Why Your Photography Instagram Isn't Working (It's not your hashtags!)

This is why your photography instagram isn't getting you any inquiries (and how you can start fixing it) Instagram growth strategies for photographers.
There are a million instagram gurus out there sharing all kinds of secrets and strategies. Use hashtags, follow unfollow, comment, write better captions etc. These are all helpful - But what about when you do all these things and STILL aren't getting any results? Inside this video we'll take a look at several different instagram profiles and try to identify the key differences that make instagram influencers and photographers successful, and how you can use this same process to improve your instagram growth strategy.
The truth is there is no one silver bullet answer when it comes to building an effective instagram marketing strategy - But there are common principles and clues you can find by looking at what influencers and other photographers who are CRUSHING it on instagram are doing differently.

[@klizukk]

And still to date, Adina didn't give a damn about your suggestions! I wonder why she asked for your help in the first place 🤷‍♀️

[@bruh-qi7ue]

In the video she is at 1036... Now she's on 1195... Someone needs to share this video to her LOL

[@aptly6]

Thank you for going in depth beyond the typically repeated advice

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful! THanks Michael

[@MonroesArtStudio]

I get varying answers on how to curate. Some say they don't like how all the photos look exactly the same like they could've been shot on the same day with the same preset, and I hear others say variety is good because it shows difference and willing to try different styles. Which makes sense to me. Some "brides to be" wanna shine and don't want their images to look just like the other 30+ brides to be from before. So I think just make your stuff look good, regardless if you use different editing tech, just make it pop. If you wanna promote yourself as a jack of all trades then do so, but if you put in your profile wedding photog and you have other things, then that part is a fail.

[@ekevanderzee9538]

And then there are those accounts with 3 posts and 500 followers... oh, and they're set to "private" 😄

[@SignatureEdits]

bahaha so true. Fake followers are a thing... Or could be they started their account a long time ago when getting followers was a lot faster and easier!

[@DK-dd3ds]

💯😁

[@MrsMysteryWoman]

Thanks for that video. Very helpful and detailed. Much more informative than most. I have recently started a new Instagram page for my photography business and have begun the process of trying to grow my followers, engagement and such. One thing that has been bothering me is this: How do you find the balance between having your own style and look and setting yourself apart from the crowd, but also sticking with what's trending and popular at the moment? Isn't it better to have your own signature look than just following the crowd and doing the same thing as everyone else? It often feels as though the majority of the photographers I see on Instagram have the exact same look and feel to their feeds; I can hardly tell them apart most of the time. ( Brown, orange, dark, moody, sunset, lots of linen and "wild-child" type outfits etc. )

[@MonroesArtStudio]

I legit just posted about this :P As he said earlier, it's the trendy, so that means at some point it's gonna change, so it's best to me to show variety in your editing. Maybe some you can follow the trend and others you do what you think makes the image stand out. As long as your feed looks damn good with the best images and not just rando things, you're gonna be golden

[@oliverlison]

Instagram is not about photography. It is about being consisiten. I am an artist but I don't have a fixed style. I am an artist who does not care about instagram. Instagram needs a consistent style.

[@prafullarora]

that is true. but also keep in mind instagram doesn't give two sh*ts. if you like posting mixed colors/styles you're doing it for yourself. but if you wanna grow as a "photography influencer" you got to maintain the style because when someone lands on your instagram they see the feed first not the photo. if your feed is messy like mine, ain't gonna work. holla me @prafull

[@pokguys16]

Is it possible to be consistent with a mixed style?

[@wanjanjama]

@@pokguys16 If you show that is what you are doing from the jump, then yes. Many people do one instagram line (3 posts) of one editing style or set of photos and then move onto use a different one with the next. At the end of the day though, still inquire with what your followers on what they would like to see (using polls, engagement stickers, or even asking in the comments of posts!)

