In Social Media, photography reaches across many boundaries. Photography on social is a dynamic form of storytelling connecting us across the globe. In this blog a few photographers share their insights. They reveal how social media platforms shape their art, expand their reach, and influence their creative processes.
From gaining inspiration through diverse feeds to navigating the challenges of algorithm-driven visibility, these artists also discuss the dual-edged sword of social media. We take a dive into the impact of likes, shares, and hashtags on their photography landscape.
Their insights lead into a burning question. Do the positives outweigh the negative as it relates to how we view our own art and view of success?
The photographers include Brooke Ley Thorburn, Karen Walter, Cindy Scoviac and Sheen Watkins. Each of these photographers ‘found’ each other resulting from social. They, along with several others, meet up frequently and travel, hike, camp and shoot together – a benefit lasting long after any reaction on social.
(Post images above from top left to bottom right: 1. Karen Walter 2. Cindy Scoviac 3. Brooke Ley 4. Brooke Ley 5. Cindy Scoviac
Brooke: Exposure, Time/Effort, Audience
For me, the positives of social media are the increased exposure it provides and the endless inspiration I get from seeing new ideas and trends shared by others. Connecting with followers through feedback and comments always feels rewarding and keeps me motivated to keep creating.
That said, there are definitely challenges. Staying active on social media takes a lot of time and effort. It is frustrating to work around ever-changing algorithms to make sure my work gets noticed. I also sometimes find myself caught in the cycle of comparing my work to others’ or feeling pressure to keep up with trends to stay relevant.
Since my photography style spans several genres, I often struggle with finding a niche that truly represents all I do while still reaching a wide audience. Does my multi-genre style help attract and grow my audience? Or, does this style bring too much variety to those who just appreciate a photography type (example: landscape)?
It’s something I’m constantly trying to figure out as I grow and evolve in this space. What is most important, is that I personally stay true to my own art and vision across my work. I find that multiple genres helps strengthen my creativity and post processing.
Karen: Uplifting Connections and Daunting Challenges
The Dual Edge of Social Media in Photography: Celebrating Connections and Confronting Challenges
Social media fosters wonderful friendships and meaningful interactions with fellow photographers. The community aspect of social media allows me to connect with people who share my passion for capturing moments.
Exploring the work of other photographers, inspires my own creativity and encourages me to try new techniques and styles. The excitement of experimenting and improving my craft keeps me motivated to get out there and share my photos. There’s a special thrill that comes with having a photo featured or recognized, as it validates the hard work and dedication we pour into our art.
However, the flip side of this digital showcase is also disheartening. There are times when I feel my photography falls short, especially when my work goes unnoticed. The harsh reality of algorithms often overshadow talent, and it’s difficult not to take it personally when engagement is low.
The impact of social media on mental health is real, and I’ve found it necessary to step back periodically to maintain satisfaction with my work. At times, the pressure to constantly produce and share can feel overwhelming, leading to moments where I contemplate giving up.
Navigating the world of photography on social media is a balancing act of celebrating the connections we make while managing the emotional toll.
Cindy: Navigating the Highs and Lows on Social Media
The positives: I enjoy sharing my art with the world, I’ve been told from others that my art brightens their day. Seriously, my entire goal for my art to make others feel happy. If my art can give others a sense of peace even for a moment, then I completed my job.
Social media definitely helps me get my work in front of others around the world and helps with art sales. I sell both fine art prints as well as digital art.
The Negatives: I use to feel pressured to post daily, I felt that if I didn’t constantly post I would lose engagement and followers. I don’t feel pressured much these days.I know those who truly support me will stay in my corner. I choose to focus on quality content versus quantity.
However, there are those times where growing my audience is a challenge, leading to frustration.
As of late, I’ve been finding social media to be a bit exhausting with the constant AI generated images. I’ve also noticed an increase in Bots. For example, when I leave a nice comment on instagram to a fellow photographer, all of sudden there is five to ten likes on my comment and all of them are bots that display adult-rated content.
I recently read an article called Dead Internet Theory. This theory shares the belief that the vast majority of internet traffic, posts and users are replaced by bots and AI generated content. People are no longer shaping the direction of the internet. It’s an interesting read. Figuring out how to embrace the world of AI is another challenge to navigate.
