Get All Access for $5/mo

This 5-Year-Old Photographer With 160,000 Instagram Followers Just Kickstarted His Own Book His name is Hawkeye.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Outsider Books | Kickstarter

With a name like Hawkeye, you're pretty much destined for greatness. And at the tender age of 5, Hawkeye Huey has already achieved the unthinkable.

The tot-sized lensman has made a serious name for himself in the world of photography after his unique perspective has garnered him 160,000 followers on Instagram. Huey's account was named the 40th best Instagram account of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, and he is also the youngest photographer to be published in National Geographic.

Image credit: Kickstarter

Check out some of his work -- which is typified by crooked portraits and dimly lit sunsets -- right here.

Huey got his start when his father, Aaron -- who is a photographer for National Geographic -- bought him his first instant camera at age 4, wishing that his son not learn picture-making via tapping on a smartphone screen.

Related: This 15-Year-Old Founder Is Raking in Six Figures With Her Booming Babysitting Business

Shortly thereafter, the two took off on an 18-month exploration of the American West, whereupon the shaggy-haired toddler "climbed Salvation Mountain, went into the chutes at the Cody Night Rodeo, visited the markets of the Navajo Nation and cruised the Las Vegas strip," according to the Hueys. Throughout the journey, Aaron began posting Hawkeye's compositions to social media, which gradually gained a sizable following.

Image credit: Kickstarter

If that doesn't sound enterprising enough, Hawkeye has now taken his distinct creative eye and synthesized it into a business opportunity with Cowboys Indians Hobos Gamblers Patriots Tourists and Sunsets -- a book of his work that surpassed its $35,000 Kickstarter goal. The campaign, which closed Friday, raised just over $47,000 from more than 800 backers.

"This knee-high perspective of desert dwellers and tumble weeds was a new addition to the tradition of documenting the American West," Aaron says. "This, after all, was not about holding Hakweye out as some kind of prodigy, but about embracing the creativity and vision of all children." And, indeed, many of Hawkeye's snapshots are of questionable composition and focus -- but perhaps that's precisely the point.

Image credit: Kickstarter

The book will launch in the spring, with all proceeds beyond the book's operating costs going to Hawkeye's "future education and creative endeavors."

Related: How This Savvy 10-Year-Old Launched a Budding Cookie Business

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Growing a Business

How to Determine The Ideal Length of Your Marketing Emails Your Customers Will Actually Read

Wondering how long your marketing emails should be? Here's what consumers say — so you can send them exactly what they like.

Business News

A Former Corporate Lawyer Now Makes Six Figures on YouTube — Here's How She Does It

Here are the secrets to starting and growing a successful YouTube channel, according to a YouTuber with millions of subscribers.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.