Traditionally, an Instameet is where a group of people meet up on a certain day at a pre-determined location to explore and take photos to which they are later uploaded on to Instagram.
The Instameet is about more than just taking photos and uploading them onto Instagram, though, “they are about exploring areas that you wouldn’t normally explore and about meeting like-minded people and really capturing these moments,” says Keenan Constance, one half of the creative founders behind the We Explore ZA brand along with his friend, Matthew Kanniah.
(Image: Instagram/KeenanConstance; photo by Sheldon Evans)
(Image: Instagram/MatthewKanniah)
Keenan goes on to say, “Matt and I have always enjoyed attending Instameets but felt that they happened too infrequently and there wasn’t enough notice of the meet to plan to go-they were too last minute. So, that’s when we decided we would start hosting our own Instameets and that we’d host them consistently every month and start pushing it online so that we give people enough time to plan to attend.”
Their first Instameet hosted over 76 people in attendance, with FujiFilm jumping on board for their second one to which the number of people in attendance doubled to over 150 people. “Our June 16 Instameet was, as far as we know, the largest Instameet in South Africa so far, with well over 220 people in attendance-and our next one is sure to be even bigger,” the two say.
Realising that this was something that was quickly growing, Keenan and Matthew recognized that they needed to name their new project, resulting in the brand We Explore ZA and the hashtag #exploreza.
Their next Instameet will be held this week Saturday, 1 August at the SAA Aviation Museum in Germiston. And, for a small entrance fee of R20 (half of the normal price) you will have access to every aircraft including the cockpit of several planes and being able to walk on the wings of a Boeing 747.
We Explore ZA will also collaborating with @Zenography who launched an initiative called @walkforcharity in the hopes that Instameets could collide with Social Justice.
So, at their next Instameet, We Explore ZA are partnering with an organisation called The Rivers Foundation who look after the daily needs of 10 orphanages, feed 17 000 school kids every week and are continually involved in Social Justice projects like school and business refurbishments among many other projects.
On the day, there will be a Rivers Foundation stand available where Instagrammers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items such as canned food and soup as well as clothing (in good condition) with a special focus on socks.
To add to the excitement, We Explore ZA have partnered with The College of Digital Photography who will be giving 4 attendees the chance to win a FREE Discover Photography course as well as merchandise valued at R1 500 each!
There are four different categories you can win in.
Best Overall Photo #ExploreZA Best Creative Edit #ExploreZAcreative Best Use of Light #ExploreZAlight Best Portrait #ExploreZAportrait
Follow We Explore ZA on their Facebook event page or their Instagram for more information
as well as Keenan and Matthew’s personal Instagram accounts:
READY? SET? START SNAPPING!