As the popularity of Instagram increases, I'm finding more and more accounts taking the "easy" road to sharing images. Instagram is all about sharing your own images! The purpose of Instagram is to share images instantly - like, right when you take them on your phone. Hence the "insta" in the name!

I understand that we might not always share them instantly. In fact, I often recommend waiting and spacing out your posts. And I know many photographers who use their DSLR cameras to take photos then format them for Instagram upload after the fact. I am totally ok with both of these practices.

However, I am not ok with Instagramers using other people's images, or images they found on Google.

Instagram images should be a reflection of you and your brand! Using other people's images is not a reflection of you.

Many of us get in the habit of sharing inspirational quotes or seasonal images that we find in searches. It's extremely common on Facebook and some of the other sites. I get it, it's easier than creating our own. And sometimes, we find something that just resonates really well and we want to share it. I get it!

But Instagram isn't really about this behavior. If you want to share an inspirational quote, put it on your own image! Take a few extra minutes to find a good photo from your gallery, add text for the quote, and then upload the formatted image to your Instagram account. Voila!

You should also know that a lot of Instagramers are extremely vigilant with their copyrights. They will call you out if they find you using one of their images without attribution or credit. Trust me when I tell you this is not the impression you want to make on Instagram!

Instagram should be easy, but it should not be lazy!

So stop cheating! Stop using Instagram images that are not your own!

Take the time to create a legitimate Instagram strategy (like your other social media sites) and make the time to create relevant and valuable Instagram posts. You do not need to post 5 times a day. Instead, determine a posting schedule that you can easily maintain. Then create Instagram images to coincide with this schedule.

If you would like assistance in creating an Instagram strategy, please contact me for more information!