Is Social Media Killing Creativity in Photography?

For years, Instagram was the place for photographers. It was a platform where you could share your best work, discover new photographers, and engage with a community that valued the art of image making, not that I ever had much success! But over the last couple of years, things feel different. As someone who still uses Instagram, I can’t help but feel like the platform is no longer interested in photography.

The Shift Away from Photography

Instagram’s shift to prioritising video content has changed the way images are seen and engaged with. The platform now favours short form video, making it harder for still photography to gain traction. Static images simply don’t have the same reach as they once did, and the pressure to create video content has left questioning my use of the platform.

On top of that, the algorithm rewards trends over originality. If your work doesn’t fit within the latest aesthetic, viral formula or audio, it’s unlikely to be seen by a wider audience. This can be discouraging, leading to either conformity or abandonment of Instagram altogether.

The Pressure to Create for Engagement

One of the biggest creativity killers is the constant pressure to perform for engagement. The need to chase likes, comments, and shares can lead to playing it safe—posting what works rather than what excites or challenges you. Instead of taking risks with new ideas, photographers often feel the need to conform to what’s popular just to remain visible.

This can lead to a cycle of repetition: the same locations, the same edits, the same compositions—because they ‘work’. But where does that leave creativity? The most interesting photography often comes from experimentation, from breaking the rules, and from trying something new. Social media doesn’t always reward that.

Finding Creative Freedom Outside of Instagram

While Instagram might not be the ideal platform for photography anymore, that doesn’t mean creativity is dead. If anything, it forces us to rethink how we share and engage with our work. Some photographers are moving towards personal websites, newsletters, or print projects to share their images in a more meaningful way. Others are exploring alternative platforms like Glass, Vero, or even returning to Flickr.

Creating my own website has really helped how I engage with my photography. Rather than chasing engagement on Instagram, I’ve found purpose in curating and presenting my work in a way that feels meaningful to me. The process of building a website, choosing images, writing about them, and structuring galleries has made me think more deeply about what I create and why.

Creativity thrives when it’s free from the need for validation. The less we chase engagement, the more we can focus on making images that actually mean something to us. Maybe that means using Instagram less or using it differently. Instead of playing to the algorithm, it might be time to use it on our own terms, even if that means reaching a smaller audience.

The Future of Photography Online

Instagram may no longer be the best place for photography, but that doesn’t mean great work isn’t being made. The question is whether photographers will continue to adapt to the demands of social media or if they will seek new (or old) ways to showcase their work. Perhaps the future of photography lies beyond the algorithm, in spaces where creativity comes first.

What do you think? Has social media helped or hindered your creativity?