Overall, the I still find the positives are a bit more than the negatives.
Sheen: Action vs. Addiction
Social media has become an essential tool for me, both as a creative and as a business. It provides a platform to showcase my work, allowing me to reach a wider audience. Social media is a space for engaging with fellow artists, sharing insights, and connecting directly with customers.
Seeing what others create pushes me to evolve, experiment, and refine my own style. It was seeing drone work from other photographers that inspired me to learn and now love this aspect of photography.
That said, social media isn’t without its drawbacks. The biggest challenge is the distraction factor. It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly checking likes, shares, and comments. Sometimes those metrics influence how I perceive, even process my own work rather than trusting and stretching my creative instincts.
Additionally, the sheer volume of visual content—whether it’s other artists’ work, viral videos, or targeted ads—can be overwhelming. Instead of staying focused on my projects, I sometimes catch myself endlessly scrolling, losing valuable time that could have been spent creating.
Balancing the benefits of social media with its potential pitfalls is an ongoing process.
I try to approach it with intention—using it as a tool rather than letting it dictate my creative direction or productivity. By setting boundaries and prioritizing my own artistic vision, I can make the most of what social media has to offer while staying true to my work and goals. This requires focus and work!
The following summarizes additional considerations and opinions that are good reminders as we move forward at a rapid pace.
Tips for Leveraging Social Media Effectively:
- Find Your Niche & Stay True to Your Art: Identify what makes your photography unique and focus on your unique style to attract a dedicated audience. Whether you’re a single genre or generalist, your style is your trademark.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages, and actively participate in conversations to build a loyal, interested community around your work.
- Use Hashtags Wisely: Research and incorporate a few relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts and reach new viewers. Describing your image accurately also plays a critical role in search (SEO).
- Consistency and Quality: Post consistently to keep your audience engaged and maintain visibility in their feeds. If you post daily or a couple of times a week – quality reigns supreme over quantity.
Positive Impacts of Social Media on Photographers:
- Wider Audience Reach: Photographers can showcase their work to an international audience, breaking geographical barriers.
- Networking Opportunities: Social media fosters connections with other photographers, clients, and industry professionals, leading to collaborations and job opportunities.
- Instant Feedback: Photographers receive immediate responses to their work, allowing them to gauge audience preferences and improve their craft.
- Inspiration and Learning: Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest provide endless inspiration and access to tutorials and tips from fellow photographers.
Negative Impacts of Social Media on Photographers:
- Overexposure and Saturation: The abundance of content can make it difficult for individual photographers to stand out, leading to frustration and decreased visibility.
- Mental Health Strain: The pressure to gain likes and followers can lead to anxiety and self-doubt, negatively impacting creative confidence.
- Copyright Concerns: Sharing work online increases the risk of theft and misuse, making it crucial for photographers to protect their intellectual property.
- AI Competition: The rise of AI-generated imagery challenges traditional photography, pushing photographers to differentiate their work in a market flooded with automated creations. Many of these creations are fakes presentating themselves as authentic photography
Risks – How Influencers and Other Social Media Users Detract from Photography:
- Oversimplification of Art: Influencers often prioritize aesthetics over technical skill, promoting a culture where image quality is potentially sacrificed for instant likes, leading to a dilution of genuine photography.
- Content Saturation: The sheer volume of influencer-generated content many times overshadows traditional photographers, making it difficult for their work to gain visibility amidst the noise.
- Trends Over Authenticity: Many influencers chase viral trends rather than fostering their unique style, which can lead to a homogenization of visual content and diminish the diversity of photographic expression.
- Commercialization Pressure: The demand for “Instagrammable” moments pressure photographers to cater to fleeting trends rather than pursuing their artistic vision, impacting the integrity and originality of their work.
Social media consumes our time and the attention of the world at large. We connect socially, via business, hobbies and so much more. It’s a business, a very big business. Finding our piece, place and yes, the other peace in this realm requires work, reality checks and self validation.
Additional reading: Social Media and Your Work, Who’s Driving Your Photography?
