By way of general explanation for those of you who might not be aware before we get started, bookstagram is a hashtag that is used on Instagram. It’s become the overarching terminology used to describe the greater book community on the social networking site. No matter if you’e snapping photos of Young Adult novels, chatting about the latest Suspense/thriller offering or sharing your love for the latest romance novels being published, Bookstagram offers an all-ecompassing environment to engage your visual senses and find new friends who appreciate the same books you do.
I’ve really grown to love my Bookstragram account over the last year of blogging. Before I started blogging, I had never used Instagram. I didn’t have a personal account – still don’t, actually – and I might have not been entirely clear on the purpose of hashtags at that time… But, I’ve enjoyed the heck out of learning and trying to improve.
I’ve always appreciated Bookstagram for what it provides this blog visually. I like being able to incorporate my photos into my posts. Plus, I’ve come to really enjoy the hobby that book photography has become for me. Seriously, I go all out. This is a photo Mr. Bastion recently took and posted on his own Instagram account of me setting up a shot:
I miiiiight be slightly obsessed with this hobby!
I’ve taken over 100 photos now, using my coffee table as a backdrop. It’s become my unintentional theme, before I even knew what a theme was. That being said, I’ve decided to change my theme up and before I reveal the new look, I wanted to count down my top 10 favorite photos I’ve taken thus far!
Top 10 Bookstagram Photos
10.
My very first photo I ever posted! It has to make the list! It’s vastly different from every other photo I’ve ever taken, but I’m still proud of the attempt at joining in.
9.
Another very early photo, this time of Hunted by Meagan Spooner. I enjoy the angles and colors in this one even still, and it was when I first began to realize that if I pulled my camera away from the cover of the book, I might one day take a halfway decent photo.
8.
This photo of Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo was really when my theme began to establish itself, and is replicated in similar ways from this point on.
7.
The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan. Another exploration of how I could vary color in my photos. This time with green.
6.
The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. This photo just screams springtime to me, which was so necessary after the near neverending winter we just experienced.
5.
The Child Thief by Brom. This one holds a special place in my heart because this is also one of my favorite books!
4.
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. This one was a coordinated effort with Mr. Bastion. I made him blow out the candle so I could focus on trying to capture that smoke billow. Came out pretty cool!
3.
I appreciate this one because it was the first that I began to explore including more than just one book in the picture. It gives an instagram shot a really neat depth that I’ve come to appreciate.
2.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo. I love this for the inclusion of my favorite set of bookends – that octopus in the upper right corner. It’s a showstopper on my bookshelf and I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to use it!
1. 
My favorite shot of all time has got to be the one I took for The Shape of Water by Guillermo Del Toro and Daniel Krause. I just love the layout of this photo, and how the beads look like water droplets. It was really the first time that I’ve been truly proud of a photo I took.
But, that being said, all things must end now it’s time to reveal the ways in which my Instagram has changed!
Theme Reveal!
I’ve been dying to change things up. One thing I noticed with bookstagram, is that over time I really felt like I was beginning to overload my photos with props. I sort of wanted to pull back from that a bit and try starting fresh with a clean slate. I hope you all like it!
If you do like my photos, and we’re not already following each other on Bookstagram, reach out and let me know! My bookstagram is @bookbastion, should you want to look me up!
What do you think of my new theme? Are you on bookstagram? Share a link to one of your favorite photos you’ve taken with me!
xoxo
I love the new theme!! 😍 You Know mine is super simple as well and I usually don’t use too many props so I’m all about the new look!
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Thank you, Amy! That means a lot coming from you! I love your photos. 🙂
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Aww thanks!
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Oh. my. gosh. I so love your new theme! They all look so aesthetic – you are amazing!!!
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Thank you Noriko!! 🙂
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Great bookstagram
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Thanks, Priyasha! ❤
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I love the way you played around with colors in your previous theme, but I really like the minimalism of your new theme as well! Honestly, Bookstagram is but a far dream for me, haha. I simply don’t have the space to create “a little corner”, let alone the right lighting. Living in a small apartment sucks sometimes.. :’)
[And maybe I’m simply not creative enough either..]
