I’ve been scrolling through Instagram for years to get inspiration from Professional Photographers around the world — this includes everything from style, composition, lighting, and beautiful travel destinations!
I’ve recently started getting the attention of my idols like Chris Burkard, Trey Ratcliff, and others on Instagram by sharing their latest photos in my story and tagging them in the post. It only takes a few seconds, gives them more exposure to my followers (not like they need it), and usually inspires a friendly reply with the occasional repost.
It’s fairly common for artists to compare their creative work to others and feel like they’re not reaching their full potential — a form of imposter syndrome. I feel this way on a consistent basis, which is both a blessing and a curse. You should always be learning, practicing, and growing your skills in your chosen craft!
For these reasons and more, I decided to write this blog post on the Top 17 Austin Photographers to Follow on Instagram. Austin has been my home base since 2012; it’s one of the fastest growing cities in the United States with a beautiful cityscape skyline, hometown of University of Texas, live music and tech startup capital with lots of creative entrepreneurs, and fun activities for all ages any day of the week. I truly believe it’s a microcosm for the rest of the world!
Of course, this is not to suggest it doesn’t have its fair share of problems just like any growing metropolitan area. On that topic, you can read my blog articles What To Do About The Homelessness Problem in Austin and How To Get Around Austin Without a Car.
The majority of the Professional Austin Photographers included in this list are becoming masters at capturing beautiful landscapes, get featured regularly on decent-sized business accounts, and have a few thousand highly engaged followers. Here’s my official list of Best Austin Instagram Accounts To Follow!
Disclaimer: This list is in no particular order. I do NOT accept payment to get featured in this list. Don’t ask. So, without further ado, let’s get to it!
Jared Tennant didn’t buy his first camera until he was 35—proof that “you can teach old dogs new tricks.” Based in Austin, today he spends about six months of the year on the road traveling for various photo, video, and drone shoots around the world. “I like to show people a view they see every day driving to work, but never had the opportunity to stop and take in all the beauty,” he says. “I think it gives people a sense of community when they share my photos, and that makes me feel proud.”
2. JType
Follow this dare-devil photographer for photos of Austin that will make your heart skip a beat.
3. Flowkyte
4. Sayaka Kunze
5. Shane Ware
Based in Austin, Ingram spends his weekends traveling to every corner of Texas. “I try to photograph the wild places that seem untouched by time, that are difficult to get to, and are quintessential Texas,” he says. And quintessential it is—blankets of wildflowers in the spring, hidden swimming holes in the summer, camping and hiking in the fall, and backpacking the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains during Texas’ mild winters out west.
9. Sh._.y
10. Jason Weingart
JASON WEINGART : PHOTOGRAPHER. STORM CHASER. AUTHOR. WEATHER NERD.
I started out shooting a lot of sports, which I enjoyed, but I kept that storm chasing thing in the back of my head the entire time. Once I got comfortable using a camera, I set out to get some storm photos. I got my first lightning photo in August of 2009, and was instantly hooked. I began studying meteorology, and chasing storms every chance I got.
11. Pluto911
Rob Doyle is based in Austin, Texas and travels frequently throughout Texas, the US, and internationally. My work was been featured by numerous travel websites and social media accounts including Texas Highways Magazine, the Texas Tourism Board, Blue Sky Traveler, and Texas State Parks.
12. Rudy Ramirez
13. Chris Sherman
Christopher is a commercial and fine arts photographer. While he is perhaps best known for his aerial photography, Chris shoots from from both the ground and the air.