30 Music Photographers You Should Follow on Instagram
If you're tired of looking at your friends' boring Throwback Thursday photos or corny inspirational quotes, you might want to liven up your feed by following professional music photographers. Their job is to capture your favorite artists in the best light, so their Instagram accounts are always full of entertaining photos. Check out some of our favorites below.
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Jonathan MannionJonathan Mannion's resumé is unreal. Having shot over 300 iconic album covers with legends like Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, you're probably already familiar with his work even if you don't recognize his name. Casually posting photos of Notorious B.I.G. and Prince next to present-day shots of guys like Joey Badass and Kendrick Lamar, Mannion's feed is a must-follow for hip-hop fans of all eras.
Follow: @jonathanmannion
Julian BajselHouston photographer Julian Bajsel's mantra is, "music should be seen and heard." He's spent his whole career on a chase to distill the raw, chaotic energy of live music into still images. Shooting a diverse range of artists including Odesza, Travis Scott, and the XX, Bajsel frequently finds himself in large arenas and massive festivals—masterfully capturing the larger-than-life performances taking place in front of his lens.
Cam KirkAfter graduating high school, photographer and videographer Cam Kirk moved to Atlanta in 2007. He has spent the bulk of his career documenting the city's prolific hip-hop scene, following in the footsteps of his photographer father.
Kirk's work has been featured in major publications all over the world and his Instagram feed is littered with dynamic shots of Atlanta's biggest stars like Gucci Mane to 21 Savage.
Follow: @thecamkirk
Ashley OsbornNot your standard concert photography, Ashley Osborn's photos transform typical onstage moments into dramatic works of art. Touring the world with rock groups like Pierce The Veil and Bring Me The Horizon (while occasionally shooting solo acts like Kendrick Lamar), Osborn's eye for theatrical, striking moments has turned her feed into a gallery full of images that you'll want to hang on your wall.
Follow: @ashleyosborn
Gunner StahlOut of every photographer on this list, Gunner Stahl might have the best knack for finessing his way behind the scenes with the biggest rappers at the perfect times. When Gucci Mane came home from jail, he was there. When Rich Chigga came to America for the first time, he was there. When Lil Yachty was first blowing up, he was there. You get the point. Go follow this guy now.
Follow: @gunnerstahl.us
Alexandra GavilletA rainbow of vibrant colors, Alexandra Gavillet's feed is a joy to scroll through. Washing artists like 6LACK, D.R.A.M., and Topaz Jones in vibrant, saturated light, Gavillet's images jump off the page. If you're tired of black and white portraits and want a splash of color in your life, Gavillet's photos are for you.
Follow: @alexandra_gavillet
Marcus HydeAfter joining Chance The Rapper on the road as a tour photographer during the "Magnificent Coloring World" run, Marcus Hyde's feed is the place to go for behind-the-scenes photos of Chance. In addition to his fashion and beauty photography, Hyde's work includes photos of Chance hanging out with Katy Perry and occasional shots of other artists like Childish Gambino and Snoop Dogg.
Follow: @marcushyde
Alexander McDonellFrequently on music video sets with artists like Rae Sremmurd, Migos, Big Sean, and ASAP Ferg, Los Angeles photographer/director Alexander McDonnel's vivid photos offer a unique perspective on some of the biggest videos in recent memory. Occasionally, "young prophets" like Jaden Smith pop up during his fashion photography shoots.
Follow: @alexandergmcdonell
Brook BobbinsBrook Bobbins has captured a long list of legendary New York City hip-hop moments in recent years. Frequently running with the ASAP Mob, his feed is dotted with incredible photos of the late ASAP Yams as well as guys like A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Action Bronson.
Follow: @crookrobbins
Stefan R. KohliCapturing some of music's biggest stars during intimate behind-the-scenes moments as well as on stage, Stefan R. Kohli uses his background in fashion photography to present artists like Metro Boomin, Joey Badass, and Young Thug in their finest light. His new "100 Hours" series catches subjects on their home turf as he attempts to “capture the vibe of trips to different cities filled with shooting, exploring, and drawing inspiration from every city’s unique energy.”
Follow: @photokohli
Maclay HeriotIf you've ever wondered what it's like to be on the road with a touring rock band, take a look through Maclay Heriot's feed. Touring with bands like Portugal. The Man and Dunerats, his photos document onstage performances as well as more intimate moments like pre-show dips in a river, secret house shows, and sightseeing detours.
Follow: @maclayheriot
Armen KeleshianLiving in Los Angeles, Armen Keleshian often finds himself in the enviable position of capturing scenes like Rick Ross playing pool, T.I. getting a haircut, and Post Malone cheesing with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth—and that's all within the last two weeks.
Follow: @armenkeleshian
Charlie PeacherWhether he's shooting candid photos of Lil Wayne or documenting larger-than-life scenes of stars like Kendrick Lamar, Charlie Peacher has a way of bringing the personality of his subjects to life through his incredible portraits. Oh, and he posts pictures of turtles sometimes, too.
Follow: @charliepeacher
Zoe RainListing her home base as a mix between New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, Zoe Rain is never in one place too long. She made a name for herself as Macklemore's tour photographer, and has a knack for catching "in between moments" that others might miss. In addition to Macklemore, she's also found herself staring down a lens at artists like Chance The Rapper, Lorde, and Ed Sheeran.
