Death of a Selfie, Why Gen Z Ditching Perfect Pictures for Candid Photos

Written By: Elizabeth Salazar

Remember when perfect selfies ruled Instagram? Curated feeds with coordinated images and heavily filtered faces flooded the photo sharing app. In 2016, Instagram was a place where imperfection didn’t exist. Using photo editing apps like Facetune was the norm to achieve glass skin and a snatched waist.

But what changed in just a few years? Today, we see the rise of the uncurated feed. Unfiltered, candid photos with no trace of Facetune, photo filters, or even professional photography skills. People creating, “photo dumps” to share glimpses of their daily lives in a way that feels raw and authentically relatable.

This drastic change from the perfect to the imperfect reflects how Gen Z has reinventing the definition of self expression.

But to understand this shift, we must first look at Instagram in its peak 2016 era, a time when perfection was everything. The platform was dominated by hyper curated aesthetics and heavily edited selfies. Influencers and the everyday user carefully crafted their feeds to present the best version of themselves. Posting on the platform was less about sharing real life moments and more about presenting an idealized version of oneself.

Kylie Jenner, a celebrity leading the trends in 2016, setting the standard for beauty and perfection that many followed.

James Charles in 2016, a makeup influencer known for heavily using Facetune to perfect his images, reflecting the era's obsession with flawless, edited selfies.

This emphasis on perfection set unrealistic standards and created a culture of comparison. Users found themselves constantly measuring their lives against the polished images of their favorite influencers and peers. But the truth was, these standards were impossible to attain because they weren’t even real to begin with. It was an illusion that left followers feeling inadequate and disconnected from the world around them.

But as the pressure for perfection grew, so did the desire for authenticity. More users became aware of the facade. People were craving real connection, genuine moments, and a life beyond Facetune.

This desire for an authentic view of everyday users gave rise to the Instagram we see today. Feeds now full of blurry, unfiltered, and unposed photos. Showing the true you, your daily experiences, and the little things that make you unique. These candid photos capture life in its rawest form, breaking away from the need to be perfect.

Photo dumps, in particular, have become popular as they present a random selection of images that feel spontaneous, sort of like stepping into someone’s personal diary. It’s the off guard outfit pictures, the 0.5 zoom selfie with no makeup on, and mundane moments of everyday life.

[INSERT VIDEO OF EMMA CHAMBERLAIN PHOTO DUMP WITH CAPTION “Emma Chamberlain’s photo dumps are a perfect example of how embracing spontaneity and everyday moments has become the new norm on Instagram.”]

This appeal for true authenticity allows users to share life as it truly is, imperfections and all. Making social media feel more human. By embracing this chaotic yet authentic style, people are able post images for themselves, not just for an audience.

Alix Earle, a popular influencer, embraces her real, unfiltered self by openly sharing struggles like acne, highlighting the shift towards raw, relatable content on Instagram.

Instagram is no longer about saying, “Look at me” but rather, “Wow, look at these beautiful moments you might not understand, but I do.” It’s sharing memories that you can look back on and appreciate. Those moments are small and seemingly insignificant, yet they capture the beauty of everyday life.

This movement isn’t just how we post on these platforms, it’s about changing how we see ourselves and each other. It’s a rejection of unrealistic standards and a celebration of individuality. Gen Z is boldly choosing to be real, and in doing so, it’s a reminder that life doesn’t need a filter to be beautiful.