Instagram 101: Abbi Kemp

You’ve taken some incredible photos on your travels. What’s the key trick to taking the perfect Instagram shot?

Light, Patience and Observation.

Was there a particular moment or landscape that completely took your breath away?

Laguna Verde in Bolivia. My photography is mainly focused around people, so I tend to avoid the typical touristy landscape spots when traveling. However, when I spent a month in Bolivia it seemed criminal to not spend a few days exploring Salar de Uyuni and the surrounding areas. As we drove around, I listened to Kaki King and remember feeling like I was in the opening scene of a film.

Do you use any photo editing apps? We’re big fans of VSCO…

VSCO & Sometimes the Hudson filter on Instagram.

How did you first get into photography?

I fell in love with photography back in 2007 whilst wandering the streets of SE Asia & India. I had a small point & shoot Sony camera and after time realised that I had an eye for pictures and loved the meditative state it took me to. I’ve never looked back!

Do you shoot all of your Instagram photos using your iPhone?

Truth? No. I upload a mixture of instragram shots and images taken on my DSLR. Don’t judge me!

What or who is your biggest source of inspiration?

My inspiration comes from an accumulation of things such as literature, film, travel and art. I have an unhealthy obsession with books, so I’m always buying books of photographers that inspire me such Nan Goldin, Steve McCurry, David Alan Harvey, Cartier-Bresson, Tim Walker, Sally Mann and the list goes on & on!

You’re off to Myanmar imminently, but do you have any other travel plans coming up?

I’ve just got back from getting lost in Myanmar, a country I’ve wanted to visit for years. Next stop is the Philippines in March 2016. I try and do at least 2 big photography trips a year and am working on a couple of projects in between…

Where or what is at the top of your photography bucket list?

The famous quote “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” from Susan Sontag came to mind when I read this question! I have so many locations I long to visit but top of my list is Tokyo and since spending the last 2 years in the Middle East, I’d like to explore more of my homeland England.