5 Must Have Instagram Tools – Education for Photographers
Since the start of my business, social media has been a hugeeee marketing tool for me.
When I started my business in 2019, the first social media I started with was Facebook with my business page. About six months later when I decided to focus solely on boudoir, I started my Instagram page @eleanorelaineboudoir. I began thinking more about how to market myself and my services as a boudoir photographer on Instagram, and I think that move is what helped get my name out there and get my boudoir brand and business off the ground.
When I started shooting boudoir, most of my clients were friends and acquaintances (who I wouldn’t be here without!!) After I started my Instagram account, I started getting more and more clients who were finding me through my social media! I’ve built my community to over 2,000 of you who like to hang with me on Instagram, and it’s been really cool to connect with people who I never would’ve known otherwise! We share recipes, swap stories about our lives, and send memes back and forth. It’s so fulfilling to build relationships with people who connected with my work or who I am online. I mean, I remember opening the web on my little LG Chocolate when I was 14 and frantically trying to close it before accidentally running up our phone bill, lmao. Crazy to think back to that whereas now I have friends online that I’ve never met in person?? WILD.
Beyond being an outlet to create and connect, Instagram has been the best free marketing tool, so I want to help you use it to build your business too! There are tons of apps and tools out there that will help, but here are my top five favorite apps that I use with Instagram to make things run smoother and look prettier – both of which I prioritize!
Canva is my favorite for quick graphic design! I use it a lot for sharing availability updates, making graphics for Instagram and my email list, and making story templates. I was using the free version for a year or so and then I upgraded to the paid pro version to get access to more of their elements and templates, and I think it’s super worth it! I also used Canva to make my podcast cover art in less than 10 minutes!
I found Splice when Instagram introduced Reels back in 2020, and have been using it to edit video on my phone ever since! I use the free version, which is incredible, but you can upgrade to a paid version to access more features like transitions between clips and music to add in. It’s great not just for Reels, but even for quick Instagram stories when I need to cut video together. Big biggg fan of Splice around here!
(full disclosure: this one is an affiliate link!) When I’m on top of my game and am able to plan out my Instagram posts ahead of time, Planoly is my go-to! I use the free version because I’m not the most consistent with planning my feed, but you can upgrade to a paid version to unlock more features like 60 uploads per month, photo editing, and sharing to other social platforms. If you’re a prepper or planner, this would be a huge asset to you!
This is the app I use to make carousel posts on Instagram! I love using this to put together multiple photos in one post, especially so I can show off the variety of photos we capture during a session. I think it adds interest to a carousel of photos rather than a regular carousel. You can see a couple examples of how I’ve done this here and here.
My favorite editing app! I use Lightroom to edit all my professional photos on my desktop, but I love the mobile version for iPhone shots too to keep consistency across the board. I use the same preset that I use for my boudoir work and apply it to any personal shots I share to give my feed a cohesive feel. It’s free too, which is a huge plus for me!
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