« You’re so lucky… » is the answer I usually get when I tell people how many countries I’ve visited in the last few years. I am extremely grateful for all the places I’ve got to explore in my lifetime but I am also strongly convinced of something: you do not need to go far to have your breath taken away or to live the ultimate expedition. In the world we live in, traveling is becoming more and more accessible every day and don’t get me wrong, I find it great and enjoy it. But exploring tons of different places also made me realize that beauty depends mostly on the look you have on things and that distance definitely doesn’t define the greatness of an adventure.
And if you’re still not totally convinced, let me introduce you to six instagrammers who easily prove it more than any others. I get excited every time one of their images shows up on my feed and I fall in love with each and every one of their pictures. Through shots taken in their home-countries, they offer to the world another concept of traveling. And a simple statement that we all should remember: beauty is everywhere and kilometers do not matter.
Callum Snape: The Canadian Explorer
Ok, I have to admit, this photographer lives in a pretty exciting country. Canada is full of National Parks, amazing mountains and beautiful lakes. And exploring them all seems to be the main mission of Callum Snape. From icy expeditions to aurora borealis, this Canadian based photographer provides us with some of the best natural wonders that our world has to offer. And even though it’s probably freezing over there, it definitely makes me feel like I want to spend the rest of my life outdoors.
Ayoub Arouk: The Moroccan Sunset Lover
Ayoub Arouk is one of the first photographers I followed on Instagram and I am so glad I found him. He made me discover a country I didn’t expect, one of nostalgia, cats, surfboards and breath-taking sunsets. Far from the cliché pictures of Morocco full of souks, belly dancing, camels and cups of mint tea, Ayoub shows his country as he sees it on a daily basis, in the beautiful beach city of Agadir.
Réhahn: The VietNam Portraits Maker
The case of Réhahn is special, as he was not originally born in the country he chose to live in. Everything started in 2007, during a mission trip to Vietnam: when he got there, Réhahn fell in love with the people. He began to invest more time into exploring the Vietnamese culture through his camera lens during what soon became yearly trips to Vietnam. Five years later, he finally decided to settle there. Since then, the photographer travels the country on his motorbike and photographs the beautiful landscapes and the people he comes across.
Arash Naghizadeh: The Iranian Story Teller
If you’ve been following my adventures on Travelettes for a while, you already know how much I love Iran. My stay in this country, last year, is just an unforgettable memory. And what made it so special, was, above all, the kindness and the hospitality of its people. So when I found Arash Naghzadeh’s account, I instantly fell in love. Not only does this man photograph the beauty of Iran, his work also features tons of beautiful portraits of the people he meets and the diversity of his nation. He also has been spending a lot of time in Turkey lately, and came back with beautiful shots of this country.
Wissam Nassar: The Palestinian News Reporter
Wissam lives in a place that not many people travel to. By covering daily life and struggles in Gaza, this photographer sends a very powerful statement through his pictures. We often say that an image is worth a thousand words. So Wissam keeps posting to show the real face of this small part of Palestine to the world. I personally find his work extremely important and valuable and I am not surprised his shots have been published in the New York Times and other major international publications.
Michael Matti: The American Adventurer
Just like Callum Snape, Michael Matti loves exploring mountains and immortalizing incredible landscapes but not only in the neighboring Canada, also in his home-country: the United States of America. This young Seattle-based photographer is the ultimate outdoor enthusiast and enjoys sharing his passion for life and nature on Instagram through inspiring high-quality shots.
These men are the reason why I am on Instagram. I discover their countries through their own eyes and it keeps me away from the common tourist stereotypes I could have in mind. So who’s your favorite one? Do you know any other Instagrammers who likes to share their passion for their countries with others? And you, when was the last time you went on an expedition somewhere in your homeland?
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