With the news of Instagram being bought by Facebook for a cool $1 Billion this week, the studio decided to put together our favorite instagrams! We look forward to seeing what Facebook does with one of our favorite apps.

Jeffrey

Brian

Instagram is like a little gift every time I open it. A fantastic tool for expression as well as discovering images from new people like Adam Senatori or Aniket Shahane. It’s a dynamic mobile gallery; who doesn’t like that?

Chris Fohlin

I’ve enjoyed Instagram for about 56 weeks now (based on my first photo) and have been drawn to it for its simplicity and the chance it has provided to build a niche network around those that take great (or enjoyable) photos. Even if Facebook had filters, I don’t think I’d be doing the same amount of photo sharing on Facebook as I have on Instagram. Case in point, I don’t send every one of my Instagram photos to Facebook–I make a choice on a photo-by-photo basis. And I don’t follow the same people on Instagram as I am connected to on Facebook. Instagram, much like Twitter, allows for a somewhat personal insight into individuals that you’re not necessarily intimately connected to. Here’s to hoping that the Facebook acquisition does not drastically change the product but brings in the subtle improvements that Facebook’s platform can no doubt provide.

Here are my personal picks:

Pictured (clockwise): A shot of the mountainous Berkshires of Massachusetts after cycling 9 miles to the top of Mt. Greylock, highest peak in MA (3,489 ft), Blue Bottle’s coffee in Williamsburg; I love watching the process, Working late at the studio – this was a shot overlooking the New York Digital District, Shot of the Verrazano Bridge pre-NYC Marathon in 2011.

Chris Goodhue

My favorite instagram: Liz in Miami

Pritika

I had been waiting for the Android version for a very long time and started using Instagram only 6 days ago. I agree with Fohlin that it is not really the filters that draw me to Instagram but the idea of creating micro-level pictograms to visually narrate the day-to-day and share with a small circle of people. As a designer I am drawn to the visual story-telling that is facilitated by this service and is missing from many larger social networks. Looking at pictures taken by other people in my network allows me to glimpse passing moments in their life and connect with them, if briefly. That said, after the Facebook acquisition, I may not continue using the app as much, afraid of revealing many personal photos to a larger network. Instagram’s success is largely due to its perceived exclusivity, which may be lost now that Facebook has taken over. These are some of my ‘grams that I would like to share:

Beautiful planters seen in my neighborhood, Looking out from an old window while riding on an intercity railway to Chicago.

John

‘grammin’ is life – i hope FB doesn’t suck the soul out of it. but nothing lasts for ever and this has been a sweet ride so far, bro. can’t complain.

there’s a sweet stream coming from one of the editors of 12oz prophet that i dig (http://web.stagram.com/n/bheir/):

Amanda

Here’s hoping Instagram only gets better!

Pictured (Clockwise): Christian and Oscar checking out the view from the office, sunset over the hudson, the Wilco towers in Chicago, Oscar and I camera ready.