From Creative Flow to Reach Pressure: How Instagram Shaped My Photography

How often do we let ourselves be guided by external expectations without noticing? In a previous article, I wrote about the lightness photography once had for me — a time when it was free from likes and algorithms. Today I want to share how Instagram changed that feeling and slowly turned me into a “creator.”

How It All Started: Lockdown, Walks, and My First Posts

It all started quite innocently, when photography was simply a routine that brought me joy. But as my excitement for Instagram grew, new expectations appeared as well — expectations toward myself and my photography. It all began in autumn 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Lockdowns shaped everyday life: gyms, shops, and sports facilities were closed. Only supermarkets remained open to cover basic needs. I worked from home every day and tried to build new routines to cope with the long, dark days.

How did this intense Instagram use — and the “creator life” that followed — even begin? It all started in autumn 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Lockdowns dominated daily life, everything was closed, and I worked from home, looking for something to balance the monotony.

One of these routines was a daily walk before work to at least get outside for a moment. I took my camera with me and usually followed the same route to the Friedrich-Ebert Bridge over the Neckar River in Mannheim. From there, you have a beautiful view of the telecommunication tower. Even though the bridge is usually very busy with traffic, it somehow feels almost like being in nature.

One morning, on an especially foggy day, I took a photo of this scene. I shared it on Instagram, just like I had done with all previous photos — carefree and without any deeper intention. But suddenly, this picture received many likes and was shared frequently. It felt good to experience that kind of recognition. That moment motivated me to keep going.

I started photographing sunrises in Mannheim every single day and sharing them on Instagram. The subject was often the same: the telecommunication tower. It became a daily ritual, and I became more familiar with the app. Local pages also shared my photos on their channels, which increased my interest and engagement even more.

Foggy Sunrise in Mannheim

One morning, on an especially foggy day, I took a photo of this scene. I shared it on Instagram, just like all the other photos before — casually and without any deeper intention. But suddenly, this picture received a lot of likes and was shared many times. It felt good to experience that kind of recognition. That moment motivated me to keep going. I started photographing sunrises in Mannheim every day and sharing them with people on Instagram.

The subject was often the same: the telecommunication tower. It became a daily ritual, and I grew more and more familiar with the app. Local pages also shared my photos on their channels, which increased my interest and engagement even further.

How Instagram Changed My Photography

Reflection in a mobile phone of the water town in Mannheim

The interest in my photos grew, and as my follower count increased, my approach began to change as well. I started thinking about how I could increase my reach even further. Instead of simply taking photos, I wanted to create more spectacular and varied shots. Since I was limited to Mannheim because of the pandemic, I expanded my walks and began photographing sunsets as well. But soon, that wasn’t enough anymore. I wanted images that stood out and captured attention. One example of this is a photo of the Mannheim Water Tower. To capture a special reflection, I placed my phone in front of a puddle. The perspective looked impressive, but it was clearly staged — no one casually puts their phone on the ground like that. Reflections gradually became “my thing.” I started looking for reflections everywhere: in puddles, on glass panels, on walls. In the end, these images were all designed to attract attention on the platform.

Slowly, Instagram started to sink deeper into my subconscious. It influenced how I chose my subjects and how I photographed. The pressure to create something “special” grew steadily. At the same time, there were many days when I felt incredibly excited. The likes and comments motivated me to keep going out and taking photos. Especially on days with good light, I was like Speedy Gonzales — running from spot to spot to capture as many impressive images as possible. It almost felt like a sport and gave me a little adrenaline rush. Looking back, those weren’t real moments, because I was more rushed than mindful. Searching for angles and reflections, however, was less stressful and almost felt like a creative flow.

The Pressure of Not Wanting to Miss Anything: Fear of Missing Out

Over time, I developed a pressure not to miss any special weather conditions. Whether it was snow, a rainbow, or fog — I felt the need to capture these moments, afraid that someone else might photograph them and I would miss out. It was as if I no longer had control over my motivation — it was driven by the fear of missing something. This feeling sometimes took away the joy of photography and replaced it with stress. I experienced many great moments, but looking back, the motivation behind them feels questionable and not healthy.

Return to Authenticity

Looking back on that time, I realise that not all the photos I took truly reflected who I am. Many were created for the platform, not for myself. But there are a few images that still represent my style today. These photos convey calmness, use natural colours, and feel unposed. It’s a style I’ve been subconsciously drawn to for a long time — and one I want to pursue further.

For me, authenticity doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being honest with myself. It’s about appreciating the moments that genuinely move me — regardless of whether they receive attention on a platform or not.

Conclusion: A Journey of Realisation

At the end of this journey, I see more clearly what photography truly means to me: calmness, naturalness, and authenticity. My style is no longer shaped by platforms like Instagram, but is instead a reflection of my true self. I’ve learned that photography is a personal form of expression — independent of likes, reach, or algorithms. Now I’m looking forward to making photography my own expression again — with calmness, authenticity, and a clear focus on what really matters. And who knows, maybe my story will inspire others to question their own creative path as well.

Feel free to share your thoughts or your own experiences in the comments — or send me a message through the contact form.