Today we’d like to introduce you to Safar Huseynov.
Hi Safar, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been fascinated by photography since I was a child. I always wanted to capture the beauty I saw around me, but owning a camera wasn’t financially possible for my family, so I had to put that dream on hold for many years.
Another dream I had growing up was to travel the world and experience different cultures. That dream inspired the name GLOBETROTSH—a combination of “globetrotter” and my initials, SH. At first, the Instagram page wasn’t even about my own photography. I shared and credited inspiring work from other photographers while imagining the day I would be able to create my own.
Eventually, I decided it was time to tell my own stories through my own lens. The beginning was far from easy. For more than a year, my posts received very little attention. There were times when almost nobody saw my work, but I never thought about giving up. I kept telling myself, “Even if no one else sees these photos, I’m capturing the world for myself.” That mindset kept me going.
Over time, everything changed. Some of my photographs reached millions of viewers, and today my page averages between one and two million views each month. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that moments I captured simply because I loved them have connected with people from around the world.
So far, I’ve had the opportunity to visit six countries, and I see that as just the beginning of the journey. I want GLOBETROTSH to truly live up to its name by exploring many more places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. One of my next goals is to buy a drone so I can tell even more immersive visual stories from perspectives I haven’t been able to capture before.
Alongside my passion for photography, I’ve also remained committed to my academic journey. I recently earned my Ph.D. in Economics, a milestone that reflects the same perseverance and long-term commitment that has shaped my journey as a photographer. Although research and photography may seem like two very different worlds, both are driven by curiosity, exploration, and a desire to better understand the world around us.
Looking back, I realize my journey has never really been about photography alone. It’s about pursuing dreams that once felt out of reach, staying patient when progress is slow, and believing that consistency eventually creates opportunities. I’m still writing that story—one journey, one photograph, and one new experience at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Like many creative journeys, mine has been full of challenges.
The biggest obstacle in the beginning was simply not having the resources to pursue photography. I had to wait years before I could finally own a camera. Once I started sharing my own work, another challenge appeared—almost no one was paying attention. For more than a year, my posts received very little engagement, and it often felt like I was creating for an audience of almost nobody.
There were also moments when balancing photography with my academic and professional responsibilities was difficult. Finding time to travel, create content, and stay consistent required discipline and sacrifice. Many trips had to be carefully planned around my schedule and budget.
Perhaps the most important lesson I learned is that growth takes much longer than most people expect. Social media often makes success look instant, but behind every milestone are countless hours of work that no one sees. I never focused on chasing numbers. Instead, I focused on becoming a better photographer and telling authentic stories. Ironically, that is what eventually helped my work reach a much wider audience.
Even today, I don’t feel like I’ve “made it.” There is still so much I want to learn, so many places I want to explore, and many creative goals I haven’t achieved yet. I see every challenge as part of the journey rather than something standing in the way of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I see myself as both a visual storyteller and a lifelong learner.
Photography is where I express my creativity. Through GLOBETROTSH, I focus on capturing authentic moments from everyday life, landscapes, architecture, and the cultures I encounter while traveling. Rather than chasing trends, I try to create images that make people pause and feel something. My goal is not just to show beautiful places, but to tell honest stories through photography.
Alongside photography, I have built my academic career in economics and recently earned my Ph.D. in Economics. While these two fields may seem very different, they complement each other in many ways. Research has taught me patience, discipline, and attention to detail—qualities that have also made me a better photographer.
What I’m most proud of is not the number of views or followers, but the fact that I built GLOBETROTSH from nothing. I started with no camera, no audience, and no shortcuts. Today, my work reaches millions of people, with my page averaging one to two million views every month. Knowing that my photographs inspire others to travel, explore, or simply see the beauty in everyday life means far more to me than any statistic.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart, I believe it’s authenticity. I don’t travel just to create content—I create content because I genuinely love traveling and discovering new places. Every photograph represents a real experience, a real moment, and a genuine curiosity about the world. I think people can feel that honesty, and that’s what has helped me build such a strong connection with my audience.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a curious and observant person. I was always fascinated by photography, even though I didn’t have the opportunity to own a camera for many years. I also dreamed of traveling the world and discovering different cultures, which later inspired the creation of GLOBETROTSH.
I think my greatest strengths have always been patience and persistence. Once I set a goal, I keep working toward it, even if progress is slow. Looking back, those qualities have shaped both my personal journey and my work as a photographer.
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