8 Charlotte photographers you should be following on Instagram

By

Jillian Mueller



One of the many great things about social media is that it allows you to experience fine art, see the world, and learn about your city just by looking down at your smartphone. Here is a collection of 8 photographers (including some Charlotte Observer contributors) working in the Charlotte area whose Instagram feeds are full of images that will delight and inspire you to do everything from exploring restaurants and iconic locations through the city to learning about social issues and maybe even creating your own photographic masterpieces.  

Amy Herman

IG Handle: @amy.n.herman
Who she is:  In addition to being a professional fine art photographer, you probably know Amy as the owner of the popular VTGCLT vintage popup markets and a co-founder of the cutting-edge Goodyear Arts collective.  
Follow her for: A behind-the-scenes look at what goes into organizing community arts events and photo exhibitions, and a sampling of Amy’s striking visual arts work.

Alex Cason

IG handle: @zandercason
Who he is: Regular CharlotteFive contributor Alex Cason’s friends would describe him as the guy with “the soccer jersey with his name on the back and a camera to his face.” Aside from shooting news and feature stories, Alex is known for his skyline shots that show the vivid movement of the city and portraits of notable Charlotteans. You’ve probably seen his works on the gallery walls at Sanctuary Pub, Cajun Queen, and Cadence.
Follow him for: A high-energy highlight reel of portraits of prominent people and happenings throughout the Queen City.    

Logan Cyrus

IG handle: @logancyrus
Who he is: Logan is a Charlotte-based freelance photojournalist whose day-to-day work captures everything from “a political rally to a portrait of a farmer in rural NC,” as he puts it, while reporting on feature and news stories in the Southeast.  
Follow him for: Photos that tell a story about everything from politics to neighborhood cultural events around the Charlotte area.  

Rémy Thurston

IG handle: @remythurston
Who he is: FS Food Group’s art and content director Rémy Thurston’s love for the Charlotte food and restaurant scene comes through in his tantalizing food photography. When he’s not shooting the culinary scene, Thurston also co-hosts the popular monthly #instabeerup networking event and does freelance editorial and commercial photography.
Follow him for: Mouth-watering previews of dishes and cocktails you need to try from the hottest new restaurants popping up around Charlotte. You will be hungry after scrolling through this feed.

Parks Sadler

IG handle: @gparkssadler
Who he is: Parks Sadler is a commercial and fine art photographer who works staging and photographing for an interior design firm.  His design experience shines through in his work, as his images manage to make everyday objects look like beautiful pieces of art. He aims to explore “the memories, narratives, and personal connections associated with spaces and locations” throughout his work, he says. Although he works primarily in film, his delightful minimalist images are just as delightful on his feed.
Follow him for: Design-oriented images that will inspire you to find the beauty in everyday objects around you.

Victoria Byers

IG handle: @victoriaabigail
Who she is: This UNCC grad and North Carolina native is passionate about using photography as an instrument for storytelling, activism, and advocacy. In addition to teaching at art academies throughout the area, Victoria teaches workshops at El Pozo de Vida, an organization that fights human trafficking, to women who have experienced trauma and abuse. When she isn’t teaching, Victoria travels the world to brings back images that share stories and experiences of both herself and others with Charlotteans.
Follow her for: Breathtaking portraits of people she meets and slice-of-life snapshots from her world travels that look like they belong just as much on the pages of national geographic as they do on your Instagram page.  

Justin Driscoll

IG handle: @jdriscollphotography
Who he is: Long-time Charlotte resident Justin Driscoll has been in love with photography since his father taught him to shoot on film when he was four years old. Despite the fact that he has no formal training, his passion translated into a full-time career shooting professionally for the past decade. When he isn’t doing commercial photography, he enjoys exploring and capturing images in abandoned buildings and hospitals. He also is a co-owner of the new Plaza Midwood bar and music venue Skylark Social Club.
Follow him for: Snapshots of images of iconic locations around Charlotte and delightfully eerie images of abandoned buildings.

Sansaara photography

IG Handle: @sansaaraphotography
Who they are: Husband and wife team Anul and Bijal Shah capture images of awe-inspiring weddings from the Charlotte area to exotic locations such as Paris, Tuscany, and Barcelona. According to Bijal, they aspire to use their photography not only to create “timeless heirloom” images, but also to inspire people to see the world differently and notice organic beauty. Their striking images have been featured everywhere from the Huffington Post, to Carolina Bride, to South Asian Bride.
Follow them for: International and multi-cultural dream wedding inspiration.