George Byrne (@george_byrne)

At first glance, Los Angeles-based photographer George Byrne’s images seem more like modern abstract paintings than photographs. With dramatic lines, vivid colors, and clean graphic details, his large-scale compositions highlight visual patterns in the surfaces and landscapes most of us overlook every day – details that are perhaps more visible to an Australian-born newcomer, exploring his new home with the analytical eye of an immigrant.

George’s work has been included in a wide range of international publications, including Vogue Australia, and exhibited throughout the globe. Still, the best way to keep up with what this creative photographer is shooting is by following him on Instagram.

Humza Deas (@humzadeas)

If you’ve always wanted to take a helicopter tour of New York City, save your money and follow Humza Deas, instead. This fearless filmmaker & photographer has been exploring NYC for years – first with a skateboard, and now with a camera – and is willing to take risks to get the perfect shot, including scaling buildings and bridges to achieve dizzying angles.

Since taking Instagram by storm, Humza Deas has collaborated with brands like Adidas, BMW, and the New York Knicks, and released a film, Social Animals, which follows his adventures into the world of urban photography, at last year’s SXSW festival.

Tobias Hägg (@airpixels)

Swedish photographer Tobias Hägg, who posts on Instagram under the username airpixels, takes viewers on the journey of a lifetime through his well-curated collection of eye-catching images. Not only have his images attracted the attention of more than 450k Instagram followers, they’ve been featured by big names in the photography industry, like National Geographic and Adobe.

And don’t be fooled by his username – while Tobias’ drone photography is second to none, plenty of his shots are taken on solid ground.

KangHee Kim (@tinycactus)

Surrealism doesn’t have to be over the top to be spectacular. Korean artist KangHee Kim, or tinycactus as she’s known on Instagram, proves this with her deceptively simple collaged images – images that have attracted attention from clients like Santera Tequila, American Express and Adidas, and publications like Bloomberg Businessweek and The New York Times.

Combining mundane captures of typical New York views with the beautiful, natural scenery found outside of the city, KangHee creates landscapes and cityscapes that look like they’ve been pulled right out of a dream.

Henri Prestes (@henrifilm)

Engrossing and enigmatic, Henri Prestes’ darkly cinematic images look like they were pulled directly from a suspense thriller. As a fine art photographer based in southern Europe, Henri has had his work included in gallery exhibitions around the world and featured by Adobe Lightroom, as well as a variety of publications.

His Instagram feed, under the username henrifilm, showcases an aesthetic that manages to be both mysterious and nostalgic, and highlights his talent for making the most of artificial and ambient light sources to create a very specific and consistent atmosphere.

Vanessa Rivera (@the_life_of_aivax)

If you’re looking for inspiration, Vanessa Rivera will not disappoint. Her whimsical feed, which primarily features her three children, draws viewers into a new creative adventure each time she posts. She’s also a talented writer, and her poetry, typically accompanied by gorgeous photographs of her little ones, features prominently on her blog, The Life of Aivax.

Vanessa’s Instagram bio includes a link to her YouTube channel, where she shares speed edit videos that reveal a bit of what goes on behind the scenes of her imaginative shots. So, not only do followers get to enjoy her creative work, but also learn some tips and tricks to try her techniques on their own.

Karén Gkiounasian (@fxzebra)

There’s something appealing about the stark simplicity of Karén Gkiounasian’s Instagram feed. This Greek photographer has been featured in a wide variety of online publications, and for good reason – he’s got an incredible eye for color, composition, and patterns. Preferring to think of himself as a “photo maker” instead of a “photo taker,” Karén creates experimental images and otherworldly manipulations that capture the beauty of both the ordinary and the fantastic.

Tekla Evelina Severin (@teklan)

Clearly, Tekla Evelina Severin loves color – despite living in Stockholm, where traditional Scandinavian style is dominated by bright white. Under the Instagram username teklan, this interior architect and set designer explores her passion, sharing photographs that combine vibrant hues with bold, geometric shapes.

Her work, which has earned her commissioned shoots with Urban Outfitters, The Gourmand, and Air France, feels vaguely reminiscent of the clip art of the 1990s – in the very best way.

Lloyd Meudell (@lloydmeudell)

Those of us who aren’t lucky enough to live near the water can live vicariously through Lloyd Meudell, whose hobby of capturing his love for surfing through the lens of his camera quickly became an obsession. While much of Lloyd’s shoots are spent waiting impatiently for the right conditions, his resulting images are clearly worth the effort.

Now, the Australia-based photographer refers to himself as an ocean artist, and it’s easy to see why – his dynamic images of the crashing waves verge on abstraction, highlighting both the immense power and immutable beauty of the surf.

Yoshito Hasaka (@_f7)

The energetic city of Tokyo is a playground for Japanese photographer and designer Yoshito Hasaka, who posts on Instagram under the username _f7. His captures of the city at night blur the line between photography and illustration, resulting in detailed, colorful, almost futuristic shots that look like they would be the perfect background for manga.

