Design Matters from the Archive: Brandon Stanton

On this episode Debbie talks to photographer Brandon Stanton about his ongoing project “Humans of New York” and why total strangers open up to him. “I think it is because there is a validation that comes with someone really taking an interest in your story.”

Brandon studied history at the University of Georgia, where—during his senior year—he took out $3,000 in student loans to bet on Barack Obama winning the presidency. When a friend heard about this, he got him a job trading bonds on the Chicago Board of Trade where he worked for three years. On getting laid off, Brandon moved to New York City to take portraits of strangers on the street. He’s taken nearly 5,000 portraits and written 50 stories, and met some amazing people along the way.