How to Network and Grow Your Instagram Following

In this blog, we will cover:

• Building a community

• How to find models and photographers in your area

• Proper steps to achieving professionalism

• Importance of Communication

Community: The Cure

Imposter Syndrome: We all experience this at some point in our career. It’s a feeling of not belonging, being incompetent, undeserving etc. Unfortunately this feeling can be hard to cure and happens to anyone.

A great way to combat this feeling is building a community that gives you reassurance, a feeling of belonging and motivation to keep going. It also helps to surround yourself with people who you can relate to or have similar experiences.

It’s difficult to achieve anything on your own, trust me I've been there. I always thought of myself as a self-starter, which is true to a degree. But in order to grow and learn at a faster speed, I needed to surround myself with people that are valuable to me.

It’s okay to be selfish

What you don’t expect when growing your community is that you need to be selfish. Meaning that you can be picky about who you connect with. It is all about who you see value in and if you think you can learn from them.

In my experience I have reduced the amount of people I follow based on what they offer me. It seems harsh but it is my following, I want to follow others who motivate me and who I connect best with. I don’t treat my following as people who are just fans of my work. But people who would want to work with me. People who can offer you experience are more valuable than people who only click the follow button.

How do I grow my Instagram following?

Now I’m not an expert on growing a following but I know how you can do it intentionally. If you're wanting to grow your following you must follow a significant amount of people. The average follow back rate is 10%-30% depending on the account. So per 100 followings you can expect 10 followers back. You don’t need to follow everyone and anyone. To get that increase of numbers there are five things you need to consider:

• Follow people that makes sense

• Look for people who share common interest

• Following vs Follower count matters

• Pay attention to who others are following

• Have substance to your feed, give them a reason to follow you.

1. Follow people who makes sense

   Depending on the creative you are, the people you follow need to make sense. Take the time to examine someone's instagram and what they're all about. Remember, this is your following so you shouldn’t waste your time on someone who doesn't excite you. Pay attention to how often the person posts, make sure that they stay relevant and you’re not following someone who may have abandoned their account.

   Do not follow people who have a large following, unless you truly want to follow their work. You will most likely not get a follow back. These accounts are very active and your follow will be lost in their notifications.

2. Look for common interest

The most effective way that I find people to follow is being specific. My number one common interest I look for is location. I love to find creatives in my area because it increases the likelihood of them following me back and potentially working with me in the future. By simply searching “Seattle Photographer” or “Seattle Model”, you will get a huge list of creatives that will follow you back. Having a common interest is huge.

Write down five keywords that describe you and your craft, then search it on instagram. Here are my top five:

• Seattle

• Portrait Photographer

• Editorial

• Seattle Model

• Model

These keywords can be used alone or together to narrow down the search.

3. Following vs Followers

Your following will be larger than your followers at the start and that's okay. However, you need to pay attention to that count with other people that you follow. If you find someone and their following is half the size of their followers, then you can tell right away that they only follow 50% of their follower requests. Seeing that ratio will determine their likelihood of following you. This is just something to consider if you are left wondering why people are not following you back.

4. Who is following who?

A technique that I have learned throughout my career is paying attention to who is following who. I have found photographers who have the same photography style as me and looked at who is following them. I thoroughly go through that list and follow people who interest me. Chances are they will follow me back since they are following someone whose work is similar to mine.

5. Give them a reason to follow you

Show off you and your work. Having substance to your feed is key, you want to give them a reason to follow you. I cannot stress this enough, you will need to make at least one post of yourself. A quick portrait with a full description of who you are makes it more enticing. Whenever I post a photo of myself, it is one of my most liked photos. It's a nice personal touch to show who is behind the work. I know it’s silly to say but show that you're a person and not just a robot behind the account. Take advantage of Instagrams feature of pinning post to your profile. These three posts should consist of your most favorite work and a post about you. As shown below I have pinned my proudest work and a photo of myself. Think of these post as a first impression.

Finding models & photographers

After gaining a following, it is time to reach out to people who you want to work with. Those five key words you came up with should be kept in mind but there are ways you can dig deeper.

Hashtags: Be specific by using hashtags. You can follow them and whenever someone uses it then that post will show up on your feed. I follow the hashtags that are specific to my location and interest:

#SeattleModel

#SeattleModels

#SeattleTalent

#SeattlePhotographer

#Heffnermanagement

The last hashtag is a local modeling agency that has their own hashtags for recruitment. This is a great way to find signed and aspiring models.

