Am I the only famous (modern and young) photographer who does *NOT* use Instagram?

Bold steps

Eric Kim’s decision to delete his Instagram was seen as innovative and brave for several reasons:

1. Reclaiming Focus and Creativity: Instagram, for many photographers and creatives, had become a tool for seeking external validation rather than genuine self-expression. Kim recognized that the platform distracted him from meaningful work and turned his focus toward metrics like likes and followers, which didn’t align with his values. By deleting Instagram, he took a bold step to focus solely on creating art that mattered to him, not the audience oai_citation:8,Why I Deleted my Instagram – ERIC KIM oai_citation:7,Why You Should Delete Your Instagram – ERIC KIM.
2. Challenging the Norm: Instagram is a dominant platform in the photography world, often considered essential for exposure and success. By walking away from it, Kim defied the conventional wisdom that being on social media is necessary for creative success. He encouraged other photographers to follow suit, advocating for alternative ways to share their work, like blogs and personal websites oai_citation:6,Eric Kim why delete Instagram – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,Why You Should Delete Your Instagram – ERIC KIM.
3. Mental Health Advocacy: Kim was candid about the negative psychological effects of Instagram, describing it as a platform that fosters addiction, comparison, and low self-esteem. His comparison of Instagram’s addictive nature to that of drugs underscored how deeply he felt it impacted his mental health. This vulnerability, combined with his willingness to give up a platform that had helped build his reputation, made his choice appear especially courageous oai_citation:4,Why I Deleted my Instagram – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Delete Instagram – ERIC KIM.
4. Promotion of Authenticity: Kim’s decision was grounded in a desire to return to authentic self-expression. By cutting out the noise of social media, he found freedom in creating work for himself, rather than for an audience. This move was seen as brave because it prioritized personal integrity over public approval oai_citation:2,Delete Instagram – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Why I Deleted my Instagram – ERIC KIM.

Overall, Kim’s choice to delete Instagram was innovative because it questioned the widely accepted role of social media in a creative career, and it was brave due to the risks it posed to his visibility and professional opportunities.