How to Find the Right Audience for Your Photography on Instagram

In my previous post, I explored why having great work alone isn’t enough to build an audience — and how engaging with your audience can actually improve your craft. Today, I want to dive into a more strategic question: how do you find the right audience for your photography on Instagram?

🎯 Why Niche Matters More Than Variety

It’s tempting to post whatever catches your eye — food, street scenes, portraits — all in one account. But mixing genres can dilute your reach. For example, followers who love your food photography might not engage with your street shots, and vice versa. When engagement drops, Instagram’s algorithm is less likely to recommend your posts to a broader audience.

Instead of trying to please everyone, consider creating separate accounts for each genre. This way, each account can attract a focused, passionate audience. You can still link your accounts in your bio, so those who truly connect with your work can explore more.

📊 The Numbers Are on Your Side

According to 99firms, Instagram has over 500 million active daily users. Even if just 0.01% of them resonate with your work, that’s 10,000 potential daily viewers. I’ve managed my account like a part-time job for years, and while I hit 10k views on a single post only once, the potential is massive — and worth chasing.

🤝 Engagement Is a Two-Way Street

One tactic I use is simple but effective: I find posts in the Explore tab that are similar to mine and engage with the users who liked them. A like from me might prompt them to check out my account — and maybe even follow or engage in return. I do this at least one photo a day.

⚠️ A word of caution: don’t overdo it. Instagram monitors activity patterns, and excessive engagement can trigger temporary blocks. I’ve learned that the hard way.

📚 Learn From the Best

This strategy doesn’t just boost engagement — it also sharpens your eye. By interacting with similar content, Instagram starts showing me more of it. I get to study the work of talented photographers, absorb new ideas, and refine my own style. You can also analyze successful accounts and borrow techniques that align with your vision.

📷 Instagram Isn’t Just for Photographers — But That’s the Point

Sure, Instagram wasn’t built just for photographers. But that’s what makes it such a powerful tool. It forces you to think about presentation, audience, and storytelling — all essential skills if you want to grow your brand and sell your work.