The key to building a large social media audience is quality and consistency.
So says Rishad Daroowala, and he should know.
The Blueridge native currently has 141,000 Instagram followers and has combined his marketing and social media skills with his passion for photography to create a niche career.
A partner and digital content director at Stay & Wander, which he describes as “a social influencer advertising agency,” Daroowala is both a professional photographer and an agent, who pairs clients with other social influencers.
Daroowala’s business degree, marketing background, and his passion for photography all helped him adapt to social media’s growing importance in marketing.
“I find that if you put your heart into it you will be rewarded over time,” he says of the work.
About four years ago, Daroowala was hired as a social media community manager at a downtown hotel and tasked with populating their Facebook page, blog and Twitter feed with stories from around the hotel.
At some point someone handed him a camera and told him to start adding photos. He had never used a digital SLR before and didn’t really have any interest in it.
But he started snapping shots around the hotel and it didn’t take long before he was hooked.
He spent a year teaching himself the technical and creative aspects of photography, mostly by watching YouTube videos.
“I was never learning to become a photographer or make money, I just enjoyed it,” he notes.
He posted his photos to Facebook, then expanded to Instagram. He points out that much of his first work on Instagram featured iPhone photos. Fancy equipment can help, but it doesn’t guarantee a great photo, he explains. A lot of thought and preparation goes into his work.
“I like to create an image where someone can feel like they’re there,” he says.
Sometimes it’s just a foot or the edge of a car, but he wants people looking at the photo to be able to visualize themselves as part of the experience.
“I try to create a sense of placement whether it’s in my photos or my captions. I want people to almost feel like they’re there.”
Daroowala’s two favourite types of photos to take are portraits and travel photos.
He especially enjoys combining the two, like when he recently took a trip to India, where his family is originally from. He describes a street corner in Bombay and how it looks different every day: the people, the colours, the smells.
“It’s like sensory overload and I find that I like shooting in that environment,” he says.
Another favourite place to visit is the Dolomite mountains in Italy, and Daroowala plans to return to the alps in October for an extended visit and photo shoot.
“Photos are such a big part of my life now,” he reports.
Even if he didn’t get paid to do the work he does, Daroowala says he would continue to take photos. He says his work is his pleasure. “Taking photos is my lifestyle.”
Check out some of his work at instagram.com/rishad.
