February is Black History Month, so we’ve taken the opportunity to profile some of our favorite Black photographers on Instagram. The artists featured below are masters of their trade. Their Instagram profiles are filled with visually striking imagery, from captivating portraits to surrealist visual art. 

Here are 10 Black photographers on Instagram you should be following.

Tawny Chatmon

 

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Tawny Chatmon (@tawnychatmon) is a self-taught photographer and visual artist based in Maryland. Her Instagram grid is filled with uniquely crafted portraits, mostly of children. More than photographs, each image is layered with patterns and textures that evoke Chatmon’s signature style. 

“Each portrait usually begins as someone that I am close to in some way,” Chatmon writes on her website. “By looking outside of traditional photography methods, and experimenting with various art practices, I am able to transform each piece into a new expression.”

Chatmon’s work is wholly original, yet her photos feel classic and timeless. In a statement on her website, Chatmon explains that she draws inspiration from artwork of the 19th century. However, Chatmon subverts the art from that time period by “bringing to the forefront faces that were often under-celebrated in this style of work.” 

“The primary theme that drives my art practice today is celebrating the beauty of black childhood.” 

Arielle Bobb-Willis

 

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Originally from New York City but now based in Los Angeles, photographer Arielle Bobb-Willis (@ariellebobbwillis) is a nomadic artist. She loves travelling across the US, capturing the people she meets in abstract, brightly colored portraits. In most of her photos, the subject is dressed in vivid colors and twisting their body in an unusual pose, their face obscured or hidden.

Bobb-Willis developed her unique style in part due to depression. Suffering from the disease from an early age, Bobb-Willis found photography to be a therapeutic exercise. On her website, she explains that photographing people in “compromising and disjointed positions” highlights the complexities of life.  Meanwhile, the use of bright colors “speaks to a desire to claim power and joy in moments of sadness, confusion or confinement.” 

Unsurprisingly, Bobb-Willis’ visually arresting style has captured widespread attention. In 2020, she photographed musicians Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lil Nas X for the cover of New York Times magazine. Like her auspicious celebrity subjects, Bobb-Willis is in her twenties and has already built an incredibly mature body of work. We can’t wait to follow along and see what she does next. 

Quil Lemons

 

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Quil Lemons (@quillemons) is another early achiever. At 23 years old, the New York-based photographer is the youngest photographer to ever shoot a cover for Vanity Fair. The photograph, a commanding portrait of Billie Eilish, perfectly encapsulates Lemons’ style. 

Lemons shoots exclusively on film, and his portraits feel authentically intimate. In his grid you’ll find stunning pictures of artists including Spike Lee, Chloe X Halle, Ian Iasiah, and Kari Faux, along with work he’s created for brands like Gucci, Tiffany’s, Urban Outfitters, and Levi’s. 

Lemons grew up in south Philadelphia, and got his start by photographing musicians performing in the city. He attracted public attention in 2017 with a personal project called Glitterboy, inspired by musician Frank Ocean. The compelling photo series featured men of color wearing glitter, challenging stereotypes about Black masculinity. 

Masculinity and race continue to be strong themes in Lemons’ work. In a recent interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lemons discussed the reflection of the Black experience in his work. “I’m conveying my version of Blackness and how I’ve come to understand that.” 

Elise Swopes

 

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Elise Swopes (@swopes) is a unique blend of business woman and visual artist. An entreprenartist, if you will. Her hustle first started in the late nineties, when Swopes created a website that taught people how to build their own websites. She was in the sixth grade. As it turns out, empowering and inspiring others to create art would become a recurring theme in her career.

Swopes unassumingly joined Instagram in 2011 and started photographing the Chicago skyline on a broken iPhone 4. Eventually she started using her self-taught design skills to transform the photos into surrealist landscapes. Her unique visuals quickly garnered attention, and Swopes became an Instagram influencer. Soon enough she was working with major brands including McDonalds, Kellogg’s, UNIQLO, and Casamigos. 

Today, Swopes continues to post fascinating visuals on Instagram that she originally captured on her iPhone. However, she also hosts a podcast, recently released her own photo-editing app, and regularly works with brands like Adobe and Apple to inspire new artists to start creating. 

