Why Posting on Instagram Feels So Hard as a Photographer (and How to Make It Fun Again)

Let’s be honest—posting on Instagram can feel like a full-blown identity crisis when you're a photographer.

One minute you’re in your flow, creating meaningful, emotional work… and the next, you’re on Instagram feeling like you have to become a polished business robot with perfect captions, trending audio, and “value-based content.” And suddenly, it all just feels… wrong.

If this sounds familiar, I need you to know: it’s not just you.
This post is going to help you get to the real root of the problem—and give you a better way to show up.

1. Your Energy = Everything

Before we even talk about what to post or how often to show up, we have to talk about your energy.

If you’re opening Instagram already feeling stressed, awkward, or pressured to “perform,” that’s the energy that’s going to come through in your content.
You can’t create authentic, aligned posts when you’re in a state of panic. It’s just not going to work.

You have to enjoy showing up online the same way you enjoy creating with your camera.

Start noticing what version of yourself is opening the app. Are you curious? Are you connected to your art? Or are you just trying to keep up?

2. You Haven’t Tapped Into Your WHY

This is the piece no one wants to slow down for—but it’s the one that changes everything.

If you’re just posting because you feel like you “should,” you’re going to burn out fast.
You need to reconnect with why you’re even doing this in the first place.

Ask yourself:

Why do I create?
Why do I serve the people I serve?
What is the dream, the desire, the deeper meaning behind my work?

Because it’s not about the photos. It’s about what those photos represent.
That emotional thread—that sentimento—is what makes your content powerful. And when you know what that is, writing captions, creating reels, and talking on stories becomes so much easier.

3. Create Content Based on What You Offer (But Make It Personal)

If you're stuck on what to post, here's a simple place to start:

Build content pillars based on your actual services—weddings, families, engagements—and then brainstorm a few types of posts within each category.

Weddings:

Why you love wedding days
A moment you’ll never forget
How to feel more present on the day
Behind-the-scenes from your latest shoot
Tips for getting the best light

Families:

Why legacy matters to you
How to make a session stress-free with kids
A client story that stayed with you
Favorite outfits for cozy, natural photos
One photo that captures what family means to you

The key? Don’t just post the work. Post the heart behind the work.
People don’t just want pretty—they want connection.

4. You’re Not a Brand—You’re a Person

Photographers often think they need to sound “professional” online. But the truth?
No one wants to connect with a polished business account.
They want you—your energy, your story, your voice.

Photography is one of the most personal services someone can invest in. You're stepping into emotional, intimate, once-in-a-lifetime moments. So if your Instagram feels cold and distant, you're missing the mark.

Your clients book people, not brands.

Yes, showing up vulnerably is scary. Yes, it feels cringy sometimes. But it gets easier. And honestly? That vulnerability is what builds trust faster than any sales funnel ever could.

5. Stop Prefacing Your Presence

One last note (and this one’s sassy because I love you):
Stop opening your stories with “I never show my face on here…” or “Sorry, I just wanted to pop on…”

You're literally telling your brain—and your audience—that you don’t belong here.
Start talking like it’s normal. Like you’ve always shown up this way.

Even if it feels fake at first, your nervous system will catch up. And so will your audience.

Final Thoughts:

The reason Instagram feels hard isn’t because you’re bad at it.
It’s because you’ve been trying to show up in a way that doesn’t align with who you are.

Start with your why. Create from the emotional root of your work.
Show up like a person, not a brand.
And remember—people want connection more than they want perfect.

💌 And if you want the course I’m creating to help with all of this, join the email list for early access and a big discount.

You're doing better than you think. Keep going.

Why Posting on Instagram Feels So Hard as a Photographer (and How to Make It Fun Again)