What your Instagram photos say about you

But as an avid Instagram user and follower of hundreds of people I've never met, in countries I've never visited, I wonder how truthful the lens of Instagram is?

Instagram photos have a tendency to portray seemingly perfect lives, ranging from the best organic Cuban-blend coffee, to the gorgeous holiday in provincial Greece, to the perfect, blue-eyed, always-smiling baby.

And while I enjoy scrolling through my Instagram feed, drinking in the beauty of other peoples' flawlessly executed lives, I wonder (and imagine) what goes on behind the scenes?

How long did that person stand there photographing their baby to capture the blissful, I've-never-cried-in-my-life smile? How long did they spend arranging their food on the plate so that it looks enticing on camera?

There are the arty types, the baby-obsessed types, the sunset-chasers and those who make healthy eating look so sexy. And so many more.

So, what type of Instagram user are you?

THE ARTY AND CONCEPTUAL

At times, these photos can be head-scratchers. Sometimes they can be brilliant. Some are so dark, zoomed in or grainy that I don't even know what I'm looking at. But this is an animated video, so it wins straight away in my book.

THE RIDICULOUSLY ENVIABLE LIFE

They travel the world and visit the most beautiful places on earth, in the company of beautiful people with money-lined wallets. They have job titles like Model, Photographer, or Consultant. It's not 'Wish you were here' it's 'Wish I was there'.

THE SHAMELESS SELFIE

The selfie takes many forms, like the 'candid-don't-look-at-the-camera' kind, the 'making-a-silly-face-Carla-Delevingne' type, and the 'my-new-hot-body-Kim-Kardashian' kind.

And then there's the shameless, for no 'reason' at all type, usually accompanied by a ridiculous caption, such as the one that accompanied this photo: 'Can I be a mermaid please?' Case in point.

THE BRAND SNOB

Maybe they're a beautician. Maybe they're a model. But subtle and blatant brand-pushing on Instagram is gratuitous and annoying.

THE ORGANIC BLEND COFFEE SNOB

I'm not a coffee drinker. Perhaps that's why I don't understand this phenomenon. Coffee has become a normal, everyday part of our lives. So why does it need to be Instagrammed every morning?

THE BABY-OBSESSED

For some, an Instagram feed filled with photos of babies and children is one baby too many. Sure, it's fine to take the odd snap of your children and share it with your friends.

But an Instagram gallery full of them?

On the other hand, if you have to take photos of your children, make them awesome ones, like Kate Oliver's #rockthatnap vignettes. View more of Kate's photos here

THE SUNSET AND LANDSCAPE-OBSESSED

One thing that I've always wondered, is why sunset photos always get so many likes? It's not like they're rare, or only seen in remote places. Sure, I like a good sunset pic as much as the next person, but do you really have to snap them every time?

THE HEALTHY FOOD ADDICT

Gone are the days of Grandma's healthy, yet cardboard flavoured oatbran porridge. Sexy-healthy food is here. We get the best of both worlds! And who doesn't like a bit of gastronomic eye-candy?

THE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTER

They're the self-appointed Instagrammers in charge of inspiring others with a profound saying or cleverly worded phrase. Sometimes it can be just the pep talk you need. But other times they make you want to punch your smartphone's screen.

Which types of Instagrammers have I missed? Comment below or join the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ | @gracekoelma