Social media marketing for photographers is a task ever-morphing.

The landscape of selling photography continues to change from decades past.

Photographers have a wide range of goals when it comes to selling their work. For many, a significant intention remains the sale of printed photography. This also includes digital photography downloads for local printing instead of a shipped, printed piece.

Who doesn’t want to have their personal work seen by many in person?

It can take time, but with a bit of planning and through shopping tools and advertising on social media, you can gain tremendous traction and see sales land for your artwork.

Brand Positioning & Social Media Marketing for Photographers

When positioning the marketing of your photography brand — I like to think of the service you’re providing through your product; you’re not just selling artwork but delivering a service of joy, beauty and more to the potential customer’s life.

This added value is something that should be reinforced throughout your social media posts and ads promoted online. For example, intro messaging for photographers to sell prints on social media could read as follows:

  • Bring a touch of Arizona’s scenery into your home every single day!
  • Office doldrums make way: this national park photo is here to stay.
  • Are you looking for the perfect print and conversation piece for your entryway? View my top-5 most purchased photos from 2021!

Think about how your photography differs or sets it apart from others and how your future customers’ lives will be improved by purchasing and displaying your work.

Instagram Shopping & eCommerce Websites

Shoppable Instagram pages are a great place to start listing your latest prints for sale.

If you haven’t already set up Instagram shopping, this is a complete tutorial on how to get started and convert to a business profile.

Once you convert your Instagram account to a business profile, you’ll be able to submit your account for approval for shopping tools in “settings” on Instagram and then can start listing your latest items.

If you want to take a more advanced route, you can set up an eCommerce website store instead of a Shoppable Instagram page. Developing a full website with eCommerce capabilities will come with an investment cost but allows you complete ownership and control of the shopping experience.

For many, it’s best to start small, test, and move forward to building a website after you’ve developed a steady stream of brand followers and orders.

Meta Business Suite for Facebook & Instagram Advertising

Facebook and Instagram ads will allow you to get your images in front of more people immediately and can test with a small amount of money first to test interest from the public.

Another great reason to use Facebook and Instagram for ads is that you’ll be able to target people who might be more interested in your particular subject matter in photography. For example, if you’re a nature photographer, you can target those interested in birds, home décor, your specific geographic region, and more.

Setting up your first ad campaigns on both Facebook and Instagram is easy after you set up an account through the Meta Business Suite & Business Manager.

Take a Hard Look at Your Photography

If sales are stale and you’re doing everything possible to market your work on social media, have a moment and take a hard look at your photography.

Is there anything you can improve? Do you take the time to prepare for a photoshoot with enough pre-planning? Is your lighting up to par?

There have been many a time when I’ve submitted photography work for publication, thinking it was ready to go, but rejected for a technical overlook on my part. It’s a humbling experience but helps you improve your craft.

Edit your work, put in the time, and there is always room to improve.

Test Your Social Media Marketing Efforts

By combining Shoppable Instagram pages and supporting social media ads, you can tap into new markets for potential customers for your work.

Even if you don’t have a custom website to sell your photography prints, there are ways to start selling today.

In addition to paid avenues of reaching more customers, engaging with your current fanbase and actively reaching out to others will help grow your followers. Comment on other peoples’ work, respond to comments on your own posts, like other posts, and search for various sub-groups and communities where you can add value, conversation, and thought-provoking materials.

You might start with some or all of these suggestions but get started to keep time on your side and start sharing your work. Without social media ads, organic reach takes longer to develop, over months, so it’s essential to focus on building your following day-by-day to see long-term gains and accomplish goals for growth.

Remember, you must participate in the conversation if you want to control the dialogue.

How do photographers use social media for their marketing?

Photographers use social media for marketing to promote individual print sales, find new clients to book photography appointments and reach others who might be interested in their specific services.

There are many different kinds of photographers and photography services, from those specializing in weddings and events to portraits and freelance photo editing.

What is the best social media sites for photographers?

All social media platforms have the potential to benefit photographers! 

Although there has been a recent movement towards video across social platforms, photographers can use the medium of video to promote their photography.

Are you a wedding photographer? While taking photos at your next wedding booking, take behind-the-scenes clips with your phone and create a “from the photographer’s perspective” video on TikTok.

Should photographers use social media?

Photographers should use social media to promote their art and services!

Whether a photographer who specializes in covering events or a fine-art photographer who’s interested in selling prints, there’s a use for social media to promote your next booking or sale.

  • Facebook – Photographers can use Facebook to share photos with current family and friends. Facebook is an extensive network with many tools to help small businesses easily advertise their products. Photographers can also create a Facebook Page to promote their brand, understanding that organic reach has decreased on Facebook in past years. Today, paying for ads to support Facebook posts and pages is the most rewarding and immediate strategy.
  • Instagram – Although Instagram continues to push for more video-focused content through Reels, the platform can still be used to share still images and photography. When it comes to video, adding a creative touch and showing the world from your perspective as a photographer could help you reach wider audiences on Instagram. Don’t forget to experiment with sharing Instagram Stories and your Instagram Reels to help you reach those in and out of your network.
  • Twitter – You can connect with individuals and branded businesses and organizations on Twitter. As a photographer, Twitter can be a great place to network with your local community and interact with the accounts of those who could become potential clients.
  • LinkedIn – As a photographer, networking on LinkedIn can help you engage with coworkers, school and college alums, and others who could have an interest in your work. On LinkedIn, you can share other peoples’ posts, write your own posts with photo attachments, and create a brand page for your photography business to link to as your current job on your LinkedIn resume and public page.
  • TikTok – TikTok is a social network that rewards user engagement heavily. Share your own videos, but take the time to interact and support others in your community. If you’re a photographer, you can search for hashtags related to photography and your specific niche and like and comment on other photographers’ TikToks. This daily engagement will help your own videos to go further and reach more TikTok accounts when you share them.
  • YouTube – As another video-facing social network, video continues to share its regular long-form videos but is increasingly developing and releasing tools to help creators share more short-form content.

Continue to brainstorm, and if working with a client, you’ll find many ways to continue to use social media marketing for photographers.