[FAQ]

I feel like I’m missing something with photo dumps. I see people post these carousels of seemingly random photos and they get so much engagement, but when I try, it just feels like a boring, chaotic mess.

Is there actually a strategy to it? Like, should the first photo be the strongest one? Do you try to have some kind of colour theme or story, even if it’s subtle? I’ve seen people mix in screenshots of text, memes, and blurry photos, and it just works. Mine never has that same vibe.

Wondering what your secrets are to making a photo dump feel curated and interesting instead of just… random.

[Jeff Bullas]

Nailing the ‘effortless’ look always takes some effort.

Quick Answer: A great photo dump tells a subtle story by mixing different image formats, and it hooks the viewer with a strong lead photo while maintaining a consistent mood or theme throughout the carousel.

The goal of this image-based format isn’t to be truly random, but to create a specific, authentic-feeling ‘vibe’ that makes your audience feel like they’re getting a glimpse behind the curtain.

The secret to a good photo dump is that it’s not random at all; it’s about curated chaos that tells a story of a moment in time. Your first image is the most important as it’s the hook that has to earn the swipe, so make it intriguing. The real engagement comes from the mix of content; you need to create a rhythm by combining different textures, such as a sharp portrait, then a blurry candid photo, a screenshot of a text, a well-composed food shot, and even a short video clip. Think about the overall colour palette and mood you want to convey and select photos that fit, even loosely. Before you post, arrange the images and other assets to create a subtle narrative flow, and keep your caption minimal to preserve that casual, authentic aesthetic.

Cheers,

Jeff.

[Author]

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