Social media has revolutionised the way photographers showcase their work. In just a few clicks or taps, you can now reach a global audience. If you're looking to get established as a photographer, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of social media promotion.
Here are some top tips to help you effectively promote your photography and build a strong online presence.
Like a shop display, your social media profile is often the first point of contact between you and potential followers. Make sure it's as inviting and informative as possible.
Choose a strong profile picture
Select a high-quality profile picture that represents you or your brand. It could be a logo, a portrait, or a signature photograph. Consistency across platforms will also bolster your brand recognition.
Craft a compelling bio
Your bio should briefly describe who you are and what you do. Use keywords related to photography to make it easy for people to find you, or try including a link to your portfolio or website to direct traffic where it matters most.
For more detailed advice about how to write a great social media bio, along with screenshot examples, we recommend checking out this article from Hootsuite.
Use Highlights and pinned posts
On platforms like Instagram, use the Highlights feature to keep important stories available beyond the usual 24-hour window. Group your Highlights by theme, project, or service to give viewers a quick overview of your work.
Got a project that you’re particularly proud of, or a high-profile one that will put you on the map? Pinning your post is another great way to promote content like this, as it will always appear at the top of your social media profile.
H2: Create engaging stories with your photos
Social media thrives on storytelling. Use your photos to weave narratives that capture your audience's imagination.
Tell a visual story
Instead of posting individual photos in random order, create a series that tells a story. Whether it's a day in your life as a photographer, a behind-the-scenes look at a photoshoot, or the journey of a single photo from concept to completion, stories engage viewers on a deeper level.
Share your process
People love to see how things are made. Share behind-the-scenes shots, work-in-progress images, and before-and-after comparisons. This not only showcases your skills, but also builds a personal connection with your audience.
Use captions wisely
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a well-crafted caption can enhance your image’s impact. Use captions to provide context, share interesting facts, or pose questions to engage your audience.
Picture this: you’ve recently moved to a new city and you’re keen to explore exciting new places. You follow the hashtag for your city’s name and landmarks, and your social media feeds begin to fill with striking photos of them. Perhaps you follow your favourite bar on Instagram, and see it tagged in a post by a photographer who’s become an artist-in-residence there.
You may even be looking to hire a photographer for the wedding you’re planning, so you follow #weddingphotography. You’ll then start seeing posts from practicing photographers who use that hashtag and are local to your area.
Hashtags and geotags are a big part of why you’re being served this content. It just goes to show what powerful tools they are for increasing the visibility of your posts.
Select relevant hashtags
Research and use hashtags that are popular within the photography community. Combine broad hashtags (#photography, #photooftheday) with more specific ones (#landscapephotography, #streetportrait) to reach a diverse audience. Tools like Hootsuite’s free hashtag generator and Display Purposes can help you find the best hashtags for your content.
Geotag your photos
If you’re posting location-specific photos, use geotags to attract local followers and clients. Geotagging can also make your work visible to people searching for photos from that location, increasing your reach as a result.
Create a unique hashtag
Consider creating a unique hashtag for your brand. Encourage your followers to use it when they post photos related to your work or events. This can help build a sense of community and make it easier for others to find content related to your brand.
Building a following on social media isn’t just about gathering likes and follower numbers – it's about creating a community and fostering authentic connections.
Respond to comments
Take the time to respond to comments on your posts. This interaction shows that you value your followers and encourages more engagement. Ask questions and invite opinions to boost conversation. Using your posts as a springboard for discussion can also inspire you and feed into your creative growth.
Follow and engage with others
Follow other photographers, brands, and potential clients and engage with their content by liking, commenting, and sharing. This not only increases your visibility, but also helps you build relationships within the community.
Host giveaways and collaborations
Hosting giveaways or collaborating with other photographers and brands can significantly boost your visibility. Make sure the terms of the giveaway encourage sharing and engagement. Collaborations introduce you to a new audience and add variety to your content.
Analysing your social media performance helps you understand what works and what doesn’t. This will help you maintain your online presence on a long-term basis and keep up with trends as they evolve in the future.
Use analytics tools
Most social media platforms offer built-in analytics tools. Use them to track metrics like likes, comments, shares, and follower growth. Tools like Instagram Insights, Meta Business Suite, and X Analytics (only available for X Premium followers) provide valuable data about your audience and the performance of your posts.
If you want a bird’s-eye view of performance across all your social media accounts, you can also look into a range of third-party analytics tools.
Identify patterns
Look for patterns in your high-performing posts. What type of content resonates most with your audience? Which posts receive the most engagement? Do you get better results when you target a particular set of hashtags? Use these insights to refine your content strategy.
Be flexible and experiment
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Social media trends change rapidly – what works today might not work tomorrow. Experiment with different types of content, posting times, and engagement strategies, as well as regularly reviewing your analytics to see what’s working and to adjust your approach accordingly.
Are you keen to put your work on the map and get established as a photographer? If so, our 100% online MA Photography course could be your first step towards achieving your goals.
For over 120 years, we’ve helped ambitious creative professionals realise their full potential. From building an industry-ready portfolio to marketing yourself as a practitioner, we’ll equip you with the skills you need to thrive as a photographer in today’s industry landscape.
By joining us, you’ll also connect you with like-minded creatives across the globe – and best of all, you can advance your expertise without putting your career on hold. Head to our MA Photography course page to find out more about what we offer.