[@JaimeAndresMedia]

I agree with the concepts on this video, which has an overarching theme of “content is king” having a consistent look and edit, and images that really stand out... I myself am working hard to get there... yet I’ve seen people on IG who are absolutely crushing it and do not have good content, I’ve come across photographer profiles that make me wonder how in the world do they have thousands of followers. This video is great for the basics, but unfortunately beating the IG algorithm takes more than just great images

[@SignatureEdits]

I get what you're saying Jaime. Sometimes you look at a profile and you're like "What? How do people follow them?" - What I WILL say to that is often: 1) Photographers buy fake followers. I know because I did it in the past with my old account, and it was unreal easy to get 1000 followers for $5. 2) Photographers who made accounts early had it WAAAAAAY easier because less accounts = easier to get discovered = beat the algo etc. So those 2 reasons explain a lot of those accounts. There are also a lot of other factors involved in growing a page too like you said. Anyways, good luck!

[@clarkforce6065]

This is awesome and very informative. Definitely going to save this to keep me refreshed. Just started a page with wildlife and nature photos. Trying to earn a little money

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck Spencer :)

[@SuzanneRenfrow]

Great video! Just starting out with a pet photography account, so this is super-helpful. Question: When I upload, I prefer to NOT apply any Instagram filters, I want my carefully-edited photos to look just as I intended when editing. However, I've noticed that Instagram "forces" you to use filters on certain images (you can't post without applying a filter first) -- and there goes your cohesive look. I've heard that it has to do with the image colorspace or something. Which is weird because I used the same colorspace (sRGB i think, LR's default) for EVERYthing. Do you know why the forced filters, so I can avoid that? Thanks!

[@SignatureEdits]

Hmm that is super strange suzanne, and not something I've personally encountered! One thing you could try: Post to insta directly from your computer and not from your phone. That might get around this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ_chXpqqZqKqNU

[@gussi3540]

In Photoshop - Edit > Convert to Profile > Set Destination Space to Working RGB - sRGB IEC61966-2.1 > Save. Before uploading to Instagram.

[@ThinkForYourselfFriends]

I ALWAYS feel guilty and feel like copying someone if I even think about doing what they are doing. Making on my own is the dream. But maybe it's impossible to keep up when living like that

[@Unterhosegotti]

Good video sir, the thing is many people like me don't want to have ONE style. I know it would be successful but I love capturing so many different things. I shoot since 2019 (so not even a year) and I can't set on one style.

[@SignatureEdits]

Totally understand - When you're starting out and growing your photography feel free to experiment and try new things. This is more aimed at those who want to take the next step of turning that hobby into a business. When you're trying to grow a business, consistent branding is going to be key. Feel free to shoot and take photos in different styles - But what you actually put out into the world and share should be consistent with your main brand.

[@Unterhosegotti]

@@SignatureEdits alright gotcha. Thanks for answering sir.

[@oliverlison]

same here. That's why I don't care about instagram anymore. Not worth it. True art does not sell on instagram.

[@AdrianLardPhoto]

Great video! I'm not a huge fan of IG, but tons of photographers are doing great with the platform. Thanks for sharing!

[@SignatureEdits]

Totally Adrian - I'm not much of an instagram guy myself either, but many of my friends get TONS of inquiries and bookings from it, so it's definitely doable. I think like everything in marketing, you've got to focus on doing it really well if you want to get results. A half hearted effort isn't going to get you much.

[@AdrianLardPhoto]

@@SignatureEdits That is so true!

[@cjmedic1]

A great video thanks for sharing.. I totally agree with what you were saying in your first depiction with the first photographer when you look at her page you’re right you absolutely don’t know what exactly it is what she does. But for example I’m a photographer and I personally don’t like to limit myself to any one Johndra I pretty much do everything under the sun so I allow people just to tell their story and I clearly depict that in my description or bio I think that might help people as well. So another words if you have a bunch of random abstract type of photography well then you should possibly put in your bio all things photography or something like that. Would you agree?

[@corastrauss3260]

Good job, man!!!! 💘 Really like your advice!

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks Cora - Glad to help!

