Aesthetic filters are a great way to enhance your images and make them look more professional. They can be used for a variety of different purposes, including making photographs look like paintings or adding a vintage look to your images. There are many apps that allow you to add aesthetic filters to your photos, but not all of them are created equal. The following is a list of the best apps for aesthetic filters:
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BLOGGINGLIFESTYLE
The 10 Best (+Free) Photo Editing Apps to Improve Your Instagram Aesthetic
13TH APRIL 2021
planners, iphone, goal setting, ipad pro, cosy flat lay, instagram tips, bookstagram, aesthetic ideas
For platforms like Instagram, there are thousands of apps out there to help you built your best feed. The beauty in variety means your options are limitless. It’s easier than ever to edit and publish beautiful posts on the go. I have been creating Instagram content for myself and for brands for a number of years. It’s helped me to figure out exactly what kind of editing style I like, and what kind of vibe I want my feed to have. “Cosy” is the first word that comes to mind. When I rebranded my blog, I set out to change the way I edit and create. Since then, Instagram has become the third biggest traffic referrer source behind Pinterest and search engines for Chapters of May. It overtook Twitter last month, which helped me to realise it’s well worth overseeing.
You hear the word ‘aesthetic’ all over social media. It’s an especially popular phrase on Pinterest and in hashtags. So why not make the most of the trend to boost your profiles and learn some new skills? Through many downloads, upgrades, and uninstalls, I have come to find a trusted list of apps that I couldn’t create without. They’re easy to use, responsive, beginner-friendly, and free. You can check out my feed below.
@CHAPTERSOFMAY
Here are the top 10 apps I regularly use to create and maintain my Instagram ✨aesthetic✨!
Lightroom
Lightroom is the primary way in which I edit my photos, and I’d recommend any Adobe app to practise editing. There’s so much to learn (sadly though, for a price)! When I first began posting, I found apps like Lightroom to be extremely intimidating – the kind of tools only professionals use. But there’s really not a lot to be scared of, especially once you watch a few tutorials and get to know the ins and outs of the app. It’s almost like second nature now. Click on the ad below to get 10 free stock images on Adobe!
For my photos, I use a preset I made myself, using a YouTube tutorial. Prior to Lightroom, I had no knowledge of presets but now I’m pretty comfortable using them. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom’s own tutorial is the best place to begin. There’s was a lot of trial and errors before I finally figured out the right technique. And now I’m happy with how my photos come out. I’d love to do a post on how I edit, so if you’re interested – let me know!
lightroom editing, custom presets, user presets, lightroom cc, instagram photo
cosy bookish instagram aesthetic photography
cosy bookish instagram aesthetic photography
cosy bookish instagram aesthetic photography
cosy bookish instagram aesthetic photography
Canva
Canva is one of the very best free apps available. I use Canva to create Instagram stories, Pinterest Pins, blog graphics, Twitter graphics, cover photos, headers, my media kit, my rates, and even collaboration proposals. I love how easy it is to use, and how accessible it is on a variety of devices. I love the colossal range of fonts to replace Instagram’s standard story fonts. And if you’re not into designing, there are plenty of templates to customise and share straight away.
There’s a membership named Canva Pro, which is available for £99.99 a year. But there’s no need to invest straight away until you’re confident in the free app. And if you’re happy to get creative and make your own templates, feature your own photography, and clear out when storage fills, you’ll be just fine with the free version.
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
VSCO
VSCO is one of the best apps for adding ready-made presets to photos and videos. It’s the OG of editing apps too. I still use it regularly, for Instagram stories and Reels. However, editing video does require a VSCO X subscription which is £19.99 a year. Still, the free presets have plenty to offer, and it’s a great tool for quick and easy adjustments to your content. You can make your own recipe, which is essentially your own preset, and apply it to all your photos in one tap.
