Lets start on a positive note, Instagram is a place to share your work. Whether it is a post to build an account or a story to simply to engage with whatever following we can scrape out, Instagram allows a platform for us to show our work...sort of.

This post had to be re-written a couple of times. I didn’t realise how much of a rant it had become but sadly Instagram can be a very negative place so I will start with that and end positively.

Not for photographers

Because if it were a place for people to show there work, photographers and illustrative creatives would be top dog. As we know, this is not the case. Those who market the best ‘win’ the hardest.

‘Style’

Knowing it is all about marketing, you will begin to notice that instagram has it’s own style and if you don’t follow that style it can often (but not always) be very difficult to attract a following.

Large accounts that that celebrities curate are often filled with selfy after selfy and show nothing but the lifestyle that they want you to think they lead. These images can be interesting (we do something similar in glossy mags) which is why people follow it but lets be clear, that’s not photography. That is an option for them instead of getting papped. This way they control what you see and how you see them. Very powerful. (keep reading...im not all doom and gloom)

Because of this success you can see the a few types of images repeated again and again. Hopefuls will post their very curated moments onto the medium hopeing you will want to see more.

They bought into a lie!

ITSLIESALLLIESITELLYA!!!...sorry, we now return you to normal broadcasting.

The above people are buying into the idea that if you have a large enough following you might get paid or get free stuff. Fine. But that means the 1 or 2 accounts that have HUGE followings are then the norm that is replicated again and again. We start seeing these images everywhere and fatigue sets in very quickly. The lie is that this type of picture will get you followers.

But you knew all of this, right. We have been aware of how much damage instagram is doing to us for years.

Ok ok, So why are you using it?

I want to show my work so between my website and instagram I show it. I ignore the set style and show my work. Because of this I can’t be on instagram to get followers. I just can’t. It would probably drive me insane.

Detaching myself from the BS of instagram is difficult but this platform could still be of some use. Believe me however, if platform comes along that isn’t pay to win then I am all for it.

One of the big things about Instagram is actually engaging with the people who follow you. Speak to them and take the time to comment on their work. I have actually made a good few connections this way and it can be quite rewarding so long as it doesn’t become my primary focus.

So, if you read this. Lets talk. No really I am interested if you have any question or have any projects you would like some help on (advise included in that). Communication is important with creativity.

@itchyphotog

@itchysworld

Be polite

Be efficient

Have a plan to shoot everyone you meet