How to Begin Making Your First Instagram Food Reels

Written By Kate Walker

When Instagram first introduced reels, there was a bit of panic amongst photographers. If Instagram was going to start prioritizing reels, than how would we promote our photography? Luckily, photographers have embraced the change and have adjusted their Instagram content to fit the algorithm.

If you are looking for ideas on how to share your food photography in the form of a reel than I got you! Keep scrolling for reels ideas and tips for how increase your Instagram reach.

I have personally seen an increase of 3,576% in my reach over the past 30 days since posting reels 1-2 times per week. Keep in mind that since I have a lower Instagram following (585 followers at the time this is being written), it is easier for me to increase my reach since I have more room for growth.

A classic for food photographers is a recipe. This reel shows viewers how to make a recipe that the photographer either developed or is using from someone else. This type of reel will motivate viewers to save and come back to it. It will also encourage them to re-watch the reel multiple times in order for them to understand the recipe. Thus, making recipe reels a great option for photographers trying to gain interactions on Instagram.

 

Similar to the previous reel idea, if you’re already going to perform some type of action to the dish you are photographing than might as well film it. These action reels work especially well with breaking egg yolk, scooping dip, cutting into cake, or pouring a drink. Viewers love to watch these types of reels over and over again because they are so hunger enticing. This is important since the more times a viewer repeatedly watches a reel, the more views it gets and thus may get boosted to other viewers.

You’re already setting up the scene, might as well record it! This is the simplest reels idea since all you have to do is press the record button on your camera. I find these types of reels to be my favorite since they are calming and it is interesting to watch how the photographer puts their scene together.

 

This modge podge of photos is a great option for when you need to post something but have no videos to post. Pick a few photos that you already have on hand and match them up to a trending song and boom! Viral!

The cool thing about these types of reels is that Instagram just debuted reels templates. Reels templates, according to Jo Millie, “allows users to replace the clips with your own and it will match the time stamps of the template reel.” You can see a more in-depth tutorial on how to use reels templates here.

Kate Walker
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