Instagram has reinvented personal branding for photographers by allowing them to express a lifestyle around their photographs. The most successful Instagram photographers have thousands of followers, and often get many likes because of the aspirational quality of their work, which often depicts exotic travel locations, or are shot from seemingly death-defying heights and perspectives. But travel is expensive, and who has time to hike for three hours on a Wednesday afternoon for that perfect shot of a waterfall? Meet Andrew Hector (@andrewhector), a popular Instagram photographer with over 80 thousand followers and who, in just three years, went from being a hobbyist shooting on his iPhone to a Leica-sponsored pro working on major campaigns around the world.
The Florida-based photographer was in New York City this week where I had a chance to meet with him during an “Instameet” with fellow photographer and occasional photo collaborator Janeivy Hilario (@neivy). (Yes, just like the popular kids in high school, a lot of the most popular Insta users know each other and hang out in real life.) Walking around the city for few hours, I got to see how some of Janeivy and Andrew’s stunning images get created.
LD: So in an hour and a half photo walk around New York City we got some good shots. Are you happy with the shots you got?
AH: I’m happy with the experience. I like shooting and talking to people. We’ve met like three or four people along the way and it’s beautiful to be out right now.
LD: What are your three top tips for finding the shot in a new city?
AH: 1. If you know someone locally definitely talk to them and see if they know where some good locations are for you to start in.
2. Be patient, just take your time and explore. Maybe you’ll find something that other people don’t find or you’ll get your own take on something that people normally share
3. Use a Leica! (Or, good equipment.)
LD: Do you think it’s hard to be original in a place like New York City, where it seems that everyone is taking pictures all the time?
AH: There are new things happening all the time. There’s someone else walking that sidewalk, there’s someone else working here. There are just new things happening all the time. So there are no repeatable moments here, if you just look for moments that deal with humans interacting with the landscape or the architecture.
Yesterday I decided to take my camera and go solo and capture moments of solitude. So, just one person going to work, for example.
LD: What’s your favorite city to shoot in?
AH: Probably here. If not, San Francisco, just because of nature, the landscape, along with city moments. It’s really tough to match San Francisco. Sorry, New York!
LD: What’s your favorite shot you took today?
AH: I have to look at the shots, but we did shoot with a model earlier, and I definitely have shots from that that I like a lot that I will be sharing. Probably the shots just below the Highline, where there was that one little pocket of light, the one of you and of Neivy.
Today, Nikon brings a widely anticipated lens to the market to complete their trifecta of…
s it possible to photograph birds, wildlife, and even the moon using a compact camera?…
If you struggle with camera shyness, this guide will give you practical techniques on how…
The cinema world is abuzz about the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body, a more…
Getting a photo published with National Geographic is a dream-come-true for many travel photographers, yet…
Talent release forms may seem like paperwork drudgery, but in 2025, they’re the backbone of…