If you’ve ever want to journey back into the worlds of movies like Tron, Akira, or Blade Runner, a scroll through Yoshito’s Instagram feed might be just the fix you need – with stylized neon signs, dark alleyways, and lights that sparkle like diamonds through the city smog.

Zahava Hanuka (@golden2dew)

People-watching is one of life’s little pleasures, especially in a city like New York. It’s even better through the lens of Zahava Hanuka, who shares candidly thoughtful moments from the city’s streets as golden2dew on Instagram. With rich, muted tones and subtle vintage-inspired processing, her images feel warm and familiar. And not only do Zahava’s shots reveal intimate glimpses into the personalities of her carefully-chosen subjects, they showcase the timeless, iconic character of New York, itself.

Andria Darius Pancrazi (@pancrazi)

It’s no secret that Andria Darius Pancrazi is drawn to the color pink – his Instagram feed is covered with it. But it’s the way he artfully showcases this signature color that makes his often duo-chromatic photographs interesting. Despite the repetitive tones, no two images look the same.

After spending some time exploring Andria’s precise compositions and intriguing color palette, you’ll likely find yourself keeping an eye out for pink walls, clean lines, and dramatic shadows wherever you go.

Mark Forbes (@_markforbes_)

Award-winning Australian photographer Mark Forbes earns a living working with big-name brands like Samsung, Mercedes Benz, and Jaguar, but he describes his Instagram feed as “stills from the movie in my mind.” With his highly cinematic style, Mark captures documentary-like moments in a way that instantly communicates a story – one you probably wouldn’t mind exploring further, if there wasn’t another equally captivating image fighting for your attention right next to it.

Ian Howorth (@ihoworth)

Known on Instagram as ihoworth, Ian Howorth uses his camera to document the subtle beauty of the everyday – but without the extravagances of modern living. Instead, Ian takes a more nostalgic look at the mundane, focusing on universally recognizable themes and memories, and capturing them in a simple, cinematic way. With an old-fashioned aesthetic, Ian expresses familiar narratives through his introspective images.

Alessio Albi (@alessioalbi)

Italian portrait photographer Alessio Albi honed his artistic skill through drawing and painting before picking up a camera, and the attention to detail he gained through that experience has paid off. With careful lighting, dramatic shadows, and well-crafted compositions, Alessio’s powerful portraits provide an intimate look into the lives and personalities of his subjects – and are a testament to the talent of the man behind the lens.

Henry Do (@henry_do)

Freelance travel and aerial photographer Henry Do moved to the U.S. to pursue the American dream – and he found it the first time he picked up a camera. Now, Henry treks across the globe, shooting for clients like CNN, National Geographic, Olympus, Hilton, Daniel Wellington, BMW, and Maverick Helicopters. His passion for exploring new destinations is reflected in the captivating images he shares on Instagram, giving his followers the opportunity to tour the world through the screens of their smartphones.

James and Karla Murray (@jamesandkarla)

This husband-and-wife duo are the epitome of relationship goals. As both architectural and interior photographers and multi-media artists, the pair has released a number of stunning coffee table books to critical acclaim, and they have images included in the permanent collections of some of New York’s major art institutions.

And on Instagram, they showcase photographs from their Store Front series – documenting the disappearing face of New York City. Browsing their feed is like taking a walk through the city’s colorful history, and you’ll find yourself feeling thankful for the effort they’re making to preserve it.

Mária Švarbová (@maria.svarbova)

Internationally-recognized Slovakian photographer Mária Švarbová has developed a distinctive style of portraiture that plays with the traditional concepts of color, space, and mood. Typically, her images feature public spaces – particularly stark swimming pools – with hints of socialist-era architecture, presented with a modern eye and an atmosphere of detached coolness that seems almost dream-like, even though her photographs showcase some of the more ordinary elements of daily life.

Konsta Punkka (@kpunkka)

Finland-based photographer and speaker Konsta Punkka is a self-professed squirrel whisperer, and his way with animals is evident from the up-close-and-personal portraits of bears, owls, foxes, raccoons, and more that make up the majority of his feed. Showcasing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats, Konsta captures more than just their friendly faces – he brings them to life through the lens of his camera.

And, when Konsta’s outdoor adventures fail to produce any wildlife, the images he shares of the Nordic landscape are uniquely inspiring on their own.

Signe Bay (@signebay)

Scrolling through Danish Instagrammer Signe Bay’s feed feels like what you wish a trip to your grandmother’s house felt like – rustic, cozy, and full of delicious-looking food and beautiful flowers. While the Nordic concept of hygge might have been all the rage a few years ago, the timeless, comfortable tradition lives on through the cool Scandinavian light and warm textures that make Signe’s images so irresistible.

As a creative director and stylist, Signe knows the art of composition like the back of her hand, and her ability to manipulate light is second to none. Most of her atmospheric Instagram posts are – impressively – shot on her iPhone, and she’s managed to attract world-wide attention from people looking to indulge vicariously in a little extra warmth and joy.