How to grow a photography Instagram account? Sure, the basics are crucial. You need a well-defined niche, a profile that pops, strategic hashtags, and captivating content across all formats – Stories, Reels, feed posts, and carousels.
But what if you want to go beyond the foundation and make your Instagram photography truly explode?
In this blog, I’ll go deep into unconventional strategies on Instagram for photographers. Shall you join me? Let’s go!
How to grow photography Instagram accounts: General Rules
Never miss this toolbox if you’re starting a photography Instagram account from scratch.
- Narrow down your niche: Don’t be everything to everyone! Focus on a specific piece of the vast world of photography like fashion, nature, portraits, and more to attract a targeted audience.
- Optimize your profile: What you’ve got for users? Solely breathtaking images or also presets and filters? Include links in bio+ Contact info+KEYWORDS (Could be your niche or style).
- Use Instagram photography hashtags: Use a mix of niche-related hashtags and popular ones to get discovered. You can also learn how to use hashtags for your Instagram growth.
- Variety is key: All formats will help you grow your account. Carousels, and even Reels. So, take advantage of all.
- Captivate with Captions: Don’t underestimate the power of words! Write engaging captions that tell a story, ask questions, or provide insights behind your photos.
Suggested post: How to grow an Instagram account from scratch
How to grow a photography Instagram account: Beyond general rules
To grow your photography Instagram account, you should go beyond those basic rules and opt for
#1. Define your brand identity as a photographer
Choose a dominant element:
What I mean by a dominant element is a unique color, editing style, and sub-niche.
- Color palette: Select 2-3 complementary colors that reflect your brand identity and mood. Use tools like Adobe Color to find harmonious palettes.
- Editing style: Develop a consistent editing style (e.g., light and airy, dark and moody, vintage) through adjustments like exposure, contrast, white balance, and color grading. Presets can help achieve consistent editing.
- Subject matter: Focus on a specific niche or theme (e.g., urban exploration, minimalist architecture, abstract patterns) to build a recognizable visual language.
Put it into practice:
- Plan your content around your chosen theme. Before capturing new photos, consider how they fit your overall aesthetic.
- Use editing tools and filters consistently. Apply your chosen editing style to every photo for a cohesive look.
- Curate your feed carefully. Arrange photos considering color, composition, and negative space to create a visually pleasing flow. You can use preview apps like UNUM to visualize your feed before posting.
#2. What content to create?
Creating content that resonates with your audience is probably the biggest challenge. But don’t worry! Let’s check out some ideas to get inspired!
Document your photography journey
Tell your story and offer a glimpse into your creative process.
For example, you can talk about how your style has evolved, the photographers who inspire you, and the tools you use to achieve your signature look.
Carousel posts or story highlights are great options to narrate a story. You can even use text overlays, stickers, and polls to engage your audience further.
Collaborate with others
Collaborating with other photographers in your niche or complementary ones is a great idea.
Host joint photo walks, share editing tips through Reels duets, or organize themed hashtag challenges to reach a wider audience.
Use user-generated content
Want to turn your followers into brand advocates? You can run Instagram photography contests where they submit photos based on a specific theme you set.
Then, feature the winners on your feed giving them a taste of the spotlight and encouraging further participation.
Go Live and get interactive
Leverage tons of Instagram Live ideas to offer a unique opportunity to connect with your audience.
For instance, you can host live editing sessions, behind-the-scenes glimpses of a shoot, or Q&A sessions where you answer burning photography questions in real-time.
You may also like: How does going Live on Instagram help gain followers
How to promote a photography page on an Instagram story?
Nobody can question the effectiveness of Instagram stories to create engagement. So, why not grab this opportunity to promote your account?
- Share captivating snippets from your photography: Use your most visually appealing photos or short video clips of your work.
- Host interactive polls: Ask questions related to your photography (“Which editing style do you prefer?”) or your next project (“What location should I explore next?”)
- Use the “Question” sticker: Encourage viewers to ask questions about your photography or your creative process.
- Build anticipation for a new post, release, or collaboration by using the countdown feature to create a sense of urgency.
- Ask your audience to share your story or mention a friend who might be interested in your photography.
How to create high-quality content for your photography account?