Pinterest is a great place to for inspiration if you’re looking for preset recipes too. By using the same or similar presets across your blog and Instagram feed, you’ll create an aesthetically pleasing, cohesive aesthetic with minimal effort. My favourite free presets are M5, M3, G3, and C1.
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
instagram story ideas, creative canva templates, cosy aesthetic inspiration
Snapseed
Snapseed is the ultimate free editing app – there are no additional purchases or memberships. I use Snapseed to enhance photos that have already been edited. It’s ideal for spontaneous shots that need a little boost before posting. Snapseed is another tool that intimidated me at first, because there seem to be a lot of icons and very little instruction. It can be overwhelming! But the Google-owned app has an extensive online manual that really helped me to get to know the features.
And there’s a lot to know. Snapseed has a good range of filters – all for free. You can make basic edits, like brightness, contrast, and shadows. One of my favourite features is the Healing tool, which is perfect for removing small objects, spots, and blemishes. Additionally, you can scroll through the Vintage, Grainy Film, and Glamour Glow to add an extra layer to the final image.
snapseed editing, iphone photography, instagram aesthetic, editing tips, ios app
snapseed editing, iphone photography, instagram aesthetic, editing tips, ios app
snapseed editing, iphone photography, instagram aesthetic, editing tips, ios app
Over
I use Over for my Instagram stories and the occasional Pinterest Pin. Like Canva, it has a range of templates on offer. But the variety is limited on the free plan. The best thing about Over is its blank transparent template and ability to save photos as PNGs. That’s how I create an Instagram story sharing my new in-feed post above a camera roll photo.
The app’s mask feature is the one I use the most. It allows you to erase parts of any image and avoid the plain white background. That then means you can create a whole graphic that includes multiple images on one background. It’s like a mini Photoshop for your phone.
creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
creative instagram story, new post, blogger ideas, swipe up, over template, ios app
Planoly
Planoly is the tool I use to plan my Instagram content ahead of time. It’s a great way to get captions out of your head and tied to a photo, so there’s no stress when it comes to posting time. As I work a secular job through most of the week, I shoot a lot of my content in bulk during the freelance days to keep on top of the workload. So, planning my Instagram feed in advance helps me to save time. I don’t schedule Instagram posts, but I always know what I’m going to share ahead of posting.
Planoly has its own analytics feature, which is a marvellous way to keep tabs on your Instagram content outside the app. I like to check it at the end of each week or month to see which photos are most popular, and plan blog content that’s similar. There is an option to upgrade, but I think the free plan has plenty to offer.
instagram planning, planoly inspiration, aesthetic feed, warm tones, bookstagram ideas
instagram planning, planoly inspiration, aesthetic feed, warm tones, bookstagram ideas
instagram planning, planoly inspiration, aesthetic feed, warm tones, bookstagram ideas
Filmm
I discovered Filmm through A Color Story’s founders, Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess and their co-founder, Zoe Sugg. It’s amazing for adding film camera effects to existing photos and videos. A lot of apps don’t allow you to upload content – you must shoot through the app. But I don’t always have the time to find the app, I just want to use my phone’s camera! That’s where Filmm comes in. Interestingly, one of my most popular videos on Pinterest was made using the Filmm app.
I did pay £1.99 a few years ago to enable me to change the watermark, but the free version’s watermark isn’t all that noticeable. Filmm has a sister app named Template, which is designed for Instagram stories and feed templates. I have only used a few on my own story, but so far it’s pretty easy to navigate through too.
filmm app, iphone video, easy editing, instagram tips, cosy video, video filters, ios app
filmm app, iphone video, easy editing, instagram tips, cosy video, video filters, ios app
filmm app, iphone video, easy editing, instagram tips, cosy video, video filters, ios app
InShot
Since the introduction of Reels, I have relied on InShot. Before that, I’d mainly use the app to create graphics for my Instagram stories and blog content. But now, it’s my go-to for throwing together short clips to fit my feed. It’s incredibly easy to use, especially if you’re not a pro at editing footage. There are a horde of elements you can use, including music, to make a simple video look amazing.