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Thank you, Kathy! I hear you on not having the space to take photos. I was taking photos on my coffee table, but I could only take photos for like 2 hours in the mornings due to lack of natural light. I ended up buying those studio lights because it was driving me crazy not being able to take pics when the inspiration struck. I can see how it would be difficult for anyone!
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Definitely! The only two rooms where I have decent lighting are our bedroom and the one where our desk is at. Bedroom is far from ideal and the other one.. Well, let’s just say it’s become more of this “dump room” lately.. :’)
Someday I’ll figure something out! I’m not really ready to invest in studio lights, haha.
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I hear you Kathy! I found a really good deal on those studio lights or else I wouldn’t have bought them. Its so tough having small/intimate spaces to work with for bookstagram.
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Oooh, I didn’t know you were on Bookstagram too! I’ve just followed you – loving your photos! 🙂
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Thank you! I followed you back this morning! 🙂
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Aww, thanks Bentley! 😊
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You have a real knack for this – I cannot seem to master the instagram/hashtag thing – I am such a goober.
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Thank you, DJ! I just searched the popular book related hashtags online and started incorporating them into my posts. You have to be careful to cross check for banned hashtags though, or your instagram account can be shadowbanned. It’s definitely confusing!
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I really like all of those photographs, the way you’ve displayed them is very artistic. You are very talented.
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Thank you, that means a lot!
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All these photos look great. I love the minimalist feel of the new theme.
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Thank you so much, Jo!
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Lovely photos, love the new theme.
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Thank you! ^_^
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Oh my goodness, your dog is adorable! The new theme is lovely too.
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Thank you!!!
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I absolutely love your new Instagram theme it really is a very lovely theme and Mr. Bastion is a really cute dog. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
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Awww thank you Katiria! I’m glad you’re liking the new instagram theme.
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Love the theme. I have a Instagram account for my blog, but don’t use it that often, nor take good photos if I’m honest. I don’t have the time.
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Yeah I sometimes think I bit off more than I could chew with my instagram account. I have to dedicate a couple hours on the weekend to taking pictures! I didn’t realize I would have to do that when I started!
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There’s just something about no.9 that I simply LOVE.
I can see you put a lot of effort in this! Didn’t know you even invested in special lights for it!
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Thank you! And yes, I’m kind of obsessed. My house is in an odd location with a fair amount of trees, so I only have really great lighting in the morning/early afternoon. The lights give me extra time to play around and take photos.
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I figured just as much😁 It’s a great investment👍
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Love them either way, but with the more simplistic theme is really highlights the books.
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Thank you Cia!! ❤
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Gorgeous photos! I really need to be more active on my page.
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Thank you!! ❤
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Your photos are gorgeous! Really love the new theme, very Spring! I need to start using that hashtag!
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Thanks!! I thought my theme felt very spring-like too. One of the reasons why I made the switch actually.
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Well done, I wish I had your patience when it comes to making great photos. I am happy if my shadow isn’t seen lol
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Hahaha I know what you mean! This new theme I’m constantly making sure my thumb isn’t in the photo when I’m holding open the cover of hardcover books.
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Your Instagram is definitely one of my favorites!
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Aww, Michelle! Thank you so much!
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I am loving the minimal look to your new theme. It looks great.
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Thank you so much!
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omg, you have such a professional photoshoot setup going on here! your pics are gorgeous.
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Thank you so much!! I don’t know about professional, but I’m definitely a good imitator of it haha
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Gosh your bookstagram has always inspired me Bentley! You have such an eye with how to put together a photo. Seeing your setup was pretty neat too. That coffee table did such a great job! I admired it everytime I saw one of your photos. Your new theme works quite well with how you designed your new logo and blog too! And I love the circle graphics thing you have going on!
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Thank you, Dani! What a nice thing to say. My coffee table was really a godsend, because before I got that I had no idea where I could possibly take photos in my house. It gave me lots of inspiration. And I’m glad you’re liking the new circle graphics on my blog. I’m really feeling it too.
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