Instagram Stories Sandbox
For Photographers
Ask Questions & Interact
Invite your audience to participate in your work with this clever use of Stories. Note that @packtography is also taking advantage of Instagram Live to livestream a photo-editing session using a piece chosen by his audience. What a powerful way to connect with your fans.
Highlight Shoot Location
Why not take your followers with you to your shoot locations? In this example, @kpunkka has some stunning views to share, but your fans will be interested in wherever you are. Next time you're on set, snap a few quick shots for your Story.
Show Gear For The Day
We don't need to tell you just how often photographers are asked: "What kind of camera do you use?" Cut to the chase like @danrubin is doing in this example and show your followers the equipment you're shooting with. Dan also takes it one step further by tagging the accounts of the companies that make his equipment for easy reference.
Show Behind The Scenes
@eric_treece shows a great example of this. Use this method to preview your new content or to offer professional shooting/painting tips to your followers. This is a great way to fascinate your followers by giving them an exclusive tour of your world and showing them how your photos are created.
Upload Photos From A Shoot
In this behind the scenes example, we get a look at how @aaronbhall captures his stunning images. Use this technique to help followers make a connection with the person behind the camera.
Share Photos From Recent Shoot
Excited about the new photos you took from your most recent photoshoot? Share that excitement with your followers. @paulkilleenphotography does this by sharing his incredible portrait shots.
Present Before & After Edits
Just like how @cincygram does it in his Story, show your followers a raw photo immediately followed by an edited version of the photo.
For Fine Artists
Show Painting Process
A process example from @yelenaartstudio. This is such a great way to keep your followers interested and involved with your work as they see it come into being one layer of paint at a time.
Sneak Peek At New Work
Tease your followers a little by showing them a close up preview of one of your latest pieces! @thinkspace_art pairs this technique with information about their upcoming show.
Show Watercolor Process
Watercolor artists can show off process too, just check out this example by @twiggyabi.
Promote Your Art Event
If you have an event coming up, don't forget to tell your followers! @stephaniehoogveld.art explains in detail where and when the event is, and completes her Story by giving a sneak peak of the art that's displayed.
Timelapse Video Art
Give your followers a glimpse into your practice and have them explore the passage of time in hyperdrive mode. @worldofartists shows a perfect example of this.
Give Tour Of Your Studio
Show your followers your creative space, just like this example from @samanthakaplanart. The messier it is, the more creative it is right?
Promote New Art In Your Store
Do you have new products in your art prints store? If so, let your followers know they can purchase new pieces! Illustrator, @sowiesowies does this very effectively by adding limited quantity and entertaining language.
Feature Art Brands You Love
If you love working with a particular brand's product, showcase the products in your story! sowiesowies shows excitement towards her new products and even tags their Instagram accounts in her Story.
Show Your Materials
Get a lot of questions from your followers asking about the type of materials you use? @sowiesowies shows her followers the materials and sizes she uses.
For Galleries
Promote Your New Gallery Show
Gallery owners can use Stories too! Show off your venue, share instructions on how to get there, and post mini-interviews with your artists. Check out how @saatchiart promotes a gallery opening and tags the exhibiting artists.
Artist Of The Day
If you're an art gallery, use this technique to feature your artists. Use the in-app Story features to describe your artist's work as well as tagging them on Instagram. Instagram Art Curator, @picame does a great job of this.
Location Of Specific Art Pieces
If you're a gallery, tell your followers where specific pieces are located. @national_gallery shows photos of different art pieces, complete with the location the specific artwork is displayed.
Sneak Peak of New Show
Do you have a new gallery show coming up? Give your followers a sneak peak of the art that will be displayed! @coreyhelfordgallery shows pieces from their upcoming show, and tags the artist's Instagram handle.
For Everyone
Give Out Freebies
One of the most powerful things you can do with Instagram Stories is offer a free wallpaper image. The latest data shows people check their phones 150 times a day. That's 150 exposures to your art, every day. Digital marketing guru @garyvee shows how it's done.
Tease Your New Blog Post
Here's one of the most straightforward uses for Stories: promote your stuff! In this example, @myfriendcourt teases an upcoming blog post.
Promote Your Gallery Art Exhibit
If your exhibit is featured in an art gallery, tell and show your followers! @brahmino gives his followers a tour of the gallery his photographs are exhibited in.
Post Content From Your Blog
Post snippets of recent or old blog posts into your story. Don't make it content heavy - just provide the main points, just like how @agoragallery did in this example.
Ask Fun Trivia Questions
Do a trivia series to show your followers a little more about your art process and to showcase your personality! agnieszka_pilat has a lot of fun with this technique, and even she features her adorable cat!
Share Important Announcements
Do you have an exciting announcement to share about a new project? @aaronbhall shares clips of his new YouTube project with his followers. He also adds Instagram Story text to add more details of his new project.
Display What's For Sale
Are you running a sale on select products? Tell your followers about your sale and then showcase the discounted items in your Story. @desenio takes it a step further by displaying what the artwork would look like in your house.