Follow Me To: A Journey around the World Through the Eyes of Two Ordinary Travelers

by Murad Osmann, Nataly Zakharova

The Follow Me project was created in 2012 based on the concept of showing the beauty and uniqueness of different locations around the world. It is a story told through the eyes of two ordinary travelers who attempt to portray local lifestyles and narratives by means of photography. Since the project’s launch on Instagram, it has become a worldwide Internet sensation, emerging as a leading news feature and gathering millions of views on social media and the news sites that covered it. In each stunning image, photographer Murad Osmann is led to a new location by his girlfriend, Nataly Zakharova.

These images remind us that in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we so often forget to stop and appreciate the things that surround us—the historical and architectural heritage left to us by our ancestors. Readers join Osmann from the point of view of the main character and are taken on a journey to different historical and cultural sites. The project aims to acquaint readers with different lifestyles. For Osmann and Zakharova, this theme seems infinite, as there are an endless number of places to visit on our planet. Paging through the book, readers will be invited to see something familiar to them from another point of view, via the lens of Osmann’s camera.

Follow Zakharova and Osmann on a trip around the world, through such locations as Moscow, Madrid, Ibiza, Hong Kong, New York, and London.

Genres: Travel, Photography, Art, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2014

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a good coffee table book. I saw this as Available Now from my library and I was like, "Oh yeah! I remember those instagram pics!" So I borrowed it. And then I remembered how stupid this viral moment was. First, everyone was in love with these two 'young lovers' traveling the world together and the beautiful travel photography. Then, everyone was disillusioned when they found out that he is a professional photographer and she is a fashion model, and that is the reason that all of the pictures look like professional fashion ads. Like you could put the words "DIOR SPRING 2014" at the top of any picture and toss it in Vogue. People seriously got mad when they found out how much planning went into each shot. They picked out their locations, outfits, angles, time of day, all of it, because of course they did, they are professionals, and apparently that knowledge "ruined it" for a lot of people.

None of that bothered me. What bothered me about this book is how little effort went into it. Obviously they were capitalizing on a viral moment, and go ahead and get your coin, but it's truly just a copy paste job. I wish they had included a little more thoughtful or insightful commentary on the project, or at least more behind the scenes stuff. Something to make the book separate from the instagram account.

And because I'm sure I'm not the only one who's curious: Where Are They Now? They are still married (I was surprised). They still do the #followmeto instagram account (I was even more surprised). In addition to their photography project, he produces indie movies and she models and teaches online yoga. She also offers classes that are basically how to be an influencer which I think is WILD.

[Malli (Chapter Malliumpkin) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The following review is based off my own opinions, thoughts and reactions. So in other words brace yourself. *There may be inappropriate words such as curse words.* You have been advised in advance.*

I'm so in love with this book!



I'm a HUGE traveling enthusiast! I love traveling, meeting new people, embracing new sights and sounds, learning about the culture and hidden secrets a city has to offer, and throwing myself into the nature and scenery surrounding me.

Finding this book and being able to see the gorgeous photos this book has to offer, I instantly fell in love with how incredible the world is. Needless to say my heart swelled with the desire to go grab a passport and start planning all kinds of adventures.



So far my list of traveling is quite short, having only been to New Hampshire, Pennsylvania & Maryland, but this book inspire me to get out there and explore further into the wonders the world has to offer. Not to mention the little facts and thoughts the authors of this book noted makes you really want to live your life to the absolute fullest and embrace the world while we're all still here on this incredible planet.

I feel so inspired and I'm hoping this year I'll be able to embrace even more incredible adventures. Hopefully I'll even get the chance to get to go to Alaska and the United Kingdom!

I think every adventurer, wanderluster, explorer, and traveler needs to read this book and include it in their life. There's just too much inspiration and motivation radiating from this book not to have it in your life and a part of your own library!

[Amanda Hunsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) These#followmeto photos went viral and I've seen them all over Pinterest -- two young lovers leading each other over the globe. It's a lovely idea and I think part of the viral-ness of it came from this idea of this spontaneous way they captured their journeys. But in reality, it wasn't spontaneous at all. It was a photo project. That made it lose a little of its magic, but it's also much more believable that these photos were carefully planned.

I didn't like the amount of Photoshop used to make the backgrounds vivid and create a certain feel. Nataly's beauty was at times distractingly perfect. But I loved that the book was arranged around continents, making it feel like you were experiencing the world with them! Nataly's written blurbs about their journeys were honest and added to the photo project. And the costumes were awesome!