I also really like InShot for its collage tool. You can pick your canvas size based on the platform you’re shooting for, and create a collage in less than a minute. Text can be added to even create your own watermark. Another great app for editing Reels or video content is Splice, but there’s less on offer in the free version in comparison to InShot.
inshot ios app, video editing, collage photos, instagram tips and tricks
inshot ios app, video editing, collage photos, instagram tips and tricks
inshot ios app, video editing, collage photos, instagram tips and tricks
Unfold
Unfold is the app I use when I want a clean and minimal edit. It has set templates that you can’t change, but can customise with your own photos to make unique. I mostly use it to showcase photography. It’s also great for throwing a bunch of photos together into one graphic with minimal effort. Since being taken over by Squarespace, the app has a lot more features such as Unfold Studio and Instagram feed planning. The Studio is a brilliant tool for adding filters to your stories (and they’re much better than Instagram’s standard set).
There’s also a ‘link in bio’ creator, which is an alternative to Linktree, Lnk.Bio, Canva, or Milkshake. Unfortunately, without a paid membership your URL will be a random mix of characters (here’s mine as an example). I currently have a custom links page made by my blog theme creator, Underline Designs. But if that option wasn’t available, Unfold would be my first choice!
unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
unfold app, squarespace, template ideas, instagram story, minimal photos, link in bio, instagram tips and tricks
Motionleap
Motionleap is made by Lightricks, a developer that has a number of apps that are popular among creatives. It is designed to help you create art on your phone and on the go. I actually found it through its YouTube channel, and downloaded the free app straight away. It has a few features that are fun to mix together, but I primarily use it to animate still photos. I like to add something subtle like candle flickers or steam to bring something simple to life.
Motionleap has a free plan, but like almost anything, it comes with limitations. Therefore, this app is best for small changes rather than huge creative projects. But it does allow you to add pre-made moving elements to existing photos if you don’t want to add the motion yourself, which is brilliant for beginners!
motionleap app ideas, simple edits, video editing, iphone photography, instagram tips and tricks, ios app
motionleap app ideas, simple edits, video editing, iphone photography, instagram tips and tricks, ios app
motionleap app ideas, simple edits, video editing, iphone photography, instagram tips and tricks, ios app
What apps do you use to create your Instagram aesthetic?
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COMMENTS
ALEXIS SAYS 27TH MARCH 2022 AT 22:38
Your post is incredibly helpful! Thanks a bunch for sharing. I was literally minimising Pinterest and sliding between the play store to search for these app do I could add them to my wishlist for downloadsm
Thank youuuuu!
REPLY
VERONIQUE SAYS 1ST MARCH 2022 AT 22:42
Thank you for all those app recommendations! I would love to know how you edit your photos because they are so beautiful!!!
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 2ND MARCH 2022 AT 18:14
It’s definitely a post on the cards for the future!
REPLY
MICHELLE GAST SAYS 13TH SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 19:54
Thanks for sharing! I only knew of canva, so I needed this post! =)
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 14TH SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 01:56
I highly recommend it!
REPLY
ALICE IN SHEFFIELD SAYS 5TH SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 09:21
This is so useful, I only really use lightroom and use quite a few different presets.
I think I need to look into settling into one more
REPLY
SOMABOOKS_ SAYS 29TH AUGUST 2021 AT 07:44
Thank you so much for all these lovely tips. I shared it with a few friends who are also looking to create aesthetically pleasing content. Keep up the good work.
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 31ST AUGUST 2021 AT 14:55
Thanks for reading, I’m glad it was helpful!
