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Roberto Sanchez
By Sonia Rao
Globe Correspondent

Each photograph in Roberto Sanchez’s Instagram gallery (@inrobgram) plays with shadows and form to tell stories, some with human subjects and some without. The Emerson College film student, 24, also suggests a soundtrack in many of his captions. His goal? To bridge different cultures by sharing moments that can be appreciated by viewers across the world.

Q. Most of your photographs have a song title as a caption. Why?

A. I started doing that a couple of months ago because it was hard for me to write captions for my photos sometimes. Whenever I take a photograph, I just want to capture the moment. I think of it cinematically, and I thought including the music I’m listening to would work well. That way, whenever someone sees one of my pictures, they can get the same feeling I had when I took it.

Q. What role does your background in film play in your photography?

A. Cinematography has influenced my photos by making me look more at the light than before. Composition is also something that I use more, and the contrast between things. I like to post all kinds of photos. It’s not just always just a beautiful skyline — I want to incorporate more into my photography. A moment, something that somewhere, someone might relate to. Somewhere in the world, not just in Boston.

Q. What about the other way around? Has your photography affected your interest in film?

A. Yes, because before I started, I only wanted to direct and produce. In taking so many photographs, it got me looking into the cinematography side of film. That’s something that I’m interested in pursuing now.

Q. What has been your greatest takeaway from using Instagram?

A. I actually think it’s helped me meet a bunch of different people. I made a friend when I went to China last year through Instagram, and he showed me around the city. It’s a great community. I’ve made friends in Boston who are also photographers, and I wouldn’t have met them without Instagram. Photography is their hobby, so they’re all in a bunch of different fields but have this artistic side to them.

Q. You’ve traveled around the world, and you’re originally from Mexico City. How has that influenced your philosophy regarding photography?

A. For me, it’s about capturing a moment that can make someone on the other side of the world feel something. It’s really important to me for everyone to accept everyone. Diversity is important. That’s why my photography isn’t only focused on Boston. I also want my followers to see other cultures, other races, different people, and see how we’re all the same, how we’re all pursuing happiness.

Sonia Rao can be reached at sonia.rao@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @misssoniarao.