Call this a bit of a News Year’s Resolution, but I want to try something a bit more adventurous for 2021.
I want to use social media less to share my images.
But first let’s flashback to New Years Eve of 2018, where I created various social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and this blog to promote and produce my work for all to see.
As of this writing, the only one so far to get axed has been Pinterest, due to lack of use.
While I’m not too sure about deleting/deactivating more of them (although Twitter as of late seems to be on the cutting block for me). I am beginning to question the legitimacy of the amount of effort and work I put into each of them.
Two years in and I guess the bigger-picture question to ask is “why do I put so much time into each of these platforms and why?”
Some have a more obvious reason such as this blog and YouTube: they are creatively rewarding in the form of writing and videomaking respectively.
Other social media platforms like Instagram seem to be more about…prestige? Influence? Trends? I am still not too sure, and these mediums seem to be always changing.
A new year can be a great time to do a head-check on where to allocate time and resources to a small and fledging photography business or where to share your images as a hobbyist.
As a positive, social media is of course a great way to promote your portfolio and work for little to no monetary costs. Yet the time you can sink into these platforms can raise concerns when you may instead grow your own service such as your website.
Allow us to consult the wonderful advice featured on Dave Morrow’s YouTube channel. His philosophies and ideals surrounding this subject I more often than not agree with..
Another issue is that of inspiration; I typically turn towards the internet and photo forums to see what other nature photographers around the world may be creating.
This is a double-edged sword as you may just end up copying your peers’ photographic style, whether consciously aware or not.
That should wrap the topic up for this blog post, but now it is time to think for yourself..
So what do you think…“Will Less Social Media Improve Your Photography?”
My careful wording of ‘less’ was intentional so that I can say that an online following is essential to grow an audience. In my opinion, choose 1 or 2 platforms you can live with using on a daily or weekly basis and keep it up with scheduling posts on them!
Just don’t put all of your eggs in those 1 or 2 baskets. Start your own website, or even a blog like I have here on WordPress. Write about, share and spread ideas and photographs that you care about and the ‘following will follow.’
What are your thoughts on social media? Does it improve your photography or hold back your creative process? Drop me a line or talk it out in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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I think you are correct about social media- it’s too easy for it to take over your life. I like the idea of sticking with one or two sites.
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