Photographers: Any photographers that you follow, pay attention to their feed. Who they have worked with? This ties back to who's following who, this time who is working with who? It's just another way to easily find people in your area.

Agencies: Follow your local modeling agencies. Their feed consists of so many models that you can reach out to and do a test shoot with. A test shoot is basically like a TFP shoot but it helps the model out by showing how experienced they are. That way it increases their likelihood of getting paid gigs. Signed models are always looking for test shoot opportunities because their agency requires it. It's a great way to work with models that have experience which can make the shoot go smoothly. They build your network and spreads your name amongst the industry at a higher level.

Professionalism at its best

Time to to Engage: Don’t message them out of the blue. Engage in their content: like and comment on post, check out stories and highlights and check out their portfolio if linked in bio. Most importantly, follow them! You should become a familiar face first and show your appreciation. Then you can reach out to them. But pay attention to how they handle their communication. If they specify by email or direct message, respect that.

What to include in your message

Photographers:

1.Who you are: give background info

2. Ask if they are accepting TFP work or their rate.

3. What your intentions are: type of shoot

4. Send an inspiration board

5. Timeframe: when you want these photos done by.

Models:

1. Who you are: give background

2. Are they accepting TFP or their rate

3. What you are needing for portfolio

4. Send your current portfolio

5.Timeframe

Compliment their work and why you are wanting to work with them!

Communication

It can make or break you

A big reason why I have been successful with booking photoshoots is because of my communication. Not only is it polite but also shows how serious you are about working with the person. I respond to others within 24 hours of receiving a message and I expect that in return. If I don't then I move onto the next. I don't want to waste my time on someone that isn't eager enough to respond back to me in a timely fashion. When we all know were on our phones many times a day.

Big mistake!

Dont Assume.

What I had assumed is that everyone lives by this standard. But that is false! I’ve had people ghost me for weeks and even not responding back till a day before the intended shoot date. They thought the shoot was still happening and ended up getting angry with me when I had already moved on. I’ve had people tell me how I should run my business when they were the ones that demonstrated unprofessionalism. It's almost comical but what I didn't realize is that I needed to communicate my standards to them. Strong communication is what I stand by. I have to be as clear as possible with others and communicate my standards up front. Strong communication is what I stand by. I have to be as clear as possible and communicate my standards up front.

How To Better Your Photoshoot Experience

This month's focus revolves around establishing rapport and enhancing positive relationships through a pleasant photoshoot experience. Remember, there will be tips provided for your personal growth. It's not just about what you can offer the model, but also about self-improvement that can truly make a difference.

In this blog we will be going over the following topics:

-Addressing your comfortabilities

-How to up your photoshoot experience

-Connect & Gain Trust with your Model

A little back story…

Let's dive a little deeper into my personal journey. From a young age, I have always identified as an introvert, finding it challenging to engage in group settings, socialize with new people, and adapt to unfamiliar environments. I am one of those individuals who craves every detail before any significant event. Prior to visiting a new location, I require precise information about its whereabouts, travel time, and appearance – surprises are not my cup of tea. Additionally, I have grappled with mental health issues, having been diagnosed with Social Anxiety and Bipolar II Disorder. With these obstacles, embarking on a career in photography seemed unimaginable to me. Surprisingly, I now find myself interacting with new people regularly, building connections and communities with strangers. Over the years, I have developed coping mechanisms to navigate these challenges, enabling me to feel at ease when meeting new individuals in unfamiliar settings. I leverage these techniques not only for my own comfort but also to ensure others feel at ease. Let's dive into it!

Lets talk about you!

You’re just as important as the subject you are working with, so remember to prioritize your own needs. Feeling comfortable is crucial for me because when I am at ease, I can concentrate better on my subject. Developing certain techniques can be a gradual process, so don't worry if you don't have them all immediately. Everyone is unique, and comfort levels will differ. It took me around a year to establish my plan for photoshoots, and I am still discovering new ways to improve the process. Below is a comprehensive list of comfort strategies that I utilize, which you might find helpful to try out:

Background

Get background on your subject: You will want to know as much as you can about the person you are meeting up with. There is some worry when it comes to meeting a new person but getting to know each other before the shoot takes away some of it.

