Is Instagram right for you?
How do you find Instagram? Do you find it beneficial to your photography? Do you find new business through it?
I write this because I am about to delete my profile and leave it behind me. Since the ‘New Algorithm’ I Instagram is shit and I realize its not the place for me to show my work.
Photo’s that this time last year would have got a good 100+ likes, not only get 20 at a push! Now I don’t think it is all about the likes at all, but their algorithm is deciding weather your content is good enough to reach more people? Of course I understand that Instagram/Facebook is a business and they need to make money, but as a photographer who values real opinions on my work… Not a comment saying - “This is Great, maybe check my work and follow” after having not liked said picture that is great and haven’t followed me? This drives me crazy.
Instagram is a marketing platform at the end of the day. But I miss the days of everyone having a chance to see your work and not a computer algorithm deciding your worth…. Which moves me on to my main point.
Metrics and numbers on any ‘Social Media’ platform, do not and never will determine how good you are as a photographer or your self worth.
Platforms like Instagram can really have a profound effect on one’s mental health. I don’t think it has mine, but I don’t want to let it get to that point. I need clarity in my life and not an app determine who see’s my work.
Anyway, rant over!
If Instagram works for you, that’s great and wish you all the best on it.
If not….. Then maybe consider if its worth the time invested in it.
Cheers!
