These bloggers earn thousands of pounds on Instagram, here’s how they do it… and whether you could too
It's not just celebrities who can do sponsored posts for cash
MOST of us are delighted with a couple of hundred followers on Instagram.
But some people are making so much money from social media that they've made it into their career.
These bloggers are all making a living from the image sharing site, thanks to brand partnership app Takumi - which launched in November 2o15.
With companies paying as much as £2,000 per picture, this lot are all proof that it's not just celebrities and reality TV stars who can make money with sponsored posts.
Ivona Moore
Ivona is a fashion and beauty blogger from Northern Ireland who is already seeing success online, despite only setting up last year.
The 24-year-old can make more than £100 per picture and, unlike many other bloggers, she doesn't even own a camera - and takes the snaps on her mobile phone.
The married mum-of-one, who is originally from Lithuania, managed to quit her high school job after finding fame online. She now has nearly 60,000 followers.
Ivona posts pics of her modelling clothes from AX Paris, Pretty Little Thing and Superdry - as well as make-up shots from the likes of Elizabeth Arden, Garnier and hair brand Bed Head.
She says the key to Insta-fame is using a steady stream of hashtags, to make yourself more searchable.
"I've always liked taking pictures, I wouldn't say I'm skilled but have a good idea of what looks good and creative," Ivona told .
"Imagine just taking photos for a living? So many bloggers are able to do that nowadays. Everything is possible if you invest your time."
Ivona describes her photos as 'minimalist and clean'.
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Neel Patel
When Neel was a university student, his page consisted of pics of his food and nights out with friends.
Now the 22-year-old Londoner has more than 35,000 followers, thanks to eye-catching pictures of him on his travels.
Neel makes up to £300 per snap, meaning he can use as his full-time job.
He has teamed up with clothing brands, travel companies, and hotel chains. Neel was even flown to Eindhoven, in Holland, on an all-expenses-paid.
He reckons he needs three to four campaigns a month to make the same amount as someone in a normal 9 to 5 job, but warns that an Instagram career is not as easy as it looks.
"Although it's not to be taken lightly, as a lot of hard work and effort goes into every campaign, it's not easy money as much as the images may portray," Neel says.
"I think in many ways Instagram is fantasy but what I try to do is show people the kind of life they could live, rather than being stuck at home all day or only going away once in a while."
Neel describes Instagram as a 'very unpredictable industry' and hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams.
Christopher Rusev
'Visual junkie' Christopher only recently graduated from University of Salford, but Instagram is already his full-time job.
The 24-year-old, who lives in Canterbury, Kent, only joined Takumi in August - and now posts daily pics for his 56,000 followers.
Christopher has done sponsored posts with Microsoft, Domino's Pizza and Haagan Daaz on , earning up to £80 per pic.
He insists Insta-fame is time-consuming work. Christopher said: "People start following you when they see that human factor in your profile.
"That is why I try to keep answering every single comment on my posts personally.
"I answer all of the messages I get too because seeing people rate my work keeps me going, and everyone that spends those seconds of their day liking my picture and commenting deserves my time too."