Video by @theflippistflipbooks “i’ve somehow plopped into a moment in time where this bonkers childhood dream job is somehow my reality,” says “flipbook-maker guy” and artist ben zurawski (@theflippistflipbooks ), who lives in chicago. growing up, ben’s father frequented garage sales and thrift stores, often bringing home unique items. one of those treasures was a flipbook. “i was mesmerized getting to watch a cartoon without a tv that i was powering with my own thumb. it instantly sparked in me a love of the magic of flipbooks,” says ben. “each one is like its own little puzzle. i love figuring out the idea, the design, the timing. getting to just sit and draw and color all day is literally all i’ve ever wanted to do and getting to share it with others is such a sweet bonus.” see more of ben's work on today’s story.

Photo by @leefromamerica
meet los angeles-based wellness enthusiast lee tilghman (@leefromamerica ). twenty-eight-year-old lee is a self-proclaimed blogger, writer, photographer, workshop teacher, speaker and, yes, even human. “i was first introduced to the wellness space because of my struggle with an eating disorder between the ages of 16 and 18,” explains lee. “at 18, i started to learn what it felt like and what it looked like to treat my body with respect. that spurred a whole journey — i’m still on it now — of discovering and researching and really just playing along with different lifestyles and different ways of thinking and activities that made me feel my best... i know how to put my needs first, which is something that i didn’t necessarily know how to do before. and i feel confident and sure enough in myself to make those decisions and choices so that i can operate at the best possible version of myself.” learn more about lee’s self-care practice today on our story.

Weekend hashtag project: #whpseasonal come rain or shine, this weekend’s challenge is to make images and videos that capture the spirit of the season in your region of the world, as in this featured photo illustration from sandra (@salufi ). here are some tips to get started:
focus on details that represent the season. for example, a single red leaf can represent fall, a strong shadow cast by the sun can feel like summer, or a crowded passageway full of open umbrellas can indicate the rainy season.
play with seasonal activities. get outside for apple picking, hiking or swimming, or if it’s very chilly where you live, stay inside and bundle up with your crew.
let your palette set the mood. whether it’s the changing hues of foliage in autumn, the snow-tipped mountain peaks in winter or a beachy summer day, capture the colors of the season in your photo or video.
project rules: please add the #whpseasonal hashtag only to photos and videos shared over this weekend and only submit your own visuals to the project. by adding the #whpseasonal hashtag, you consent to and grant instagram all rights to repost your photo or video. if you include music in your video submissions, please only use music to which you own the rights. any tagged photo or video shared over the weekend with the #whpseasonal hashtag is eligible for the project and, if selected, to be featured next week.

Photo by @vineet_vohra
vineet vohra (@vineet_vohra ) tried his hand at wildlife and fashion photography early in his career. but it wasn’t long before he was drawn to “the uncertainty and surprise” of street photography. “the temporary connections i make in the street are more intense than what i found shooting wildlife,” says the photography teacher from new delhi. “for me, photography is not about sight. it’s about insight. my pictures are a dialogue, where i’m having a conversation with my audience, and with myself.”
a festival like #diwali, the annual hindu festival of lights, allows vineet a deeper-than-usual dive into his culture. “i’m not very religious,” he says, “but i am very spiritual. and as a photographer, anything having to do with light has huge significance in my life.” so diwali, especially, resonates with him. “you breathe for a while,” he says. “you think about the past year and moving into the next. there’s always negative energy around, even in good times, but the light during diwali just washes it away. the light cleanses the soul.”
check out today’s story to see what diwali was like for vineet. 📸

Today on igtv, we’re with dancer and creator jayden bartels (@missjaydenb ). 🌟 tune in now to go behind the scenes with jayden as she films a dance tutorial.

Photo by @frauki
“i absolutely love places that make you and your problems feel tiny, and think that nature has the power to put us back into place.” —german student frauke hameister (@frauki ) #whpscale

Photo by @mlnordan
“we reached into our nature box collection for inspiration for the whp this week,” writes veterinarian melissa nordan (@mlnordan ) in the caption to her #whpscale submission. “amongst our turtle shells, snake skins and bird nests we found these cicada wings to use. i lightly glued them onto a pane of glass and held it up in front of my camera as i photographed my daughter. it reminds me of summer. i can hear their ‘singing’ as i type.”

Video by @loulouminidachshund
hello, world! it’s time for a delightful dose of #weeklyfluff, brought to you by loulou (@loulouminidachshund ). this 1-year-old little lady hails from the netherlands and (as you can see) loves spending time with new friends. to see loulou in action at home, check out our story and our igtv channel now.

Photo illustration by @dzalcman
“the kids look like they’re in the middle of some fairy tale landscape, lost among giant flowers and sparkling lights,” says photojournalist daniella zalcman (@dzalcman ) of her #whpscale submission, which is a composite of three images from quinhagak, alaska; washington, dc; and penobscot nation, maine. “i use multiple exposures in my editorial work on a regular basis and i also like to make these composites for fun — particularly as a way to play with scale and give the images a slightly surreal feeling.”

Photo by @mydogstink
i spy stink’s (@mydogstink ) sandy tail? or a giant furry❓?
follow along as we feature more of our favorite submissions to last weekend’s hashtag project, #whpscale.

Video by @snoopslimes
for a monday pick-me-up, take a break with some #asmr magic from jay kang (@snoopslimes ). it's on our story right now.

Photo by @studywithinspo
“bullet journaling is for everyone,” says brian qian (@studywithinspo ), a 17-year-old student in southern california with a passion for keeping track of his lists, goals and to-dos with organized, artistic journaling. “whether you have a full-time job or you’re a full-time parent, bullet journaling is a creative and effective way to organize your life,” he says. “my favorite thing about it is that i’m able to alter things when my life changes—during the summer when i don’t have school, i minimize my weekly to-do lists because i don’t have that many assignments to finish.” throughout the year, brian’s journals are inspired by nature. “my bullet journal reflects the seasons and the many things i love about nature, from mountains to flowers.” 🌻
see more bullet journaling from brian today on our story.