(page 46) FEBRUARY 2015
THE REAL DEAL
Names: Christian Holman & Brian Opp // Hometown: Sioux Falls and Aberdeen //Age: 20 and 28 // Specialty: Telling the stories of Sioux Falls residents way they act or dress. Our goal is to broaden our horizons on who we reach out to each time. Brian: If you start singling people out based on how they look, assuming they have a good story, then I think that would be doing it the wrong way. We believe everyone has an interesting story to tell. It’s our job to ask the right questions and make them feel comfortable enough to tell us. In the first few months, what have you learned? Brian: I learned that it’s not as hard to approach people on the street as you’d think. It is hard, but it’s not that hard. People are willing to talk to you as long as you’re genuine. People are willing to open up. Christian: People are thriving on conversation. They like to talk about themselves. I’ve learned that people all have things going on their lives and you can never judge book by its cover. We’ve talked to people from all spectrums of life. It makes me wonder when I’m walking down the street, not talking to people…it makes me wonder what’s happening in their lives. Photo by Dan Thorson Photography
CHRISTIAN HOLMAN & BRIAN OPP Humans of Sioux Falls
The concept will be familiar to many who are active on social media. Humans of Sioux Falls is modeled after the popular Humans of New York, a slice-of-life Facebook page dedicated to restoring some of the connection we’ve lost in our increasingly gadget-driven world. The Sioux Falls version was started by two small business owners – Brian Opp, who runs Prairietickets.com with his wife, and Christian Holman, owner of Holman photography. Since its launch in November, the page has accrued more than 3,100 followers and continues to grow.
cool if Sioux Falls had a Humans chapter as well.’ I have a journalism background. I graduated from journalism school. The only thing I was missing was a partner in it. I knew Christian from the local music scene. I knew that he was an exceptional photographer, and so I approached him. He’s really made this thing come to life. We give Humans of New York all the credit, but we’ve really enjoyed putting our own spin on it – telling stories of the humanity of Sioux Falls as well.
What inspired you to start Humans of Sioux Falls?
Christian: It’s anybody we see, really. We don’t try to narrow it down to a specific type of person or the
Brian: I thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be
How do you pick out the people you approach?
Why do you think this project is important? Christian: It shows you can go out there and have a real conversation with somebody. You don’t have to hide behind a computer to do that. I mean, it’s great that we’re all connected with social media, but it would make a huge impact if people got out and had a conversation with someone random. It’s definitely helped my social skills. Brian: People give their time in a lot of ways. This is a community builder and a way I can give my time. It’s a labor of love. There’s no financial gain. It’s just a way to showcase people of Sioux Falls and have fun with it. Find Humans of Sioux Falls on Facebook at www.facebook.com/humansofsiouxfalls.