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. You can then opt to push your "sharing" to other social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and/or Flickr.
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 wedding photographers to follow on Instagram is Rebekah Hoyt. She is based out of the D.C. area and uses Instagram for many of these purposes - and then some!
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| from Rebekah Hoyt's Instagram |
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.
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| from Rebekah Hoyt's Instagram |
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.