14 Incredible Instas That Prove Firework Pics Are NOT All the Same

Tuesday’s Independence Day saw a bevy of beautiful fireworks throughout Washington. Instagrammers shared their shots with us using #washmagphoto and we found 14 celebrating America’s birthday best.

Decided to watch fireworks from our roof tonight. Happy 4th! ???? #igdc . . . . . #washingtondc #mydccool #mytinyatlas #livecolorfully #pursuepretty #bythings #fotodc #washpostphoto #washmagphoto #yourtake #nbc4dc #agameoftones #mashable #huffpostgram #exposeddc #acreativedc #postitfortheaesthetic #theamericancollective #dcitystyle #usaprimeshot #shootermag_usa #watchthisinstagood #peoplescreatives #vscocam

A post shared by holly garner (@golightly) on Jul 4, 2017 at 7:24pm PDT

Sparks fly.

Had a fun fourth with @goaskalexx . . . . #walkwithlocals #moodygrams #agameoftones #artofvisuals #createexplore #usaprimeshot #ig_unitedstates #ig_northamerica #igersusa #instatravel #justgoshoot #visualsoflife #awesomeearth #heatercentral #citykillerz #illgrammers #theimaged #visualambassadors #mydccool #leagueoflenses #usaprimeshots #reflectiongram #america #unitedstates #igdc #mg5k #washmagphoto #instagood #fatalframes #ig_color

A post shared by Drew Folgmann (@drewfolgmann) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:24pm PDT

Bay view off of Gibson Island.

Thankful for amazing friends with roof decks in Columbia Heights. It was 360 degrees of pure firework magic! Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July! ????? #washdclife _____________________________________________________ #july4th #fourthofjuly #julyfourth #america #usa #freedom #fireworks #washingtondc #happybirthdayamerica #nightlife #igdc #popville #bythings #acreativedc #mydccool #washmagphoto #dctography #dcchasers #exposeddc #explordmv #firework #mycity #ilovethiscity #celebrate #summerinDC #fotodc

A post shared by Amelia (@wandering_dc) on Jul 4, 2017 at 9:32pm PDT

Smoky remnants.

I have to admit that I was a little upset earlier this evening based on a little experience I had while photographing the fireworks on the National Mall. This lady overheard me complaining about people standing up, and decided to purposely stand in directly in front of my camera. At first it was a little frustrating, but it actually caused me to aim my camera slightly higher, as to compensate for the lack of a clear view. I truly believe that when your heart is good, and you decide to take the higher route, you will always prevail. I am my own toughest critic when it comes to photography, but I do like this shot and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. So a special thank you goes to the complete stranger that thought that she could ruin my shot, but made it better instead. I still love you though. ✌?| #Happy4thofJuly

A post shared by Jarrett Hendrix (@jarrett.hendrix) on Jul 4, 2017 at 9:32pm PDT

Daddy longlegs vibes.

Happy July 4th!! #dccool #dcitystyle #dc #dc5 #dcpride #dc5 #dc4life #dc4thofjuly #dc4thepeople #instadc #dmvphotographer #igdc #acreativedc #dcfocused #exposeddc #fotodc #dc #washingtondc #mydccool #washingtondaily #dcitystyle #nikon_photos #washmagphoto #USAprimeshot #instapassport #thecreative #artofvisuals #aroundtheworldpix #ig_masterpiece #travelog

A post shared by Sameen (@sameenclicks) on Jul 5, 2017 at 12:30am PDT

Bright bursts.

Let the sparkles begin! . . . . . . . . . . #persuepretty #theweekoninstagram #inspiremyinstagram #allwhatsbeautiful #beautifulmatters #seeingthepretty #capturingcolour #myeverydaymagic #visualcrush #verilymoment #liveunscripted #forahappymoment #postcardplaces #takemethere #mytinyatlas #offthebeatentrack #pathport #feelfreefeed #washmagphoto #nothingisordinary #dslooking #kinfolkmag #postitfortheaesthetic #flashesofdelight #thatsdarling #vscomood #dcitystyle #roamtheplanet #colorcolourlovers

A post shared by dccitygirl ?? (@dccitygirl) on Jul 1, 2017 at 6:49pm PDT

A shower of light over Mt. Vernon.

