Worldwide InstaMeet: Fresno Edition
Yes, we grew up in an era of social media. And, yes, we are attached to our phones.
But Instagram has pushed the boundaries of connection. Fresno’s first Worldwide InstaMeet has proven that.
FRESNO’S FIRST INSTAMEET
Mach 21st-22nd was Instagram’s eleventh Worldwide InstaMeet. For the past four years, Instagram has encouraged its users to get together and take photos of their community. It was the first time an InstaMeet had been held in Fresno. It was organized by local photographers, Ellie Koleen (@elliserochelle) and Mike Gregory (@mike_pgregory). You might remember Ellie from her recent article on Design Sponge titled, “24 Hours in Fresno, CA” in which she writes about her favorite spots in Fresno.
After participating in an InstaMeet in San Francisco, Mike got the idea of having one in Fresno. He knew a Fresno InstaMeet wouldn’t be as big but he liked the idea of it being more personal. “The goal was to not just take photos but to form relationships and be part of a community,” said Mike. Mike and Ellie wanted to bring together people who, although from different backgrounds, are creative and have a passion for Fresno. “We can connect and build that community without having to run to other places.”
Group photo at the downtown Fresno courthouse.
That is exactly what happened. Over 15 people from Fresno, Clovis, and even as far as Visalia participated in Fresno’s first InstaMeet. Most of us had never met each other but we all became friends by the end of the day.
We met at downtown Fresno’s Courthouse Park and walked down the Fulton Mall and Fulton Street using only our smart phones as cameras. It was fascinating seeing this group of young, creative people view Downtown in a different perspective. We did not grow up during the vibrant years of the Mall but, to us, our Downtown is still beautiful and could use some help. We don’t settle for the tired mentality of ignoring our city’s urban core because it’s the easiest thing to do.
ANOTHER INSTAMEET?
Of course! Fresno’s first InstaMeet was a huge success and captured the attention of local Instagram users. The date has not been set for the next InstaMeet, however you can follow Mike and Ellie for updates.
PHOTOS
I have included photos from all of the participants. These photos tell a story about community, creativity, revitalization, and learning to love our city.
For more photos from the Fresno Instameet, search the Instagram hashtag, #wwimfresno or click here.
#wwimfresno
____
Have a lovely day in Fresno!
Veronica Stumpf, Broker
Stumpf and Company, Real Estate
BRE Lic. #01906952
____
For a variety of content, follow That Fresno Blog on…
Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, & Facebook
Comments
One Response to “Worldwide InstaMeet: Fresno Edition”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying...[...] and Mike, at Fresno’s first World Wide Instameet. You can read my blog post about the event, here. I was taken away by their creativity! They capture the simple beauty of both urban environments [...]