Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Michelle Panting @fullwpg

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. For the last four years, I’ve been running FULL, an online publication about art, culture and travel from a Winnipeg perspective. Winnipegers are often disparaging about their city, but I seek out stories about the artists, makers, business owners and personalities that make this city a great place to live.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I’m very interested in human stories, so I post a lot of portraits. I also love architecture and exploration. Manitoba is home to a lot of natural beauty. I like to showcase that.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

The name FULL comes from the concept of fully engaging in life and communicate to build a well-rounded life. I started FULL because I felt like I wasn’t doing that before, but because of my work with the publication and my explorations with photography, I’ve met a lot of wonderful people and really enriched my own life. wpg is short for Winnipeg.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

Most of my photos are taken on a DSLR and edited in Lightroom, then touched up a bit on my phone using the Instagram editing tools. Photos look different on my computer as opposed to my phone, so typically I tweak things like brightness, contrast and colour saturation. I love colour, but I’m also trying to keep the feel of what I saw when I took the photo.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I love accounts like @theladyist, @pansyco and @personalpractice. There are also some excellent Winnipeg photographers like @kiandrajeffry, @a.dumb, @josephvisser and @carrielynnunger who constantly push me to work harder.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Hop in a car, get on a bus, walk out your door and explore. Spend time in new spaces and find the beauty and intrigue in them.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

I like that I can inspire people to do what I was able to do: live a life that engages with community. It’s something that enriches everyone.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

It’s important to me that a brand treats its staff well and is transparent about the work they do. I’m only going to work with brands whose products I use and love, and who care not only about making money, but affecting positive change in the world.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

I want to see photos that make my eyes dance around the image, photos that communicate an emotion. As a photographer, that requires you to push yourself to connect with the world.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

When brands can affect positive change, I want to work with them. Companies have tremendous power to do good in the world, and I’m honoured to help them do that.

Topics:

• Architecture
• Art
• Fashion
• Film, Music & Books
• Food & Drink
• Nature & Outdoors
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

Canada