Current Photo Editing Trends on Instagram Right Now

Current Photo Editing Trends on Instagram Right Now

Instagram has surely come a long way since the Nashville and Mayfair filter days. The majority of Instagram users now have a specific aesthetic to their profile; Users edit and filter most of their photos and videos in the same way to achieve a consistent style. This year, it’s all about subtle tweaks, consistent color tones, and ethereal effects.

Current Photo Editing Trends on Instagram Right Now


If you’re looking for ways to add some pizzazz to your posts, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of our top 6 photo editing trends on Instagram to share with you: 

#1 Desaturated Tones 

Back in the “olden days” of Instagram, users were obsessed with harsh edits and pumped up saturation. That’s definitely not the case anymore. Desaturated tones are what everyone is lusting after in 2022. Now, it’s all about taking the brightness down, adding a hint of sharpness, and saying bye bye to bright colors! 

In order to achieve this effect, shift the brightness and highlights way down. To get this look, you can head right to your phones’ camera settings and edit from there, but you can also use photo and video editing apps like Tezza or VSCO. For the more advanced users, we highly recommend using Lightroom. 

If the dark tones aren't your vibe, you can still play around with desaturated tones by bringing the saturation down and upping your brightness. 


#2 Raw and Unedited 

Some users are embracing the raw and unedited photo trend that has been gradually building over the last year, and we are absolutely loving this. Although these Insta photos look natural and real, we know that they have some edits happening behind the scenes, but the trick is to keep them subtle - make minor edits to your contrast, brightness, and color corrections. 

This minimal edit trend goes hand-in-hand with the rise of more authentic content over recent years, which has influenced how brands and creators interact or engage with their communities. Instagram users used to strive for picture-perfect perception, but in 2022, brands are embracing being more open, honest, and vulnerable with their communities.


#3 Text Overlays (Especially on Reels) 

Another visual trend that is becoming popular for Instagram Reels is adding timed text overlays. Adding this visual to your Reels is a great way to tell a stronger story - and it also looks really aesthetically pleasing.  

To achieve this trend, use external editing apps like InShot. You can download and import fonts, then add them on screen for a set duration. 


#4 Light Flares and Reflections 

Light flares and reflections are another hot trend making their way to Instagram. Many creators, influencers, and brand users who fall into the Gen Z and millennial categories are using these edits to bring a little spice to their page. 

The nice thing about this trend is that you don’t even need fancy lighting or photo studios to achieve this look; it can all be accomplished through editing. To recreate the light flare and reflections trend, try using an editing app like Pink Papaya to apply flares, shadows, and the prism feature. Tezza is another great app to achieve this trend because of its pride, light, and shadow effects. It’s super eye-catching! 


#5 Pink-toned Hues and Filters 

Using pink-toned hues and filters will make your Instagram grid look whimsical and nostalgic. In other words, think of this as 90s Barbie meets Clueless – an aesthetic that’s perfect for a millennial-skewed audience. In order to get this effect, use editing apps like Storyluxe, Tezza, VSCO (C4), and the Pink Papaya. 


#6 Warm Tones 

Warm tones are what users are incorporating into their feed in 2022. Using warm tone effects will bring a sense of coziness to any feed, and they’re especially ideal for interior design, portraits, and product shots. 

To recreate this trend, lookout for presets that have reddy-brown undertones. On VSCO, check out the “Toasty” and “Warm” Series for a great starting point.  


Creating a cohesive Instagram aesthetic for your feed is no longer as important as it once was. This means that there’s never been a better time to play around and experiment with different vibes or aesthetics. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

Back to blog

Leave a comment