7 Instagram Post Ideas that Actually Drive Engagement
As a social media strategist and coach for creatives, you would not BELIEVE the amount of time I spend coming up with Instagram post ideas for photographers. Sure, you could always slap together some half-baked ideas and call it a day. But my clients don’t come to me for half-assed ideas that are just okay. They want intentional, strategy-backed posts that drive engagement and connect them to their ideal clients. And that’s exactly what I give them—and what I’m giving you in this blog.
7 Strategic Instagram Post Ideas for Photographers (& Why They Work)
1. Behind the Scenes
Take your audience behind the scenes of a real shoot! Explain how you prepared for it, show them what went right, and even more importantly, show them what went wrong. These behind-the-scenes posts humanize you and show potential clients how you handle situations when things don’t go according to plan… because let’s be real, things rarely do.
Another great behind-the-scenes post shows you directing your clients with original audio! This is especially impactful for people who may want to hire you but are nervous about being in front of the camera. This peek into a real session puts them at ease, so they know exactly what to expect when working with you.
2. How Far in Advance You Should Book Your Photographer
The most successful Instagram posts aren’t just pretty pictures. They give immediate value. And this topic gives potential clients valuable information and casually encourages bookings. By subtly reminding your audience that yes, you book in advance, you’re encouraging them to act.
3. How to Know If a Photographer is the Right Fit For You
This is another value-packed post idea. You’re not going to want to work with every person who inquires with you, so this post helps pre-qualify the people you want to work with. This way, you’re subtly discouraging people from working with you if they don’t like your personality or process.
4. Pricing Misconceptions (Aka, What You’re Actually Paying For)
It might feel weird to be so upfront about money online, especially with an audience who hasn’t even inquired yet. But hear me out! Photographers often get ghosted due to sticker shock. You know, when someone loves your work and inquires, and then disappears when they see the price? Well, this post lets you address the issue before it happens. You can show exactly what clients are paying for, because a lot more goes into your work than showing up and snapping photos! This post helps clients understand the value of your work and reframes pricing as a valuable investment.
5. “I’m the Photographer for You If” and “I’m NOT the Photographer for You If”
This is one of my favorite Instagram post ideas for photographers (and everyone, really)! This post calls out your ideal clients and gently repels people you wouldn’t want to work with. While you can make this post as funny or serious as you want, it’s a great place to highlight your values, both as a photographer and as a human. This way, you can subtly weed out people you wouldn’t want to work with.
Check out how I used this post idea for my own business!
6. Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing Your Photographer
We are BACK with another value-packed post! Truth be told, most of your clients have probably never worked with a photographer before. They have no idea what they’re doing, and they’re scared of choosing the wrong person. This post educates your audience and positions you as a thoughtful, trustworthy, and client-focused photographer.
7. Why Editing Style Matters More Than You Think
Here, I must reiterate a very important point: your clients have never hired a photographer before. They don’t know what they’re doing. Chances are, they’re not going to notice subtle changes between your editing style and someone else’s. All they notice is how the photos feel. This educational topic helps clients understand creative choices and attracts people who value your artistic style.
Other Helpful Instagram Tips for Photographers
Listen, Bestie, Instagram is a tool. But if you don’t know how to use it, you’re leaving money on the table. Save these tips to refer back to!
Pinned Posts
You know how some people have 1-3 posts that stay at the top of their feed? Those are called pinned posts, and you should be using them. If you’re not sure which posts to pin, try one (or three) of these:
An introduction to who you are
How to work with you or your packages
Your story
A promo for something unique you offer, maybe a freebie or mini sessions!
Post to Your Stories and Show 👏 Your 👏 Face 👏
I know showing up on camera can be uncomfortable, especially for people who are used to being behind the camera, not in front of it. I see you. But I’m going to challenge you to get a little outside your comfort zone, because stories are the best place to build rapport with your audience. I recommend that your stories be 80% personal stories and 20% promoting your services. For example, if you post three times in a day, two stories would be more casual or personal, and one would be selling.
Acknowledge ALL Comments on Your Post
In an ideal world, I’d recommend responding to each of them. But if nothing else, go in and like every comment! Yes, it makes a difference.
Answer Common Questions Publicly, Not Just in DMs
Do you get the same questions over and over? Instead of answering them in the DMs for the hundredth time, add a post to your feed that answers it! Then add it to your stories. I still recommend answering the DMs, but if you have a public-facing post, you can send it along with your reply! This saves you time and gets more eyes on the content you’ve worked so hard to create!
Use Your Goddamn Captions
I’m going to get spicy on this one. Your captions aren’t just there for you to put an emoji heart or say “Such a beautiful day.” No! Your captions are there for you to explain, give context, educate, and sell. If you’re limiting your captions to song lyrics or a single line that says pretty much nothing, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to connect to your clients.
REPURPOSE CONTENT
I, Ariel De La Mora, certified Social Media Strategist, give you full permission to recycle, reuse, and repurpose your content. Do not be afraid to share the same shoot or pictures more than once. Do not be afraid to repeat yourself. Do not be afraid to use the same ideas again. Repetition is the lifeblood of marketing. If you remember nothing else from this blog post, hold on to this:
REPETITION = RECOGNITION | RECOGNITION = TRUST | TRUST = PURCHASE
Stop Disappearing During Busy Season
I know, I know. You’re busy, overwhelmed, and probably dehydrated. But even a small presence online keeps your momentum going and makes it easier to pick back up when you have time.
Social Media Strategy for Photographers & Creatives
Okay, I know this blog was a lot. If you just want to take the Instagram post ideas, go for it! I hope they help. But if you’re reading this and realize that there’s a lot more to this Instagram thing than you thought, we should probably have a conversation. Instagram is an incredible tool, especially for photographers, and I want you to use it to its full capabilities! Because your ideal clients are looking for a photographer just like you… They just don’t know you exist yet.
Whether you’re looking for done-for-you Instagram content designed to attract and convert, want to learn how to create scroll-stopping content on your own, or just want to get started with a clear content direction, I have something for you. Social media marketing doesn’t need to suck so bad, I promise. You might just need a little help, and there’s no shame in that! Explore my social media marketing services to find the service that’s best for you, or contact me to schedule a call! We can chat all about your business, your goals, and how social media marketing can help you reach them.
