So You Want to Be #instafamous: What These Five Instagram Famous Photographers Can Teach You

The rise in social media has allowed artists, photographers, and influencers to gain more awareness than otherwise possible. Some #instafamous photographers work for organizations such as National Geographic, others have simply gained a following by standing out in the crowd. The next five photographers vary in style and use of their platform, but all can teach promising photographers valuable lessons.

1. Chris Burkard

With 3.5 million followers, @chrisburkard is a lifestyle, landscape, and travel photographer. Burkard takes his photography to new heights, literally. Many of his featured photos have been captured from the sides of mountains or while aboard a helicopter. His interesting take on angles forces his community to think in creative ways. In the eyes of Burkard there are a million ways to acquire a shot and none are boring. The majority of his photographs have been taken within the United States, showing his followers that you can find beauty within our own borders.

2. Murad Osmann

Not only is @muradosmann a fantastic photographer and editor, he is also the creator of the #followmeto project. This project follows him and his wife on their travels where he photographs her leading him to their destination. With elaborate editing, the scenes are almost surreal. The project has led to a widespread Instagram trend where other travelers photograph their significant others and friends.

This trend has not only led to the growth of Osmann's own platform, but has also created a community which takes pride in this artistic style of photography where the photographer is able to tell a story. Osmann and his wife are able to capture their adventures while also telling a story through the landscape, clothing, and post editing.

3. Adrienne Raquel

@adrienneraquel is influenced by femininity, beauty, nature, and color. She uses her platform to exude girl power as well as inclusiveness. Raquel's models tell the African American narrative through fashion, makeup, and the unique application of color. Her photography is reminiscent of a fashion magazine, mixing vintage and 90s fashion trends. Raquel's platform paves the way for not only the beauty of the black race, but also the beauty of the feminine form that is not often found within other online photography portfolios.

4. Paul Nicklen

National Geographic is the epitome of nature and landscape photography, making their photographers distinguished in their own right. As an animal activist, @paulnicklen uses his platform to bring attention to global warming and its effects on animals in the artic and the ocean. Nicklen shows the importance of patience when it comes to shooting the perfect image. National Geographic photographers are notorious for waiting hours to weeks for the perfect shot. Although for most photographers this isn't the case, Nicklen is still able to express the beauty of nature through his platform and the fact that we should be protecting it at all costs.

5. Brandon Woelfel

One of the most #trend worthy Instagram photographers is @brandonwoelfel. His clear cut style includes neon lights, bokeh, smoke, and color. Woelfel's photography style is for the most part extremely simple, yet his post production is what brings his images to life. With hundreds of tutorials on #youtube anyone is able to edit in the "Woelfel style". His artistic form of photography has brought back many of the photography trends which had left the Instagram photography community. Woelfel shows that by manipulating color and light you can create a brand new and interesting image.