How to Grow on Social Media as a Photographer

If you're a photographer trying to grow online, book more clients, or just get your work seen by the right people, this is your sign to stop overthinking and start showing up.

This isn’t about going viral or having a perfectly curated feed. It’s about building real momentum and turning your creativity into something people actually remember.

I’m sharing everything that’s worked for me as a full-time photographer.

These tips helped me grow an audience, turn followers into bookings, and build a brand I love showing up for.

Take what works for you.

Leave the rest.

Let’s go.

Before we get started be sure to join The Circle for Photographers. An IG channel where you will find exclusive announcements, giveaways, surprises, and more!

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Start with connection

1. Show your face

People don’t just want to see your photos. They want to see you too.

Pop into stories. Post a photo of yourself now and then. Let people connect with the human behind the camera. If you’re feeling bold, go live during a session.

Facebook VIP groups are perfect for this.

2. Write like you talk

You don’t need fancy captions. Just write like you’re texting a friend. Tell the story behind the shoot. Share how it made you feel. That’s what keeps people reading and makes your content feel personal.

The most important thing, when it comes to being successful on social media, is being authentic.

3. Engage like it’s your job

Engage, engage, engage. Comment on other posts. Reply to every message. Like other photographers’ work. Show up for people the way you want them to show up for you. Engagement builds trust and trust books sessions.

Create content that works

4. Share the process

People love seeing the transformation. Before-and-afters, editing, behind the scenes... even the messy parts. If you’re not into showing unedited RAWs, film b-roll or small moments. It helps your audience understand the work that goes into what you do.

Plus, b-roll and short clips can be repurposed into so many different types of content.

5. Behind-the-scenes content is magic

One of my BTS Reels hit over a million views and brought in 3,000 new followers.

It was crazy because I did not expect this video in particular to gain any sort of traction... At all. I only say that because the other videos I was expecting to gain traction, took me hours to film and edit. This one was more raw, more authentic, and the people really liked that.

This was from a series I was doing called:

the moment vs the photos, over on IG.

6. Rotate your formats

Reels. Carousels. Stories. Polls. BTS. Lives. Try different types of content and see what clicks. It keeps your feed interesting and helps you reach more people.

Drive traffic to your business

7. Your website matters

Instagram might help people find you, but your website is where they book you.

Post exclusive content there. Full galleries. Favorite locations. Tips for clients. Make it a place worth clicking to.

8. Link your platforms

Always be looping. If someone finds you on TikTok, send them to your website. If they find you on Instagram, send them to your VIP group. Use pinned posts, links, and highlights to connect it all.

9. Add info to your gallery captions

If you’re posting a session on Facebook, include your booking info in the captions. People scroll through individual images. Make it easy for them to find your website or contact page when they see a photo they like.

Build a strong brand presence

10. Stay consistent

You don’t have to post every single day. But you do need to show up regularly. Pick a schedule you can stick to. Three times a week. Weekdays only. Figure out what’s realistic for you and do that.

11. Don’t ghost your account

If you take a break, that’s fine. But disappearing completely for weeks? Not ideal. Even posting a quick story or meme can keep things moving while you rest.

12. Make your feed look like your brand

Your Instagram grid is your portfolio. It should reflect your editing style, color palette, and personality. When someone lands on your page, they should know your vibe in three seconds.

Build trust and long-term growth

13. Ask for reviews

This is big. After the session, ask clients to leave a review by making a post on social media and tagging your business. Bonus points if you hand them a cute Polaroid...they’re more likely to post it.

14. Mention reviews in your gallery delivery email

Keep it simple and kind. Say you’d love a Google review and drop the link when you send them their final gallery. Also remind them to tag you if they share photos.

15. Tag your location

Every time. It helps with local discovery and shows people where you work. This is especially helpful if you want to rank higher in local search results.

16. Be part of your community

When I started, I volunteered at local events...car shows, pageants, anything. They shared my photos and tagged my pages. I wasn’t getting paid, but I was getting seen by thousands of locals. If you want to grow fast, this works.

17. Start a VIP Facebook group

If you don’t have one yet, start one. It builds community, keeps clients engaged, and gives you a space to share updates, sneak peeks, and giveaways. Your most loyal people want somewhere to hang out with you.

18. Choose platforms that actually fit your business

Instagram and TikTok are great for visuals. Facebook works well for local marketing. Pinterest drives site traffic. Pick the platforms that match your style and go all in on those.

19. Don’t post and bounce

Stick around after you post. Like, comment, reply, and stay active for a while. The algorithm notices when you’re only there for yourself. Be social.

20. Work with brand ambassadors

Ask a few loyal clients or friends to share your work. Offer a discount or gift in return. This kind of word-of-mouth spreads fast and it feels more trustworthy than ads because it’s real people talking about what they love.

Want to go deeper with this?

If you’re ready to level up your content, your brand, or your business as a photographer, I offer one-on-one mentorship Q+A sessions. These are totally personalized and designed around you, your goals, your style, and where you're at right now.

Whether you need help refining your social media strategy, building a stronger brand presence, or just want honest advice from someone who's been there, I’ve got you.

Learn more about my mentorship sessions here

Final thoughts

If you've ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure of how to stand out online, just remember this:

You don’t have to be viral to be successful. You just have to be visible and consistent.

Build trust.

Share your work.

Talk like a human.

Stay inspired.

It really does add up.