12 keys to explode on Instagram and promote your photographs all over the world!
What a pleasure to be able to attract attention, to have exchanges with other amateur photographers! Easier said than done !
Many publish on Instagram without ever gaining new subscribers and even fewer views… as for Likes, I don’t even mention them!
How to get noticed and even explode on Instagram?
How to constellate your Instagram with likes, followers, comments and create a great community?
In this article, I’m going to share the secrets of successful Instagram photographers.
I show you the best techniques to get a good exposure of your photographs. How to create a community and make it thrive as a photographer on Instagram.
1 – Find the right angle
All the topics have been covered multiple times!
Find your difference, bring out your style!
Attention, your own style, not a trick!
Something goes out of fashion, it passes… The style is eternal…
To bring out your style, get passionate about a subject, and for a week, a month, a quarter, a year, (it all depends on the subject and the level of interest you give it) photograph everything related to this subject !
Everything is possible in this area!
You can have a passion for Koi carp, West Indian cuisine, medieval architecture, collection of collectible hens or beekeeping in Europe!
Only one thing, to exploit only one theme!
You may think that you will be of less interest to people than by trying to please everyone with various topics. But it’s the opposite, wanting to please everyone is to make sure that no one is interested!
It is better to attract a smaller audience, but so much more passionate!
In short, find an exciting niche that you feel you can communicate for for years!
Nothing prevents you from being passionate about other subjects, but, you only publish on your Instagram account, photos relating to your favorite theme!
If it’s beekeeping and you fancy a portrait of your new boyfriend or girlfriend, no problem if you photograph her in front of a beehive, filling a pot with honey or photographing a bee. in macro with its brand new reflex!
2 – 2nd keys to explode on Instagram: The material
The smartphone revolutionizes photography! The best smartphones are stunning and let you get started without fuss.
However, don’t let yourself slip away!
Work well with the light! It can be learned and it is essential! As soon as you can, get yourself a real camera.
The SLR is no longer a reasonable option. A hybrid with 2 or 3 good lenses, a quality flash, one or two ND filters, a polarizer filter and one or two reflectors, you are ready to treat any subject.
Add a set of extension rings if you plan to photograph tiny critters…
3 – Your production chain
Each photo must be thought out, created and finalized to deserve to be posted on Instagram!
Again, don’t slip into the ease of cheesy effects offered by the Instagram app!
If you know how to adjust your camera well and work on your light when shooting, you can shoot in jpeg without scruples!
If your results are more hazardous, shoot in RAW, and save the furniture with RawTherapee (free) or Adobe Lightroom, by subscription.
You will be able to manipulate light, shadow and clarity with skill to obtain a photo that is embellished but still natural! Avoid the “Presets” with … dubious effects. Attractive at the time … but damn blah, a week later!
4 – show only your best photos
This advice is valid everywhere. A good photographer only takes good photos!
Look for photos if not missed, but just passable, of Patrick Demarchelier, Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton …
You won’t find any!
Yet they did, like the others, believe me! Especially in the days of film photography!
But the absolute rule, a great artist only shows his best work!
It only takes a bad photo to excite the jealous who never do anything!
Even if your ambitions are more modest today, be very attentive, very demanding, on what you publish.
Better quality than quantity. One to two images per week is a good pace to maintain interest.
Only post photos that you can be truly proud of.
5 – The art of story telling!
Storytelling? Quèsaco? Or Kesako, if you prefer! The Americans are masters in this area… and it works!
I remember Rocky Gunn, the undisputed master of wedding photography, rather than saying when showing us a wedding couple kissing against the backdrop of the sunset: “The backdrop was a little empty, so I had the ‘idea of placing at the bottom, a spot with a colored gelatin to simulate the sun… ”, he said to me:“ I did not feel the photo! I was annoyed! I decided to stop everything and pack up! One of my assistants, while putting away the equipment, went behind with a spot still connected! I thought it was awesome, I told him put it there! And I was able to take my photo! “
… It may have happened like that … but it’s true that told like that, it has a different face, right?
You understand the principle!
The photo… it is above all, the cinema! At least at the time of publication!
So write great stories, it’s part of post-production!
The weight of words, the shock of photos, you know!
Spark an emotional response in your viewer and you will help them connect with your work. You will trigger real interaction, people will naturally engage with how the image or words touched them, and more easily share their own experiences with you.
No need to become Instagram’s Chateaubriant, but a few well-chosen words in a thought-provoking caption to connect with your fans!
A rare moment of tranquility on the banks of the Couesnon, far from the summer crowds strolling the main street of Mont Saint-Michel, in search of made-in-china souvenirs. My special moment. A sunny day, a few clouds lazing in the distance. That nature is beautiful in this bay. These places once frequented by Bishop Auber, du Guesclin, transport me to each visit. I took it at dawn, when the mists begin to dissipate… the sight of this photo transports me back to this privileged moment…
6 – It’s not just story telling!
Also remember to ask questions. Open questions! In fact, suggest to your fans to share their own stories, their emotions!
You create a personal bond between your audience and you.
Newcomers to photography will be happy to find someone to connect with. By asking questions, you encourage them to engage with your community!
7 – Strategy and hashtags
Include specific #hashtags that can match a search. # mont-saint-michel, # pre-salted, # sheep, # du-guesclin or #ruche, # beekeeping, etc…
# steaming and #cooking won’t have the same effect!
Imagine #hashtags corresponding to precise research on passions and preferably from your fans on the photo side! #Hashtags related to your photo activities rather than generic terms that are too vague.
8 – Before time, it’s not time! After time…
Try to find the right time to match the time of your hearing for the majority of your audience.
A lot of Instagram users take a look in the morning. Post for them, others will see later in the morning… everyone will have a chance.
You can test different times and see the feedback. Depending on the theme and the audience, that can change.
For the day, it looks like Sunday morning is a good day. People are more relaxed …
To test ! But above all, be punctual like a Swiss clock! If it’s Sunday morning at 7:30 am, it’s EVERY Sunday morning at 7:30 am!
9 – Build your community to succeed on Instagram
Look for photographers whose work you enjoy.
Follow them and get noticed… it’s a long process… But who does nothing has nothing!
How to get noticed?
Whenever you can, leave a cool comment and follow the user. If they like what you post, they’ll verify your account and likely return the favor.
Don’t ask for anything in return! Comment naturally, no sycophancy!
10 – Spot the compulsive commentators!
Not too impulsive anyway! The “Super” or “J’adore” are a bit short young man!
Identify those who get involved in frequently leaving you long enough comments explaining what they like about your image.
Take the time to engage in a conversation by responding in a fairly developed way too.
They will be more inclined to share!
11 – Engage others!
Whenever possible, involve other Instagram users, the car rental companies you use, the vacation home rental company, restaurant owners …
You will promote exchanges in all directions … with pretty pearls at times!
Constantly think about everything you can reference that may have a direct or distant link with your theme, your activity!
12 – Quality versus Quantity
it’s better to have 100 Instagram fans interacting than thousands of followers who never like and never comment.
Focus on the people who are actively participating, it makes SEO easier, you are seen by bots as someone offering valuable content!
Be ruthless! Block inactive subscribers.
Here are 12 keys to explode on Instagram! Follow these 12 tips point by point and your account will inevitably climb, climb, climb …
Your turn now !
What are your tips for promoting photography and, if not exploding on Instagram, at least succeed and progress?
Do you have happy or unhappy experiences to share?
Tell us in the comments!
–
