The world is captivating. One only has to flip through National Geographic Magazine or take in an episode of Planet Earth to understand why. Today, getting a glimpse of the wilder side of nature and the people exploring it doesn’t require a magazine subscription or an expedition around the world — just an Instagram account. The same men and women behind the lenses of some of the most breathtaking images are also documenting their experiences in real time on social media. So are countless other adventurers, mountain sport athletes and travel writers, many of whom are living proof you don’t need a full-frame camera to capture an amazing image — you just need an amazing subject. You probably haven’t heard of many of the outdoorsmen and women below, but maybe you should. From trekking through the Swiss Alps to working with great white sharks, these adventure Instagrammers will give you the extra impetus to get out under that big blue sky.
Jimmy Chin
Even if you haven’t heard of Jimmy Chin, you’ve seen his photographs. His work has graced the covers of National Geographic, Outside and more. He’s an acclaimed photographer, but he’s also a professional climber, mountaineer, skier, director and athlete sponsored by The North Face. His Instagram is populated by high-quality shots of his daily life, meaning incredible people and adventures.
Julian Bialowas
A Montreal transplant now residing in San Francisco, Bialowas is a professional photographer and avid adventurer. His creative lens goes wherever he does: through forests, interstates, mountains, freshwater lakes and beyond.