10 Ways to Fake the Perfect Relationship on Instagram

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To prove this point, we found some corny, well-lit stock images and compiled instructions for how you and your partner can replicate them for your profile (and your Happily Ever After scrapbook). One important note: The first step is to find a pal who’s willing to photograph you and your boo. And that pal should have a strong stomach for over-the-top, saccharine-sweet romance. 

1. The Surprise Kiss
Photograph by Shutterstock

We’ll start with something simple: All you need to pull this one off is a sunny day, a joyous grin, and a willingness to work with Instagram’s filters and editing features until you’ve got the perfect amount of light and saturation. You’ll want to make this one look candid, so be ready to go through a few different takes to get it just right. 

2. The Perfect Bike Ride
Photograph by Shutterstock

A couple that rides together, stays together. These two lovebirds know how to match, too. You can probably snag the hats at HM or something, and then all you need are a couple of two-wheelers and some big smiles.

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3. The Park Bench
Photograph by Shutterstock

You’ll need to find a bench with a view of some sort of skyline. Or, a bench in front of a green screen. After that, it’s just a matter of capturing the right light (which you can obviously do using Instagram’s retouching features) and striking this pose. (For the record, sitting like this is completely unnatural and has to be uncomfortable for that guy.)

4. The Pile of Leaves
Photograph by Shutterstock

Unless you want to use fake dead foliage, you’re going to have to wait a few months to get this shot. But when autumn hits and the leaves start dying and falling off of trees, you’ll be in business. Just rake a pile of them together, then flop down next to each other, with your legs facing opposite directions and your heads side-by-side. Then, think happy thoughts and smile wide as your photographer awkwardly straddles you to get the shot. 

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5. The Shoe Shot
Photograph by Shutterstock

For unclear reasons, it’s become very popular to take pictures of your shoes on the ground. However, if you’re going to recreate this one, you should note that this couple is doing it wrong. Everyone knows you’re supposed to point your toes inward—pigeon-toed style—when you’re snapping a photo like this. (Nobody knows why, they just know this is the way to do it.) Feel free to sub out the leaves with something like a heart graffiti’d onto the street or whatever.

6. The “Come This Way”
Photograph by Shutterstock

Go to the beach, grab his hand, and make it look like you’re tugging him along and he’s following you. Point out to the sea at something, but keep it out of the frame. People will wonder what you’re pointing at, which is great for social engagement. Is it a boat? A whale? The island from Lost?

7. The Heart Hands
Photograph by Shutterstock

Go to the beach (again). Wait until the sun is setting. Put your hands together to form the metaphorical shape of a heart, and position said heart directly over the sun. Get this one done quickly, as it’s bad for your eyes to look directly at the sun, and you really shouldn’t be doing so for more than a few seconds at a time.

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8. The Magic Shot

Photograph by Shutterstock

We can’t see a way around Photoshopping this one. It’s unlikely you can both get this much air, plus you’ll probably need some help to create those heart-shaped jet streams. It’s a little over-the-top if you ask us, but to each their own.

9.  The The Notebook

Photograph by Shutterstock

We’ve all seen The Notebook, right? Personally, we’d prefer to do this during a rainy downpour, because it just seems sexier that way, but it’s up to you. Though, precipitation could make things more difficult from a photo-shooting perspective. Anyway, it wasn’t over and it still isn’t over. 

10. The TMI
Photograph by Shutterstock

This one could conceivably be captured with a selfie stick. Otherwise, be prepared to field questions about who the photographer was, and did he or she join in? The dude will also need a wig if he doesn’t already have John Snow hair.