Microsoft joins Instagram, hires photographer to travel the world

 By 
Rex Santus
 on 
Microsoft joins Instagram, hires photographer to travel the world
Credit: Microsoft

One of the biggest tech companies in the world joined Instagram on Wednesday. Microsoft will use the account to show all sorts of people -- from baristas to surgeons -- using its products in their work.

The technology company is using the picture-sharing website to post images and stories about people with all sorts of careers who use Microsoft in their work. It appears Microsoft isn't skimping on the Instagram content, either. The company hired photographer Justin Bastien, and it's financing his travel to multiple continents to meet with people who might be good fits for the campaign.

The first everyday Microsoft user is Laila Ghambari, a barista at Cherry Street Coffee House in Seattle. She uses Microsoft-owned Skype to communicate with other coffee lovers and baristas in far away places.

Coffee is in Laila Ghambari’s blood; she practically grew up in Cherry Street Coffee House, founded by her father. She teaches barista skills to people across the world, both in person and online from her #Seattle home. @lay_luh also works with the Barista Guild of America and helps grow the #coffee community in Iran, where her father was born. #DoMore A photo posted by Microsoft (@microsoft) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:14am PST

The Instagram account is supposed to embody Microsoft's "mission to reinvent productivity" by using the hashtag #DoMore. According to Microsoft, the company has "a community" of 100 million people across its social media channels -- 10 million of them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Next up on Instagram is Ben Starnes, a thoracic surgeon who uses 3D printing technology for operations, though his story hasn't been posted yet. He also lives in Seattle -- picking up on a theme, the company happens to be headquartered in Washington, too. Maybe Microsoft's next Instagram photo will actually be taken outside the boundaries of state.

BONUS: Instagram Hyperlapse -- four NYC bridges in 45 seconds

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