For those who aren’t yet on Instagram (yes, there’s a few), it can seem like a world of endless food, airplane wings and sunny beaches. Even if you’ve been on it for a while, it can still be quite confusing. Especially if you want to use it to try and promote your work or your business. Cinematographer Morgan Cooper used to think this way, and now he wants to tell you what he’s learned.
While Morgan is a filmmaker, many of the tips apply equally to photography. Creating consistency and cohesion in your posts on Instagram is important. So is having the right mix of what you want to create and what your audience wants to see. As well as the regular media-consuming audience, it’s where potential clients can find your new work. It’s also an amazing source of inspiration.
Morgan shows off a mix of work. He often shares screen grabs of his work and behind the scenes images of himself and his crew actually working. Behind the scenes shots and clips, are often very popular. When I post them to my own Instagram feed, they always get great interaction. They can also help build confidence in potential clients when they can see how you work. Morgan says clients have contacted him as a result of things he’s posted to Instagram, and I’ve experienced the same myself.
He also posts portraits, and flat images on solid or geometric backgrounds of gear, props, concepts, and other items.
Morgan has also been using Instagram Stories to further reach out to his audience with more frequent and intimate behind the scenes content. This is something I should probably work on doing more of myself. I enjoy seeing the stories of others, but tend to forget to post my own. I really wish my account would hurry up and get the Live feature, though.
Morgan also offers up some of the Instagram accounts he enjoys following or that provide him with inspiration.
- https://instagram.com/slimjimstudios
- https://instagram.com/jtdaniels_art
- https://instagram.com/symmetrybreakfast
- https://instagram.com/natgeo
- https://instagram.com/artofvisuals
- https://instagram.com/maxgoldmandp
What are some of your favourite Instagram accounts for inspiration? What other tips and advice can you offer that Morgan didn’t mention? Do you find new clients through Instagram? Let us know in the comments.
[via ISO1200]
