Shooting Stars
It would seem that San Francisco was built for Instagram. Our colorful Victorians, scenic vistas, endless food porn, and street scenes that no one would believe without photographic proof are just asking to be captured, shown through a filter (or not), and shared on the popular smartphone app that first came on the scene in October 2010. We live in a magical place, and it damn well deserves to be documented from as many perspectives as possible.
Being a photographer and community developer in San Francisco, I find myself using Instagram daily (follow me @helenadagmar) to keep in touch with the SF community.
I rounded up seven San Francisco–based superstar Instagrammers, who each provide their own unique lens on SF, to learn what drives them to photograph the city we love.
Instagram handle: @sonyayu
Follower count: 11k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
Since early spring 2011; I was a little late to
the party.
How would you describe your
style?
Heavily food focused, peppered with
architectural and design influences.
Are you a professional
photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life?
I am, as my bio says, a professional food
pornographer. My clients are typically involved in the food and drink industry,
but in my free time, I shoot purely film and that is where my passion blossoms.
I take my film camera with me everywhere, and when I'm not standing on chairs
in restaurants for Instagram, I'm constantly conceptualizing how to show you
life through my eyes.
Favorite place to shoot in
San Francisco?
Plow: Their food is irresistibly photogenic and
delicious. Also, they put up with me standing on their chairs on a weekly
basis.
Mt. Davidson: When it's foggy, it's magical; when it's sunny, the pockets of light that leak through the tall trees are straight out of a fairy tale.
Instagram handle: @ikedeani
Follower count: 152k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
I got my first iPhone in April 2011 and
Instagram was one of the first apps I installed. In fact, I think my first
Instagram photo is taken inside the Apple Store.
How would you describe your
style?
I don't believe I have a particular style;
rather, I think I've got a certain visual aesthetic that comes from my
background in architecture and design.
Are you a professional
photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life?
Photography was always a hobby for me, but over
the past two years it's taken a larger role in my life, and Instagram has not
only contributed to that passion, it's helped refine my work by making me trust
my instincts, shoot a lot more, and share my work with others.
Favorite place to shoot in
San Francisco?
No place in particular. San Francisco is one
big beautiful muse. I do love the hills though: Twin Peaks, Corona Heights, and
especially Mt. Davidson.
Instagram handle: @jayzombie
Follower count: 218k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
Since moving to SF I've become one of those
obnoxious "early-adopters" who can (but tries not to) boast about
using an application before it was available in the Apple Store. Thanks to a
close friend, and my persistence, I was invited to the beta version of
Instagram just a few days prior to launch. My early obsession with the product
eventually led to a full-time position on Instagram's community team.
How would you describe your
style?
Artistic, yet honest, and based on personal
experiences.
Are you a professional
photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life?
When I'm not providing support for the
community of photographers and photo sharers on Instagram, I'm endlessly taking
photographs of San Francisco. I live, work, play, think, and breathe
photography.
Favorite place to shoot in
San Francisco?
Alamo Square is my backyard, so it holds a
special place in my heart. I love challenging myself to shoot the park or the
SF skyline in unique ways, but will never get tired of that classic cliché
tourist shot.
Instagram handle: @travisjensen
Follower count: 7.5k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
According to IG: 68 weeks ago. Does that make
me an IG OG?
Why'd you join Instagram?
I joined IG after purchasing an iPhone in
January/February of 2011. Before that, I was snapping with traditional digital
and film cameras. I use IG as a platform to showcase my mobile snaps and
connect with other photographers. Though I have a love/hate relationship with
the app, I do think it serves as a good gateway drug for new photographers,
meaning it exposes a lot of folks to photography that probably wouldn’t have
gotten into it otherwise.
How would you describe your
style?
I don’t crop, tilt, or apply any post-processing
wizardry to the photos, so what you see on IG is pretty much what’s coming out of
the camera. I look for good light and embrace wabi-sabi.
Are you a professional
photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life?
I occasionally land paid photo gigs, but
there’s no real money in the stuff I like to shoot. And that’s a good thing. It
keeps the kooks out, though these days it seems like the craft is somewhat of a
hot commodity. I’m waiting for a street photography reality TV show...
Favorite place to shoot in
San Francisco?
Mission District (sans Valencia Street),
followed by the Tenderloin.
Instagram handle: @heysp
Follower count: 174k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
I started in December 2010, so about a year and
a half now.
Why'd you join Instagram?
Oddly enough, I had written a tutorial as a
freelancer titled "How to Make Instagrams: Hand Made Exposures on Instant
Film," so when the Instagram app was announced, I was super curious about
it and wanted to get into it ASAP. That December, I purchased an iPod Touch
specifically so that I could join Instagram. After that, I was hooked and
purchased my first iPhone!
How would you describe your
style?
DIY/art-design craftsperson. I'm a functional
thing-maker by birth, and an image-maker by profession. I love to make original
craft projects and use my iPhone and Instagram to share them with the world. However,
like most photographers, I also just love to share beautiful moments with my
friends.
Are you a professional
photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life?
When I started with Instagram, my main camera
was a Canon 5D and I was shooting mainly product and stock photography.
Instagram has now allowed me to pick and choose which freelance jobs I take
depending on how much the project excites me. I shoot all of my Instagrams with
my iPhone 4S, and because of that was offered an exciting deal contributing my
mobile phone images to a new Getty Images stock collection. I also run an Etsy
shop where I sell my own handmade items. Photographing those items and sharing
them on Instagram has become part of my job, which if you ask me, is pretty
darn cool.
Favorite photo you've taken?
I may have to side with Imogen Cunningham on
this one: “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take
tomorrow.”
Instagram handle: @moneal
Follower count: 215k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
I've been using Instagram since October 2010.
How would you describe your
style?
Simple, colorful, graphic landscapes and
people.
Are you a professional
photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life?
Yes, I have just begun my career as a
professional photographer after being an art director/creative director for 16
years.
Favorite place to shoot in
San Francisco?
Sutro Baths and Bernal Hill.
Instagram handle: @silvermule
Follower count: 1.8k+
How long have you been using
Instagram?
October 10, 2010. 9:40 a.m.
How would you describe your
style?
Obsessive documentary.
Are you a professional photographer? If not, what part does photography play in your life? I am the creative director for Dwell Magazine. Photography plays the most important role in our publication. I go to photo shoots and work with the photo director and photo editor selecting photos for the stories and the cover.
Before Dwell, I was the art director/photo editor for San Francisco magazine for five and a half years. During my spare time I make collages, for which I use other people’s photographs to create my own images. I'm always posting works in progress on Instagram.
Favorite place to shoot in
San Francisco?
Downtown.
