If you have yet to jump on the "Instagram Train", I suggest you get on board immediately. The main reason for this suggestion is simply because it's (another) great social networking tool that photographers can use to promote their business. If you're not already familiar with how Instagram works, it's a photo and video sharing service online. Instagram allows its users the option to apply filters to their images as well as their videos. To push the "sharing" via social networking, users also have the option to share his/her uploads with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and/or Flickr.
Instagram exists both as an application for smart phones as well as a website for computers. Once you download the app and sign up for your account (assuming you are one of the few not already
on Instagram), you'll notice what makes this program unique is that all
of the photos taken with the app or shared via the computer are
constrained to a square shape; a 1:1 aspect ratio.
For a photographer, it is a
fantastic way to display both new and old photographs to clients.
Instagram can also be used to make short announcements to your clients
such as, "Cyber Monday Sale: 20% off of Portrait Packages". In my
opinion, the best thing about using Instagram as a photographer is that
it simply lets your clients know you are always working and that you're an active photographer. One of my favorite contemporary photographers to follow on Instagram is Rebekah Hoyt; based out of the D.C. area, Hoyt uses Instagram for many of these purposes - and then some!
Some photographers will also upload a photo that allows their clients to take a peak into his/her personal life.
This is a tactic that should be carefully used; be weary about sharing too much information about your personal life with your clients. Your Instagram page should still reflect a professional business. The benefits
behind sharing the "personal tactic" could be plentiful; starting with building a closer relationship with your clients, which will essentially also create more trust. However, if the photograph is too personal - say - an image of you hanging out at a bar with your friends, the photograph could deter someone looking to hire you for a gig. In short, be mindful of the genre that you shoot, your brand and your audience. For example, in the image below, Rebekah Hoyt has shared a photograph of her family's holiday candy. Given that Hoyt shoots weddings, engagements and family related events - her clients might very well be looking for a holiday dessert recipe. As for Hoyts other clients that are not interested in the recipe - can still see a stylized and well lit image displaying her "food photography" techniques.
On the other hand, many photographers argue that Instagram is hurtful to the photographic world (for various reasons), mainly because critics argue that it has "cheapened" the art form of photography. I would disagree with this school of thought; it is up to the photographer - regardless if he/she is an amateur, hobbyist or professional - to stay connected on a regular basis with his/her clients. The world of photograph is an ever changing world, one can choose to either adapt to those changes to succeed or not.
Given that you're a unique photographer, you might use Instagram in a slightly different manner than Hoyt. How could Instagram benefit your freelance business? To read more about the history of Instagram, click "here".
Stay tuned for the next part of this special "Website Wednesday Series" where I will write about Instagram, it's benefits and how else you can use this social network to create promotional materials for your business!
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01. "Instagram - Fast, Beautiful Photo Sharing for Your IPhone." Instagram. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.
02. Hoyt, Rebekah. "Instagram." Instagram. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.
03. "Instagram." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.