Follow: @zoerainphoto
Ashley VerseAshley Verse has documented some of grime's most iconic moments over the years. With South London as a base, he's watched artists like Skepta and Stormzy grow into global stars. Verse's feed serves as a timeline of London's most important performances over the years—including visits by North American rappers like Drake, Quavo, and Young Thug.
Follow: @ashleyverse
Sacha LeccaRolling Stone's deputy photo editor Sacha Lecca utilizes a gritty black-and-white style to capture the raw energy of live rock music. Shooting wild house shows as well as arena gigs with artists like Joy Division, Lecca and his camera have documented all corners of rock's vast, multi-dimensional scene.
Follow: @sachalecca
Ethan HollandEthan Holland is still a teenager, but he's already amassed an incredible collection of fly-on-the-wall photos with the most relevant names in rap. Somehow, Holland has managed to maneuver his way where cameras usually aren't allowed, snapping shots of Playboi Carti, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott, and many more in relaxed, natural settings.
Follow: @ethan_holland
Brandon ArtisSpecializing in event photography, Brandon Artis is a Vancouver-based photographer with a knack for capturing the artist's energy, and not being afraid to get right into the crowd. Between atmospheric lighting and crystalline quality, Artis' up-close portraits of artists onstage look almost like sculptures.
Follow: @_brandonartis
Mel D. ColeAfter photographing Common and Erykah Badu at a New York City show with a disposable camera in 2001, Mel D. Cole caught the photography bug and has been shooting high-profile artists ever since. A scroll through his feed reveals gorgeous photos of Childish Gambino, Kanye West, and Anderson .Paak, as well as striking snaps from his travels around the world.
Follow: @meldcole
Raven B"A good concert can completely change the relationship you have with an artist’s music, and it made sense to me to document that," New York photographer Raven B told Hypebeast about what sparked her photography career.
Her photos of stars like Future and Kanye West prove she's achieving just that. The shots are unique in their ability to pull all kinds of personality and expression out of her subjects.
Follow: @ravieb
Andres TardioIt's not often that you'll get a writer who's also a photographer, but L.A.'s Andres Tardio does both. As a journalist first and foremost, it wasn't until he was encouraged to merge his photography with his writing that he further developed his eye and unique aesthetic. Since then, he's been shooting the likes of Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and more.
Follow: @Andres55
Greg NoireGreg Noire is a live music and portrait photographer with a flair for the cinematic. His live shots often isolate the artist in a haze of energy, grabbing moments of intense energy and confining them to the frame. He's photographed some of the hottest names in hip-hop like Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and Migos.
Follow: @Gregnoire
NabilNabil is one of the most sought-out directors in the business, and his Instagram posts are just as thrilling as the stunning music videos he creates. His feed is eclectic, featuring photos from his travels, portraits of the artists he works with, and some behind-the-scenes glimpses of how his music videos come to life. Mixed in with his gorgeous, conceptual portraits are candid moments that offer the viewer insight into his creative process.
Follow: @Nabildo
Hannah SiderHannah Sider is a New York-based photographer and director, and her Instagram feed features off-the-cuff portraits of some of music's biggest names. While the majority of her portraits aren't actually candid, they read as natural and relaxed. In addition to music photography, she also posts stunning fashion and editorial shots.
Follow: @Hannahsider
Gibson HazardGibson Hazard is one of the youngest music photographers in the game, and also one of the most prolific. At only twenty, he's built an impressive portfolio of gorgeous portraits and clean live shots. He just wrapped up a six-week run on KYLE's "SUPER" tour, and is now following The Weeknd and 6LACK across the world on their Starboy tour.
Follow: @Gibsonhazard
Kevin WongChances are, you've seen Kevin Wong's photography around Instagram, with his trademark initials watermarking his work. The L.A. native has shot all of your favorite artists, from Drake to Busta Rhymes, and even celebrities like Bella Hadid and Karrueche.
Follow: @iamkevinwong
David CamarenaDavid Camarena has been on the road with Kehlani, capturing her day-to-day life as well as photographing her live shows. Beyond photographing the Oakland singer, he takes quirky portraits and adventure shots, and has also worked with other musicians like Wiz Khalifa and KYLE. His photos have a distinctive style, as he often edits them to look like vintage collages.
Follow: @Davidcamarena
Slick JacksonSlick Jackson's lively feed chronicles the adventures of Wiz Khalifa and his Taylor Gang crew. He posts a mix of crisp portraits and endearing candids, showing both the serious and goofy sides of Khalifa and his affiliates. Artists like Snoop Dogg and Joey Badass frequently make cameos, adding to the feed's star power.
Follow: @Slickjackson
ElieToronto-based photographer Elie has spent a sizeable chunk of his career photographing The Weeknd on tour, creating visuals to match the singer's ever-evolving aesthetic. Recently, he's also started capturing moments with Selena Gomez. In addition to music photography, Elie shares effervescent portraits and adventure shots.
Follow: @Elie
Ray's Corrupted MindRay is a live music and portrait photographer who frequently works with Travis Scott, Lil Yachty, and Migos. His work places viewers right into the hectic lives of his subjects, capturing their unscripted moments. His grungy feed favors earth tones, and offers up a unique, cohesive aesthetic.
Follow: @Rayscorruptedmind
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