On Using Instagram for Photographers
PHOTO CHALLENGE | Post at least two photos a week that are relevant to your brand/style. Engage with anyone who comments and likes your photo. Scroll through relevant hashtags and leave comments on similar images.
Clearly I can talk about this subject forever, so if you’re needing to stop and access why this is useful, what the value is, and how it can be relevant to you, check out this next post…
Instagram can be as fun or as daunting as you want it to be. If you are going to dedicate your time to social media, my theory is simply that it should be worth it. If it begins to feel like a chore that you are forcing yourself to tend to, it’s time to evaluate how you’re using it.
Here are a few notes on making Instagram a worthwhile endeavor:
First thing’s first, what are you wanting to use Instagram for? What is your goal? What do you want out of it?
For photography, it could be as simple as this: Sharing your work for like-minded photographers or those who share and are into similar content (if you’re into hiking, daily lifestyle images, product photography, fashion, portraits, etc…).
Stay consistent in using your DSLR photos. It’s okay to mix in phone photos, but ensure they can fit in to some degree with the rest of your images.
Since you’re already editing your photos, avoid using the Instagram filters.
If you’re unsure of what to share in the caption, write a little story or detail about the photo. Describe what led you to take the photo, talk about the location, or other thoughts you might find applicable. Don’t get carried away with too long of captions either.
Instagram isn’t meant to be a true portfolio, be selective about the photos you share, and refrain from sharing everything. Think of Instagram as a daily journal with a summary of your photos (if you have a website, this is a great way to redirect viewers there).
Use hashtags. Ensure you’re using relevant hashtags, misleading those who view those hashtags can be frustrating and unhelpful. Instagram has its own search hashtags option. Just type a relevant keyword in and select the tab marked “tags.” This will produce a list of hashtags that include that word. This search will also show you posts containing the hashtags. Save your most used hashtags in your notes on your phone for later use and to save time.
Tag businesses, friends, and relevant brands. You can tag accounts in your photo AND in the comments. Tagging the photo links it to their page where you can see all of the photos they’ve been tagged in. Tagging in the comments only sends them a notification they may or may not see. If you’re sharing a photo of a public place, you can geo-tag the location when you’re posting the photo, as well as tagging them if there’s an account for that place.
NOTE: Be mindful of tagging wild outdoor locations (scenic landscapes). Many protected areas have gained popularity and turned quiet, less trafficked locations into tourist attractions because of social media. If someone I know asks where a place is that I post, I’ll send them a private message.
Share behind the scenes in your stories and on your feed. Followers love to see into the life of photographers, with social media that’s how they get to know you. Share sneak peeks and/or your editing process. Take photos of you working, of your workspace, or what goes into planning a shoot. Don’t forget to get in the photo sometimes too! Encourage people to visit your portfolio to see the rest of the shoot.
Be mindful of when you’re posting. Posting content at various times of day will affect how your audience sees and responds to it. You want to post your content at a time when most of your audience is online to engage with it so the Instagram algorithm picks it up as popular. This way it will have a better shot at landing on the explore tab where you can get a bunch of new followers. Once you know the time that works best for your audience, try to make it a habit to post around that same time.
Regularly engage with your followers. Take the time to respond to comments when someone says something on one of your photos. Check out some your followers profiles and like their photos and leave comments. When they see you as an active participant in the community, they will be more likely to continue engaging with you, and even recommend your account to their friends and followers.
Don’t forget to have fun. Instagram is a social network, so you should be social with it. Have fun with your followers and the shots you post. If it’s all work and no play, you likely won’t see the return on investment you’re hoping for. Treat Instagram as a community where you can meet new friends and promote your work. You’ll get real feedback that you can use to make yourself a better photographer.