The Unexpected Social Media Setback That Changed Everything

Oh hey, friends! Long time no chat!

Instagram Hacked and How to Recover – Our Story and Tips

So, how many of you are TikTok users? We have to admit—this team of mamas at Nicole Bielenin Photography is not! We’ve always focused on connecting with our community through Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Honestly, the thought of learning another platform felt overwhelming in the midst of our already busy photography seasons! BUT we can empathize with all of you who lost access last week for a hot 14 hours… because, well, we’ve lost COMPLETE access to our Instagram account for, like, EVER.

Instagram Hacked: What Happened and How We’re Recovering

LITERALLY. Insert five sad faces here from all the Nicole Bielenin Photo team members.

I’ll never forget the moment I went to post a sneak peek for a sweet winter newborn session, only to find… our Instagram was gone. Poof. Years of memories, connections, and engagement with all our sweet client fam—disappeared in an instant.

Let’s make this super long story short—we were duped into a hacker’s ploy through a fellow photographer’s account by replying to a message that was sent to us asking us to join an online sales channel…yes, we should have KNOWN better, but it seemed legit from this friend, so we responded, and BAM we were hacked.

Instagram Hacked and How to Recover: What to Do

Fast forward to now—we have been battling with our very special Instagram hacker since NOVEMBER, and honestly, it’s been exhausting. We’ve lost our account twice, paid Meta to verify us, and STILL, last week, we managed to lose it again. This has made it incredibly difficult to connect with our community, share our latest sessions (they are SO good), and keep our clients updated on exciting news of what is happening in 2025. Losing a primary social media platform where we’ve spent countless hours and built lasting relationships over the years has been frustrating, but we refuse to let this setback define us. So, at this point, we’re at a loss. Rather than wasting any more time (don’t worry, we’re still working with Meta to resolve it—though talking to a support rep is like pulling teeth), we’re pivoting.

If you’ve ever been hacked, here are some steps you should take immediately:

Beware of Phishing Attempts – Read the FTC’s guide on recognizing scams.

Report the Hack to Instagram – Use Instagram’s Help Center to start the recovery process.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Learn how to set it up here.

We’re family photographers—pivoting is our LIFE. We’ve been training for this! We chase your children around and get them to smile and laugh for our cameras. If we can handle that, we can handle a social media hacker.

How We’re Moving Forward After Losing Instagram

Where can you find us? Our email list is the best place to keep up with all the happenings! Our website right here at www.nicolebieleninphotography.com is now our primary hub for sharing our latest family photography sessions, newborn photography tips, maternity photography inspiration, and honestly, so much more. This makes our email list the best way to keep up with us! And when you subscribe to our email list, you’ll receive our free guide: ‘How to Prepare for a Stress-Free Family Photography Session!’

Stay Connected with Us – Explore More!

We know how important it is to feel confident and prepared for your photography experience, and we want to make it easy for you! Whether you’re planning your next session or simply looking for inspiration, here are some helpful links to guide you:

Meet Our Team – Get to know the passionate team members behind Nicole Bielenin Photography!

Family Photography Portfolio – Browse through our heartfelt family sessions and see how we document authentic connections.

Newborn Portfolio – Welcoming a little one? Discover how we create timeless, cozy newborn portraits.

Learn about the NBP Experience – Hear from families who have trusted us to preserve their most cherished moments.

We’re Still Here—And We’re Not Going Anywhere!

We are also still active on good old-fashioned Facebook and YouTube, and maaaybe someday TikTok… but honestly, we’re a little scared to invest time there only to have it taken away too. Too soon. Too. Soon.

For now, we’re sticking with what we know—our website, our wonderful clients, and YOU. This shift allows us to focus on a more personalized and consistent experience, ensuring that we can continue to provide valuable content and updates without the risk of losing access again. Plus, we love the idea of building a stronger, more direct connection with you all! If you love us as much as we love you, send your friends our way! We have tons of useful photography information, including family portrait session tips, styling advice for your next shoot, tips for natural light photography, and timeless heirloom portrait inspiration.

Have You Ever Been Hacked? Share Your Story!

Have you ever lost access to a social media account? Been hacked? How did you pivot? Share your experience in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for being here, for supporting us, and for being part of our NBP family. We’re grateful for you always! 💛