Ayup! It’s been around six months since I closed my third and final Instagram account. I’m still alive. I haven’t missed out on anything, and I no longer have to bow to the algorithm. Bliss!
I can only imagine how much worse it’s got over the last half year. I mean, it was already horrendous when I dipped out. If you’re a photographer, wondering why on earth you’re wasting your time and effort there, this one’s for you.
My engagement is way down, and so is that of most people I know. Word on the street? Instagram is dead for landscape photographers. Even friends who have more lifestyle-focused accounts have seen a hit to their reach and impressions.
Mainstream social media
Managing Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, and LinkedIn accounts quickly becomes a source of burnout and exhaustion. These platforms care about little else than looting your time, attention and data.
The thing with Instagram, it has a hold over creatives. It’s still the place where you’ll find all of your favourite photographers and camera brands. Must maintain a presence there in that case, right?
I guess that depends on your goals. If photography is your primary source of income, it may still be worth your time. That said, it’s so crowded now, I can’t see it being very easy to cut through the noise. Anyway, I’m not a professional. This is written purely from the perspective of someone who likes to:
- Share their work online
- Connect with other creatives
- Follow other photographers
- Stay up-to-date with gear and tools
- See plenty of visual inspiration
I was scrolling through instagram the other day – as one does – when I realised, after scrolling for several minutes, that I hadn’t seen a single photograph from an actual photographer. Sure, there were a few still images, but they were either from celebrities, or part of news stories.
Less, but better social media
For me, ditching Instagram was part of a wider desire to consolidate my online presence. I wanted to a) cut down my accounts and b) step away from algorithm-based social media wherever possible.
If you’re considering doing the same, you’ll probably have a good idea as to where you want to spend more time. Not every platform is suited to every photographer. It’s a very personal and tailored decision.
For me, Mastodon and Bluesky have become the primary focus. I also kept my LinkedIn account active due to my business connections. Three accounts to manage. Nice and simple. Furthermore, only a third of the pie is complete bullshit. I can live with that.
Instagram was great until it ruined the art of photography. Somewhere along the way, the app that once celebrated still images traded intention for attention, and in doing so, it didn’t just change photography — it helped ruin the art.
From FOMO to JOMO
So what do you actually miss out on without an Instagram account? Well, I was connected with a few of my clients there. This was a minor concern, but had zero effect on our ongoing business relationships.
Secondly, I’ve missed out on being able to tag Sony/Apple, etc. in my photos. They’ve never once featured any, but if you just keep trying…Maybe one day? No.
Lastly, Unsplash used to share my work now and again. That was nice to see, I guess. I also enjoyed trying to keep up-to-date with friends and photographers. That is, until you stop and look at a cute animal video for more than two seconds. Then your entire feed is filled with huskies.
So all in all, the fear of missing out on all of the above is quite absurd. Why put up with a mentally draining platform just for that?
Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, which encourage algorithm-driven scrolling, are worse for mental health than platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, which prioritise social connection, according to an annual barometer of global happiness.
Community and calm
At its core, social media is about nestling into a community of like-minded folks. Instagram, however, does its best to limit visibility between you, your followers and the people you follow. That alone doesn’t sound right, does it?
Photography communities are thriving in all corners of the web. From forums and groups to newsletters and (non-mainstream) social channels.
Life after Instagram is happier, calmer and ultimately, better for your mental health and wellbeing. As photographers, we probably spend more time online than we do out with our cameras. Choosing the right places to hang out does only good things for your ongoing motivation.
If most of us are truly honest, there’s little point in maintaining a presence on Instagram. If this is you, know that life on the other side is pretty darn joyous. If you need a hand over the wall, just give me a shout…