Hi My Dear Members,
I want to share some suggestions to enhance your growth and experience on social media.
Please note that these are just suggestions, not mandatory requirements. Some of you may already be following these tips, so feel free to ignore those points. My goal is to help you grow based on my knowledge and experience.
These tips are not part of any membership package; I share them out of my love for photography and love for all of you.
1) I got my first work with Apple in 2018.
Here is the link — https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDAkg4F_qi/?igsh=MXU3eHpudTgxY2RhMw==
This opportunity came because I used their hashtag and tagged them. My suggestion is to tag and use hashtags for the camera or phone brand you are using. Companies monitor their hashtags and are always looking for photographers to collaborate with.
Check their post captions to see which hashtags they are using. They are always on the lookout for new talent.
Apple has just one account, but brands like Fujifilm, Canon, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Leica, etc have multiple accounts, including global and country-specific ones. You can tag both the global and the specific country account you are from.
For example, the work I did for Xiaomi was through Xiaomi India and Singapore, while my work for Oppo was for Oppo Europe, and OnePlus was for OnePlus China/Global. Each country may have different briefs and requirements, so you never know which part of the world might be interested in your work.
2) We have many famous and influential people following PSP. From photographer Martin Parr to Kathy Ryan, Director of Photography at the New York Times Magazine. From Eglee Richemont, Art Supervisor at PublicisLuxe (brands like Cartier and Lancôme), to Art Director of Harper's Magazine, Kathryn Humphries, to Zoya Akhtar, who looks for photographers for her film posters and BTS all the time, to Pam Quinones who works for Vogue and is always looking for fresh talent. This is just a small example to illustrate the power of social media and PSP. These individuals may not always like photos, but they are observing and saving content and when your work fits for their brief, they connect. Always take social media seriously—you never know who might contact you for work.
3) Some people say hashtags don't work, but I suggest using at least 3-4 relevant hashtags for your work. If you don't want them cluttering your caption area, you can put them in the comments instead. This helps guide Instagram's AI or algorithm to understand what your post is about, increasing the chances of your photo appearing on the Explore page. Example - #photography #photographer #streetphotography #streetphotographer #blackandwhitephotography
4) Like all the comments you receive on your posts or PSP posts. If you can, reply to them—this boosts engagement and helps build connections with people who appreciate your work. If you can't comment, a simple like on their comment shows you have read and appreciate it. If someone takes the time to comment, acknowledging it with a like prevents you from seeming like a ghost. I try to reply to the first 50-60 comments on my posts, but managing all accounts and work doesn't leave me enough time to reply to everyone.
5) Remove unnecessary tags on your profile. In the screenshot below, the circled part shows where you can see who has tagged you. If it's not your photograph, remove it. Keep only your photos. Brands and companies often check which pages feature you. If prominent pages feature you, it boosts your credibility and builds trust. This has been my experience many times.
6) Use the same profile photo across all your social media platforms—Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, Vero, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Behance, etc. This helps your followers build a deeper relationship with you and recognize you by your profile picture without having to read your name. Just like the Puma logo is consistent across platforms, your profile picture should be your logo and identity. Take it seriously. It doesn't have to be a clear face; it could be a side profile, the back of your head, or anything else. I personally prefer a black-and-white profile picture because it looks classic and doesn't distract viewers from my photographs.
7) Building credibility is crucial in the long run. I used to participate in awards, exhibitions, and communities, regardless of whether I won or lost. The important part was that my work was seen by judges, who then recommended it to others. When I won or became a finalist, more people became aware of my work, searched for my account, and discovered more of my portfolio, leading to more connections. This also helped bolster my portfolio. When I presented my portfolio to brands, they saw it as a sign of credibility and experience.
You can check this Instagram account for current awards — https://www.instagram.com/for_photographers_only
Please note that I don’t know who runs this account, nor have I ever contacted them or vice versa. I came across it a year ago when they used one of my photos. I am not endorsing this account, just sharing it as a resource.
8) When emailing publishers, editors, or anyone else, always include a link to your website. If you don’t have one, include your Instagram link or create a Linktree with all your social media handles. I’ve received many emails with great photographs from you all, but they often feel incomplete without a professional link. Including a link makes you look professional and serious.
Here’s an example of how I write my emails:
“Thank you,
Best,
Dimpy
--
DIMPY BHALOTIA
Photographer and Creative Director
https://www.dimpybhalotia.com"
9) When we search for something on Google, we typically use phrases like "how to make pasta," "where is the city Sofia located," or "best restaurants in Mumbai." For effective SEO, your article or blog URL should match common search queries. For example, a URL like dimpybhalotia.com/articles/how-to-make-pasta will help your article appear when someone searches for that question.
Incorporate keywords like "how," "when," "where," "what," “best," “is,” "top 10," and "famous places" in your article topics, YouTube titles and URLs.
10) The more clicks you get on your Instagram profile, the more data Instagram collects indicating that people are interested in your work. From my first day on Instagram, I always posted stories about new posts. Many users are more accustomed to viewing stories than scrolling through their feed.
To reach a broader audience, post a story about your new post. More clicks mean better visibility. Even if you don't get immediate follows, just having your profile opened helps. Your work will start appearing on the Explore page, and Instagram will recommend it to more people. This strategy not only helps now but also in the long run.
11) I came across this video - https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6T88_DRG4W/?igsh=MXJiOWpubTM1ZTRybw==
Now imagine Amazon, which had many ventures that failed and got shut down. We often see only the successes and overlook the many failures. The point is that we will all face failures. It's part of life, learning, and growth. Don’t give up. Keep photographing, posting, and sharing stories. Learn from your mistakes and build connections with those who appreciate your work. These connections often turn into leads. I've had many leads converted who commented on my posts or sent me dm’s. Everyone knows everybody in the industry. You are the ambassador of your work, and people want to know you as a person. Success takes time, so be patient and keep at it.
Thank you.
Any feedback or suggestions are welcome :)
Love and Light,
Dimpy
