If Alexi was a character he would be the Energizer Bunny. Meet one of my favourite Joburg Instagrammers Alexi Portokallis.
1. What is your handle?
: i made the handle by mistake actually and just went with it because at the time of creating my account I thoughtInstagram was another “app” so didn’t take to much notice. so my greek name is Alexios and my surname directly translated is Orange. put them together and you get alexiosO. In hindsight i would have chosen something cool like – se la vi!
2. What do you do when you’re not Instagramming?
Well i’m a recruitment consultant working at a consulting company by day, and a Johannesburg adventurer by night throwing in some gigs, friends, tree climbing, festivals, art, etc, etc, etc. Anything which allows me to spend time with friends and being creative.
3. How did you discover Instagram?
I blame . I was committing some Hipstomatic sins in my past and pulled me aside and told me to try instagram (the first photo I posted was of his shoe and have not deleted it). I thought nothing of it until I started following , and and realised the amazing $hit that people were doing with a phone. So sim-sala-bim, I was hooked, and have been creatively pushing myself ever since. Meeting people through the Instagram just sucked me in even deeper and I haven’t looked back. Like I said before, my life is about people and experiences, and Instagram is just that!
4. Who are some of your favourite SA Instagrammers?
Well let me say all of them. There are so people that I love and follow in SA, it will be hard for me not to leave some incredible instagrammers out: including you!!!. But what I can say is that I was heavily influenced by , , , and . Some incredible advice has been passed down from these dudes!
5. Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to master the platform?
I believe im still trying to master the medium, still got lots to learn! but my word of advice is enjoy taking photos the way you want to take them or you will be disappointed and give up before you find “your own” talents, enjoy the likes and followers but but don’t let it drive your passion, try and understand the basics of light, lines and composition (im still trying) and lastly master the editing apps like snapseed, vscocam etc…
6. Do you have a particular photographic style?
Not that I know of.
7. Where is your favourite place to take pictures in Johannesburg?
I like Johannesburg in general but the city centre is loads of fun, and a great place to take some interesting shots!