Follow Swopes on Instagram for regular doses of creativity and inspiration in your feed. If you’re not convinced yet, check out her TEDx Talk about being a child of the internet. Swopes is a natural-born storyteller.

Cam Hicks

 

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Cam Hicks (@camhicks_) is another film photographer that has been embraced by the fashion world. His ethereal imagery has a gritty yet sophisticated look and feel. The New York based photographer also employs a vast color palette, with photos varying from dark and shadowy to vibrantly bright. 

Just 5 years ago, Hicks was living in Virginia and working in IT. After teaching himself the basics of photography online, Hicks started shooting, and his work quickly started attracting fans. Since then, he’s worked with brands like Louis Vutton, Nike, and Adidas, and recently released his own photo memoir, For The Porch. 

Speaking to i-D about the book, Hicks describes himself as a “really emotional person,” and says that his photos almost always reflect “my feelings and emotions at that given time.” Since writing the book, he’s dialed back attempts to constantly maintain a brand persona on Instagram. The result is more personal, authentic content that reflects Hicks’ true self. 

Buy Hicks’ memoir to learn about his journey so far, and follow him on Instagram to see what comes next for the talented artist.

Jessica Pettway

 

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Jessica Pettway (@jesspettway) is another photographer with a powerful and unique visual style. Every one of her bright, vividly colored images is brimming with energy.  It doesn’t matter if her subject is a flower arrangement or a can of Tecate, seeing one of her posts in your feed will immediately brighten your day. 

The Brooklyn-based still-life photographer is an Adobe stock contributor, and has worked for brands including Apple, Uber, and Unilever. However, some of Pettway’s best work is photos of food and drink. Perhaps because a love of food feels organically infused into every image.

Pettway’s vibrant, often abstract style also means she depicts food as you’ve never seen it before. Pizza riding on roller skates. A packet of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos transformed into a vase. Her photos will make you salivate, even as you question what you’re seeing.

Pettway’s style is consistent, yet every post feels unique and original. If your feed needs some more color and creativity, you won’t regret following @jesspettway. 

Miranda Barnes

 

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Miranda Barnes (@mirandabarnes) is a Caribbean American photographer that lives between Austin, Texas and New York. A captivating blend of artist and documentarian, her gorgeous film photography includes intimate portraits and exquisite glimpses into daily American life. 

In a guest post for Huck Magazine, Barnes gives credit to platforms like Instagram for making photography more accessible and inclusive for young, Black, female photographers. She got her start by sharing photos to Instagram and Tumblr. Since then, she’s produced work for the New York Times, The Atlantic, and Vanity Fair. That’s in addition to her work for brands like Apple, Adidas, Calvin Klein, and Leica.

Telling Black stories and challenging racial stereotypes is integral to Barnes’ work. Her first commission for the New York Times saw her travel to Memphis to cover the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Similar projects she’s contributed to prove she has a lot to be proud of as both an artist and an activist. 

Dana Scruggs

 

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Dana Scruggs (@danascruggs) is another incredible artist and activist breaking glass ceilings. In 2018, she was the first Black female photographer to shoot for ESPN’s Body Issue. In January 2019, Scruggs made history again as the first Black person to shoot the cover for Rolling Stone. 

Originally from the southside of Chicago, Scruggs has worked as a photographer and director in New York City for most of the last decade. While she’s seen success in recent years, she writes honestly on Instagram about the challenges she faced. 

“There was a time, when I first moved to NY, that I needed new shoes and could only afford $2.50 knock off Keds at Kmart.” Scruggs writes as part of the caption for a photo she shot for Refinery29. “For most people it takes a painful amount of sacrifice to even begin to garner success… Don’t give up.”

Scruggs regularly posts stunning imagery on Instagram, from celebrity portraits to powerful explorations of the human form. However, it’s her raw, inspiring captions that make Scruggs a photographer worth following on Instagram. 

“Everything that I’ve gone through, my struggles and my highs, has lead me to being the person and the Artist that I am today. I wouldn’t trade any part of my journey.”

