Friday Inspiration: Keep Your Eye on These Philly Photographers

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we have a love-hate relationship with Instagram. No matter the location, there will always be tourists making the same picture as everyone else and throwing it up on the ’gram. You’ve got the adventurer’s ever-popular shot of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park, the fashionista’s photoshoot in front of the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO, the Westerner’s casual yet perfectly centered portrait at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. (I truly could go on forever.) At an individual level, these images have the potential to be quite beautiful but there is something to be said for beautiful things losing their charm when they’re photographed the same way over and over again.

However, I’d like to remind everyone that in the background of all of those quintessential tourist shots are countless local photographers exploring less popular neighborhoods, alleys, hidden gems and the like. No one knows the complexities of a city like its residents and the unseen parts of a popular city or photo destination deserve far more recognition than they’re receiving. These images can be a little harder to find because many locals don’t geotag their spots to deter those same pesky tourists from showing up and wreaking havoc, but they’re great when you stumble across them through a choice hashtag or local connection.

This week on our Instagram we featured Kriston Jae Bethel, a local Philadelphia photographer documenting the lives of his fellow Philly residents. His work is quite honest and we found ourselves wondering what other local Philly photographers were shooting. Below are six who piqued our interest for their unique point of view and expert celebration of the City of Brotherly Love.

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Germaine Opher is one of the women featured in @kjbethel’s powerful project ‘Moms Who Pump,’ a story for @nextcityorg about incarcerated women who are allowed to pump breast milk at Philadelphia’s Riverside Correctional Facility. . It’s moving images like these that make us excited to have Kriston Jae Bethel take over our Instagram this week! Kriston is a Philly-based photojournalist and editorial photographer who has spent years photographing stories related to politics, incarceration, athletics and more. . Follow along this week to learn more about this project, how Kriston got his start, his advice for emerging photographers and to see photos from another impactful series, Portrait of a Prison. And don’t forget to follow @kjbethel to see more of his work!

A post shared by PhotoShelter (@photoshelter) on Feb 25, 2020 at 3:36pm PST

Vicki Liantonio

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By His Stripes —————————————————- #iseptaphilly #shotoniphone #peopledelphia • • • #igers_philly #everydayphilly #photostory #curiouscameraclub #thesmartview #photoobserve #theamericancollective #thisaintartschool #capturestreet #womeninstreet #streets_storytelling #myspc #myspcstory #lookslikefilm #friendsinstreets #timelessstreets #femalestreetphotographers #solitarycrowd #thestreetphotographyhub #all_bnwshots #alternative_bnw #incredible_bnw #bnwzone #blackandwhiteisworththefight #bnw_street #streetphotography_bnw

A post shared by ✨ The Vicki Liantonio ✨ (@piccolotakesall) on Jan 30, 2020 at 5:42am PST

Anthony DiFilippo

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A different perspective of a Philly & US icon If you live in this area make sure to @visitphilly ——————————————— Go follow @philly.frames DM me for prints – website in bio ——————————————— × × × × #phillyframes #jj_philadelphia #phillycollective #discoverphl #visitphilly #phlshooters #phillyphire #pcpotd #jj_photography #phillyphire #215shooters #yophillymag #ourphilly #way2ill #depthdiscovered #street_ninjas #megaphotographers #toneception #usa10k #citykillers5k #_streetstock #streetshared5k #gs10k #aov5k #supremeshutter #cc5k #igtones5k #shotz_fired #fatalframes10k #all2epic5k

A post shared by Anthony DiFilippo × PHL × NJ (@anthony.difilippo) on Feb 25, 2020 at 2:27pm PST

Jen Strogatz

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NEW on IndependentPhilly.com – Show recap and photos from @trippieredd at @fillmorephilly Saturday night featuring headliners @kodieshane @flashgottii @blocboy_jb … #linkinbio by @itsjenstrogatz Special thanks to our ✏️ @samandzachdj • • • • #trippieredd #lovememoretour #kodieshane #fillmorephilly #blocboyjb #rappers #independentphilly #concertphotos #phillyigers

A post shared by Independent Philly (@independentphilly) on Feb 24, 2020 at 5:31am PST

Chris Giuliano

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Barber’s Chair 1/3 . Mamiya C220 Kodak Tri-X 400 (pushed to 1600) #barbershop #philadelphia #mediumformat #mamiyac220 #pushed2stops

A post shared by Chris Giuliano (@chris_giuliano_photo) on Feb 27, 2020 at 12:10pm PST

Haley Richter

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Did you know that Philadelphia is home to the oldest art school in the nation and did you know you can get married there?! The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art absolutely brings old world charm and a touch of European romance to any wedding. Videography: @schoenfilms Floral Design: @ramfloral Planning: @devonandpinkett Venue: @pafa_weddings Suit: @stitchandtie Bridal Boutique: @libertyandlacebridal Wedding Gown: @kellyfaetanini Hair Stylist: @topknotsbyaimee Makeup Artist: @shimmerandspice Tabletop Rentals: @lovelyluxerentals Furniture Rentals: @allaire_rentals Paper Goods: @paperyofphilly Cake: @cakelifebakeshop Floral Provider: @afloral Model: @alexisburkhardt Shoes: @badgleymischka Production: @ruffledblog

A post shared by Haley & Keristin (@haleyrichterphoto) on Feb 26, 2020 at 3:32am PST

Naheem Brooks

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Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

A post shared by Naheem Brooks (@snapshotace) on Feb 26, 2020 at 5:21pm PST

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