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Followers of Local Supply will know that there are two things we’re especially obsessed with: making great sunglasses and travelling to see all this world has to offer. Which is why it’s no secret that we have a fondness for watching the lives of our favourite travel-obsessed photographers on Instagram, and finding their recommendations for where to head next. As we hurtle towards the New Year, we wanted to share some of our favourites with you, so that your 2018 can be filled with the plans to roam the great big marble we live on. Now, when it comes to travel photographers on Instagram there’s obviously the big ones with ridiculous numbers of followers, like Jack Harding, Jacob, and Do You Travel. We’ve decided to round up and introduce some of our favourite slightly lesser-known photographers, including a few of our favourite Australians. Enjoy!
1. Jarrad Seng
Instagram: @jarradseng
Ex-Survivor Contestant Jarrad Seng may have the best hair in the travel photography business — seriously, the dude looks like a supermodel! But also he takes some pretty amazing photos on his travels. He’s recently wrapped filming on a guide to Tasmania film for Qantas, but his work has also taken him to Iceland, Namibia, South Africa, and Vietnam (where he explored and camped in the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong). Only follow this dude if you’ve got seriously good self-esteem, ‘cause his life and his good looks make the rest of us look bad by comparison. (He was also runner up for Western Australia’s Young Person of the Year in 2013, to make matters worse.)
2. Benjamin Hardman
Instagram: @benjaminhardman
If, like a certain Local Supply staffer (me), you’re a fan of cooler climes, you may enjoy Benjamin Hardman’s photographs of his home country, Iceland. Just looking through his Instagram is like drinking an icy glass of water (and then pouring it down your trousers, to give you an idea of how bloody cold it looks). The highlights on his page — besides the adorably cute arctic foxes and the like that pop up now and then — are the stunningly architectural shots of glaciers and mountain-tops, that will make you want to throw some jackets in a suitcase and head right to Iceland.
3. Jason van Miert
Instagram: @jasonvanmiert
It seems Jason van Miert was destined to do what he does because he is currently exploring Australia in a van. He’s travelled over 40 countries, but his recent photographs from the 220-odd days and counting he’s spent roaming the great southern land have reminded us why we still call Australia home. Seriously epic.
4. Demas Rusli
Instagram: @demasrusli
And now for something different — Demas Rusli is a designer and photographer who, you guessed it, specialises in architectural photography. His work explores the concrete and metal landscapes built by man, but he photographs them in a way that makes these structures look almost biological, whether it’s a swirling staircase shot from above reminding us of a snail’s shell or a long hall echoing the cascading waterfall posted nearby. His photographs will leave you marvelling at human ingenuity and will give you a new appreciation for the concrete jungles we call home.
5. Matt Horspool
Instagram: @etchd
Matt Horspool is a Sydney-based landscape photography extraordinaire, with work that will leave you asking: what camera does he use? What is the secret to his photographic wizardry? Why don’t my photos ever turn out like this? His work often explores his home country, and as testament to his skills, shows us a new side of Australia that makes us want to get out of Bondi and hit the road.
6. Alex Spurway
Instagram: @spurwaya
Another Ozzie, Alex Spurway has a helluva lot of potential. The 21-year-old hails from sunny Brisbane (p.s. does anyone remember that amazing Dame Edna quote where she says ‘Australia is the Brisbane of the world’? Lol!). His images shot from above are of particular note, as well as his extraordinary weather photography capturing the breathtaking extremes of the Australian skies, from fork lighting to double rainbows to sunrise skies that look like oil paintings.
7. Sam Barnard
Instagram: @samhbarnard
Those looking for a more peaceful and contemplative style of nature photography will love Sam Barnard’s moody work, often exploring his island home of Tasmania. As we mentioned in our guide to Tasmania earlier this year, it’s one of the most rugged and pristine-looking areas of natural beauty in the world, and it provides endless inspiration for Sam. Our favourite shot? A wombat captured drinking at the creek, with piles of snow punctuating the gold-brown landscape behind him.
8. Jonathan Grey Mendoza
Instagram: @jonagrey
Inspired to give travel photography a crack? 27-year-old Jonathan Grey Mendoza, who’s Australia-born but is represented by Dolffs Photo Art House Berlin, runs workshops in Sydney for those wanting to give their photography a lift. His work is perhaps the most diverse out of all the photographers and travel bloggers listed here, spanning portrait, fashion and interiors. Something for everyone.
9. Ben Leo Davis
Instagram: @benleodavis
Ben Leo Davis has a refreshing eye and seems to have an interest in that most life-giving of elements: water. His work captures the surreal beauty of sunlight reflected on lake and ocean surfaces, snowy mountain peaks, fog rolling over valleys, waterfall mist, and waves crashing on the shoreline magically.
10. Ueli
Instagram: @runawayeuli
Last but not least, Swiss photographer Ueli. He’s got an eye for composition that makes his natural and urban landscape photographs truly special, and he’s currently touring Asia if you’re looking for travel inspiration in that neck of the woods.
Honorary mention: Darren Luk
Instagram: @everylastsecond
You may remember Darren as the dude who shot our very first ever major summer campaign, featuring an all-star cast: Mitch Orr, Olia Burtaev, Genesis Owusu, and Ecca Vandal. Stay tuned for our interview with the roaming young legend about his life shooting city-scapes, touring musicians, and the odd sunglasses campaign for Australia’s greatest sunglasses brand, of course… ;-)
Featured image by @etchd