To draw users’ eyes into your shots, you need to consider these points:
Invest in a good camera and editing software
To produce high-quality images, you should use a good camera. Consistency in quality is key.
For example, use a DSLR camera to capture detailed shots of landscapes during sunrise or sunset, and edit them using software like Adobe Lightroom to enhance colors and contrast.
Focus on composition
Pay attention to composition rules such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and framing. A well-composed photo immediately grabs attention and looks professional.
Experiment with Different Perspectives
Don’t just stick to eye-level shots. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to add depth and interest to your photos. Try shooting from high above, down low, or even from unconventional angles.
Play with lighting
Lighting can make or break a photo. Experiment with different lighting conditions such as natural light, golden hour, or artificial lighting to create mood and atmosphere in your photos.
Learn how to use light to your advantage to highlight your subject and create stunning effects.
Tell a story
Every photo should tell a story or evoke emotions. Think about the story you want to convey through your photos and use composition, lighting, and subject matter to communicate that story effectively.
Capturing candid moments or adding human elements can make your photos more relatable and engaging.
Pay attention to details
Attention to detail can elevate your photos from good to outstanding. Pay attention to small details like sharpness, clarity, and background distractions.
Use a wide aperture to create a shallow depth of field and blur distracting backgrounds.
#3. Engage with your audience
Respond to comments, and direct messages, and engage with your followers’ content. Building relationships fosters loyalty and encourages them to share your work.
If someone comments on your photo complimenting your composition, respond with a thank you and perhaps ask them what they like most about the image.
#4. How to promote photography on Instagram caption?
Don’t solely rely on your amazing shots to convey your message and engage with your followers. Get help from words! Here are some ideas to help you create captivating captions:
Ask questions: Prompt conversation by asking open-ended questions that invite viewers to engage and share their thoughts or experiences.
Go beyond descriptions: Instead of simply stating what’s in the photo, use your caption to tell a story, evoke emotions, or share personal insights related to the image.
Use captions to create a narrative: If you’re posting a series of photos, use captions to connect them and tell a larger story.
Use humor or wit: A touch of humor or lightheartedness can make your captions more relatable and engaging.
Provide Tips or Insights: Share photography tips, techniques, or insights related to the photo in your caption. Offer value to your audience by sharing your expertise and helping them improve their own photography skills.
#5. Promote your account on other social media
To have a successful photography Instagram account, you can take the following steps:
- Share your most visually stunning and engaging Instagram photos on other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
- Include a clear call to action (CTA) and ask viewers to follow you on Instagram for more stunning photography.
- Generate excitement by sharing a glimpse of your latest photography project on other platforms with a “See more on Instagram” CTA.
- Join Facebook groups, online forums, or Instagram pods for photographers (e.g., travel photography, and portrait photography).
#6. Use third-party tools
Growing an Instagram account is a long, time-consuming journey. You may need tools (the right ones, of course) to smooth your workflow.
In addition to image editing tools like Adobe Lightroom, Capture One Pro, DxO PhotoLab, and Affinity Photo, you can try Instagram growth services such as AiGrow to Grow Organically and Save Time.
Curious to learn how AiGrow can help you hit your target?
- First and foremost, they help you find potential followers using relevant hashtags and observing your competitors. Awesome, right?
- Secondly, AiGrow offers a Content Creation package (The most challenging task on IG) with the ability to schedule your posts.
- AiGrow’s free hashtag generator allows you to find the right hashtags (related to your niche).
- Don’t worry about engaging with your followers! AiGrow’s Managed DM service will take care of it (By sending targeted DMs to your followers or influencers).
With AiGrow, you can achieve more than 50% growth on your path. So, what are you waiting for?
Instagram for photographers: FAQs
Is Instagram worth it for photographers?
Yes, Instagram is worth it for photographers due to its visual nature, wide reach, and potential for showcasing work, building a following, and attracting clients (look at how many times the photography hashtag has been searched on IG).
How can I start a photography page on Instagram?
To build a photography account on Instagram, you need to follow these steps:
Define your photographic niche and style, curate stunning visuals for your profile, and post consistently. Engage with your audience through comments, relevant hashtags, and Stories/Reels to build a thriving community.
How do you get your pictures seen on Instagram?
To increase your visibility on Instagram, Post consistently, use relevant hashtags, and engage with your audience (commenting, responding)
