Also known as an octothorpe, hashtags have been around for decades as a fill in button on old corded telephones.
But in the past several years, hashtags have had a revival and are now a daily used symbol. They work perfectly on social platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to allow people to search photos with great accuracy and relevancy.
However when it comes to Instagram, there is no better way to get exposure to your images than using well targeted hashtags. Because of this, I have rounded up some of the best photography hashtags to use for all types of photography.
These tags will be sure to skyrocket your likes and follow!
Best Photography Hashtags
Generic Photography Hashtags
#agameoftones #ig_masterpiece #ig_exquisite #ig_shotz #global_hotshotz #superhubs #main_vision #master_shots #exclusive_shots #hubs_united #jaw_dropping_shotz #worldshotz #theworldshotz #pixel_ig #photographyislifee #photographyislife #photographysouls #photographyeveryday #photographylover #worldbestgram #iglobal_photographers #ig_great_pics #ig_myshot #shotwithlove #justgoshoot #xposuremag #icatching #collectivelycreate #wanderlust #heatercentral #highsnobiety #shotzdelight
Portrait Photography Hashtags
#expofilm #portrait_shots #vscocm #portrait_vision #gramkilla #folkportraits #globe_people #featurepalette #shotzdelight #special_shots #aovportraits #agameoftones #bravoportraits #ig_portrait #igpodium_portrait #portraits_ig #portraits_mf #kdportraitshots #moodyports #majestic_people #marvelous_shots #peoplegallery #portraitphotography #portraits_shots
Street Photography Hashtags
#yngkillers #visualseduction #worldtones#streetmobs #photography#ubranphotography #streetshared#heatcentral #theimaged #streetphotography #kearmy #pmwintergridchallenge #creativeoptic #photorupt #moodygrams #artofvisuals #createcommune #becreative #agameoftones #beautifuldestinations #fatalframes #visualmobs #streetdreammag #streetdreams #visualambassadors #wanderlust #primeshots #createyourhype #exploreeverything #thecreatorclass
Travel Photography Hashtags
#worldplaces #landscape_lovers #roamtheplanet #nature_shooters#wanderer #worldcaptures #allshots_#stayandwander #travelawesome #lonelyplanet #earthfocus #ig_worldclub #landscapes #landscape_captures #traveldeeper #exploremore #instatravel #naturephotography #igtravel #naturelovers #nature_perfection #travelphotography #traveling #wanderlust #instatraveling #trip #mytravelgram #travelblog #landscapephotography #passionpassport
Black & White Photography Hashtags
#bwstylesgf #bnw_captures #bnw_universe #insta_bw #bwmasters #igfotogram_bw #excellent_bnw #igblacknwhite #blackandwhite_perfection #bnw_demand #bnwmood #bnw_planet #bnw_society #bnw_magazine #bnw_globe #bnw_of_our_world #top_bnw #bw_lovers #bw_photooftheday #bw_crew #bwstyleoftheday #noir_vision #bnw_diamond #flair_bw #rsa_bnw #bnw_life #bnw_guru #love_bnw #jj_blackwhite #bwsquare
Drone photography Hashtags
#drone#dronephotography #dronestagram #photoeditor #app #air #aerial #aerialphotography #photos #images #photographers #skypixel #naturephotography #landscapephotography #dronephotooftheday #dronephotographer #drones #droneworld #droneflycontest #contest #contestgiveaway #aerialcontest #skylum #airmagic
Wedding Photography Hashtags
#loveintentionally#adventurealways #thatsdarling #bohochic #hippiewedding #adventurouswedding #bohobride #weddingphotography #engagementshoot #wanderlust #AUTHENTICLOVEMAG #couplegoals#destinationwedding #intimatewedding #loveauthentic #lookslikefilm #weddinginspo #instawedding #adventuresession #bohoweddingdress #engagementphotoshoot #wanderingweddings #wildhairandhappyhearts #hippiebride#engagementphotographer #wildelopements #elopementphotography #engagementpictures
Beauty Photography Hashtags
#portrait #photography #canon_photos #canon_official #canon #model #modelling #potd #picoftheday #beautyphotography #beautyphotographer #closeup #macrobeauty #beautycloseup #maccosmetics #beautyportrait #featuremeofh #featuremeinstagood #featurepalette #makeup #macro #fashion #beauty#netherlands #zwijndrecht #beautyshoot #portraitstream #artofportrait #summer
Food Photography Hashtags
#noodleworship #foodandwine #feedfeed #buzzfeast #yum #feedyoursoul #9gag #lunch #foodpornshare #cheatmeal #cheatday #dinner #food #foodporn #foodiegram #instafood #yummy #instagood #eeeeeats #tasty #eat#foodpics #noodles #foodphotography #hungry #lovefood#forkyeah
Long Exposure Photography Hashtags
#longexposure #longexpo #lazyshutters #slowshutter #longexposureoftheday #longexposures #longexposurephotography #earthfocus #jaw_dropping_shots #earthofficial #ig_shotz_le #earth_shotz #amazing_longexpo #longexpo_addiction #eclectic_shotz #beautifuldestinations#thebest_capture #magicpic t#colors_of_day #superhubs #special_shots #igworldglobal #theworldshotz #transfer_visions #ig_color #awesome_photographers #picoftheday #master_gallery
Nature Photography Hashtags
#folkscenery #mobilemag #exploretocreate #thecreatorclass #theglobewanderer #exploremore #liveauthentic #createcommune #createexplore #stayandwander #shotzdelight #moodygrams #visualofearth #visualambassadors #visualofearth #ourmoodydays #outdoortones #ournaturedays #naturephotography#agameoftones #artofvisuals #feedbacknation #discoverearth #mobilemag
Night Photography Hashtags
