Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/753327
FASHION, FOOD, PHOTOGRAPHY, nightlife, sports: right, we've got that, Boston. Always have, frankly. But now, in the age of insta-everything, we have the pictures, stories, and—God knows—talent at our fingertips, too, all through the power of social media. Building that digital narrative are the city's top-five Instagram stars—some names you'll recog- nize, others you need to know. Read. Like. Share. NO FILTER IG BOSTON | PHOTOGRAPHY @igboston To everything there is a season. The squad of sure-shot photographers behind IG Boston knows this better than most. Their work is a highly curated Instagram-only collection tracked by 45,000-plus followers; members who submit photographs must be approved by four moderators (represented here by Mic L. Angelo, a hip-hop artist, MIT IT expert, and consummate photographer). The theme? Dazzling images of beauty: asymmetrical cityscapes, peaks of color-pop foliage, snow-drenched cobblestone streets, surf-worthy beaches, a single spring tulip… All of Boston and her many moods. Turn, turn, turn. Selection process: The four of us have to agree on the shot and if it is worthy enough to represent the entire IG community. We want to cultivate great photographers. We want people to inspire each other. Exclusivity: We have 462 members right now, [selected from] 7,000 applicants. The moderators are impartial and cannot post their own work. Founding cause: [Photography hobbyist] Brian McWilliams founded IG Boston out of his love for Boston and photography. The IG Boston look: We look for the kinds of photos you won't see posted anywhere else, because those are the kinds of photos that only a resident of Boston would know about. We want to create an intimate feeling. The analog element: We are working on more [nondigital outputs]. We've had a gallery exhibit where all of our photographers submitted photos and we showcased them. We've held panel discussions, too. Insta-insights: A lot of it is just knowing what kind of theme you have and sticking to it. Knowing what your audience likes. Being careful about when you post—people look at a feed only at certain times of the day. Be consistent with your captions. And the hashtags you use are very important. Best city locations: I love nighttime images and sunrises. You can't miss along the Charles River, especially on the Cambridge side and around the BU Bridge. Newbury Street and the Back Bay are always great places to shoot. IG goals: We are interested in making IG Boston more of a social force within the New England social scene, having it be a focal point where people can go for work or to find an awesome photographer. For more on IG Boston's best of Boston, go to bostoncommon-magazine.com. Meet the city's coolest and chicest mega-stars who are making social media— and Boston—the scenes to be seen in. BY LISA PIERPONT