Place you live: Columbus, Ohio

Occupation: Founder, Wonder & Wander

Preoccupation: Saving the world.

Place your Instagrams were taken? Columbus, Ohio

Can you sum up Columbus? Columbus is an incredibly vibrant and creative community that remains grounded in pragmatic and traditional Midwestern values. We love college football (Go Buckeyes) and good food, and if you pay us a visit, don’t be alarmed if folks smile and nod their head when you pass them on the street. We’re cool like that.

What is a perfect day in Columbus? A perfect day in Columbus has to start with a coffee from one of our many nationally recognized coffee shops (Impero and Fox in the Snow Cafe are at the top of my list). After you’ve had your morning fix, be sure to head over to the newly expanded Columbus Museum of Art. The new modern wing is set to open this fall and promises to further establish Columbus as the epicenter of art in the Midwest.

If the museum doesn’t quench your thirst for art, head over to the Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts or swing by the Short North Arts District. While you’re in the Short North, grab yourself a bite to eat at Northstar Cafe or stop by the North Market.

After you’ve filled your stomach, get behind the wheel and head south of town to Hocking Hills State Park where you can marvel at the gorgeous gorges, get your hike on, and rinse off in one of the half dozen waterfalls.

If you still have any energy left (and even if you don’t), head back into town and stop by Jenis Splendid Ice Cream for the best damn ice cream in the entire universe. Yeah, its that good.

If Columbus was a person or character who would it be and why? Remember that kid in high school that was good looking, super popular, and well liked by everyone but still really friendly and down to earth? That’s Columbus.

How long have you been using Instagram? A little over three years.

Do you shoot with your phone or other cameras or both? About 90% of my Instagram photos are shot with my iPhone. I also have a big fancy camera I use every now and then.

What is your editing process? For iPhone shots, I primarily use Snapseed to edit. I don’t have a set process or go-to filter, I just edit each shot based on what I think it needs to stand out.

Has Instagram/phoneography affected how you shoot? Instagram has changed how I approach my photography in several ways. First, it has shown me the importance of being intentional about my photography. In the past, I would wait for a good photo to come to me. That works sometimes but if you want to shoot consistently good photos, you have to shoot a lot and you have to shoot with purpose. It can’t be passive.

Another way it has changed how I shoot is by surrounding me with a supportive community of friends and supporters. Having a network of peers who share your passion and push you to become better is essential to grow as an artist.

Can you give a couple tips to aspiring Instagram photographers? Get out and shoot at least once a week. Set aside some time, grab a couple of friends who are into photography or are comfortable in front of the camera and just shoot. 

Who are your three favorite Instagrammers? @littlecoal, @bigmanjapan, @javi_gutierrez

instagram.com/brianmkaiser

Want more Instagram tips and inspiration? Check out all of our Best of Instagram features and learn from the masters.

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