Micaiah Carter

 

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Photographer Micaiah Carter (@micaiahcarter) lives between Brooklyn and Los Angeles, and has made a name for himself shooting for brands like Apple, Nike, Pepsi, and Netflix. He’s also worked for publications including Vanity Fair, The New York Times, Vogue, and Vice.  His grid is filled with masterful portraits of celebrities and compelling fashion photography.

Warmth is an important component of Carter’s visual language. In an interview with Emmazed, he explains that growing up in the Mojave Desert had a strong impact on the way he plays with light in his work. Warm tones have also helped him explore representations of Black people that have been absent in mainstream photography in the past.  “I try to have this color palette that allows all these types of beautiful, brown types of skin to glow.“

While the Black experience is currently being explored in the photography world more than ever before, Carter is cautious of posturing. “I don’t think Blackness should feel like a ‘trend’,” he tells Emmazed. “I want to make something timeless, something that can stand the test of times and make the viewer wonder when this was taken.” 

Follow @micaiahcarter for warm, colorful, classic-feeling photography that powerfully explores Black identity. 

Adrienne Raquel

 

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Adrienne Raquel (@adrienneraquel) is New York based photographer and art director. Combining a bright color palette with soft lighting,  Raquel creates dazzling, retro-esque visuals that ooze with nostalgia. Motifs of Blackness and femininity are intrinsic to her work. 

Raquel’s unique visual style has been seized upon by the fashion world. She’s shot for publications including Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and CR Fashion Book, and worked with brands including GANNI, Dior Beauty, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In 2018, Raquel photographed the February cover of Nylon, a special Black History Month edition.  In 2019, she was crowned the Ambassador of Aesthetics for Reebok’s Club C line of sneakers.

It’s impossible not to be enchanted by Raquel’s photography. Her grid glimmers with stylish, soulful imagery that makes it clear why she’s a highly-sought photographer and art director. Her mission to make fashion photography more inclusive for black women – in front of and behind the camera – makes her work all the more meaningful. 

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While that concludes our list of 10 Black photographers on Instagram you should be following, there are countless more talented Black artists that deserve your attention. 

Following an artist on Instagram is also just one, small way you can show your support. This Black History Month, we encourage you to look for other ways you can champion the Black artists in your community. 

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day, we’d like to take a look at the civil rights leader’s life through photographs. The pictures of Martin Luther King Jr. below provide a fascinating glimpse into his incredible life.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Early Life

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. He was the second of three children to Reverend Martin Luther King Sr and Alberta King. While King would not become a public figure until his mid-twenties, earlier incidents in his childhood hinted at the man he would become. 

At the age of 15, King won a statewide public speaking contest in Dublin, Georgia. In his speech, he spoke about how the treatment of Black Americans was inconsistent with the Constitution. Travelling home afterwards by bus, King was verbally abused and forced to give up his seat for a white man. Years later, he wrote “that night will never leave my memory. It was the angriest I have ever been in my life.” 

After high school, King followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the Baptist ministry at age 18. He also continued his education, completing two degrees and eventually receiving his PhD from Boston University. While completing his doctorate, King met his future wife, Coretta Scott, who also had a history with activism. 

In 1954, King became a pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

1955 – Montgomery Bus Boycott

On December 1st, 1955, a 42 year old seamstress named Rosa Parks boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her now famous act of civil disobedience – refusing to give up her seat for a white passenger – led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and eventually helped to end racial segregation on buses across the US.

At the time, over 70% of Montgomery’s bus patrons were Black, and the first day of the boycott was 90% effective. That day, leaders of the Black community gathered together and formed the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA). The pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was elected president of the MIA.

Under King’s leadership, the boycott continued, causing economic strain on the city. Car pools were organized to help boycotters travel to and from work, while many Black cab drivers also offered heavily discounted fares. Opposition to the boycott was swift and violent. Boycotters were regularly attacked, and the homes of King and other leaders were firebombed. 

1956 –  The End of Bus Segregation in Montgomery, Alabama

King and 89 others were eventually charged with violating a statute that outlawed boycotts against businesses. King was found guilty and fined $500, although he appealed the verdict. The sentence was changed to 386 days of jail time, however, King only spent two weeks in jail.

