@cbarrettphotoinstagram is incredible. Both for finding inspiration and getting my vision out.
Also for the occasional assignment here and there. I'm still new to it and mostly
use it as a sketch book of sorts.
The two primary ways I use hashtags is 1) curating 2) connecting to community
A curation example, I use #southofhere for when I go on roadtrips.
Like wise I have #northofhere. Keep in mind that even if you create a hashtag
there is nothing keeping others from using it and dumping their images in it as well.
This can really mess up a collection as is what happened with my original and the
first #alaskana post of imagery. The idea was to loosely make an iphone version based
on a collection by the same name
on my site.
However, that loss of control is worth the exchange of how quickly it is to associate and
become noticed in communities where there is a similar taste or aesthetic.
For example I will occasionally post imagery taken with my Contax 645 under #contax645
and I am almost guaranteed comments and likes and on occasion a few follower.
I don't join these pools with that intention, but there is something biological to connecting
with others whom we enjoy being around or whose taste is similar to ours.
If your a social person you can always do walks with real users. Here in Anchorage, Alaska
every sunday there is #walkalaska which has in a way become almost a brand because
of the social capital worth of a handful of millenial instagramers who originally made it and now
are the hosts of the gathering. Those in person gatherings get you solid connections and in the
case of stronger followings can lead to offers of assignments for extending brand awareness .
@okiave
