Let's face it, since the rise of blogging culture, everyone wants to be a photographer. Unfortunately not everyone possesses the talent to be a good photographer, let alone the equipment. But with a smartphone and an app that let's you edit photographs, everyone can be a photographer.

Instagram
an online photo-sharing, video-sharing social networking service that enables its users to take pictures and videos, apply digital fitlers to them and share them on a variety of social networking services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr. 

or
Pretentious, overused app that purchasing may cause feelings of hipster-ism, false sense of being artistic when taking mobile photos. When used with your mobile device, add grain, "vintage" filters, and corny Polaroid borders, with the utmost laziness.
The definition of Instagram will not change the fact that it is the most desired app in the world. I use the word desired because not everyone can get the app. In order to have it you need to have an android or iOS enabled device and recently a Nokia Lumina, photography and art history knowledge not required.
If you do not have the required device, you can still view your favourite Instagram accounts on the internet by using Webstagram or instagram.com e.g. instagram.com/zovuyomputablog

Once you are equipped to use Instagram, you can show the world who you had lunch with, where you had lunch and what you wore to lunch.

My Personal Instagram Account

People use Instagram for a variety of reasons. I use it for both my blog, work and to showcase personal adventures.
Just like Twitter you have followers and people you follow (following). Unfortunately most people think Instagram, like Twitter is about having more followers than people you follow but that takes away the reason why we should Instagram. Do we not Instagram to see what beauty lies in the world? I do.

Like Twitter Instagram uses hashtags which works well with searches, especially during events. Some people will even #tagforlikes which is a stupid way of getting random people to like your photographs, which eventually leads to spam.

Not only does one have to deal with irrelevant hashtags, you also have to shield your eyes from horrid photographs. You do not need to be a photographer to know how to use the Instagram filters properly, however some knowledge of what looks nice would be great. I urge everyone to stay away from the Toaster filter. It never looks nice.

Users who are serious about their photography no longer use their phones to take photographs. Many more users are using their cameras to take photographs and later transfer them onto Instagram. That is what I do because I do not like the quality of photographs my Samsung S3 takes. It is one of the best camera phones in the world but I am used to a certain quality of photograph because of my Nikon D80.

With so much nonsense on Instagram lately, an outsider would think there is no need to get an account. Well there is good on Instagram, there might not be a lot of it but it does exist.

Nina Garcia's Instagram Account

Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg, humans have a new need, the need to share all the details of their life with the world.
Those who know how to use Instagram well, show the world what they see. With Instagram their might not even be a need to travel anymore, as you can see all the places you ever wanted to see, all you need to do is search for it or follow the right people.

Read The Blogging 101 Series
Customers do not only want to see what you sell on the shelf. They want to feel involved in the whole process which means you need to show them where your product is made, how it is made and who makes it.

If you own a bakery, customers want to see how your staff makes your famous cupcakes. If you are a dentist it would be cool to show your famous patients. However, if you are in retail, Instagram is the best thing that ever happened to you. Instagram affords you the ability to advertise and market your product without having to pay for advertisement space.

Read The Social Media Blog Post
Bloggers such as myself can use Instagram to show their readers which events they have attended recently or update readers on the latest blog posts. Just like Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is a blogger's dream tool.

Read The Digital vs Print War: Did It Kill Magazines Blog Post
Instagram is social media's new playground and a necessity for every industry. If you have not yet opened an Instagram account, it will be in your best interest to do so soon. The world is evolving everyday and we need new ways to show people we exist. Instagram is also the reason why many women do not pay attention to magazines anymore and the reason why people want to travel.

Do not get left behind in the social media world. Whether for business of pleasure, be sure to include in your social network portfolio.

View My Instagram Account