Confessions of an Instagram husband

Behind every perfect photo, there is an Instagram husband. Albeit selfies, the OTDs, glammed-up faces at the photo booths in weddings, so-called candid shots at cafes, and travel stories are often the hard work of these individuals working behind the scenes. But who is an Instagram husband? You may be one even without knowing the terminology! He can be anyone who has been assigned for life with the task of regularly taking photos and videos for someone's Instagram, Facebook, and the like.

What is this obsession with taking pictures? I have seen many men and women alike who go to all these beautiful places, and then, they busy themselves with taking photos right away, instead of actually enjoying the moment. My earnest request to them is to pay a visit to a professional studio and later add any background of their choice. No need to travel; it saves a lot of time and money!

Don't you want to keep memories, though? Yes, but the only memory I have from any outing is of me taking pictures of you! This phenomenon is very common. The next time you are at a "location" being an IG husband, just look around, and you will easily spot several others just like you, who are busy clicking away.

What is fascinating is how universal the concept is. You could be cruising on the Bosporus or the Padma River, you could be at the top of the Eiffel Tower or on the Empire State Building — IG husbands are everywhere!  Especially during trips, we have to be aware of clearing up storage on their phones to accommodate the huge number of photos.

Image: LS

This is a full-time job, and like any career, this one also has its fair share of training and evaluation.

"See, the background is hazy. The frame is too shaky to hold the phone properly! Why aren't you telling me that my hair isn't right? It's too sunny here. It's too dark there. Your timing was wrong. Tap on the 'portrait' mode. Go further. Come closer," — these are just a few of the most common things we hear, and things get embarrassing at times in public places!

So, as an Instagram husband, my wife (in my case) is the model, the director, and the photoshoot coordinator all at once. And me? I am just an unpaid photographer.

Did my photography skills improve? Even if it did, I would not tell her, because she would make me snap even more pictures. But what I can tell you is that I have grown a distaste for photography itself. I envy actual professionals, who, with their fancy DSLRs, perhaps enjoy clicking away. But I reckon even they, though relentlessly passionate in their craft, must go nuts at some point.

How many pictures are enough on a date — two, three, five? Or how about zero? On a trip — 10, 20, 50? One cannot and should not count, as it will only add to the frustration. Back to my case, I think I have captured more photos of wifey than the Apollo missions did of the moon.

It starts simply. One small click for a man, one giant leap for her album! Soon enough, I have a large collection of photos to deliver to her WhatsApp for selection and editing.

I have half a mind to set a quota, sort of a limit. Let's say, 10 clicks per day on a trip, 5 when dining out or at the wedding. All I am saying is that if being an Instagram husband is like a job, let's at least have a job description, working hours, and decide on the deliverables.

As long as there is Instagram, there will be Instagram husbands. They are the unsung heroes. So, as you scroll online and come across a beautiful photo of your friend, chances are high that there was someone behind it that made it happen — an overworked, tired, underrated Instagram husband!