Image via Complex Original
The Tumblr Humans of New York has been a social media sensation since 2010 when Brandon Stanton left the finance world and took up the camera instead. HONY features artistic street photographs of people in New York, showing a human side to the city. While many of the photos are striking, beautiful, and emotional, the true power of HONY is the stories that go along with the images. Since the success of Humans of New York, copycats like Humans of NYU and Monsters of New York have popped up, proving that imitation is the highest form of flattery. If you haven't spent some time on HONY's site, you're really missing out. Here are our picks of the 30 Coolest Humans of New York Photographs.
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30. Love is Contagious
Minutes after this photo was taken, the woman gave her blanket to a homeless person—just because.
29. Just Because
Sometimes showing someone that you care on a random occasion means more than bringing her flowers on an anniversary or birthday.
28. Rain Won't Stop Their Parade
Nothing can get in the way of the love these two have for each other.
27. Dog Lover
This lady claims that her mom wasn't around as role model when she was young, but she herself has been a better mother. We hope she is talking about children, and not just her dog...
24. Classic
HONY captures the classic story of the New York waitress-cum-actress in all her true glory.
23. Happy Halloween
We've all heard of New York's black-and-white cookies, but who's heard of the city's black-and-white woman?
22. Comic Relief
HONY helped those affected by Hurricane Sandy take their minds off their troubles by showing this determined little boy trying to help.
21. Cheetah Print Pants
This adorable mother-daughter duo exchanges laughs when the daughter mixes up the words "cook" and "eat." They also share the same style.
19. Stella's Story
NYU student Stella became an Internet sensation because of HONY. She posted an image of herself on Tumblr, proud of her body, despite the fact that, in Stella's words, "the subject is not thin." After meeting her, Stanton decided to re-post her brave self-portrait on HONY.
18. A Fairy Prince
Props for this mom for not enforcing traditional gender stereotypes and letting her son be who he wants to be.
16. A Tale of Generosity
HONY celebrated hitting 200,000 followers in 2012 by thanking this wonderful coffee vendor for being such a generous, kind man.
15. The 86th Street Crosstown
MTA workers are the heart and soul of the city; they move us easily all over New York. This guy takes his job to the next level by entertaining all of the passengers on his "Party Bus."
13. Treasure Hunter
This courageous skater adventures all over the city and tells tales of abandoned subway stops.
12. The Meatball Shop
This mysterious couple shares mysterious stories over their Meatball Shop feast.
10. It's All About Perspective
This man declares himself a feminist. We guess that feminists come in all shapes and sizes.
9. For The Non-Believers
This courageous couple has stuck together through tough times. These high school sweethearts finally got together after years apart, break ups, marraiges to other people, and deaths.
8. The Amazing Spiderman
This Spiderman saves the day by entertaining kids. Way to go, Spidey.
7. Magician's Code
A magician never tells his secrets, but in this case, we're all dying to know how this guy turns $5 into $100.
6. Everyday Super Hero
This charming young man wants to grow up, be an architect, and provide people with places to live. He's certainly got his head screwed on right.
5. Actions Speak Louder Than Words
This NYC doorman recounts a story about his father. When he was a child, his father used to risk death to swim and meet him on the Essequibo River's shores.
4. Language Barrier
When this picture was taken, the man on the left was claiming that having a child was second nature to him, like swimming. The man on the right was confused about why his friend's wife gave birth in a swimming pool. Something here was lost in translation.
3. Bite Sized
What better way to have your toddler roam free in Central Park than have your dog watch over her?
2. Foot Rub Romance
What we love the most about this adorable couple is that the man isn't ashamed to treat his woman right.
1. Far From Clueless
This adorable man recounts the story of his marriage proposal to HONY at the West 4th Street subway stop in New York.
