On Instagram

I’m completely obsessed with Instagram.

(For those of you who don’t know, Instagram is a phone app that allows for pretty picture sharing between friends and pretty picture stalking between strangers).

I’m obsessed with scrolling through Instagram photos because of the beauty and circumstance.  Instagram will tell me that my friend Tracy is making gingerbread houses out of graham crackers.  Instagram tells me that this British dude I met in a Hollywood bar two years ago wears friendship bracelets and plays a white guitar.  Instagram tells me that your sunset view is pretty and your new baby is pretty cute.  I can see your shoes.  You share your morning coffee.  And I can appreciate your love of plants, and farm life, and warm soup.  It’s all so weird and random and tailored and intimate.

Here’s who I love to see pop up in my Instagram feed:

Bonnie Tsang is a Los Angeles based photographer.  She has a most charming daughter… and Bonnie eats oh so often.  Her photos feel like very pretty real life.

Ben Rhau is a man in San Francisco with a great eye.  I appreciate his perspective.

Ashley Rodriguez is the voice behind Not Without Salt.  She makes really beautiful food and says really beautiful words.

Kate Miss is a graphic designer/jewelry designer/taker of pretty pictures. I like the way she appreciates things I might otherwise skim over.  Kate Miss blogs at For Me For You.

CestTresBon is crazy clean Japanese food photography.  Get into it!

Benjamin Hole.  I don’t know you, Benjamin Hole… but I really love the things you see.  Farm life from The Isle of Purdeck, England.  Whaaaat!?

Top Notch Faceting.  What would it be like if a gem cutter had an Instagram account.  Oh… THIS!

Folk Fibers.  Naturally dyed, handmade quilts from Texas.  It’s all so totally random and beautiful.  I LOVE IT!

Makino0a.  Plants and the occasional hand.  You can pretend like you’re not wholly obsessed with these weird plants.  I happen to be completely enamored.

Paul Octavious is a photographer living in Chicago.  He takes pictures of things my brain doesn’t even think of.

Tucker Taylor is the culinary gardener at The French Laundry in Yountville, California.  He grows beautiful (I mean… BEAUTIFUL) food, and occasionally places that food in his hand to photograph.  Yea… man-hand amazing.

SpoonForkBacon is the Instagram to one of my very favorite food blogs of the same name. The photography is bright and playful.  I have my eyes on this Black Pepper Parmesan Beer Bread.

Lani Trock has the most soft and delicate way of portraying the world around her. Lani’s photos make my heart feel right.

 Shutterbean.  Shoes, food, and a four year old from the life of Tracy Benjamin.

I love the peek inside the lives of others.  It’s like momentarily being transported to a different perspective and circumstance.  Here’s a look inside the circumstance of Joy the Baker.  Gummy bears, cookies, cupcakes, and a random picture of my father when he was four… typical.

xo joy