[AD] I received a complimentary Instagram Bag and one bag to offer as a prize in a reader giveaway, in exchange for an honest review.
With an estimated 500 million active users uploading 95 million photos and 250 million stories every day, Instagram has become a normal part of our daily lives. Capturing the perfect photo of our dinner is now just as crucial to our eating routines as laying the table.
As we strive to create content our followers will love, constantly battling with the ever-changing Instagram algorithm, it’s only natural to want to up our Instagram game and take our food photography for the next level. With most professional photography courses priced at several hundred pounds and backdrops and props burning a hole in your pocket, however, the cost of improving your photography skills can soon add up.
Here’s where Paper Bag Co’s Instagram Bag comes in. Featuring a pop-up reflector/diffuser, four photographic backdrops and eight postcards filled with photography tips from food photographer, Matt Inwood, the super-sized Instagram Bag is the ultimate kit for any passionate foodie looking to take their camera skills to the next level.
Read on to find out more about the benefits of the Instagram Bag and for the chance to WIN an Instagram Bag of your very own.
The Instagram Bag: key selling points
What are the major selling points of the Instagram Bag? Does it do what it says on the tin and is it worth forking out almost £40 (including P&P) for?
A big bag
At 500cm x 470cm (and 100cm in width), the Instagram Bag is the biggest tote bag I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. Complete with an internal pocket, mesh divider and zip compartment, it makes for great storage space for my camera, props and equipment, whether I’m working from home or on the move.
Four beautiful backdrops
One of the main selling points of the Instagram Bag are the four picturesque photography backdrops included inside the bag. Created by Black Velvet Styling – a photography backdrop company set up by stylist, Sophie Purser – these beautiful backdrops will enable you to transform your plate of food into a culinary masterpiece fit for the gram.
However, it’s worth noting that as the backdrops are made from heavyweight paper and they’re not water-resistant, they’re not overly durable or long-lasting. Similarly, as they’re A2 in size (42.0 x 59.4cm), they work well for capturing small plates or for product photography, but you might need a bigger backdrop to shoot bigger scenes.
That said, if you’re new to the world of photography backdrops, experimenting with the backdrops included in the Instagram Bag could help you to gain a feel for what kind of backdrop you might like to invest in for use on a longer-term basis. Plus, as they’re made from sustainable materials, you can recycle them once you’ve finished using them too.
Pop-up reflector and diffuser
The 15″ five-in-one pop-up light reflector and diffuser that comes with the Instagram bag has been particularly useful for me.
I haven’t used one of these before and I can already notice a big difference in the lighting and overall colour of my food photos, although I’m still finding my feet and mastering how best to position my reflector so I can free my hands up to shoot with.
Expert photography tips
In addition to the backdrops, reflector and bag itself, the Instagram Bag also includes eight professional photography tips from renowned food photographer, Matt Inwood. Matt uses his iPhone for all of his food photography and he’s kindly condensed eight of his top tips onto postcards for inclusion in the bag. From how to choose your background to how to improve composition, Matt has left no stone unturned in his bid to equip budding photographers with the skills needed to transform their Instagram grids.
In fact, I was so impressed with his advice that I’ve actually signed up for his iPhone photography and Instagram masterclass tomorrow. More information about Matt’s masterclasses here.
Is the Instagram Bag worth splashing out on?
At just £39.95 including next-day P&P, the Instagram Bag offers exceptional value for money.
The reflector alone would probably cost around £20 at least if purchased separately and I’d expect to pay around £10 for the bag itself, before factoring in the cost of four lightweight backdrops and professional photography advice from Matt Inwood.
I’d happily pay £39.95 to have the Instagram Bag delivered to my door. If you’ve been toying with the idea of buying this for some time now, just do it – you won’t regret it. Similarly, if you know a passionate foodie and Instagrammer who’s looking to improve their photography skills, this would make for a truly thoughtful gift.
Order your Instagram Bag from the Paper Bag Co here
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll be able to find the Instagram Bag if you want to go ahead and buy it!
