When creating Instagram Reels, should I use vertical images even if my final artwork isn't in that format?

Yes, for Reels it’s best to use vertical images and video clips because the vertical format fits the platform’s display and follows best practices. You don’t have to show the exact final product that will be on your website — Reels are teasers. You can photograph your work with your phone in vertical orientation, show behind-the-scenes process shots, or capture detail views vertically. If you use horizontal images, they’ll have black bars on the sides and won’t look as polished. The goal is to create engaging, platform-optimized content that draws people to your website, not to display gallery-quality final images in the Reel itself.

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Asked by an artist asking about image formatting for reels · Answered by Indra · Office Hours · 2026-06-16