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Due to some recent self-discovery (thanks in part to my business coach, Kristen, as well as attending the Resonate Retreat with Beryl), I’ve been trying to refine my sources of daily inspiration, including who I follow on The Instagrams. Which to be quite frank, is hard to do as a business owner who relies a lot on social media to connect to other creatives. It’s not that I don’t support the people I currently follow (#CommunityOverCompetition, what up), but invariably seeing other photographers thriving in their business was starting to become detrimental to my own well-being. I found myself trapped in a shame-spiral, occasionally thinking all kinds of crappy thoughts that you do when you’re envious over this photographer’s packed schedule, or that photographer’s dream assignments. What starts as a quick scroll through my feed ends up making me want to sob into my bowl of gluten-free Choco Chimps.
To remedy that situation, I’ve been keeping my IG filled with total strangers who aren’t necessarily in the wedding industry or consistently scoring published work – there’s only so many photos of wedding bouquets that I can take in on any given Monday morning (of which I am also guilty – sorry!).
Before this starts to dive further into self-pity land (which by the way, is not my intention!), I’d like to introduce some of my latest IG favorites. People whose posts make me stop scrolling in order to double-tap or better yet, the ultimate: leave a comment (filled with emojis, obv). People whose posts show both the beauty and the mundane of their day-to-day. People who aren’t afraid to let their hair down and show off their weirdness between photos of their latest book and cup of coffee. People who explore the world and allow me to live through their posts from my tiny space here in Virginia until it’s my turn to return the favor. People whose posts make me laugh and take a screenshot to send to my husband later. People who consistently seek to inspire and connect with like-minded individuals. The following accounts inspire me to be a better photographer; to think outside the box when it comes to my own creativity.
@CedricDasesson // I’ve never seen more beautiful captures of the sea from above, below, and at eye level than on his feed. Images alternate from the light and relaxing, to the hauntingly deep.
@ElCaminoTravel // Always giving me major travel envy, but in a good way. Started by a couple of women who waned to encourage young people to be travelers, not tourists, El Camino is a boutique travel company going to locations like Nicaragua, Colombia, and beyond. One of these days I will join them.
@AliMakesThings // A talented hand-letterer, she always seems to post the right quotes at the right time.
@TheJenChase // The way she sees the world, her use of light and color, and the way she’s down to Earth are all reasons to follow. Plus she’s just so damn nice and fun to talk to in person!
@PassionPassport // Got wanderlust? Yeah, expect it to get so much worse (in an amazing way).
@FrenchWords // Educational and interesting for any francophile.
@AubreyyRenee // I don’t practice yoga, but I still find her posts to be both inspiring and calming.
@SocalityBarbie // Admittedly guilty over posts like this from time to time, but Socality Barbie is fucking hilarious. Hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself…
@BaddieWinkle // Her tagline is “Stealing your man since 1928.” Seriously, I can’t even.
@ChrisBurkard // A nature lover’s dream: Jaw-dropping images of natural scenes from all over the world.
@BytheBrush // Laura E. Pritchett’s feed is full of magical loveliness. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is about her images that are so simple, yet beautiful.
@MissCoolPics // Often think “I’d rather be in Paris”? Me too. Follow Joanna Lemanska’s account and you’ll feel like you are there.
@sejkko // Nearly every image on this travel feed includes a blue sky and happy light.
@StellaMariaBaer // This photographer and painter from the Southwest USA is clearly inspired by the desert in which she lives. The colors of the southwest are featured prominently in her dreamy work.
@brahmino // This is the account to follow if you’re obsessed with golden hour light.
This is definitely not an exhaustive list, and I’m sure I’ll be coming across more talented IGers to follow in the future. Who are you loving on Instagram right now? Tell me in the comments below.
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I make whimsical art for color-lovers and California dreamers. I'm based in Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C. where there are most decidedly no palm trees in sight.