10 Instagram Story Ideas for Photographers
You’re probably all sick of me banging on about how important Instagram Stories is for your business… but… Instagram Stories is really important for your business!
How much can I bet you that if you use Instagram, you spend more time in Stories now than you do on the grid? I know that I do.
So how can fashion photographers put Instagram Stories to use? Here are a few ways that you can do just that.
Behind the scenes: Sounds obvious, but share the behind the scenes of shoots! Show your prep (printing moodboads, setting up studios + lights, getting clothes ready, packing up cars, actual shooting, etc).
Show off your kit: People LOVE to see what photographers shoot with. So share your kit! You can talk about why you choose specific lenses, and why you always have 5 batteries in your camera bag. This will show off your professionalism to any potential clients watching your stories ;)
Show your desk as you edit: Another thing people love: seeing work spaces. Do a timelaps of you working, speed it up, and upload it to Stories (videos need to be a maximum of 15 seconds).
Before and after of images: Quick and easy, but always a winner; share a before and after of an image you’ve edited.
Your locations + location scouts: If you work on location, or even in a big studio, share those environments. People like to place us in locations, as it creates context for them to see us in. If you’re going for a location scout, share your process. If you’re on set, show off the space you’re in.
Travel: Do you travel for work? Share that side of things! It’s interesting for people to see where you go, and they’ll love getting to explore alongside you.
Stuff you do when not working: Quite a broad one, but you don’t have to only share your work life with your followers; you can share a bit of your personal life too! You can decide what your boundaries are, but it can be something as simple as sharing the walk you take your dog on during the day, or how you did your make up one day. You’ll be surprised by how many people enjoy to see what you think is boring, day to day stuff.
Research + Share your learning process: the goal for your Instagram is probably to help you to gain clients as a photographer, so you want to come across as professional! Share when you learn something new, or show yourself attending workshops. There is nothing bad about saying that you don’t know how to do something, and sharing your learning process - it only makes you a more trustworthy, professional photographer.
Behind the scenes of your editing: Similar to the “before and after,” but you can also share how you edit your images. Show little shots of your computer screen in Lightroom or Photoshop, and show people how you make their images look so beautiful.
Show your Face: This is the last one on the list, but also one of the most important. I know how scary it can be for so many people to speak to camera, but it is the QUICKEST way to establish “know, like and trust” with your potential customers. Don’t hide behind your portfolio! Show them your face, speak to them, and they’ll be able to get to know you better. And who do people hire? People who they believe are professional, talented, but most importantly, people that they like.
