Every fall, AMLI throws a social media contest for the residents living at its communities around the country. Last fall, we held an Instagram and Facebook photo contest called My AMLI View, which sought the brightest, best, and most creative shots residents could muster from in and around their AMLI communities. Some residents chose to snap photos from their balconies, others looked to their building’s unique design for inspiration, and still some chose to focus on the natural areas and neighborhood surrounding their AMLI community. A select few even decided to capture a scene straight from their very own living rooms.
The point of it all was to get residents’ creative energies flowing and foster pride in the local neighborhoods and communities in which they live. Each AMLI community champions a feel of its own that blends the character of its surroundings with the style of the day. Apartments in Dallas will be different from apartments in Atlanta, and apartments in Seattle are in a class of their own. And those local particularities were put on full display by AMLI residents living in the nine regional areas where AMLI has apartment communities.
A cohort of AMLI judges narrowed down a pool of hundreds of photo submissions to an impressive group of finalists consisting of three photos from each of AMLI’s nine regions. Residents and the public at-large then voted for their favorite of the bunch and a week later winners emerged. The photo with the most votes won the grand prize, and nine runners-up with the most votes in their regions won prizes as well.
This month’s photo of the month is brought to you courtesy of Scott, a resident of AMLI on 2nd in the heart of the 2ND Street District in downtown Austin, Texas. Scott was Austin’s regional winner for the My AMLI View contest and won a Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera with film for his efforts. We caught up with Scott for a brief interview about his photo, his process, and his inspiration. Find that interview below.
1. What kind of camera(s) do you use? What do you like most about it?
I use everything from a Canon DSLR to an iPhone. The iPhone is by far my favorite camera because I always have it with me.
2. Do you use any special equipment that you especially like when you take photographs? (It’s okay if you don’t!)
Nope!
3. What types of things do you like to take photos of? What inspires you?
I love night photography in the city. Everything looks so beautiful at night.
4. What was the inspiration for your My AMLIView photo? What kinds of considerations did you make while taking it?
The lightning was really intense that night and I just had to get a photo of it.
5. Are there any Instagram accounts or photo blogs you love to follow? Which and why?
I can’t think of any specifically. I mainly use Instagram to keep up with friends.
6. Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers and Instagrammers out there?
Your phone is such a great camera that is always with you. Take a ton of photos and just have fun!
7. What’s the best part about living at your AMLI community?
Being right in the middle of EVERYTHING is amazing. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else!
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