what you have to offer. Being yourself from the get go is so important because other instagrammers want to see that consistency. Establishing yourself is so important when engaging with your followers.

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

My advice is to unapologetically be yourself. When I first started, I was all about the cookie cutter photos and getting people to like me… but that wasn’t enough; I wasn’t being genuine with myself, so I knew I couldn’t expect to gain and maintain genuine followers, either. Being yourself may seem scary sometimes, but it’s more than rewarding in the end.

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

I love networking and developing those friendships. It’s amazing to work professionally with brands, but being able to get to know them outside of their brand is the most enjoyable part — it gives you that inside scoop and kind of lets you in on how and why they built their brand to begin with.

Topics:

• Design
• DIY & Crafts
• Fashion
• Nature & Outdoors
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

United States of America