Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Natheer Halawani @natheer.jpg

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

I am a recovering engineer, cycling activist, a people’s person and, first and foremost, a photographer. I have been using my camera since 2012 to document the lives of human being and start discussions about taboos, societal constructs, and so on. I am currently co-founder of a branding agency, and my city’s Bicycle Mayor.

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

I care about people in everything that I do, whether it’s engineering, photography or cycling. In the last year and a half I have been posting about two things, (1) ongoing protests in Lebanon and the humanitarian stories in between, and (2) portraits of friends and acquaintances that dwell on each person’s characters and peel down the layers of the human beings. Every portrait is usually accompanied by a caption of what I left after the session was over.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

the extension jpg refers to photography, and I used to separate my professional account from my personal (natheer.raw) account.

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

Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed.

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

they’re many, I’ll list a few:
@sirdart_
@jess_worthington
@mouslamrabat
@habjouqa
@photoaziz
@tareckraffoul

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

My favorite part must be the ability to connect with a wide audience and be able to learn from them, and leave an impact on a larger scale. See, a massive chapter of my life has been about helping people out, and I always wondered how would I be able to help a fatherless teenager learn how to drive a car on their own, or a fresh grad find a job, a person in need of a hug, and so on.

7) What’s your favorite part about StarNgage? Any exciting campaigns that you have joined through StarNgage before?

Most definitely, I think my audience follows me because of the rawness that emanates through my account, and that drives me to believe that working with brand that are aligned with my values would be equally beneficial for both.

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

I don’t really have any tips aside from staying true to oneself and one’s own brand. Today’s social media audience is smarter by the day, and being one, I would never tolerate following an account that does not align with my values, which more or less resonate with the new generation’s global values such as respect, honesty, being environmentally friendly, not being involved in any human abuse cases, not supporting apartheids and/or oppressing regimes.

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

As stated earlier, people on social media are darn smart today, and chances are if I certain video is a replica of another one, even if continents apart, someone will know at some point and will point out in the comments section.

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

The financial aspect of course, helps me stay financially free, and the ability to keep people informed.

Topics:

• Art
• Photography

Country:

Lebanon