REPLY
MARIE . SAYS 1ST MAY 2021 AT 19:12
Oh this is such a lovely post, thank you so much for sharing! I didn’t know about a few of these apps, I’ll have to check them out for sure. I don’t really spend a lot of time on instagram -only so much time in a day when you’re working full-time, and I always focus my energy on my blog itself, but I’ve always been so curious and in awe of people with a stunning bookstagram account. It’s like learning some of their secrets here ahah, I love it. Thank you so much for sharing this!! <3
REPLY
BLOOMING SUITCASE SAYS 24TH APRIL 2021 AT 12:56
This is so handy! I re-downloaded VSCO because of you now, haha. I didn’t realize they they allowed adding a filter to videos! I was looking for something like that!
http://bloomingsuitcase.com
REPLY
MACEY @ BRINE AND BOOKS SAYS 20TH APRIL 2021 AT 20:41
I finally started using Lightroom this year, and I can’t believe it took me so long to do so!! I only use LR, VSCO, & Unfold for my instagram, while I use canva for other projects–I’m gonna have to check so many of these out, especially Planoly, since it’s downloaded on my phone but I have yet to use it haha x
Brine & Books
REPLY
MERRY SAYS 20TH APRIL 2021 AT 06:41
So far I only use Canva, Lightroom, and Planoly. Absolutely love your list and I might need to try them one by one. Thank you for sharing x
REPLY
DANIELLE SAYS 17TH APRIL 2021 AT 11:36
Thanks for sharing, I am going to have to check these out!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:03
Enjoy 🙂
REPLY
MISS NONSI MSHENGU SAYS 16TH APRIL 2021 AT 09:59
Absolutely love all of these. Lightroom presets are always so great and Unfold is incredible for Instagram stories.
Thank you for sharing these.
Nons Mshengu – https://cherbelle.co/
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:03
I’m glad you like them too! Thanks for reading.
REPLY
SARA SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 20:29
SUCH A DETAILED AND BEAUTIFUL POST. Bookmarking right now for future use! Thanks so much!
xx Sara
https://thecliqueblog.com
REPLY
HEATHER HARRINGTON SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 17:08
Great post! This is so helpful :]
-Heather Nerdy By Nature Blog
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:03
Thanks!
REPLY
MOLLY’S BOOK NOOK SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 13:08
I always want to use Canva to make pretty instagram stories but I don’t have the patience lol. I use it for blog stuff but I’m too lazy to go make a story in canva then post it to instagram. But I enjoy others who do it! It’s so pretty! I use VSCO for instagram photos. I want to try lightroom but I’ve had VSCO for years so I just stay with it lol A lot of these other ones I haven’t heard of so thank you for sharing!
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:03
Each to their own, haha! I like VSCO too, it’s a great app for filters 🙂
REPLY
MIA MI SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 11:34
ooo all of these are brilliant suggestions! I’m forever wanting to improve my Instagram feed so I will look into all these apps 🙂
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:02
Enjoy! 🙂
REPLY
JULIA SPEAKS SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 11:04
Snapseed has been my go-to app for years! It’s so simple to use but with all the options you need for editing photos. I had not heard about Over before, but the images you have created with it are so pretty! I’ll download it now and try it out! Thanks for this useful post.
Hope you’re doing well Anika! 🙂
Julia x
http://www.julia-speaks.com | Self-Care, Lifestyle, Travel
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:02
Totally agree, it’s such a classic one. I hope you enjoy using Over!
And thank you so much Julia, I hope you’re doing well too 🙂
REPLY
CORINNE C SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 10:04
Some fo these are lovely! I am going to download some. I just use Lightroom and Preview at the moment!
Corinne x
http://www.skinnedcartree.com
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 19TH APRIL 2021 AT 15:02
Hope you enjoy using them! 🙂
REPLY
HANNA SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 08:10
Thanks for generously sharing these with all of us, Anika! I’m also using some of the apps listed but I have yet to try Planoly. It’s definitely something I’d be experimenting on soon.
Cheers,
Hanna / Heydays With Hanna
REPLY
ANIKA SAYS 15TH APRIL 2021 AT 08:36
It’s a great one, especially if you’re a bit of a planner like me, haha!
REPLY
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