Thousands of Instagram users temporarily immortalize Florence each day. The idea for the photography social network, which was purchased by Facebook in April 2012 for approximately a billion dollars, was developed in Florence, when co-founder Kevin Systrom took a photography class as a study-abroad student here in 2004–2005 (see theflr.net/instagrammed). But there is more to Instagram than just snapping and sharing photos: offline meet-ups are a growing trend.
In fact, Tuscany leads Italy in the number of offline meet-ups: 34 events in 2013, according to Instagrammers Italia. These include photo walks, InstaMeets and workshops, such as the casual meet-up organized by local blogger Tiana Kai Madera (@tianapix) for Worldwide InstaMeet 8.
There are officially recognized Instagram communities active in the cities of Florence, Prato, Siena, Lucca and Arezzo, as well as the larger IgersToscana for the whole region. These communities organize challenges (announced on their Facebook pages, Instagram accounts or on the national Instagram challenge page at http://instagramersitalia.it/contest) that often include in-person events—an opportunity to make new friends.
To connect with local communities, use their hashtags (such as #igersfirenze). Another important hashtag to know is #instatuscany, the official Instagram stream of the Region of Tuscany’s social media team (see www.instatuscany.it).
The Florentine recently joined Instagram (we’re @TheFlorentine, of course). To mark the occasion, we are holding an Instagram challenge until February 23, 2014, with the hashtag #TheFlorentineinme. Meanwhile, we’ll be looking out for photos tagged #TheFlorentine and will reshare the best of them from our account.
