Instagram is a social media outlet that allows users all around the world to share photos. The social network has more than 300 million monthly active users in a world that is captivated by visuals. Although Instagram can serve as an announcement for what’s for dinner, it has been influential in allowing people across continents a glimpse into one another’s lives.

An important aspect of Instagram is its ability to make those whom we will never meet relatable to us. This aspect can be applied to A-list celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, as well as to the poor villagers in North Africa. Instagram can humanize the poor and mobilize the able.

Listed below are a few Instagram accounts that do an excellent job showing the beauty as well as the tragic poverty of developing countries.

1. Lynsey Addario @lynseyaddario

American Photo Magazine named Lynsey Addario, currently living in London, one of the five most influential photographers in the past 25 years.

2. Marcus Bleasdale @marcusbleasdale

Marcus Bleasdale is a documentary photographer working in the Central African Republic. His coverage of poverty-stricken conflict zones has earned him the Amnesty International Award for Media 2014.

3. Andrew Quilty @andrewquilty

Andrew Quilty is an Australian documentary photographer working in Afghanistan.

4. Phil Moore @philmoorephoto

Phil Moore is a British freelance photographer documenting life in Burundi.

5. Everyday Africa @everydayafrica

Everyday Africa is a project started by Peter DiCampo and Austin Merrill to show what life in Africa is really like. The account features many African and non-African photographers in their daily lives.

6. Everyday Asia @everydayasia

Everyday Asia is based after Everyday Africa, showing what life in different parts of Asia is like.

– Iona Brannon

Sources: Global Insider, Lynsey Addario, Marcus Bleasdale, Andrew Quilty, Phil Moore, Everyday Africa
Photo: Everyday Africa