Many users of Instagram have recognized its potential to build awareness about the beauty of urban environments. If you're still unfamiliar, consider the example of an Instagramming duo in Philadelphia.
Casey Fabris tells the story of Austin Hodges and Billy Cress, who have parlayed an eye for idiosyncratic residences and a hashtag, #phillyhomeportrait, into a three-volume series of books and tens of thousands of followers on Instagram.
The benefits of Instagram stardom, however, are larger than the book deal, according to the testimony of Hodges shared in the article: "It's like creating a visual awareness of the city you live in," says Hodges.
Moreover, according to Fabris, "Hodges said he hopes #phillyhomeportrait inspires others to explore their neighborhoods, documenting the places they find beautiful."
FULL STORY: With iPhone photos of Phila. houses, Instagrammers gain large following
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