As the calendar flips from one page to the next, we are inundated with metaphors of new beginnings and looking ahead. As creatives, this is a great time to take stock of your work in the past year, set new goals and continue making what sets your creative soul on fire. If you’re in need of inspiration, we have gathered an inspiring group of creators who share their photography and video work on Instagram. Take a look at their accounts and the images they’ve shared that visualize some of the new year metaphors we’re surrounded with. And for more inspiration and community, be sure to follow @SonyAlpha on Instagram.

These creators are taking stock of their work in the past year, setting new goals and continuing to make what sets their creative souls on fire. See how you can do it too.

Nate Dodge – @Nate_Dodge

Nate Dodge is a commercial photographer and filmmaker with a niche in the outdoor and adventure industries. His Instagram feed is filled with aesthetically pleasing images including landscapes, shots of fly fishing, and general adventure images. He shoots with the Sony Alpha 7 IV and Sony Alpha 7 III. We love the allegory of the light looking out into darkness and finding something special that comes across in this image. Read more about Nate and his photographic journey HERE.

Nate Luebbe – @nateinthewild

Sony Brand Ambassador Nate Luebbe is a photographer, cinematographer, and self-proclaimed nature nerd. Spending loads of time in the backcountry it is a blast to follow Nate on Instagram and see what imagery he comes back with. This image is epic and is elevated with the contrasting colors. This makes us think of a hero, looking into the great unknown, about to embark on an adventure.

Hannah Rheaume – @hannahrheaume

Hannah Rheaume is a content creator who shares work on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, her blog, and her podcast. Hannah is full of stories of travel, adventure, and getting out into the great outdoors. She has a beautiful aesthetic eye that her followers adore, frequently asking her about her kit. Pro Tip: she uses the Sony Alpha 7R V, Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II, Sony 24mm f/2.8 G, Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master and the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. Be sure to follow her for more inspirational content.

Autumn Schrock – @autpops

Sony Brand Ambassador Autumn Schrock is a photographer and designer specializing in outdoor lifestyle, travel, and landscape photography. Her photography is known for its bright colors and tranquil landscapes/astroscapes, and she goes on one adventure after another to capture such special scenes. This image was made with the Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. Again, we love the hero of the image standing on the precipice of something big.

Allison Anderson – @photoallison

Allison Anderson is a travel photographer, vlogger and Sony Brand Ambassador. She solo travels the world and captures the beautiful moments she experiences along the way. On her Instagram and YouTube Channel you'll find content that provides helpful tips for traveling and give you firsthand accounts of the places she visits and the gear she uses. We love this behind the scenes image of her making magical images. This image is really successful because of the orange light from the sunset and how it compliments her orange jacket.

Renee Hahnel  – @reneeroaming

Renee Hahnel is an Australian based in Seattle and works as a full-time travel photographer and blogger. She's also a Sony Brand Ambassador, and her Instagram account features some of the most beautiful natural scenes in the world. She is known for epic adventures and outstanding colors in her imagery. Her account will make you want to start traveling full time. When out on an adventure, Hahnel typically shoots with her Sony Alpha 1.

Cate Schweitzer – @CatesCompass

Cate Schweitzer is a photographer based in the Southeast who loves to capture the outdoors on her Sony Alpha 7 III. She’s a hiking and camping aficionado with a passion for travel and trying new things. On her Instagram and her blog Cate shares information and guides on all things hiking, exploration, and outdoor adventure. Cate has a talent for creating interesting compositions in frequently-photographed places. We love the light in this shot, it makes of think of new dawns and fresh beginnings.

Mascha – @maschapff

Mascha is a German photographer, adventurer, and artist. Scrolling through her Instagram account, you’ll see beautiful documentations of her adventures in nature. Her work is recognizable for its blue and cool toned colors. We love the image below. What makes a better metaphor for a new year than standing on a cliff ledge, looking out over an incredible vista as the new light comes?!

Sierra Ducatt – @somewheresierra

Sierra Ducatt is a photographer, artist and writer from the West Coast. She is particularly interested in nature and outdoor adventures. In fact, she’s become a go-to source for information on spending time in the backcountry. We love scrolling through Sierra’s Instagram and seeing the stunning images she’s made on all her adventures. Like the image below, the sunrise over the flowers in Yosemite are just an image of hope.

Naomi Atherton – @naomijaneatherton

Naomi Atherton is a travel and landscape photographer originally from coastal Australia, now based in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Her work is based on a desire to share places and experiences that inspire her, and evoke a curiosity of the outdoors. When not traveling, a lot of her shooting often involves hiking in the backcountry of the Canadian Rockies, which is where she made the image below. Again, we love the visual metaphor of setting out on a new adventure. Naomi shoots with the Sony Alpha 7 IV and Sony Alpha 7 III.