My Social Media Summer Project
I started this page as a fun, creative outlet and as a way to practice growing a brand through a strong visual identity. My original goal was to post three reels a week and one to two carousels, but with school, I’ve adjusted to posting about three times a week.
My aesthetic leans moody and cinematic, featuring sunsets, yogurt bowls, “day in the life” videos, and little snippets from my everyday routine. Below is my initial moodboard and color palette, which guide the look and feel of my content.
Pre-Launch
To strengthen my identity, I built my own Lightroom presets since I wanted a style that felt personal and couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for online. I have a lot of experience with Lightroom, and I enjoy using it to give my photos and videos a cohesive tone. For editing, I use CapCut for quick reels and Premiere Pro for longer, more cinematic edits
Growth & Engagement
Follower Progress
Over the course of two months, I was able to grow my page from 172 to 530 followers, even while balancing a busy school schedule. This growth showed me that with consistency and a clear visual identity, it’s possible to build an audience in a relatively short amount of time. Once classes started, my posting slowed down, and with it, my growth rate dipped—which has been a good reminder of how much consistency matters on social media.
Even so, I’ve been able to maintain steady engagement, averaging 40–70 likes per post, and I’ve noticed that the community I’m building feels genuine. Many of my followers return to watch my reels, interact with my stories, and engage with multiple posts, which shows me that my content resonates beyond just the numbers.
I’ve also been paying attention to what performs best. For example, reels that mix cinematic visuals with music and subtle animations tend to reach a wider audience, while carousels and “day in the life” posts build stronger personal connections. This balance between reach and relatability is something I want to keep refining as I grow.
Highlights
Beyond reels, some of my favorite pieces of content have come from my photo carousels. These posts let me slow down and share a collection of moments that feel connected through mood, color, and storytelling. A few standouts include:
Sunset Collection – A series of moody, golden-hour photos that show how I use my Lightroom presets to bring out warm tones and soft shadows. These posts get strong engagement because people connect with the calm, cinematic vibe.
Everyday Details – Photos of yogurt bowls, morning light, and little lifestyle details that show the quieter side of my brand. These help balance out my more dynamic reels with something softer and more intimate.
Travel Shots – Some of my favorite photos from Jamaica and other day trips. They capture unique colors and textures, and they push me to experiment more with composition and editing.
These carousels give me space to showcase my photography skills while still staying consistent with the identity I’ve been building. They’re also a reminder that my brand isn’t just about quick reels or trends—it’s about creating a visual story that feels cohesive across different formats.
Future Goals
This project has taught me a lot about consistency, audience engagement, and the importance of building a recognizable style. I’ve learned that even small details—like maintaining a cohesive color palette, developing my own Lightroom presets, and pairing visuals with the right music—can make a big difference in how content is received and remembered. It’s also shown me how important it is to balance quality with consistency. Posting regularly helps me stay visible, but creating content that feels authentic and true to my brand is what keeps people coming back.
Looking ahead, my next milestone is to reach 1k followers by next spring. To work toward this, I’m planning to expand my content with a college-focused series that highlights life as a student, as well as a morning routine series that brings in more lifestyle elements. Both of these will help me connect with my audience on a more personal level while keeping the moody, cinematic aesthetic that defines my page.
In the long term, I’d love to continue building my personal Instagram while also collaborating with other creators, growing communities, and developing content for companies and brands. My passion for photography, videography, and design gives me a strong foundation to not only showcase my own story but also help others share theirs in impactful ways.
Follow along for more day-in-the-life posts and reels.