Instagram’s instant, raw nature and square format meshes perfectly with the candid styles and dramatic tones of street photography. Through the lens of a street photographer, what appears to be an everyday scene is often turned extraordinary through perspective, timing, light. The street photographers of Instagram capture portraits with raw emotions, cityscapes from around the world and visual stories from the urban lifestyle.
But with the number of Instagram accounts totaling in the 800 million range, finding the street photographers that will make you do a double take and lend you a deeper understanding of your surroundings is tough to do. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite street photographers uploading to Instagram. Some are well-known and others are rising stars.
Hit that follow button for inspiration from these top street photographers on Instagram:
Paola Franqui (@Monaris_)
Paola Franqui, known on Instagram as Monaris, is a New York-based photographer with a passion for creating street photography that tells a story with expression, color, and light. The Puerto Rican born photographer’s feed is filled with street portraits where light and timing often play a vital role in the shot. Follow her Instagram for inspiring street and travel shots that play with shadows, reflections and timing.
Eric Veloso (@ericveloso)
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Eric Veloso is the co-founder and director of Street Dreams Magazine, a New York studio and magazine focused on highlighting talented photographers — but his own work often deserves to be showcased at the very least in your Instagram feed. His street photography uses non-traditional composition to tell a visual story, often placing the subject’s face on the outer edge of the image or sometimes obscuring the face entirely. Follow him on Instagram for street inspiration that’s a bit outside the norm.
Steven John Irby (@steavesweatpants)
Steven John Irby is the other half of the the Street Dreams Magazine leadership. He goes by Steve Sweatpants on Instagram because he likes to be comfortable and likes others to feel the same around him. His Instagram feed is filled with several different types of urban photography, including portraits, cityscapes and street art.
Steven John Irby is the other half of the the Street Dreams Magazine leadership. He goes by Steve Sweatpants on Instagram because he likes to be comfortable and likes others to feel the same around him. His Instagram feed is filled with several different types of urban photography, including portraits, cityscapes and street art.
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Dave Krugman (@dave.krugman)
Dave Krugman is both a photographer and social media expert, which means photographers hoping to expand their own reach could learn a thing or two just by following the Boston-based photographer on Instagram. Krugman’s moody street shots often show the city at night, but street portraits, architectural images and other shots that play with light will show up on your feed with a follow too.
Xyza Cruz Bacani (@xyzacruzbacani)
Xyza Cruz Bacani’s feed is filled with street shots of people — but the Filipina street photographer has a story just as inspiring as her subjects. After using photography to call attention to migrant and human rights issues in Hong Kong while working a migrant and domestic worker herself, Bacani now has worldwide galleries and honors and continues to call attention to issues sharing images, often in black and white, to Instagram.
Mikk Olli (@drawntostreets)
Unlike many street photographers Mikk Olli didn’t start shooting because he was drawn to the people — instead, he started shooting in the genre after realizing that his introvert tendencies made him avoid images with people. Olli set out to challenge himself and became even more fascinated with the genre after moving from Estonia to Boston to work in Design. Follow the Instagram rising star for black and white images of people in motion and play with light.
Girma Berta (@gboxcreative)
While street photography is often filled with darker “street tones,” the work of Girma Berta stands out at first glance with bright pops of color. Berta is a self-taught photographer who also runs GBox Creative and frequently shoots the streets of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Berta’s colorful style also plays with light and very few photos don’t have a human subject. Follow Gbox Creative for a pop of colorful street inspiration in your Instagram feed.
David Alan Harvey (@davidalanharvey)
With more than 50 years in the industry, David Alan Harvey’s work could fall into many different categories, including fine art and editorial. Much of his Instagram shots, however, feature people in a documentary or street photography style. His work is often full of contrast and bright colors and he often plays with light and shadows. Harvey also works as a mentor, workshop leader and the editor of Burn Magazine.
J.N. Silva (@jnsilva)
J.N. Silva says he first started taking pictures to simply augment his memory of this past, and the English and philosophy grad’s Instagram’s reflects that with a collection of people, places and events. Silva mixes colorful street photos of people, streetscapes with the sun perfectly aligned between buildings and aerial shots of New York City. His work often places with reflections, composition, and color. Join his 300k+ followers for street portraits, streetscapes and performances.
Sara Hylton (@sarahyltonphoto)
Street photography often allows for a vicarious travel experience — and Sara Hylton’s work allows you to travel beyond your own streets. The photographer focuses on women, conflict and underrepresented voices, creating colorful documentary style shots of people and places. Hylton shoots both film and digital and has worked for several big publications including the New York Times, Vogue, Reuters, and Slate. Follow @sarahyltonphoto on Instagram for global street photography with a story.
Don’t see your favorites here? Instagram is home to many excellent street artists — share your favorite in the comments.
Steven John Irby is the other half of the the Street Dreams Magazine leadership. He goes by Steve Sweatpants on Instagram because he likes to be comfortable and likes others to feel the same around him. His Instagram feed is filled with several different types of urban photography, including portraits, cityscapes and street art.
Amazing deals. Incredible classes. Shop now.
