Taking a closer look at the recommended Insta profiles, here are the core principles that seem to be applied across all of them. Hope you will find this useful in building your own grid.
1. Show a life full of movement
• Trips, events, projects, action
• Working, building, traveling, performing
• You in motion, not frozen posing
• Nothing static or low-energy
2. Signal social demand
• Group photos
• Mixed company
• People tagging you
• Attractive women in frame without effort
• You being part of a social world
3. Display competence in one clear domain, telling a story
• Fitness
• Music
• Art
• Travel
• Business
4. Look natural and comfortable on camera
• Direct or soft eye contact
• Relaxed expression
• Cool posture
• Weight on one leg
• Shoulders open, chin slightly down
• Three-quarter angle
• Walk normally
• Candid moments
5. Look physically sharp
• Good grooming
• Clean haircut / beard
• Fit physique
• Well-fitting clothes
• Strong lighting on jawline
• Style that matches your identity
6. Curated environment
• Clean backgrounds
• Stylish cafes, rooftops, beaches, gyms, airports
• Minimal clutter
• Props that fit your lifestyle: coffee, jacket, sunglasses, backpack, gym gear
• Intentional locations, not messy or accidental ones
7. Reveal lifestyle without trying to impress
• Show masculine hobbies, such as lifting, outdoor adventure, sports, sail, hike, playing music, travel, cars or bikes, creative work
• Beautiful places without bragging
• Gym clips without motivational quotes
• Business lounge without flex captions
• Simple travel moments
8. Keep a touch of mystery
• No long explanations
• No emotional dumping
• No “look at me” or self-serving captions
9. Angles That Work
• Eye level or slightly below for presence
• Avoid straight-on shots
• Slight torso tilt
• Camera 1–2 meters away for natural proportions
• Side lighting for jaw definition
• Head turned slightly for portraits
• Wide angle for travel to show environment
10. Composition Rules
• Rule of thirds
• Keep the top of the frame clean
• Leading lines (roads, stairs, hallways, rails)
• Simple color palette: blacks, whites, blues, earth tones
• Shoot during golden hour
• Use windows for soft indoor light
Feel free to follow, I will follow back. Note that I am in the process of fixing my Insta. Open to feedback