So, what's the point of VSCO?

VSCO is far from your traditional social media application. You don't have the option to like or comment on photos, so users are often left wondering how they can engage with other profiles on the application.

If you're one of those people, don't you worry because today I'm going to end your confusion.

For starters, VSCO isn't meant for engagement. Business Insider even refers to the applications style as an, "anti-social sharing approach." The application is meant to encourage users to photograph and edit quality, captivating photos. The number of likes or comments from viewers is irrelevant in the world of VSCO, making way for creativity and individuality to blossom. So, if you're looking for a photo sharing app that is going to boost your confidence from feedback from your followers, this isn't the application for you.

Another major use of VSCO is photo editing. Before I understood the intent behind VSCO, I would import photos to edit and then export the images to Instagram or Facebook— I'm guessing that you did and still do the same. Business Insider shared that, "VSCO initially appealed to the best mobile photographers out there, many of whom gained thousands of followers during the early days of Instagram by posting photos with the retro film camera aesthetic VSCO has become synonymous with." It looks like you and I were doing the same thing as many other users around the world although we were no where near as successful. It's good to use the application to create photos that you want to post elsewhere or post on VSCO itself; to each their own! Technically, we weren't using the app in the way the creators intended—at the end of the day, VSCO was meant for people with a knack for photography, but that's irrelevant now. Because the app provides its members with user-friendly, polished photo editing, the app has gone through a major increase in users from a younger audience with little to no photography skills within the last few years; this is where you and I fall into the VSCO world, and that's okay.

Now, there is much more to do on VSCO than only editing and/or publishing great pictures. In addition to republishing pictures and following accounts, you can add GIFs and the Grid includes series of photos with text. This is an interesting way for users to explore the application and come across inspirational stories told through images and text.

(The image above shows VSCO's main feed. These are some of the highest quality photographs that are trending. The feed is meant to help users explore VSCO.)

By now I hope you realize that VSCO is a platform for storytelling. The creators have an appreciation for photography and want users to get inspired as well as inspire. Moving forward, challenge yourself to capture beautiful moments in pictures; tag your photos so people can discover your profile; follow other profiles and share their photos to create a community. Good luck and happy VSCOing!