[@herpaperheartphoto]

Thank YOU!!

[@SignatureEdits]

You're welcome!

[@FlushzGames]

Hi All the suggestions I watched on KZbin, people said to focus on a photopgrahy theme. I just started on photography and I'm a random guy. I like to shoot nature, a lot! I'm a farmer soo I'm always connected with nature. But sometimes I like to shoot other things, like sports, motorsports, animals, pet animals, landscapes, travels that I do, shooting the stars. I don't know if you get my point but my question is how can I grow my instagram/facebook page with that variety.

[@SignatureEdits]

Hey! That's great you're doing photography and dabbling in all sorts of content. Honest answer? You'll likely struggle growing an instagram without a clear theme. That said, not EVERY theme has to be about the subject. For instance there are photographers whose editing style is the theme - The content might change, but the colors in the photos are always the same. Or maybe the theme is an emotion. Hope this makes sense. Honestly my biggest recommendation is simply to not worry about instagram followers and just enjoy what you're doing. As you get better and better your work will probably have more focus and you'll figure out what you'd like to work on the most. Good luck!

[@FlushzGames]

@@SignatureEdits I do photography just for fun and hobbie. I don't pay attention to my growing status, I'm just enjoying what I'm doing! I'm learning day by day and the results are paying off on my photos

[@eduardocortes-dv4lo]

the best its to be different, dont do like others.

[@SignatureEdits]

sometimes this is true, sometimes it is not :) it all depends

[@javiazar]

I've done everything you said, but can't seem to grow fast... I'm super frustrated right now. Can I email you?

[@JaleelKing]

The problem many have is that they seem to think these things happen instantly. Without knowing some key things, you need to realize that growing your IG will take time. There are mad famous photogs who barely have 12K followers but what do I know?

[@krejn]

God this is a very very good video.

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad you think so!

[@GoldenEagleCinema]

Good one 👍

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks!

[@diegojustraveled1118]

I wish everyones account to grow!

[@SignatureEdits]

Me too!

[@gstapleton]

Great advice m!

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad you think so! Thanks Gregory

[@ΔοσίθεοςΤρνηνητς]

dlt.doss777 ✌🏻📸

[@crisgamay5793]

loveeeeeeeee ♥

[@SignatureEdits]

Amazing, thanks Cristiane!

[@canturgan]

What is Instagram's ultimate goal?

[@canturgan]

@@NicoDa1 By selling your pictures?

[@SignatureEdits]

This.

[@SignatureEdits]

By selling ads to companies to display in your feed.

[@lifeofapotato4595]

people tend to forget that IG is owned by facebook.

[@c0nn0rm]

Hi! First off, great video! Very informative and of course true! This is where I struggle though, as I like to take pictures of everything through my life, although I do favour vibrancy, so potentially this could be my ‘niche’ on my profile, but it’s still quite random. Do you think a vibrant page of all sorts of photos could succeed? My profile is ConMusPhotography , if you had the moment, I’d really appreciate your opinions!

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful! In answer to your question, it's not that you COULDN'T succeed doing a wide variety of photos... But you'll have a really hard time standing out enough to build up a following. Choosing a more narrow, specific niche will give you a better chance. But if you're just doing it for fun, then do what you enjoy and don't worry too much about the followers :) Good luck!

[@DeathlySecurity]

eamon and bec love there youtube

[@juiceplanet147]

@Signature Edits Wheres the different skin color...sheesh!! Whites only Instagram

[@SignatureEdits]

Unfortunately I can't control what other instagrammers share on their feeds :) The examples I pulled up were just a couple local photographers... One of which is a latino himself and has a fair number of Asian and Hispanic couples. Skin color definitely has nothing to do with the content or topic of this video though, so I think it's a little irrelevant. Still I understand for photographers with clients of different skin color having those examples would be helpful - I'll keep that in mind in future videos!

[@declankelly2449]

you have a fair point but signiture edits is at little to no fault. But I appreciate the movement