At first when I saw the title of the document in question "The Photographers Guide to Instagram," I was hesitant and almost blew it off as yet another cliché, small list of tips and tricks that have been passed around for the past 4 years since the inception of the popular photo sharing app. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's much more than that, and a must-read for anyone finding themselves not maximizing Instagram for its full potential.
I have to say I am a huge fan of Instagram and what it can do for creatives at all levels of their career both personally and professionally. It has allowed me to bring my passion for photography to something greater by reminding me to keep it fun and never let go of it. It's sometimes a tough sell getting full time photographers to use the app for professional use (perhaps blame it on that whole TOS outrage if you want). I for one have picked up some inredible work through the app including a recent trip to Cape Cod with General Electric to shoot with nothing more than my iPhone! You can read more about that along with see photos from the shoot here.
It took me 2 nights to read through this guide and break down all the key tips it has to offer. After reading it, I realized that it is hands-down one of the best reads I have found on the social network in the 4 years I have been using it. It talks about everything, and can help creatives in any stage of their career. It starts with the basics and moves into how to maximize for business and how to pull-in clients and views from the exact audience you are looking for. What else would you ask for? Less than 6% organic reach from Facebook or 100% reach to your followers on Instagram?
If you are still on the fence about Instagram and haven't quite figured out how to fit it to your needs like Facebook or Twitter be sure to check out this guide loaded with some really fantastic content. Also feel free to reach out to me in the comments below or directly on my Instagram page!
Download The Photographers Guide to Instagram here.
[via Photo Shelter]
Recipe for Instagram
Be good looking, have a great body, have a good looking partner, live a bohemian lifestyle (bonus likes if you live in a VW van and have a dog), have a Macklemore haircut, have a beard and a Macklemore haircut, travel to exotic places without hinting to why or how you're actually traveling that much, downplay your travels like they're no big deal - it's, like, whatever.
Stir well.
Baking time: varies depending on how many hashtags you use.
I love Instagram for looking at what my friends are up to. "Oh, wow, so they moved to such and such. Oh cool, they got a new puppy," etc... But I have come to the realization that only certain types of posts get really popular unless you're already popular outside of Instagram. I've accepted that the kind of photography I do does not gather a large following on the 'Gram, so I just post funny or interesting stuff in my everyday life (usually. Sometimes I'll post photos from projects and whatnot).
And I'll be damned if I ever begin pandering to Instagram to get more follower or whatever. Screw that.
Humorous yet valid point. Not saying Instagram is for every creative out there but to ignore the potential and only go to the big shot sites like FB and Twitter its worth a shot. Its yet another place (if your account is public) that you are putting your name out there and brand to showcase your work. I have seen many shooters including myself use IG as a place for BTS shots and some cool before the final photo type deal. What do you mean pandering IG for followers though?
I mean, like, shooting stuff that I know is popular on Instagram, even though it's not what I would ever shoot otherwise. It would feel disingenuine.
It's not that I really hate IG or anything, it's just that the sales pitch "You too can be Instagram famous!" is sometimes irritating. It's like telling every kid that they can be president if they want to. Yeah, maybe, but probably not.
Note: I'm not telling people to discourage children from trying to achieve what they want. I just meant that sometimes what is said and what is the truth are two different things.
Yea, totally agree with you. I think I was more going for the idea that this can be used as a professional tool on various levels of your career path especially for creatives. Not necessarily saying you can be instafamous too with these easy tips. This little book broke it down pretty well compared to others I have seen where it literally is all about getting the most followers possible even though they did talk about it briefly it wasn't the main point. Probably the reason I found it appealing.
Also you are completely right on posting shots I feel will get the most likes, in the end for me its a place for me to post stuff I like and enjoy. Its what has brought me clients and projects I feel best fit me rather than trying to be something I am not. Fine line on the social media world but being as true as you can is best.
So True....Also, Don't forget to post wedding photos, because everyone loves those !
That was fun to read David.
Thanks :P
I have a lot of hipster friends who have oodles (love that word) of followers on IG, so I've unintentionally dissected what makes certain posts popular lol
I will admit I followed the trends on a few posts a while there but over the past couple years having IG and building the Indianapolis Instagram community from scratch with a few others its been an incredible experience and I am finding this little community to be my source of inspiration and real follower base. Its a strong crew and its always building.
I totally agree with you. I am involved more and more with instagram as I have made so many friends in this community. Through that, many ideas have came through and many businesses as well. Like many of you, I hated Instagram because I thought it was just selfies and bad food photography, but if you look for the good stuff you will find them and you will meet a lot of great people along your journey. Not to mention, showing your work to a lot of people.