Outside the courthouse, he was greeted by his wife and a cheerful crowd of supporters. In response to the verdict, King is quoted as saying “This will not mar or diminish in any way my interest in the protest. We will continue to protest in the same spirit of nonviolence and passive resistance, using the weapon of love.”

The decision to indict King and the others ultimately backfired. It gave the boycott national attention, and King became a popular public figure. King continued to organize nonviolent protests, now on a much larger scale. Drawing inspiration from Gandhi, King wrote in 1959 that he was the “guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change.”

A federal lawsuit was eventually filed by Fred Gray, the MIA’s chief counsel. Browder v. Gayle went before the District Court, where it was ruled that bus segregation is unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. The decision was subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court. Montgomery’s buses were officially integrated on December 21, 1956. Exactly 386 days after Parks refused to give up her seat. 

1963 – March on Washington

Following the Browder v Gayle ruling, Dr. King’s public profile continued to grow. In 1957, he helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The organization was established to organize more nonviolent, civil rights protests across the country.

King’s momentum attracted a lot of negative attention. In 1958, he was stabbed while signing copies of his book, Stride Towards Freedom. In 1960, he was indicted on two counts of felony perjury for allegedly signing fraudulent tax returns. King was later acquitted by an all-white jury.

By 1963, King was being extensively surveilled by the FBI.  This year, he also helped organize the March on Washington. Approximately 250,000 people gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial to advocate for the rights of Black Americans. Speaking to the crowd, King delivered his most famous speech. You can read or listen to the entire 17-minute ‘I Have a Dream’ speech here. 

1964 – Meeting with Malcolm X

In March 1964, Dr. King met Malcolm X outside of a news conference on Capitol Hill. Like King, Malcolm X had become a prominent civil rights activist in the last 10 years. The men were often depicted as adversaries with differing visions for the civil rights movement. However, there is little evidence to suggest there was animosity between them. On the contrary, their first and only meeting was as cordial as it was brief.

More recent analysis of both leaders beliefs suggests they had moved towards each other by the time of their deaths. Tragically, both men were assassinated before they could meet again. Speculation continues about what both men could have achieved – separately and together – had they lived longer.

1964 – The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Following the March on Washington in August of 1963, Dr. King and other civil rights leaders met with President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.  President Kennedy had previously proposed legislation that would strengthen civil rights and voting rights. However, it was defeated in the senate. 

Following President Kennedy’s assassination, President Johnson resurrected the legislation. It was eventually signed into law on July 2, 1964. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 remains the nation’s “benchmark civil rights legislation”. It “prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.” Additionally, it “strengthened the enforcement of voting rights and the desegregation of schools.”

Dr. King was present at the signing of the bill, considered a significant culmination of his work over the previous 10 years. In October 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “non-violent struggle for civil rights for the Afro-American population.”

2011 – Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on March 29, 1968, at the age of 39. However, his legacy lives on.  Coretta Scott King and other Black leaders continued to grow the movement after Dr. King’s death. 

In August 2011, a 4-acre memorial dedicated to Dr. King opened to the public. The memorial features The Stone of Hope, a large granite statue of the Nobel laureate. 

In October 2011, President Barack Obama attended the memorial dedication. Speaking in front of the monument, the President said, “As tough as times may be, I know we will overcome… I know this because of the man towering over us.  I know this because all he and his generation endured – we are here today in a country that dedicated a monument to that legacy.”

2021 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The pictures of Martin Luther King Jr. above tell a powerful story. However, Dr. King’s dream has not yet been fully realized. The New York Times estimates that half a million people joined Black Lives Matter protests across the US on a single day in June of last year. Additionally, people of color are at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 as a result of systemic health and social inequities. 

The pictures of Martin Luther King Jr. above remind us that the quest for racial justice has been long and painful. However, through love, hard work, and determination, progress is possible.

“We must keep going. If you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.” Martin Luther King Jr.