[AD] I received a complimentary Instagram Bag and one bag to offer as a prize in a reader giveaway, in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, I think this is such a great bag and I’d love to win one. It’s super value. Mich x
Fingers crossed Michelle 🙂 Thanks for entering!
I would love to win for my daughter!
Good luck Ashleigh!
i would love to give it to my daughter
Fingers crossed for you Michelle 🙂
Love for my aunty – a foodie buff who would certainly make full use of these beauts
I bet she would!
My daughter would love this
Good to hear it Annabel – fingers crossed! 😀
I would love to win the bag for my daughter. I am sure she would love it.
Good luck Phil!
I absolutely would keep it for myself – as I would love to improve my instagram photos! I sometimes try to make the effort to think about food styling when I take a photo but somehow it never looks as good as I imagine it will (or what I would like it to look like)
Good to hear it 🙂 We all deserve to treat ourselves now and then and it is a great way to improve your photography.
This sounds wonderful – I would love to win it for my Mum. She’s an excellent photographer!
Good luck 😀
Sounds like a great bag
I’m getting lots of use out of mine!
would like to win it for my daughter , who is getting into photography
Aww good luck Patrick!
I make and photograph a different cocktail every Friday night and I’m trying to improve the quality of my photos. This would really help!
That sounds like much more fun than my Friday nights! I have found the reflector/diffuser very useful in particular (and I’ve discovered that my recipe book holder doubles up as the perfect stand for it! Hehe!)
I love Instagram and I would love some help making my pictures look a bit better.
Good luck Emma 🙂
I would keep the bag for myself. I have a food blog I started many years ago and have not updated in the last year for a number of reasons. I do still take photos of all my favourite dishes though. I am still passionate about good food and this would give me both inspiration and motivation to pick up where I left off on my food blog.
That sounds like a great idea Carolyn! I am getting so much use out of mine.
I’d keep the bag for myself. I would love to try the different backgrounds for my good photographs!
I think that’s wise Carolyn 🙂 They are really handy.
I would keep it for myself and I’d love to win cos Instagram is my favourite platform, but my photography is shocking! I look at others and wish mine looked half this good….this would hopefully help me get there!
Aww I know how you feel Victoria – I’m often comparing myself to others on Instagram.
I’d keep it for myself. I’ve had an Instagram account for a long time, but only recently became active, so would love to improve my pictures… I think I need all the help I can get haha x
That’s a great idea Helen, I’m sure it would be a big help to you.
Would love to win because it looks cool and its super useful. Oh I’d totally keep for myself!
Good luck Natalie 🙂
My daughter would love this for selfies I would love it for nature
Sounds like you’d get a lot of use out of this between you both!
I’d love this – I have an account I sporadically use, but not as much as I could – need to get my ‘share’ on!!
Good luck Ruth 🙂
I would keep it for myself, I’m a big foodie
Same here James 🙂 good luck!
My daughter would love this
Good luck Amy!
i would like to win this as my brother is really into Instagram at the moment and I would give this to my brother.
Good luck Troy!
I would love to win this for my daughter
Good luck Sheri!
I’d love to win this as I’m obsessed with taking photos of everything for Instagram, but never quite achieving a professional result. I’d keep this and use it to up my Instagram game!
Good luck Karen 🙂
I’d like to win this for my daughter who loves taking photos!
Good luck Patricia!
I’d like it for myself as I’m getting more into cooking with time at home.
The backdrops are handy for food photography and the tips were really useful too! I have got a lot of use out of the diffuser/reflector too.
I’d like to win this for my partner who would love it!
Good luck Adrian!
Wow this looks great, hope I win.
Thanks for entering Paul and good luck!
I would give to my daughter
Good luck Caroline!
This looks very handy i would keep it for myself
I think that’s a great idea Debra 🙂
I would love to try it
Good luck!
I would love this to help my photos look clearer and my daughters for their selfies
Good luck Kim 😀
I would keep it to try to improve our food photography!
Good luck Lynn!
I’d love to win this for me because I love taking photos of food and this would help me up my game.
Good luck Amy 🙂
I’d love to win for myself as I’ve just started my own little kids clothing brand, and this would be amazing for taking product photos for Insta!
Good luck Sammi!