Russian Photographer Turns Tel Aviv Locals into Instagram Stars
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Russian photographer Daniel Macy has gained a following in Tel Aviv by approaching locals and asking to take their picture, turning them into Instagram stars. Macy, who has lived in Israel since 2021, uses his street photography project to connect with people and improve his English. His Instagram account, launched two months ago, has already attracted nearly 23,000 followers. Macy's work sometimes leads to unexpected opportunities for his subjects, though he generally declines paid assignments.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Daniel Macy, a Russian photographer living in Tel Aviv, is gaining popularity by photographing locals for his Instagram.
- Macy approaches strangers on the street asking "Can I take a picture of you?" in English.
- His Instagram account, started two months ago, has already amassed nearly 23,000 followers.
- The photographer, who works as an engineer, arrived in Israel in 2021.
- Macy's street photography often leads to unexpected connections and opportunities for his subjects.
- He acknowledges the delicate balance between spontaneous photography and respecting personal space.
Daniel Macy, a 33-year-old photographer from Samara, Russia, has been capturing the attention of Tel Aviv residents by approaching them on the street and asking, "Can I take a picture of you?" Macy, who arrived in Israel in 2021 and works as an engineer, has developed a passion for street photography, focusing on people and their unique styles. He uses a Fujifilm x100vi camera and Meta/Ray-Ban smart glasses to capture both stills and video.
Macy, who speaks English and understands Hebrew, prefers to conduct his interactions in English, noting that "everyone here speaks English." He lives in Tel Aviv with his wife, a tattoo artist. His photography journey began with family portraits and events, evolving into professional work for businesses and influencers. He found inspiration for street photography after creating a YouTube channel for his wife, which led him into the world of content creation and marketing.
Initially hesitant to approach strangers, Macy gained confidence through photographing events like bar mitzvahs and weddings. He sees street photography as a way to connect with people and improve his English. While he sometimes faces rejection, he often uses compliments and a smile to engage subjects. He covers significant distances, sometimes walking up to 20 kilometers a day, exploring various neighborhoods in Tel Aviv and beyond in search of interesting subjects.
Macy recently launched a new Instagram account dedicated to his street photography, which has quickly gained nearly 23,000 followers in just two months. This project has motivated him to go out and meet new people, leading to unexpected connections, such as meeting a Brazilian singer who spoke Russian. He shares that the positive feedback and recognition from strangers have been deeply rewarding.
While Macy's work often leads to further opportunities for his subjects, he generally declines most invitations for paid assignments due to the extensive work involved. However, he recounts instances where his photos facilitated reunions, led to modeling offers for subjects, and even sparked romantic connections. He also shared experiences of spontaneous collaborations, like running a kilometer with a subject or having a lengthy conversation with a fellow wheelchair user on Yom Kippur. Macy acknowledges the fine line between spontaneous photography and invading personal space, recalling an incident where he was forced to delete photos taken without permission.