Like so many of us, I’ve always been curious about what goes on in the life of a food influencer – how they become one in the first place, what their top restaurant picks and just how much eating out they really do? We spoke to Ana the personality behind @Thefoodieaesthetic on Instagram.
Ana, what motivated you to start your Instagram? Tell us about the name.
AM: The name The Foodie Aesthetic comes from me joking around that food is my aesthetic since I loved to take pictures with the food I’m going to eat. I feel like so many memories come from meals, so I wanted to document my foodie journey and show the human interaction with food. Honestly, I never thought that people would like it let alone my food Instagram get so far.
When did you realize that your hobbies of food and photography could become a career?
AM: I didn’t even think it was a possibility until the first restaurant reached out to me! The Foodie Aesthetic was nothing but a passion project of mine, so I hadn’t even put much thought about it being a career. I still very much run my Instagram as I did starting out. I never want to make my Instagram feel like a career. Life is short and I’m just having fun with it!
There are local/regional food bloggers all over the Internet, but somehow you’ve managed to cut through the noise and make a real name for yourself in the Chicago community with really great engagement. What do you think sets you apart?
AM: I do my best to be authentic and interact with the foodie community. Social media is about connecting, growing and learning with each other. I find that authentic comments and interaction can foster new friendships and support for each other.
As video becomes more ubiquitous year after year, do you make a point of incorporating that into your feed/using Instagram stories? Why?
AM: I do try to put videos on my story and occasionally into my feed. I think that doing this creates a more personal and real interaction with myself and my followers.
Do you predict any shift in influencer marketing in the coming future?
AM: I could see a shift to more micro influencer marketing since there is often a more personal connection between the micro influencer and their followers.
When partnering with a brand how do you best integrate a product into your content?
AM: I try to figure out what that brand is trying to achieve and what that brand means to me. I only partner with brands that I enjoy and could see myself using.
What’s the most underrated aspect of working in social media?
AM: I think the most underrated aspect of working in social media is the amount of people and lives that you touch while being on social media and producing content. Most people are caught up in trying to be popular or becoming “instafamous” that they don’t realize how they influence other or take the time to get to know their followers. I’ve been so fortunate to meet to many friends via social media that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It’s such an underrated reward!
What is the biggest tip you would have given yourself when you were starting out? What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?
AM: Starting out I worried so much about growing my account that it got so stressful. Now, I’m just trying to have fun and produce content that I enjoy. If someone doesn’t genuinely like my content, would I even want them to be my follower? I find that being unapologetically me, is more freeing than caring what society wants.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
AM: Don’t compare yourself to others. If you are doing better than you were yesterday, you are exactly where you need to be. Work hard, stay humble, and be unapologetically you.
When you’re not doing social media, how do you like to relax and unwind?
AM: Catch me cuddling on the couch with my bf and my dog or hanging out with my beautiful strong girl gang. Eating in both scenarios of course haha!
Anthony Bourdain said ““You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” What does this quote mean to you personally?
AM: I believe that sharing a meal is one of the most intimate acts that people can do together. The table is where memories are shared and made. All you need is good food, and good company!
