Marla Catherine, a popular YouTuber and Instagram personality, has created a "how-to" video on how to look like an Instagram model. Her advice focuses on practical tips for improving your photos, rather than promoting an unrealistic ideal. Here's a summary of her key tips, combined with other common strategies for achieving an "Instagram model" aesthetic.

1. Master Your Posing and Angles
Know Your Body: Marla emphasizes the importance of understanding your own body and what angles work best for you. She suggests practicing poses in front of a mirror to see what looks good and what doesn't.

Create Movement: Candid-looking photos are often the result of deliberate movement. When taking photos, be dynamic. Walk, move your arms, or shift your weight to create a more natural and less-stiff photo.

Elongate Your Body: To create the illusion of longer legs, have the person taking your photo crouch down and shoot from a lower angle, pointing the camera slightly upwards. This technique is often used to make models appear taller and leaner.

Watch Your Posture: When sitting, avoid slouching. Sit up straight and stretch out your legs to elongate your body and create a more flattering pose.

2. The Right Lighting is Everything
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Marla advises against taking photos in harsh, direct sunlight. Direct sun can create unflattering shadows, cause you to squint, and lead to overexposed photos.

Seek Out the Shade: The best lighting for photos is often in the shade. It provides even, soft light that illuminates your face without creating harsh shadows, resulting in a more high-quality and professional look.

3. Hair and Makeup
"Glowy" Makeup: Marla's tutorials often focus on a "glowy" or natural look. This includes using products that give your skin a dewy finish and focusing on enhancing your features rather than covering them up.

Skincare: A good skincare routine is crucial for achieving a model-like complexion. Marla has shared her journey with skincare, including her experience with Accutane, to highlight the importance of taking care of your skin.

Simple and Styled Hair: She often showcases effortless-looking hairstyles, such as loose waves, braids, or heatless curls. The goal is to look like your hair is styled but not overdone.

4. Wardrobe and Style
Curated Outfits: A key element of an "Instagram model" aesthetic is a well-curated wardrobe. Marla shares her fashion favorites on platforms like LTK and Depop, where she sells her clothing. This highlights the importance of having a thoughtful and consistent style.

Wear What You Love: Ultimately, the best outfits are the ones that make you feel confident. Wear clothes that fit your personal style and make you feel good, as this confidence will show in your photos.

5. Content and Editing
High-Quality Photos: While many people use their phones, taking high-quality photos is essential. She has provided tips on how to use phone cameras effectively, including filming in 4K for higher quality.

Strategic Editing: While not a focus of Marla's advice, many influencers use editing apps to adjust lighting, colors, and other details to create a consistent feed aesthetic. Be mindful of not over-editing to the point of distorting your appearance, which can be a slippery slope.