One more fireworks shot from last night. . . . . . #igdc #acreativedc #dcfocused #exposeddc #fotodc #dc #washingtondc #mydccool #washingtondaily #dcitystyle #canon_photos #teamcanon #washmagphoto #popville #USAprimeshot #ig_unitedstates #ig_northamerica #ig_unitedstates_ #instapassport #thecreative #artofvisuals #aroundtheworldpix #ig_masterpiece #theprettycities #flashesofdelight #travelog #mytinyatlas #canonphotos #canoneos

A post shared by Mark Alan Andre (@markalanandre) on Jul 5, 2017 at 4:10am PDT

Purple plum.

From the Terrace ================================= Happy 4th of July Everybody!! ???

A post shared by Tyler Brant Sells (@ocular.expressions) on Jul 5, 2017 at 4:57am PDT

A haze of red over the Kennedy Center.

The best part of summer nights | P.S. check out @hanaaskari6's patriotic sweater ?| #acreativedc #visualsoflife #independenceday #july4th #washmagphoto #walkwithlocals

A post shared by Y. Saba Askari (@y.s.askari) on Jul 5, 2017 at 7:30am PDT

Hand-held sparklers, not for the faint-of-fire.

For years we have both wanted to spend the 4th in our nation's capital, but the thought of intense heat and sweaty crowds always made other alternatives more appealing. For the first time, we made the decision to pack our lunches, head out early, stake out a spot on the #nationalmall and just enjoy ourselves. So glad we did! It is one thing to see fireworks over a lake, beach or football stadium, but it is another thing to see the spectacular display of color contrasted against the iconic Washington monument. Happy Fourth of July everyone! . . . . . #fireworks #fourthofjuly #happy4th #independenceday #freedom #liberty #merica #capital #capitalfourth #fourthofjulyweekend #washingtondc #washingtonmonument #visitwashingtondc #nationalmall #nikon #nikon_photography #travelawesome #travellingthroughtheworld #exploremore #igdc #dcfocused #fotodc #dctography #mydccool #exposed #washingtondaily #acreativedc #washmagphoto

A post shared by Scott and Cecilia ✈️️?? (@lovicarious) on Jul 5, 2017 at 11:07am PDT

The classic monument shot.

Dream until your dreams come true 7-4-2017

A post shared by IG JUSTIN (@igjustin) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:54pm PDT

Best B&W from Arlington.

About last night… . . . . . #fourthofjuly • #washingtondc • #dc • #walkwithlocals • #travel • #bythings • #igdc • #dctography • #fotodc • #dcchasers • #mydccool • #america • #vsco • #vscocam • #acreativedc • #washmagphoto • #huffpostgram • #instagood • #fireworks • #igersusa • #bdamerica • #mytinyatlas • #passionpassport • #artofvisuals • #aov • #moodygrams • #mg5k • #agameoftones • #aov15k • #bevisuallyinspired

A post shared by Donna Tabique (@donnatabique) on Jul 5, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT

A game of shadows.

. . . #walkwithlocals #moodygrams #agameoftones #artofvisuals #createexplore #usaprimeshot #ig_unitedstates #ig_northamerica #igersusa #instatravel #justgoshoot #visualsoflife #awesomeearth #heatercentral #citykillerz #illgrammers #theimaged #visualambassadors #mydccool #leagueoflenses #usaprimeshots #reflectiongram #america #unitedstates #igdc #mg5k #washmagphoto #instagood #fatalframes #ig_color

A post shared by Drew (@street.scapes) on Jul 6, 2017 at 5:15am PDT

A bold move: DIY poolside fireworks.

Let me tell you about last night… great company with @bassy526 @kerrentonsnow @aparater ? . . . . . #igdc #dctography #mydccool #acreativedc #exposeddc #fotodc #dcchasers #bythings #dcitystyle #igersdc #dcfocused #exploredc #igdcfamily #walkwithlocals #districtofcolumbia #discoverwide #fox5dc #usaprimeshots #ig_northamerica #ig_northamerica #ig_unitedstates #wow_america #ig_thisworld #artofvisuals #agameoftones #photooftheday #moodygrams #visualambassadors #nikonphotography #nikonnofilter

A post shared by Ricardo R (@ricrob14) on Jul 5, 2017 at 3:56pm PDT

Heaven.

Kayla Randall

Former editorial fellow Kayla Randall is City Lights editor at Washington City Paper.