Where Should You Start With Social Media in Photography?

When you first step into photography, social media feels like the obvious place to share your work.

And then you discover… hundreds of photography groups.

Advice everywhere. Opinions everywhere. And suddenly you’re wondering — should I be posting in all of them?

I once had someone tell me they were part of 57 different groups and shared every image across all of them.

At first, that might sound like a smart way to get your work seen.

But in reality? It can do more harm than good.

The “Post Everywhere” Trap

It’s easy to fall into the mindset of: “The more people that see my work, the better.”

But when you post the same image across dozens of groups, especially unrelated ones, it can start to feel less like sharing… and more like chasing likes.

And people notice that.

Instead of building a reputation as a thoughtful photographer, it can unintentionally come across as:

• Desperation for engagement
• Lack of direction
• Not understanding your audience

Not All Groups Are Created Equal

One of the biggest mistakes I see is photographers joining any group that allows photos.

But relevance matters.

If you photograph:

• Dogs → join dog photography or pet-focused groups
• Weddings → join wedding and bridal communities
• Landscapes → join location-based or landscape groups

Your work lands differently when it’s shown to the right audience — people who actually understand what they’re looking at.

Too Many Voices = Confusion

Another downside to being in too many groups?

Conflicting advice.

One group will tell you:

“This is overexposed.”

Another:

“It’s too dark.”

Another:

“You should have shot it completely differently.”

When you’re new, that kind of noise can:

• Shake your confidence
• Slow your progress
• Pull you away from developing your own style

Photography is already a learning curve — you don’t need 50 different directions at once.

You’ll Follow Everyone… At First

This doesn’t just happen in Facebook groups — it happens on Instagram too.

When you’re starting out, you’ll probably:

• Follow every photographer you come across
• Save everything
• Try to take inspiration from all directions

And that’s completely normal.

But as your work develops, something shifts.

You start to:

• Understand what you like
• Recognise the style you’re drawn to
• Notice what aligns (and what doesn’t) with your work

And naturally, you’ll begin to unfollow people.

Not out of negativity — but out of clarity.

Because growth in photography isn’t just about adding more…
it’s also about refining your influences.

Your Work Is Yours

Photography is art. And art is subjective.

You will always have people who say:

• “It’s too dark”
• “It’s too bright”
• “I wouldn’t have edited it like that”

And that’s okay — they’re entitled to their opinion.

But it doesn’t mean they’re right.

I once had someone tell me my work was “too dark.”

But that same person didn’t have a recognisable style, hadn’t had their work published, and wasn’t producing the kind of work I was aiming for.

That moment taught me something important:

Not all feedback is equal.

Sometimes, people comment without truly understanding:

• The intention behind the image
• The mood you were creating
• The story you were telling

There’s a difference between constructive critique and opinion without context.

The Reality of Facebook Groups

This might be a bit honest — but it needs to be said.

Not all groups are supportive spaces.

In fact, many can feel:

• Unhelpful
• Rude
• Dismissive

You’ll often see people ask genuine questions like:

“Where is this location?”

And the response?

“Go find it yourself.”

There can be a lot of gatekeeping, especially around locations.

And sometimes — whether people admit it or not — jealousy plays a part in the way feedback is given.

That kind of environment doesn’t help photographers grow. It shuts people down.

It’s actually one of the reasons I created my own group.

I wanted a space where people could:

• Learn
• Share
• Ask questions without being shut down
• Actually gain something

Not just another spammy group full of endless images chasing likes.

Build Presence, Not Just Reach

Social media isn’t just about being seen — it’s about being remembered.

You’re far better off:

• Being active in a small number of relevant groups
• Engaging with others (not just posting and leaving)
• Sharing the story behind your images
• Building relationships over time

That’s where real growth happens.

My Advice?

Keep it simple.

Start with:

• A handful of relevant groups
• Your own personal or business page
• A platform like Instagram or TikTok if you enjoy creating

Focus on:

• Consistency over volume
• Quality over quantity
• Connection over likes

Final Thought

There’s nothing wrong with wanting your work to be seen.

But how you share it matters.

And so does how you listen.

Take on feedback that helps you grow —
but don’t lose your voice trying to please everyone.

The goal isn’t to be everywhere —
it’s to be in the right places, with the right people, for the right reasons.