10 things: Instagram

Today is a special day in the social media life of Caitlin Elmore. Today I posted photo number 1000 on Instagram. It's been quite the journey to get here...and it wasn't always pretty. I remember the days when I fell for the rugged charm of Kelvin and Nashville, but never again! Yes, I may still post too many pictures of food and babies, but I'd like to believe that one thousand photos in I have reached a new level of Instagraming. It's an art people, and I have practiced long and hard.

Posting photos is only half of it though. Or maybe like 75% of it. (I just really like taking pictures, ok??) You get to follow people too! I love seeing what other people find interesting throughout their days. I follow a lot of designers, photographers, etc. so scrolling through my Instagram feed can provide tons of inspiration. Some people are really, really good at instagram, while other people are just terrible (Anthropologie, I'm lookin' at you.)

So, in celebration of my 1000th photo, here are my ten favorite Instagram accounts (in no order)...Also, I chose not to involve friends in this list. These are accounts that I follow purely because I think their photos are lovely.

1. emersonmerrick

Amy Merrick is a florist living in Brooklyn, but working all over the place. Her arrangements are stellar. Some of her more recent work can be found in the lastest issue of Kinfolk magazine (hydrangeas in an ice cream cone anyone?) Her photos are mostly of flowers, but sometimes of cats, and always lovely.

Oh yeah, she knits too.

There's plenty more where this came from.

2. denisebovee

I initially fell in love with this user's bio: "Training my children to be explorers." I know very little about Denise, except that she runs a blog and she takes sweet pictures of her rockstar daughters. They are not actually rockstars, they are just both younger than me and cooler than me. I feel like I needed to clarify because ever since Hannah Montana, pretty much anyone could really be a rockstar behind the scenes. 

3. etst

Kelle Hampton is a photographer, blogging mommy, and author of the book Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected about her journey through having a child with special needs. Reasons you should follow Kelle: 1. Her children are adorable. 2. She lives in sunny Florida, so on dark Ohio winter (and let's be real, sometimes spring) days you can have a glimpse of sunshine. 3. Her positive outlook on life and ability to find joy in the small things will leave you smiling and appreciative of all the good around you. Also, I would totally recommend reading her book.

4. sarahshermansamuel

Sarah Sherman Samuel is a designer and the creator of Smitten Studio. She also lives in California. So basically, her photos are a mixture of design-y life and California scenes. I love the freshness of her photos. She also shares my affinity for posting food. So there.

I am predictably a sucker for photos involving coffee. And shots of your feet. 

5. hello_oskar

Is this the best Instagram account ever? Maybe. Oskar is a cat who wears a bow-tie a lot of the time. Every single picture is a cat picture. You're welcome.

6. katebingburt

Kate Bingaman-Burt is an illustrator and assistant professor of graphic design at Portland State University. Kate always has a million little awesome projects going and is constantly making and creating. (What Did I Buy Today?) You can find some of her projects laced throughout her Instagram. One of my favorites is "Bus Heads" where she takes pictures of the back of people's heads on the bus. She is funny and quirky and I am continually inspired by her creativity.

Also once she painted her nails with gold glitter. Soul sisters?

7. klodid

Klodjana Dervishi is a photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Enough said. Ample white space and soft lighting lend to the simplistic beauty of her photos. Also, cute kids. For sure one of my absolute favorites.

8.  oanabefort

Oana Befort is freelance graphic designer, illustrator and blogger. Her work is delicate and beautiful and I love it and I want to look at it all day.

9. annriflebond

Anna Bond is the mastermind behind Rifle Paper Co.  Rifle is one of the hottest things around these days. You can find their designs all over the place, most recently in Target and Anthropologie. Anna's Instagram is the best way to stay up to date with Rifle's latest and greatest...and to get a peak into what inspires her.

10. leesamantha

Samantha Lee is a blogger and kid's party planner. Her site Eatzy Bitzy focuses on one of her favorite hobbies, Bento making. Warning: cuteness overload.

So there you have it. Instagram. I love it.