The Secret To A Photographers Success Online...

Spoiler alert... It's not the photos

Hello Hello

Welcome to the Love Lucy newsletter, where we discuss topics like photography but also things adjacent to photography, like the online space and how to finally be in control of your presence online.

I know that a lot of you reading have a complicated and tumultuous relationship with social media but I’m living proof that it really can take you some pretty epic places…to be specific

• Melbourne, twice, next month, to shoot spring campaigns for labels I adore

• Inclusion in an exhibition I’m busting to tell you about

and

• A feeling of closeness to SO many creative and wonderful people online who I otherwise wouldn’t know existed.

Thanks internet :)

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So today I’m gonna share the ONE thing that really is the running theme when it comes to being seen online and it’s actually got nothing to do with how good you are at reels, or needing to spend hours and hours on content, having it consume your life all to get some likes. No thanks!

If you missed my latest YouTube video you can catch up here and learn more about how I feel when it comes to colour and composition in my work.

Keep an eye on Youtube and subscribe if you haven’t already as there will be a new video out very soon where I shoot my desert island camera!!!!!

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Why it’s never just about the photo

Think of a photographer you really love

Why do you love them?

It’s probably a lot to do with their work right?

Chances are also it’s also a bunch of other things you haven’t really considered yet

Things like

• Where they are from

• What camera they choose to use

• Their politics and ethics

• The way they look, dress, or talk

• Their influences and inspiration sources

• How they choose to share their work

• What scene or social circle they were/are in

• And a really big one…What they have taught you or how they have impacted you as an artist

When you consider all these aspects it becomes apparent that the actual work that the artist was making is somewhat a gateway to the fondness you have developed for them as opposed to being the entire reason for it.

That’s because we are human and we crave stories and putting the pieces of someone together to understand their creations and hopefully use this to guide our own.

Another reason is how important relatability is to humans

If we don’t resonate or relate to someone it can be really hard to maintain connection and keep us interested.

You know how good it feels when you are lit up like a spark on finding out that someone else also loves the first three Smashing Pumpkins albums as much as you do or digs some weird food combo that most people grimace at.

You feel seen. You feel heard. You feel aligned.

Okay so what does this have to do with anything?

Well, I am about to say something that will just make everything online way easier for you and it will dissolve all your confusion around how to approach it.

Social media is pretty much like socialising in real life.

That’s right. Just because it’s via a screen and Zuckerberg and that other guy with the square, thick glasses is in charge it really doesn’t change the actual foundations of the apparatus at all.

Granted you have to plan a little more but than not even, IRL social life is a lot of planning, managing expectations and showing up on time to be a good friend.

That kind of sounds similar to the online world to me?

Showing up

Engaging

Sharing knowledge and stories

Showing interest in others

Being a little vulnerable

These are all key parts of friendships and relationships in real life and the same exchanges and expectations are had of you online too…

So it begs the question

Why do we struggle so much when it comes to posting online?

A million reasons come to mind but let’s get down to the nitty gritty of how YOU photographer, creator, writer, artist and everyone in between can tackle this issue and approach it with a clear and simple plan.

Let’s go

Just posting your photos is one sided and you wouldn’t expect a person in your real life to stick around if all you ever did was show them pictures you had taken and you never shared a single other thing about yourself, your life, or, showed interest in theirs. Would you?

I mean this person sounds like the shittest friend of all time - even if their photos were 100% bangers.

When we hop online we tend to start second guessing ourselves because we are no longer talking to our group of certified people, we are opening up to the ENTIRE WORLD. Which is, let’s face it, totally vomit inducing, especially for the typical introverted artist.

So the second guessing is happening, and then the doubt, and the fear, and the anxiety just cloud any good, or great, idea you might have had so you just end up posting a few photos you have taken and hiding behind them instead.

But what if you could litter in some other stuff that allows people to get to know you or understand you better?

This can all be under the umbrella of photography or your niche whilst also giving people an insight into the human being that you are, and you’re probably a cool one if you like cameras and art, and read this awesome newsletter. Haha.

At first it will feel weird and like, ew who would wanna know more about me?

What if no one cares?

Chances are it’s not gonna blow up your account overnight, or at all, but we don’t want blow up, we just want connection, community and for our work to be seen so opportunities can arise and doors can open for us!

It’s all about the consistency and how that compounds.

Imagine if Grainy Days or any other photography YouTuber had of just been like

“Oh I’m worried no will care so I just won’t do it”

They wouldn’t be referenced right now as an example of the power of showing up, committing and being vulnerable enough to give it a go.

I look back at where I started on YouTube and how things have sprawled and snowballed since then and it honestly makes me wanna cry, in a good way, but also in a way of regretting not starting sooner.

I was always just waiting and dreaming of things and finding excuses of why they couldn’t happen for me. The only thing that changed was my mindset and taking action for once.

Anyway I don’t wanna be all motivational speaker but I really just believe that so many of us have a negative narrative around ourselves and social media is a great one to feed that, if you let it.

Why not turn that around and start sharing your story, who you are, what your why is and all your knowledge and experiences with the world.

The more you share the more you grow and the more you show up the more chances you have to be found and that, is what leads to opportunity and success!

If you are interested in this topic and you want to take action on this but aren’t exactly sure what you should post or how to get started I have a whole years worth of weekly content ideas in 1 downloadable which you can grab here on my website.

These are easy, simple to implement ideas that are free from trends and gimmicks and are all about connection and cultivating community.

I use these ideas myself so I know they work and they can be recycled and repurposed over time to give you plenty of posts and consistent uploads which we know leads to growth.

This guide was designed and illustrated by the very talented Carmen of Oddish Studio so it’s optimised for mobile and it’s arty and fun to look at!

Leave a comment below if you have any questions about this topic or you want to start a convo about your struggles online as an artist. My virtual door is always open :)

Love Lucy xx