This past December, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom announced that the social network had grown to more than 300 million active users who are sharing an average of 70 million photos a day. Just shy of five years since its launch, Instagram has indisputably grown into one of the most creative social networks. Long gone are the days of being able to mock the platform, labeling it as trivial or even narcissistic. Sure, there are still plenty of pictures (unimpressive) meals and don’t get us started on the #selfies. But in all the beautiful noise of photos and videos on Instagram is a community of photographers inspiring us by their work and encouraging us to view the world through a similar lens, both literally and figuratively.
In January Paste shared a list of 30 Instagram Photographers to Follow;. As an update, we’re sharing 15 more photographers worth a place in your Instagram feed. We encourage you to share your favorites in the comments below.
??1. Aaron Huey (@argonautphoto)
Instagram: @argonautphoto
It’s hard to put Aaron Huey’s (@argonautphoto) photographs into a single category. He asserts in his Instagram bio, “this is not my portfolio, this is my life.” Scan through just about any of this National Geographic photographer’s nearly 500 photos and you’ll quickly see it’s a beautiful life he leads.
??2. Adam Senatori (@adamsenatori)
Instagram: @adamsenatori
Photographer and pilot Adam Senatori (<a?>@adamsenatori) has amassed 830,000 followers by sharing photos both on and above ground. His aerial photographs capture the kind of scenes you keep your eyes and the window shade open for when flying. He shares photos of his flyovers and layovers from places like Glacier National Park, Iceland, Los Angeles, New York City and plenty of destinations in between.
??3. Alison Roman (@alison?e?roman)
Instagram: @alisoneroman
For the ultimate in food photography, Alison Roman (@alisoneroman) is a must follow. She’s senior food editor at Bon Appétit and has the Instagram to prove it.
??4. Andrew Evans (@wheresandrew)
Instagram: @wheresandrew
You’re better off asking where he isn’t. Andrew Evans (@wheresandrew) snaps photos (iPhone only) as he traverses the globe as National Geographic’s Digital Nomad. His photos will take you from his hometown of Washington D.C. to just about every other fascinating and far reaching corner of the globe.
??5. Dirk Bakker (@macenzo)??
Instagram: @macenzo
Dirk Bakker’s (@macenzo??) Instagram is bursting with colors and patterns. This ?Amsterdam-based photographer has gained 278,000 followers with his architecturally-centric photographs.
??6. Foster Huntington (@fosterhunting)
Instagram: @fosterhunting
In 2011 Foster Huntington (@fosterhunting) quit his day job and did what so many of us could only dream of doing. He packed up a camper van and began traveling around the U.S. Today he has more than 100,000 miles behind him and well over 2,000 Instagram photos documenting his daily experiences. He’s also compiled his photographs into the photo book Home is Where You Park It.
??7. Halno (@halno)
Instagram: @halno
The thing about Halno (@halno) is that his photos are fun. In a way, they encourage you to view the world through the imaginative eyes of a kid, or in this case, a creative photographer who just wants to travel the world with his broom.
??8. Jaime Rojo for Brooklyn Street Art (@bkstreetart)
Instagram: @bkstreetart
Brooklyn Street Art is a website that “tracks the new creative spirit that runs in the streets, the artist studios, and galleries of New York and around the world.” Their Instagram account (@bkstreetart), run by BSA co-founder and photography editor Jaime Rojo is full of (mostly) iPhone photos of street art from Brooklyn to Berlin.
??9. Jason Jean (@citizencouture)
Instagram: @citizencouture
New York City-based Jason Jean (@citizencouture) has an eye for street fashion, something he proves with each photo on his Instagram. It’s impressive, especially considering the freelance photographer and design consultant is battling glaucoma.
??10. Jonathan Mannion (@jonathanmannion)
Instagram: @jonathanmannion
Notorious B.I.G., RUN DMC, Jay-Z and D’Angelo are just a few of the hip-hop artists Jonathan Mannion (@jonathanmannion) has worked with in his years as a photographer. He shares a mix of his current day-to-day happenings along with images spanning his career.
??11. Nick Knight (@showstudio_nick_knight)
Instagram: @showstudio_nick_knight
Prolific British fashion photographer, documentary photographer and web publisher Nick Knight (@showstudio_nick_knight) shares his inspiring view of the world with his 155,000 Instagram followers. Past clients of Knights include Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and even Lady Gaga and Bjork.
??12. Pete Souza (@petesouza)
Instagram: @petesouza
Pete Souza (@petesouza) has the very awesome job title of Chief Official White House Photographer. He shares both candid and lighthearted behind-the-scenes photos of President Obama and the daily activities in and around the White House.
??13. Theron Humphrey (@thiswildidea)
Instagram: @thiswildidea
Theron Humphrey (@thiswildidea) shares endearing photos of his life and travels with his dog Maddie the Coonhound. He describes his photography as existing “somewhere between that country living and city ideals.”
??14. Trey Ratcliff (@treyratcliff)
Instagram: @treyratcliff
Trey Ratcliff (@treyratcliff) is a self-proclaimed “warm hearted, old-school gentleman explorer with really cool toys.” We presume some of those really cool tools relate to photography, as his Instagram is full of high-definition images bursting with color and clarity from around the world. If you don’t already have an itch to travel, his posts will likely change that.
??15. Zak Shelhamer (@zakshelhamer)
Instagram: @zakshelhamer
San Francisco-based adventure filmmaker and photographer Zak Shelhamer (@zakshelhamer) has earned every single one of his 164,000 followers through daredevil selfies shot while surfing, snowboarding and riding motorcycles. When he’s not snapping impressive selfies, he’s chronicling his extreme antics as he travels the world.