[David Jin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhh the famous handheld lead-follow instagram trend. There's not much to say about this book. It shows the work of the famous photographer and model who kicked off this brilliant (and now derivative) trend, and each of these photographs, although really pretty, were ripped off of their respective instagrams. It's a simple copy-pasta job and as such, it's a fine coffee table book. But anyone looking for photographic inspiration or artistic education need not really apply.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some nice photos and I enjoyed the brief descriptions. I feel the couple always being in the center of the photos takes away from the beauty of the book. I think a smaller, side photo of them in their costumes for each place would have been nicer.

[Jeffrey Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautiful table top book. I would certainly like to go to have the resources to visit all these places. Lovely photography.

[Manny Villa]

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[J.M. Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember when these photos first came out and how everybody was obsessed over it. It is a beautiful concept two young lovers traveling the world with him snapping photographs of her leading him to the newest destination. Then he mentions that they actually chose the costumes for each location which is not what most travelers do. Then if you look at the very first photo that they included it feels real the others just feel staged. After going viral they realized they had to redo it over and over so it now planned not a spur of a moment which loses it magic. The thing that really bagged me was some of the backgrounds looked faked and others had elements that seem to have been added to the photo afterwards. Yet nobody else mentions the oddness of a few of these photographs. Take for an example one of the New York one where they are standing in a street next to a Taxi are they saying they stood on a busy New York Street to take photos? I don't doubt that a few of these are taken at locations others though I think are fake which ruins it for me.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember hearing about Instagram in 2011 and wondering if I should create an account, as a newbie social media fanatic, I went into a seminar in 2012 about new platforms and I decided to reactivate the forgotten 2011 account, the first account "to follow" suggestion was Murad Osmann's account, I fell in love with instagram from his images of his girlfriend (then) his wife (now) Nataly Zakharova. I fell even deeper and thanked God for Google translate when I discovered her blog "Begoody.ru" espically that I began my blogging journey (seriosuly) in 2012! I wrote about 2 posts about them and their traveling journey.

Now that I got the book and read it from cover to cover, I think I want book two soon with all their images, I think Nataly used her post in writing this book, I recognized some of the articles. In the end, if you love their accounts you will absolutely want this book on your coffee table.

[Fatema · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I'm obsessed with the Follow Me To journey. Murad and Nataly are freaking goals. They also speak Russian, so extra brownie points.

I loved this because there was so much development and I could easily spot it. It is so inspiring to see people start from scratch. I mean their first photo in Barcelona was terrible. It portrayed a graffiti wall in a horrible quality. However, the details in the more recent pictures of the journey shows the development and care that the project went through and was put through.

I want more pictures.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite photos, gorgeous scenery and clothing/styling. I absolutely loved this book and hope to experience some of these places in my lifetime. The photos are breathtaking, the perspective so interesting. The short writing with each photograph is just right - it felt like reading a brief, interesting journal entry or note on the back of a photo instead of the typical travel book discussion. I wish this creative, delightful and adorable couple many years of happiness and adventures together!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos, I always thought they should make a book and realized when I started following their Instagram account recently that they did! I do wish that there were more details behind each photo listed though. I.E: why did they choose the location? What's the story behind the outfits chosen to wear? How busy was the location in order to make it look like it was just the two of them? Things like that. Love this book though, I'll definitely buy anything else they publish.

[Jus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book ages ago. It’s so romantic - sharing photos of the places the couple have visited. Beautiful photography. Let’s fall in love again.

December 2, 2025: it’s so nice to reread this book again, after 15 years later on a colour kindle. I still follow the author on instagram where I first fell in love with his photography.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Love this book!
I am a big fan of the Instagram account of this couple. I am waiting for another book with more pictures of them.


Maravilloso. Me encanta este libro!
Soy un gran fan de la cuenta de Instagram de esta pareja . Estoy a la espera de otro libro con más fotos de ellos.

[Rachel Qay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Everyone needs to read/look at this book. I could spend hours looking at the detail in the photos! The pictures present an awesome new way of looking at the culture and differences in different countries around the world.

[Lexy · Rating 4 out of 5]

late night 'jazzed about the world series and need to calm down' impromptu reading session and this did the trick. I've seen some of these pictures all over tumblr back in college and it was great to see more and read some of the back stories.

[Ellie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly beautiful!

I love the romance, adventure, fashion, and culture of this book. I only hope they will create another. I would love to see more of North America as well as Canada. They create the ultimate relationship goal! The art of this book is inspiring!

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these photos

[Ashleigh Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible photos. Pretttty terrible/corny explanations.

[Jeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous pictures! It truly inspires you to travel the world with new eyes.

[Bookie Werm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in love with an ideal; this couple. Captivating & romantic.