As the first month of the year, January is a great time to refresh and recalibrate your goals for the future. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s also National Hobby month! After all, is there a better time to try out something new? To celebrate the occasion, we’ve put together a list of outdoor and indoor hobbies you might be interested in trying in 2021.

Indoor Hobbies

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of us will be spending a lot of time at home in 2021.  If the prospect of more time inside sounds daunting, you’re not the only one.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that public health actions like social distancing can “make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety.” Because the precautions are necessary, they recommend taking healthy measures to cope with any stress. This includes taking “time to unwind” and doing “activities that you enjoy.”

So there you have it. Hobbies are officially recommended by the CDC for your mental health. With that endorsement, let’s take a look at some fun indoor hobbies that are great for alleviating stress.

Podcasting

If you’ve thought about getting into podcasting recently, you’re not the only one. Podcasting consumption on Spotify has reportedly doubled since the start of the pandemic. More podcasts are also being produced. As of January 2021, it’s estimated there are nearly 2 million podcast shows, and over 40 million episodes. That’s up from approximately half a million shows and 19 million episodes in 2018. 

One of the best things about podcasts is that it’s remarkably easy to make your own. Many of the most popular podcasts in the world are just people talking about their interests. All you need to get started is a microphone, computer, and something to talk about.

USB microphones are recommended for beginners. A USB microphone will allow you to record audio directly into your computer. We recommend the Yeti Blue USB microphone.  

Alternatively, an XLR microphone will record higher quality sound. However, you will need to record via an audio interface, or use an audio recorder. The Shure SM7B is a dynamic cardioid microphone that’s great for recording vocals. Popular podcasts that use this model include The Joe Rogan Experience, WTF Podcast with Marc Maron, and Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.

If you plan to record with a co-host, or regularly interview guests, you may require more equipment. The PodTrak P4 from Zoom is an audio recorder designed specifically for podcasts. As we discuss in our review, the P4 is loaded with features that make it easy for anyone to record a professional grade podcast. Focusrite also offers a great podcasting bundle. 

Check out our post about starting your own podcast for more tips. 

Gaming

Gaming isn’t just for kids. In fact, a 2020 report by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that 64% of US adults play video games, while the average age of a gamer is between 35-44 years old. More older Americans are getting into gaming as well. 46% of men and 63% of women players aged 65 or older have been gaming for 10 years or less.

Gaming has only become more popular since the pandemic started. That’s not surprising, given it’s an increasingly social activity. Gaming provides an excellent opportunity to have fun with friends, family, or strangers, even if they’re not physically nearby. The ESA reports that 65% of gamers play with others, online or in person. 

If you’d prefer to play alone, there are other benefits to gaming. The ESA reports that 79% of players “say games provide relaxation and stress relief” and 80% say they “provide mental stimulation.” 

November 2020 saw the release of two new major consoles, The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S. However, the Nintendo Switch, which came out in 2017, was the best-selling console of the month and the year. According to the ESA, though, only 52% of gamers use a console. 61% of gamers use a smartphone, like the Sony Xperia 5 II which also came out in 2020. 49% of gamers use a personal computer.

However you choose to play, there’s no reason why gaming shouldn’t be your next hobby. 

Music

Everyone loves music. We’re physiologically predispositioned to do so. So maybe you’ve considered making your own kind of music. 

The benefits of playing music are extraordinary. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between participating in music lessons as a child and enhanced academic performance. Musicians also tend to be more mentally alert, and have faster reaction times. While learning at a young age reaps the most benefits, it’s never too late to start. Playing music is a healthy brain exercise regardless of your age.

Most people think of a guitar or keyboard when they think about taking up music. However, there is an assortment of musical instruments available at various price points. You also don’t need to use a traditional instrument to make music. For example, Novation’s Launchkey Mini MK3 is a great option for beginners who don’t have any experience with a specific instrument.

The Launchkey Mini MK3 is a MIDI keyboard controller.  It’s used to make electronic music, and is similar to a synthesizer. Unlike a synthesizer, though, it needs to be used in conjunction with an audio editing software. The Launchkey Mini MK3 connects to your computer via USB, and comes with the Ableton Live Lite software. It’s great for beginners because it’s easy to learn and use, and allows you to create music using a variety of different sounds. It’s also more portable and affordable than most instruments. Check out our comparison of the Launchkey Mini MK3 and the Mini MK2 to learn more.

