Instagram beyond the selfies

Instagram is a platform for many forms of business and expression. From modeling to photography, WHHS students take advantage of all the app has to offer.

Elizabeth Ramos, Style & Culture Writer|November 15, 2018

Courtesy Drew Hart

Drew Hart, ‘20, uses Instagram to build up his photography portfolio. Hart has been active on Instagram since he was in fifth grade, but created his photography account two years ago. His username is @drewhartphotography.

Since the creation of Instagram on Oct. 6, 2010, the site has grown incredibly and has become one of the most popular social media platforms yet.

Originally started by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the site was purchased for $1 billion in 2012 by Facebook.
According to Statista, about 31 percent of Instagram users were between 18 and 24, with 30 percent between 25 and 34 as of January. Another study found that there were nearly 200 million daily Instagram users as of June.

“There is something really intriguing about seeing other people’s posts,” Kristen Cathey, ‘20, said. “I’d like to think I don’t care about what people are doing that much, but it’s addicting to continuously check Instagram.”

Although she is only 16 years old, Cathey says that she uses the app frequently, hoping to become famous from her photos.

“People definitely will look at my page and think that I am self obsessed, but like many other pages that primarily focus on posting images of themselves, it follows a certain aesthetic,” Cathey said. “It’s not that I am in love with myself, but I take pride in my style.”

Kristen Cathey, ‘20, is one of many Instagram users who view the platform as a way to express herself. “I personally follow a lot of Instagram models, and I enjoy looking at what they’re doing in their lives, and seeing photos of their outfits along with their makeup,” Cathey said. Her username is @kristencathey.

The Instagram modeling trend is primarily followed by teens and people in their 20s. Anyone can partake in the trend, but younger people tend to stray more toward it. As Cathey said, many people view it as somewhat conceited, but its real purpose is to broadcast a certain style and post photos that are pleasing for other people to look at.

“I personally follow a lot of Instagram models, and I enjoy looking at what they’re doing in their lives, and seeing photos of their outfits along with their makeup,” Cathey said, “It gives me inspiration for myself, and so that’s what I have to do by posting my pictures. For example, for Halloween I got together a pretty extravagant costume to be a vampire, and I thought it looked so [realistic] and a lot of people commented and thought it looked really cool.”

Other users, however use the app differently and don’t even post pictures of themselves. Creating a separate account just for his photography, Drew Hart, ‘20, uses the platform to showcase his professional photos.

“A lot of people were coming up to me and it saying how much they enjoyed looking at my photos,” Hart said. “Photography is something I’m very passionate about, and so having people really appreciate how much effort I put into it, and recognize it as art feels nice.”