In the summer of 2010, Brandon Stanton set out with the goal of taking 10,000 photographs of citizens of The Big Apple for no purpose other than to find his own calling in life. He had no idea he would go on to inspire millions through a camera lens. On top of posting thousands of unique stories online, Humans of New York is also a New York Time’s Bestselling book. The power of its following recently raised over one million dollars to help an underprivileged Brooklyn public school create a scholarship fund and take annual class trips to visit Harvard. This is just one of many instances of amazing generosity sparked by Brandon’s initiative. Now one FSU student hopes to bring some of that magic home to Tallahassee.
Courtesy: Humans of New York
Humans of New York, also referred to as HONY, started as a photo blog series. Brandon would nervously walk up to random strangers in different parts of New York City and ask politely to take their photographs. Stanton gradually became more comfortable interacting with strangers and his subjects began sharing bits and pieces of their lives with him. Now, with over 15 million Facebook followers, Brandon shares the inspirational and humbling memories he comes across daily with people across the globe.
HONY publishes over 100 unique photographs and stories a month, from the “Microfashions” of children and toddlers to snippets of “how we met” tales from older married couples, and everything in between. HONY’s ability to highlight human individuality by sharing the stories of ordinary people stimulated our own Tracy Doering to bring that movement here to Florida State University.
Courtesy: Humans of New York
Tracy is an active student here at FSU and a circus performer in our beloved Flying High Circus. She received her first camera when she was 13 years old and has a passion for photography, design, circus arts, and travel. Tracy first discovered HONY in 2013.
“I stayed up most of the night looking at each photograph and reading the quotes,” she recalls of her first visit to the HONY blog. “It made me smile, it made me sad, it made me think, and I loved that.”
With the beginning of the fall semester, Humans of FSU launched on Facebook and already has a following of over 1,500 students, faculty, alumni and community members. That number is growing rapidly every day. Tracy noted, “I knew that FSU would be the perfect place to find people with unique backgrounds and amazing stories that all have one thing in common: their connection with the school.”
Courtesy of Tracy Doering
Just like HONY photographer Brandon, speaking to strangers does not come naturally to Tracy, who says stopping random people is completely nerve-racking. “I believe that anyone can learn or become good at just about anything if they put in the work … so I just consistently nudge myself out of my comfort zone with the hopes of growing it.” She says the FSU community has been extremely friendly thus far, even those who wish to not have their pictures taken.
Tracy is staying true to Brandon’s blogging style for its power and simplicity. She is already taking photos and sharing the stories of a broad spectrum of individuals on campus, from undergrads to graduate students, a member of the FSUPD, and even a great snapshot of the crooner in the Union always reminding us to “Save the Clitorises.” Tracy hopes HOFSU will capture the power of the Florida State University spirit and instill a sense of connectedness in its viewers.
Courtesy: Humans of FSU
You can follow Humans of FSU as it unfolds on Facebook and on Instagram. To check out where it all started, visit HONY on Facebook or visit the HONY website.