Outdoor Hobbies

During a pandemic, the safest place you can be is inside your home. The second safest place is outside in the sun, alone or away from others. An outdoor hobby is a great excuse to leave the house and take in some fresh air. The outdoor hobbies we recommend below are all pandemic-friendly. That is, you can do them by yourself or while social-distancing.

Photography

The great outdoors is full of natural wonders. Photography is an art form that will help you appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you. You might be surprised what looks beautiful when viewed through a lens.

It can feel a little overwhelming when starting out. There’s a plethora of camera gear available. So if you’re a beginner, you should start simple. Invest in a camera that’s lightweight, easy to use, and won’t break your budget.

The Sony a6000 is a great option. It’s an older model, but you wouldn’t know it based on its specs. It’s compact, easy to use, and captures great quality photos and video. Check out our 2020 post on the best cameras for beginners for more recommendations.

We also recommend doing some research into the basics of photography before you start shooting. Three of the most important settings on any camera are the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Together, they control how much light is exposed to your camera’s sensor. The exposure of light to the sensor is how a photo is created, so these settings are critical to how your images will turn out. Check out our post explaining the exposure triangle to learn more.

You may also want to look into the different styles of photography. If you’re interested in photographing scenery, click here for some landscape photography tips.

Bird Watching

If you have an appreciation for nature and wildlife, consider birding. Also called bird watching, it’s an activity that involves finding and observing birds in the wild. The hobby provides a great opportunity to leave your house, get some exercise, and learn more about the fascinating world of birds.

According to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats, you don’t have to travel far to go birding. Try a nearby park or open water source, such as a lake or river. Before you go, though, they advise doing some research. “Birding can be an adventure, but it should never be reckless.”

If you’re in the US, be sure to read the American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics. Ultimately, the ethos of the hobby is about respecting birds and their environment. The code states that birding “should be fun and help build a better future for birds, for birders, and for all people.”

Try to observe birds from a distance to minimize disruption. Many birders utilize binoculars for this reason. Celestron’s Nature DX series of binoculars are great for birding. We recommend the 8×42 model for beginners. The binoculars are affordable, durable, and rival the optics of more expensive models. 

Birding is a pandemic friendly hobby that allows you to escape the confines of your home and reconnect with nature. While the birding community is large, it’s an activity you can do completely alone. The benefits of spending time in nature are also well-documented. Many birders find it to be immensely calming and peaceful, almost meditative.

Astronomy

Humans have been looking up at the stars in wonder for millennia. While the night sky we see today may not be exactly the same as the one gazed upon by Galileo, it still holds immense mystery and beauty.

Professional astronomers study space and use mathematics, physics, and chemistry to try and solve the mysteries of the universe.  Amateur astronomy is primarily about observing objects in the night sky using a telescope. This includes stars, moons, planets, and other celestial phenomena. 

The Celestron PowerSeeker 114EQ is a great entry level telescope.  It’s affordable, portable, and its 114mm aperture is very appropriate for viewing the night sky. Some people also try to make their own telescope, but that’s a separate craft. 

Alternatively, astrophotography involves using a camera to capture images of the night sky. Traditionally, it involved attaching a camera to a telescope. However, most mirrorless or DSLR cameras are powerful enough to capture the night sky without additional equipment. A Canon T8i or Nikon D3500 are great options for beginners. 

Whatever gear you use to star-gaze, amateur astronomy is another great outdoor hobby you should try in 2021.

It’s a Hobby, Not a Side Hustle

While the outdoor and indoor hobbies above have the potential to become career pursuits, it doesn’t mean they should. By definition, a hobby is an activity you do for fun in your spare time. Once you monetize a hobby, it becomes work, and is less likely to relax you or alleviate stress.

You shouldn’t feel pressured to be constantly productive during a pandemic. It’s important to prioritize your health. Heed the advice of the CDC and take some time for yourself. Try one of the outdoor or indoor hobbies above and you might be surprised how rewarding it can be.