Curate the ultimate photo dump with instax™ instant film
Been crushing over those ultra-iconic, flawlessly curated photo dumps that are cropping up all over Instagram? You know the ones — where the snap selection’s on point, the music pairs perfectly, and the overall mood gives off: this person is unapologetically “living their best life”.
We’re gonna show you how to make them.
Get all the inspo you need for unforgettable photo dumps featuring your favourite instax™ snaps.
Embracing the art of the photo dump
For those of us raised in the digital age, Instagram carousel curation has become a bit of an art form. Perfecting captions, choosing the right mix of memories, selecting the right camera, nailing that “effortless-yet-intentional” vibe — it’s harder than it looks.
Why do we care so much about how we share our snaps? Because it’s personal. It’s our memories, our self-expression, our creativity. And if we’re gonna share our lives with the world, why not do it in a way that offers a sense of who we are?
In recent years, these swipeable pocket-sized slideshows have evolved in a big way. They’re no longer all about perfectly poised pics of friends. Nowadays, we get the behind-the-scenes and the b-roll shots, too. We see the fits of laughter between shots, the big bowls of pasta eaten before the night out, the pre-event text screengrabs, and all the bits in between.
Not all of it’s glamorous, but it’s real. And that’s what makes it special.
From BFF selfies to b-roll footage: selecting your shots
When it comes to shooting and selecting your photo dump snaps, think less “perfection” and more “celebration of life’s best moments”. A photo dump isn’t just about the highlight reel. It’s a curated collection of everything that makes your experiences unique.
What can you include in yours? Here are a few ideas:
Candid moments: Use the instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera to grab killer candids. Think: bestie birthdays, family weddings, fun nights out — anytime you’re letting loose or celebrating. Throw in a group snap of your besties on the dance floor, a wholesome moment at a birthday meal, or even a shot of your friend queuing for a milkshake at 3 a.m. These snaps show life, lived.
GRWM shots: Let’s be real; sometimes, getting ready with your BFF is just as iconic as the event itself. The “I definitely did not wake up like this” selfies, the outfit try-ons, the throwback playlists, the skincare rituals feat. your face masks. These moments are part of the magic, too.
Always grabbing shots of you and your bestie? Get to know the instax SQUARE SQ40™. Thanks to the selfie mirror on the front, it’s never been easier to snap flawless selfies of you and your BFF on the go. Simply twist the lens, flip the camera, and you’re ready to get creative.
Food: Recently sunk your teeth into something tasty? Pics, or it didn’t happen. Whether you enjoyed a beautifully bronzed bagel, an unreal market-stall pizza slice, or a late-night snack that looked “questionable” but definitely hit the spot, food photos add flavour to your dump, literally. Bonus points if you managed to snap a pic of your food before diving in. That takes some *serious* self-control.
Places: Spend lots of time exploring your local area? Show off the places you love to be. From the corner of your fav café to your go-to spot in the park, these snaps show a piece of your everyday. They’re also great for contrasting with faraway travel shots. One minute you’re snapping a rainy top-deck shot from the bus, the next you’re sipping coconut juice on the beach. Who wouldn’t want to see that?
Top tip: Want a camera that captures the moment and prints from your phone, without taking up too much room in your bag? Our instax mini Evo™ is the answer. Both film and digital in one with tonnes of filters to choose from, it makes creating a dream. And because it’s easy to slip into your hand luggage, it’s perfect for taking on your travels.
Something random: Don’t forget to add a wild card to your photo dump. This is the niche/slightly questionable but weirdly aesthetic b-roll shot that ties it all together. Think: a crumpled bus ticket, a song playing on your phone screen, a neon sign that made you pause for a sec. It doesn’t have to make total sense, it just has to feel right.
Sum up your photo spill with captions that slap
There’s a reason people Google caption ideas (we’re deffo not judging). Captions are the icing on the cake, the finishing touch to your photo dump — both the ones you type and the ones written by hand on your film.
Completely lost for words? Use a song lyric that sums up your memories, an inside joke that your best mates will love, or stick strictly to emojis. Why tire your fingertips typing text when you can pull up a colourful icon on your keyboard and make your caption look even cooler? Just sayin’.
Scan, edit, and share
Find photographing your film a bit of a faff? We feel your pain.
Luckily, it’s never a chore with the instax UP!™ app.
With our instax™ cameras, it’s so easy to transform physical snaps into social media gold. Grab an ultra-crisp close-up shot on your instax™ mini 12 or a high-energy group snap on your instax SQUARE SQ1™ and use the instax UP!™ app to scan it in seconds.
Wanna add some extra spice to your photos? Start by printing your snaps onto our instax™ deco film. Then, have fun with the in-built app features. Pair your party pics with glitter, add a dreamy gradient to your beach shot, or match your background to your matcha. There are endless options for every vibe.
Can’t resist posting straight away? Share straight from the app to socials. It’s super simple and faff-free — ideal for sharing stuff on the go.
Setting the mood with music
Let’s be real, no photo dump would be complete without a scene-setting soundtrack. Like photos, music has the power to transport us right back to a moment, so why not use it to your advantage? Whether you’re going for soft nostalgia, high-energy chaos, or straight-up “main character” energy, the right song can make your memories hit even harder.
Completely stuck for ideas? Pick a song that was playing in the background of your best moments. That one summer anthem, the road trip banger, or the song you and your bestie laugh/cried to at 2 a.m. It’ll be an instant emotional rewind.
And don’t be afraid to mix it up. A chaotic night-out dump with an unexpected acoustic ballad? A soft, vintage-inspired series paired with a heavy hip-hop beat? The right contrast can make your carousel feel even more unexpected.
Your Instagram carousel, IRL
You heard it here first: physical photo dumps are a thing now. After all, you wouldn’t want to let those precious film snaps go to waste after sharing them on socials.
Instead of saving photos just for your Instagram followers, celebrate those memories online and off. We’re talking aesthetic wall displays, cute photo books, fold-out concertina albums — all those snippets of your life showcased in style.
The beauty of having a hybrid camera or the instax™ UP! app for your instant camera is that you can bring the real world into your digital experiences and your digital experiences into the real world. You don’t have to choose one or the other, so why not enjoy the best of both?
Bring your Instagram to life with instax™
Decided it’s time to up your photo dump game? Whether it’s a shot of a gig ticket, a still of your fav ‘fit, or a restaurant you’re low-key obsessed with, add more creativity to every snap with instax™ cameras and accessories.
Just don’t forget to stock up on film before you start snapping…
