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a regionally popular instagram account about new jersey

I founded Jersey Collective in March 2014 as a collaborative Instagram account that a different photographer takes over each week. Since then, over 32,000 followers have watched our participants share stories and photos through the project. Jersey Collective strives to be as inclusive as possible and has featured hundreds of people from all different backgrounds and from all over the state.

Jersey Collective celebrates New Jersey's natural, cultural, and historical treasures through the eyes of an ever-changing group of residents and transplants. Each week shares new perspectives and creates new connections. 

I'm often asked why I started Jersey Collective. I began taking Instagram more seriously in 2013 and connected with other creative people who lived in my area. I wanted to create a project that would bring these people together--a real community. I am also very proud of where I come from and I'm frustrated whenever anyone takes a cheap shot at my home state. People seem to have a lot of strange stereotypes about New Jersey, and I envisioned a project that could challenge those misconceptions.

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shows & events

Each year from 2015-2017, Jersey Collective held pop-up gallery shows featuring printed photographs from the project. Producing the shows required me to communicate with 52 artists each year, venue staff, local arts non-profits, advertisers, sponsors, volunteers, and graphic designers. The shows were well attended by hundreds of people and received enthusiastic press coverage.

Jersey Collective has held a dozen meet ups and workshops over the years, including an exclusive tour of the revitalized Bell Labs building before it was open to the public. I've been invited to teach photography workshops at schools and non-profit organizations, and I've given interviews and spoken on panels about the impact of social media. View a full list of previous events here.

Tis’ the season! Festa season that is!! This summer we tried to hit every #italianfestival we could. That included #newark #hoboken #jerseycity #oakhurst and coming soon my favorite #nutley . There is always so much food(duh), peaches and wine,
What’s better than #newjersey bread! Nicolo’s is a long time family favorite. They supply bread to so many local delis in the area. In addition to delicious bread they also have amazing sandwiches and sesame cookies. First photo is the b
First order of business on this holiday weekend, beach sandwiches! No trip to #manasquan is complete without a stop at #geegees for a sub. Sub sandwiches just taste better when a seagull is stalking you. @snauren for Jersey Collective
This week: @snauren "Hi! I'm Lauren. I'm an Essex County lifer and tried and true Jersey Girl. I opened my dream salon in Montclair @hellohoneyhairco this past spring and I can truly say I love being part of this ever changing but old school com
Did you catch me the other day on @news12nj ? @brianspositivelynj did a great segment on the book--be sure to watch it on his Instagram or on News12's website! That reminded me that while I posted in the stories, I failed to share a bunch of press ov
Church buildings can provide quiet inspiration, and they often have wonderful stories to tell. I wrote about that as a contributor to "#NewJerseyFanClub," so here's another shameless plug for that book (link in the @jerseycollective bio). ?
Months ago, I caught a double rainbow over Paterson at the scenic overlook at Garret Mountain Reservation. I like to visit Paterson when checking in on Mom, who lives nearby. Yesterday, I stopped by the Great Falls to see the Passaic River aglow with
It's a frightful Friday as we face the unofficial last weekend of summer (although the meteorological end of summer was yesterday), so I'm wondering: What are your favorite #haunted places in New Jersey? Here are three places I've dared visit: The
Thursday is #DateNight, and while all these places may not be date-worthy (depending on your relationship status), all are wonderful, in a New Jersey sort of way: Rutt's Hutt in Nutley, Pizza Town in Elmwood Park (which is not closing, as rumored; it
Where's your favorite New Jersey park? Looking back to winter (feeling wistful during this summer's heat and drought), I visited two personal favorites: New Bridge Landing, the site of several historical buildings, including a picturesque red barn,
Fireworks and baseball are two favorite things, so I recently attended a @somersetpatriots game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, where there were post-game fireworks DURING a distant thunderstorm. You can see the threatening clouds in the second p
What's your favorite place to view the New York skyline from New Jersey? Recently, I saw it from the top of the ferris wheel at American Dream Mall (the first photo here, #nofilter), and just about every day I sneak a photo while riding in a New Jer

learn more

Follow Jersey Collective on Instagram and check out our website at jerseycollective.org. Our website has links to articles and interviews, information about past and upcoming events, and explains how to get involved with the project.

Jersey Collective continues to grow and firmly establish itself as a community that extends beyond Instagram through events and meet ups, as well as collaborations with arts and culture organizations and other New Jersey Instagram accounts.

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