Instagram Photo Dumps: Casual or Curated?
While content curation continues to grow on Instagram, whether it be by influencers or everyday users, there is a counter push to make Instagram casual again. Increasing nostalgia for the Instagram of old has led to the introduction of “photo dumps.”
A photo dump is a series of photos or videos posted in a single carousel detailing snapshots of the everyday. These carousels are intended to be viewed as more authentic than the highly curated photos that have become common on Instagram. The authenticity of these photos is supported by the number of photos, hence the term “dump”, as well as that the subjects and perspectives vary from the traditional self portrait. The aesthetic is usually easy-going, carefree, and living in the moment.
Image credit: Unsplash/@kate_torline
However, while there may be a photo or two in these series that are untouched or lightly edited and appear to be a true moment captured in time, the majority of these photos are meticulously shot, chosen and edited to match a designated aesthetic. In my opinion, Instagram photo dumps are more curated than traditional posts.
In interviews with AUP students on the concept of a more casual Instagram as well as the role of photo dumps in ushering in this new era, replies varied. A few students overwhelmingly supported the role of photo dumps in the return to Instagram’s origins as an informal photo sharing platform between friends. They continued to emphasize the spontaneous and unfiltered nature of these carousels. Those who view photo dumps as truly casual highlighted that instead of going out solely to create content, users are now creating content from moments that happen authentically.
@luciapolverin0 zoom or nothing #fyp #genz #photodump #genzhumor #releyable ♬ original sound - Lily Tran
However, the majority of students interviewed were adamant that while they enjoyed scrolling through these series of photos, they perceived the carousels as carefully curated to present as life in the moment.
Behind the scenes, users are staging moments to seem natural, editing photos to appear unedited and carefully planning the order of the photos and videos in the series and how it relates to their current feed aesthetically.
AUP Master’s student Rayne Aguilar said that uncurated and authentic is the new aesthetic. Lauren Owens, another Master's student, agreed and continued to say that people are very intentionally planning their posts to appear genuinely effortless and even argued that because uncurated posts are trending they are by nature no longer authentic and effortless. Mayra Lopez-Rocha, said that for her, photo dumps are a series of events or a period of time that she wants to formulate and present as a mood board for her life.
The Cut characterized photo dumps as a look into someone’s camera roll, even comparing the trend to the early days of Facebook’s photo albums. These comparisons emphasize minimal effort on behalf of the user. However, they continue on to say that “it seems that the photo dump — a practice born out of decision fatigue — has inevitably cultivated its own sense of fatigue.” This reiterates the concept of faux authenticity, fake effortlessness as an aesthetic and trend.
Image Credit: Unsplash/@matcfelipe
Branding and marketing consultant Sarah Hall relies heavily on social media and specifically Instagram to conduct and grow not only her business but also those of her clients. In her expert opinion, she sees photo dumps as requiring just as much energy to create as other more obviously curated content. From her understanding the appearance of casual, unedited curated posts that appear less formal are trending but despite the nonchalant appearance of these posts they require the same energy and intention as something that from the outside seems highly curated.
When asked what she believes the general public’s (those who do not work in social media) understanding of these photo carousels are, she said that average users view photo dumps as less curated but expert perspectives disagree.
The next time you are looking at a photo dump and comparing your life to another’s, remember there is a lot of effort behind the “effortlessness”.
