Brandon Stanton on Humans of New York, Storytelling, and His 'Dear New York' Book

The Genesis of Humans of New York

• 📸 Brandon Stanton began Humans of New York (HONY) 15 years ago as a photography project to stop strangers on the street, take their photo, and learn about their lives.
• 🚀 HONY's rapid growth on social media was a result of being in the "right place and right time" as social media emerged, quickly gaining tens of millions of followers.
• 💡 Stanton emphasizes that his entire learning curve for photography and storytelling happened "in public," evolving significantly over his 15-year career.

Evolution of Storytelling and Interviewing

• 🧠 Stanton has learned that effective interviewing is about making people feel comfortable and present enough to share authentic, earned, and lived experiences.
• 💬 The core of his interview process is to "disappear" and act as a channel for the person's lived experience and wisdom, often uncovering insights people haven't considered themselves.
• 👂 He notes that people often have things they want to say, but the real insights emerge when he helps them think through something for the first time.
• 🌟 A surprising discovery was that the vast majority of strangers are willing to be photographed and share deeply when approached respectfully, fulfilling a fundamental human need "to be seen."

'Dear New York' and Public Art Installation

• 🏙️ His latest book, "Dear New York," is a "beautiful portrait of New York City" created through the stories and photos of its inhabitants, reflecting his 15 years of experience.
• 🖼️ A large-scale public art installation at Grand Central Station, running through October 19th, features over 150 digital screens displaying thousands of portraits and 50-foot projections.
• 🤝 The installation aims to celebrate the diversity and humanity of New York City, transforming Grand Central into an immersive experience of its people's stories.

Stories of Connection and Resilience

• 💖 The story of Mary O'Con, who started selling her mother's scone recipe during COVID and achieved over $1 million in sales, highlights earned success and personal connection.
• 🎭 Stanton shares a poignant story of a father and his son, Pluto, illustrating the parental balance between protection and allowing a child to grow and be their own person.
• 🎤 He recounts the captivating story of Stephanie, a pioneering Black burlesque dancer, which he detailed over 54 Instagram chapters, reaching millions and leading to a book and movie.

Social Media's Double-Edged Sword

• 🌐 Stanton acknowledges that social media democratized storytelling and enabled HONY's success by removing gatekeepers.
• ⚠️ However, he expresses concern that platforms now prioritize maximizing screen time through algorithms, potentially serving harmful content, especially to young people.
• ⚖️ He grapples with the cognitive dissonance of his success being tied to platforms he would want to shield his own children from.