Varied Perspectives: D.C. IG Accounts Share Favorite Photos

D.C. is home to a bevy of wonderful photographers, all with wandering eyes in search of the best shot at the optimal time. Some focus on food, others zoom in on buildings, but they all provide a different look at our hometown from what we would have seen out on our own. Instagram is a great place to explore lesser-known parts of the District, providing an incredible platform for Washingtonians to share their visual perspectives at any time of day. For the love of D.C., we asked some of the city’s most notable photographers and curated accounts to share one of their favorite IG snapshots.

David Santori | @frenchieyankee

[Pictured above.] “I’ve been in the city for four years, and I still take great pleasure [in] discovering D.C. when I walk and explore new neighborhoods. I really enjoy the unexpected side of D.C., or what I like to call The Other D.C. – the colorful and quaint streets, the charming and European façades, the eclectic side with character that tends to go unnoticed, or the details, streets and houses that get overlooked. People who don’t live in the city tend to forget there is a lot more to Washington than the White House, the Capitol and the monuments. I try to show a side of D.C. from a different perspective. The city begs to be photographed more and discovered outside of traditional tourist spots, and this photo is exactly that for me: quintessential D.C. I look forward to seeing your pictures on Instagram when you tag #theotherdc while exploring beyond the National Mall.”

Photo by @adam_brockett.

Adam Brockett | @adam_brockett

“As a D.C. photographer, I spend a lot of time watching people walk up to one giant monument only to then watch them immediately turn around to take a picture of a completely different yet equally huge monument. That’s something you can’t do anywhere else in the world. That’s what makes D.C. unique. This picture captures that spirit: the diminutive size of the person relative to both the Washington Monument and the Capitol, standing at one monument while looking out toward the other.”

Photo by @dccitygirl.

Laurie Collins |@dccitygirl

“The Tidal Basin is where so many D.C. natives and visitors from all over the world convene to see the magic that is cherry blossom season. It is ethereal and fleeting. A good gust of wind can render the branches bare in a snap, so it is definitely a seize the moment kind of place. It is also near so many of D.C.’s iconic landmarks, monuments and museums that I find myself returning to that area all year long, year after year. It’s one of my happy places!”

Photo by @golightly.

Holly Garner | @golightly

“This town is so rich with inspiration and there’s never a dull moment, so you can have confidence that if you get out and explore, you will find beauty in unexpected places. One of my favorite events in D.C. is the [Blossom] Kite Festival at the Washington Monument. Last year, I was focused on capturing the crowds with their kites. This determined kid with his flamingo kite gave me the perfect frame.”

Photo by @korofina.

Rama George | @korofina

“Art and culture go hand in hand. The East Building of the National Gallery of Art is one of my favorite museums in town. Not only can you enjoy the incredible collection of contemporary and modern art throughout, but there is also the space [itself] to admire. Whenever I visit, I like to take a minute or two to enjoy the stunning architecture by the late I.M. Pei. Here, everything comes together beautifully and in perfect harmony.”

Photo by @thriftyspoon.

Caroline Ponseti | @thethriftyspoon

“From Blagden Alley-Naylor Court to the alleys through Capitol Hill and Dupont, there’s no doubt D.C.’s alleys are some of the best, embedded with so much history and culture. I love that CityCenterDC embraced this tradition with Palmer Alley. The seasonal decorations make for a festive walk and an excellent backdrop for food pictures.”

Photo by @zackowicz.

Zack Lewkowicz | @zackowicz

“Recently, I had the chance to take photos from atop the Washington Monument at sunset. I loved experiencing golden hour from the highest vantage point in the city. Seeing everything from a fresh perspective really just made me fall in love with the city even more.”

Photo by @hypefoodies.

CK + Diana | @hypefoodies

“[The] honey butter fried chicken sandwich. This is our favorite fried chicken sandwich from Roaming Rooster, which won Best Fried Chicken of 2019 [courtesy of] the Washington City Paper. We’ve met the owner [Michael Habtemariam], and he truly represents D.C. with his hard work and determination as a local restaurateur. For us, being able to eat great food from a local restaurateur reminds us how D.C. is greatly connected by the love for food.”

Photo courtesy of @wethepeopledc. Photo by @imwithherm.

We The People DC | @wethepeopledc

“The beauty of the account is that every day, we get to see the nation’s capital from the perspective of a different person. The first [or second] post of the day has turned into an obligatory [photo] of “this is my morning caffeine routine,” which of course involves some sort of coffee. This photo from @imwithherm [in] September 2019 captures our need for morning caffeine, creativity, and love (or hate) of politics: three things that are very WTPDC and D.C. #muppettakeover.”