inside the insta Archives - Hannah With A Camera

Andrew Kuttler | Inside the Insta

May 2, 2017 14 Comments

Today I’m sharing an interview with Andrew Kuttler, a designer and photographer with over 66k followers on Instagram. He actually went to my college, the University of Kansas (rock chalk!), so this was the perfect opportunity to interview him.

What’s your favorite thing about Instagram?

As a designer, I love being able to share and curate a visual story. Instagram is the perfect platform to get yourself out there and show off your work. I look at it as a mini-portfolio.

What do you take your photos with?

I mainly shoot with my Ricoh GR for personal work. For Boomerangs and still videos I use my iPhone!

What three words would you use to describe your style on Instagram?

Colorful. Graphic. Surreal.

Who are three people on Instagram that you admire?

This changes all the time! So many talented photographers and designers are sharing their work on Instagram. Right now, I’m super inspired by…

@tashalakoz (Tasha Alakoz)

@chriscreature (Christopher Hainey)

@drcuerda (Daniel Rueda)

Where do you find your inspiration to take photos?

I’m a sucker for research and planning ahead. A lot of the locations I use for personal and client work are hours away, sometimes even a plane ride, so it’s important to put in the time to make sure you have a strong concept. I love hanging out at bookstores and going through photo books and magazines—they always provide great inspiration.

What was the most important thing you learned in college?

Be open! And that design can have many different applications. You never know where your path will lead and KU gave me an incredible foundation.

When did you first start collaborating with brands solely through Instagram?

3 years ago! I had been working at various ad agencies around Los Angeles and was really craving more creative freedom. A big brand reached out to me and after pulling out the project with them, I felt the confidence to go out and take a leap on my own.

What is your favorite brand collaboration that you’ve done so far?

I love clients that take me to new locations—I feel the most inspired and come alive creatively when I’m in some place that I’ve never been. I think working with Pixar at their campus in San Francisco for The Good Dinosaur and Inside Out was a big moment for me. I was surrounded by people doing the most amazing things and I’ll never forget the experience.

Thanks to Andrew for talking with me!

xo, Hannah

photography

Peyton Perry | Inside the Insta

January 25, 2017 3 Comments

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to share this edition of Inside the Insta with Peyton Perry today. I’ve followed Peyton for about two years now and still love her style—I think we could easily be friends in real life. If you look at my Inspiration board on Pinterest, it’s practically filled to the brim with her photos!

Peyton Perry | Inside the Insta

What do you take your photos with?
I shoot with my iPhone 6 or Canon EOS 6D.

I love your photo style! How do you edit the photos that go on your feed?
I’ve used various apps including Afterlight, VSCOcam, Snapseed, and A Color Story. Lately I’ve been using Adobe Lightroom Mobile—it’s amazing!

What’s your favorite thing about Instagram?
I love how Instagram allows me to see the world through infinite different lenses. I see how others interpret things, express themselves, and are often working to make the world a more artful place.

What do you center your photos around?
I try to center my photos around things I really love that can show the rest of the world how my brain works. I think, “What can Peyton Perry offer to the world today?” then I keep my eyes open and see what the world has to offer!

What three words would you use to describe your style on Instagram?
Clean, fun, unexpected.

Who are three people on Instagram that you admire?
@designlovefest: I loved Bri Emery’s style for…forever! I love how she’s taken Instagram and made it her own.

@geronimoballoons: Jihan is someone I got to meet and become friends with because of Instagram. She really views the platform as an opportunity to share art, make you laugh, and help you feel less alone. I think we can all relate to a few #jihanistheworst-isms. I truly think Jihan is one of the most talented, creative, and kind geniuses of our generation.

@ohhappyday: Jordan Ferney GETS IT. When others zig, she zags…just because that’s who she is! I love seeing what she creates and all the inventive photos she shares from her party shop.

Where do you find your inspiration to take photos?
I think my inspiration comes from where I see good in the world. Good doesn’t mean happy and fluffy all the time, sometimes it means honesty. I try to keep my eyes open, constantly looking and my ears constantly listening. You can find good anywhere if you’re looking with the right mindset. I also love “cool hunting.” I’m inspired by things that aren’t right in front of your face—things you have to search for.

How long do you usually take to set up a photo?
I give myself a mental time limit and if I’m spending too much time on a photo, I abandon it. It is INSTAgram, after all. The time I spend on a photo varies but I’m always very meticulous with checking that it’s exaaactly what I want before I post it. I’d say I spend a collective total of 15 minutes max on a photo.

Would you say you stick to a certain color scheme for your photos?
I’ve always stuck to bright and colorful because that’s what I know and love. I think it’s because I grew up in a city where color is celebrated in its culture. Lately I’ve been on a pink kick. By searching for pink to include in every photo, it has established a signature I love. It not only forces me to be creative, but it raises the bar for my work.

Square crop or full size, and why?
Depends on the photo, always. I do love how you can post full size (especially the beautiful look of full size portraits) but squares are another creative restraint that forces me to be creative amongst certain parameters.

If you’re not following Peyton already, be sure to swing over to her Instagram and give her a follow for constant creative inspiration!

Who should I feature next on Inside the Insta?

xo, Hannah

photography

Inside The Insta with A Day In The Kitchen

September 7, 2015 2 Comments

Somehow I found Lauren’s instagram, A Day In The Kitchen, through someone else and I was immediately drawn in by her gorgeous photos. Then I did a little more research and found that she posted her own recipes..and that’s she’s only in middle school. How’s that for impressive?

How did you get started with baking?

My mom (who passed away a year ago from cancer) is the one who made me start to enjoy food and love trying out new stuff and being in the kitchen, but I actually started wanting to have a bakery and have a blog/food account when I saw the show DC Cupcakes a few years ago!

What’s your favorite part of baking/cooking?

I love being able to be in the kitchen and try out new recipes and try new foods! Making cupcakes are high on the top of my list for favorite things to make! 🙂

Can you share your favorite recipe?

These were a big hit and one of my favorite desserts!

Do you take your own photos? If you do, how’d you learn photography?

Actually, my sister is a photographer and has taken some of the photos. She’s also taught me a little about how to take pictures so I have also taken some that are on my account!

Have you ever considered starting a blog?

I have! My sister has a blog and I have really wanted to start one! We have thought to do one in the future once I have a few more people following my account! I would love to start one! 🙂

Mini Poppyseed Donuts With Blueberry Glaze

Lauren currently has 675 followers on her still-growing account, and I’d say that’s definitely enough to start her own blog by now. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the future!

Thanks for reading,