Instagram has become more than just a place for friends to share pictures. It has evolved into a way for creative types to meet others who share their interests.
As 225 details in a feature from the current issue, a few young Baton Rougeans have figured out how to tap into that talent pool and make a name for themselves. The magazine recently spoke with three locals who have developed large fanbases, bringing their works to tens of thousands of followers across the world.
Of those profiled, Jennifer Palpallatoc is a 24-year-old fashion blogger and style consultant with 41,000 followers. Though she had created a website for her business, Haute Off the Rack, in early 2012, she says she had no idea how valuable Instagram would be to it. She credits her success to the photographers with which she has worked.
“High-quality photos are key to gaining new followers,” she says. “However, I still post a lot of my own iPhone photos, which is just as important. Your followers love to see what you’re doing in that exact moment just as much as they enjoy your professionally edited photos.”
At last count, 22-year-old freelance photographer Michael Tucker had 83,000 followers. He got into photography through a friend and only began to take Instagram more seriously a few years ago.
“I posted better photos, involved myself in the Instagram community, and somehow wound up with about 8,000 followers,” he says.
Tucker’s advice is don’t make the app a personality contest.
“The genuine, in-real-life relationships I’ve gained from Instagram far surpass any value my follower count holds,” he says. Read the full feature.
