Features / Interviews
Is this Bristol’s biggest blogging sensation?
A quiet and intricate rusticism prevails throughout the photos of Ramona Jones, aka Mona, creator of the blog and Instagram sensation Monalogue.
The Bristol-based student and photographer divides her posts between two subjects – travel and food – but both are photographed with the same deft hand, bathed in what looks like the whitewash of an overcast day.
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“I think one of the most important things is to keep it consistent,” says Mona. “I blog what I’m doing, which is baking cakes and travel and photography.
“When it comes to Instagram, it’s difficult because people prefer different styles. I try to keep a balance between myself and what’s trending.”
The 22-year-old is Bristol born and bred, and she says her home city helped shape what Monalogue is today.
“I think it all started with Bristol,” she says. “I started taking pictures of colourful things and food. I take a lot of photos of the University – it’s really pretty.”
Through her blog’s evolution, Mona has learned some key lessons – all which she happily lists off for the benefit of up-and-coming bloggers. “Don’t try to do too many things,” she says. “Edit pictures nicely. Keep it visual and simple. Network properly with hashtags people actually look for – have thirty of those to post in the comments on Instagram to help people find you.”
Mona now studies psychology at Bristol University, where she’s using her blog and Instagram to complete her dissertation. “It’s about personality differences and the way people use social media,” she says. “The blog has been really helpful because I needed a lot of participants.”
All photos by and courtesy of Ramona Jones.
Read more: Bristol’s Instagram queen