Instagram Auto DM for Photographers: Keywords, DM Scripts and What to Sell

A photographer's comments are a stream of "rates?", "do you travel?", "presets?". Each one is a potential booking, and each one goes cold if the reply comes two days later. An Instagram auto DM for photographer accounts sends the rate card PDF within a second of the comment, with a booking link for the shoot. Set the keyword once in Viralyze and your portfolio reels start taking enquiries properly.

This guide covers what a photographer sells by DM, keyword ideas, a rate card DM script, and a shoot booking menu with add-ons.

What does a photographer sell through Instagram DMs?

A rate card as a PDF (free, but it collects an email as a lead magnet), preset packs as digital downloads, and shoot bookings: portraits, couples, maternity, product or events, each with add-ons.

With Viralyze, the rate card is a lead magnet, each preset pack has its own checkout at 0% platform fee, and shoots are booked through the booking page with payment collected upfront. Payouts reach your bank weekly.

Which keywords fit photography reels?

• RATES on portfolio or behind-the-scenes reels, sending the rate card PDF
• PRESETS on before-and-after edit reels, sending the preset pack checkout
• BOOK on reels showing a specific shoot type, sending the booking page for that type

Keywords are not case-sensitive and typos are handled, so "rate", "RATES" and "rates pls" all match. Hinglish like "rate batao" can be added to the same automation.

A DM script for the RATES keyword

"Hey! Here is my 2026 rate card as a PDF: portrait, couple, maternity and product shoots, with what is included and the add-on prices. Drop your email to open it. Weekend slots go first, so if you have a date in mind, you can book it here with an advance; the remaining amount is due on the day. Reply with the shoot type and your city and I will confirm travel."

Because long messages become a PDF automatically with open tracking, you can see who opened the rate card and follow up with them first in the Viralyze Inbox, where the original comment sits alongside the conversation.

How should a photographer set up the booking menu?

Like a studio menu, with add-ons:

1. 1-hour portrait session, in person, ₹4,000 2. 2-hour couple session, in person, ₹7,000 3. Maternity session, in person, ₹6,000 4. Add-on: extra edited photos (10), ₹1,500 5. Add-on: same-day preview of 5 images, ₹800 6. Add-on: outdoor location travel within the city, ₹1,000

Clients pick a session and add-ons, and the duration and price combine automatically. Payment upfront by UPI or card acts as the advance. You decide whether clients can cancel and until when; refunds go back automatically within that window.

Does Google Calendar handle shoot dates and travel days?

Yes. Connect once, choose which calendars block slots, and the sync is two-way. Mark travel days as days off, block "after 2 PM" on editing days, and set buffers between sessions for packing gear. Clients are invited to the event, and WhatsApp reminders go out before the shoot.

Which reels bring bookings rather than likes?

The home screen shows DMs sent, link clicks, follower growth and revenue over 7, 30 or 90 days, plus top reels by DMs. A behind-the-scenes reel of a maternity shoot will often send more BOOK DMs than a highly edited final-image reel. The per-automation funnel shows comments, matched, delivered, clicked and signed up for RATES versus BOOK.

Frequently asked questions

**Can I run RATES on every reel I post?** Yes. Set the trigger to any post, and every future reel is covered.

**Can a client reschedule a shoot if it rains?** If you allow it, the confirmation page lets them reschedule or cancel until the cutoff you set.

**Will my presets sell from my bio too?** Yes. Any product can be placed on the link-in-bio page, which tracks taps per link.

Start your 7-day free trial of Viralyze, no card needed, and let your next portfolio reel send the rate card.