#longexposure_shots #nightimages #nightshooterz #nightshooters #nightpics #milkywaygalaxy #astrophotography #astrophoto #astro_photography_ #astro_photography #longexposure #longexpohunter #longexpo #amazing_longexpo #amazingearth #natgeospace #milkyway #nightphotography#night_excl #photopills #amazingphotohunter #fantasticuniverse #wonderfulplaces#wonderful_places #beautifuldestinations #ig_worldclub #thegreatoutdoors #worldbestshot #longexposureoftheday
Time Lapse Photography Hashtags
#timelapse #timelapsevideo #timelapsephotography #videooftheday #hyperlapse #aroundtheworld #beautifuldestinations #perfect #tbt #nature #instagood #igers #bestoftheday #natgeo #jj_forum #worldcaptures #tagstagram #followers #awesomeearth #bestvacations #wonderful_places#video #likers #gramoftheday #instagramhub #greatesttravels #instagram #amphibians#metamorphosis
Macro Photography Hashtags
#macro #macrophotography #insects #macrophoto #insects_macro#insects_of_our_world #macroclique #macro_perfection #macro_captures #macroworld_tr #macro_vision #macromood #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance#top_macro #macroworld #igbest_macros #bns_macro#macro_highlight #macro_spotlight #macro_secrets #macro_mood #macro_holic #macroshot
Pet Photography Hashtags
#animaladdicts #pets#animallovers #animallover #instaanimal #cuteanimals #animalphotography #animal #nationalgeographic #wildlifeplanet #wildlifephotography #petphotography #photooftheday #photographyislifee #photographylover #photographer #instapic #instaphoto #bestshot#igmasters #naturephotography #photographyart #awesome_photographers #firmick
Sports Photography Hashtags
#soccer #BallisLife #footy #futbol #soccerjournalism #soccerphotography #freelance #sportsjournalism #footballers #thebeautifulgame #media #football #realfootball #lightroom #uswnt #ussoccer #growthegame #womensfootball #womenssoccer#presslife #canonphotography #christenpress #sportsphotography #canonphotos #photographer #wannabephotographer #gameday
Automotive Photography Hashtags
#carswithoutlimits #instacar #fast #speed#stancenation #superstreet#carporn #jdm #stance #elitetuner #cambergang #blacklist #endlessvisuals #carporn #carsofinstagram #cars#photography #carphotos #carphotography #amazingcars247 #automotive #automotivephotography #automotivegramm #automotivegram
How to automate the hashtag process
If you are just starting on Instagram, you then know how slow and tedious it can be enter hashtags. Usually you will have to manually copy and paste hashtags from your notes to the Instagram app.
However there is a much faster and efficient way that will literally save you hours!
So for this example I will be using an iPhone, but you will be able to find these same setting within Android devices.
To get started, you want to go to your settings icon with your iPhone. Once in there, go to General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
After you are in the text replacement, you can click on the + icon on the top right hand corner. From there you will then be able to put in phrase. Which in this case could be any of the hashtag groups from above.
After that, you then want to put in a shortcut that you would like to use. One tip is to keep it short, but something you won’t use often in other communication.
For an example you could use IGlandscape to instantly important hashtags into your post. To see more, you can view this video down below which uses the same method that I have just described.
Best time to post Instagram photos
So you’ve taken an awesome shot, have your hashtags down and now you want to ensure that you get the best engagement.
But when’s the best time to post to that you get the most amount of people looking at your photo?
Well according to several studies, some of the best times to post your images are on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening.
This is mainly because people are winding down on their weekend and want to kill some time by looking on Instagram. The same goes for the Monday. I know, I for one like to look in Instagram after spending a long day at work on Monday.
So to ensure you get the most likes, shares and followers on your posts, try and keep within the above time frames.
What makes a good hashtag?
After operating several Instagram accounts in which I have accumulated 100,00’s of followers. One thing that I have found to be very effective for getting lots of engagement is targeted tags.
What exactly do I mean by this?
Well lets say that I am posting an image about my recent baking in which I made some chocolate chip cookies.
While I would obviously want use tags like #baking #cookies, I would also want to use more targeted tags that would be more relevant to my post.
Even though tags like #homemadecookies get searched for less, I find you get a lot more engagement, comments and likes as my image is exactly what people are after.
Another benefit of following this targeted approach is that you are more likely to end up on the featured area what people are searching for that particular tag.
Out of ideas? Use a hashtag generator
If I haven’t covered a category with the above hashtags, you can always use a hashtag generator. But keep in mind that EVERYONE uses these, so the hashtags that they generate are in no way unique and quickly become outdated.
But if you really are strapped for hashtags and don’t know where else to look, here are some ok ones that can help you to get started.
What hashtags are you currently using?
If this guide on the best photography hashtags has helped, then I would love to known what tags you are currently using to get more engagement. Feel free to share them down below for other readers to use!