Clothes

Chances are you'll be quite mobile during a shoot. Personally, I find myself on the ground more often than standing. Therefore, wearing clothes that allow for a wide range of motion is essential. However, this doesn't mean resorting to sweatpants and a t-shirt. You can still make a stylish statement by opting for slacks, fashionable shoes, and a striking jacket. I typically begin with a simple outfit and then layer on items that are suitable for a business casual look. This approach enables me to make a good impression while also being able to shed layers during the shoot for added comfort.

Location

Getting acquainted with your environment helps establish a smooth routine for a successful photoshoot. I have a favorite outdoor location where I know all the perfect spots to capture shots without any interruptions. I plan out my session from start to finish within the hour. Additionally, I have a studio where I feel most at ease and have built a rapport with the owners. This emphasizes the importance of building a community. Studio owners are often creative individuals and fostering a relationship with them can be advantageous.

Music

Playlists establish the atmosphere for the shoot. I prefer playing trendy, upbeat music to energize both my subject and me. Silence in a studio can create awkward moments and alleviate the need to maintain constant conversation. However, this practice is specific to studio settings. Avoid playing music in outdoor locations unless it's just you and your subject present. It's important not to disrupt others who are trying to enjoy their day.

Now For the Model

Having good communication skills is great to have when working with a model. Right before every shoot I go over these points:

What is your comfortability with posing?

The required level of experience and guidance for the model can vary. Some experienced models have established routines and techniques that work effectively for them, while others may require more direction. Both situations are valid, but it's beneficial to recognize this in order to determine your level of input.

The Game Plan

Always make sure to discuss your shoot plan with the model. This is essential for them to understand your vision clearly. Save some aesthetic ideas from Pinterest that inspire you and also collect poses you'd like to try during the shoot.

Is there a side that they prefer?

Many people have a preferred side of their face. In my case, it's my left side; whenever I emphasize my right side, I feel like I look completely different. If there's no preference, that's wonderful! But if there is, consider adjusting the lighting to highlight their preferred side.

Command Words

I like to use specific commands during photoshoots. For example, when I say "Hold," it means I require the model to hold the pose for an extended period to capture different angles effectively. Make sure to go over these before shooting.

Affimations

You should provide feedback to your model throughout the photoshoot. Utilize simple one-word affirmations such as "Perfect," "Awesome," "Yes," "Amazing", etc. While it may feel a bit silly initially, you'll soon realize its importance. Maintaining a high level of enthusiasm with your model is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Theres always more…

When you need a model to strike a particular pose, demonstrate it yourself. You don't have to be a pose expert, but it's crucial to grasp the pose before guiding others. I've rehearsed poses in front of a mirror to effectively instruct my models. Taking just 5 minutes a day to practice this can make a difference.

A model can find it helpful to have access to a mirror during the photoshoot. Typically, studios have mirrors available, and I will place one behind me so the model can view themselves. This allows the model to assess their posture and outfit for any necessary adjustments.

I have a unique approach called the "sit down, stand up game" that I use when working with models. I prefer to match their level depending on the pose we are working on. For example, if I ask my model to sit on the floor, even if it's cold and slightly untidy, I join them. This adds a personal touch and demonstrates that we are collaborating together.

The final touches

Establishing rapport extends beyond a positive photoshoot experience. Given the personal nature of a photoshoot where models showcase their entire selves, building trust is essential. It's crucial for the model to feel confident that you are capturing their essence as they envision it. Taking breaks during the shoot to connect with your model is vital. I typically share a few photos with the model to assess our progress as a team. While not necessary to show every single photo, review the shots taken thus far and present the best ones. Discuss what is working well and areas that could be enhanced.

I might be repeating myself, but excellent communication skills are crucial. Make sure to be responsive before and after the shoot. Show your enthusiasm for collaborating with them and express gratitude afterward. Keep them informed about your editing progress and deliver the photos promptly. If you anticipate delays due to a busy schedule, provide a sneak peek of 5-10 photos. It can be unsettling for models not to hear from you for an extended period after a shoot.

Make a Plan: Make a list of locations that you are comfortable at and some that you want to visit. If there are any, take some time out of your weekend to do a quick drive by to scope it out. Create a pinterest board of poses you would like to achieve at your next shoot and practice them in the mirror. Create a go to playlist for your future shoots. With what I taught you, come up with new ways to improve your photoshoots