The creative inspiration of Instagram was from a photography class taken in Florence at FSFA.
Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram, shares a pivotal moment from his time studying abroad in Florence taking a class in photography at FSFA. While in Florence, his photography teacher, Charlie, noticed that Kevin was too focused on the technical aspects of photography. One day, Charlie took Kevin's high-end camera away and handed him a simple plastic camera—a Holga.
"You're too caught up in all the technical details and camera gadgets," Charlie told him. "I want you to see and feel Florence through the lens. Use this Holga instead."
The Holga is a low-tech, plastic camera with a basic lens, known for its imperfections—soft focus, vignetting, and light leaks. At first, Kevin was skeptical, but he soon realized the beauty in its simplicity. The experience transformed his approach to photography. He had been striving for technical perfection, but the Holga taught him to see the world differently.
For the rest of the semester, Kevin shot with the Holga, and the experience left a lasting impression. It ultimately influenced Instagram's signature aesthetic—retro-style, filtered images. The Holga's square-format film (120mm) even inspired Instagram's original square photo format, reinforcing the idea of viewing the world through a different lens.
This shift in perspective—focusing less on technical precision and more on storytelling—helped shape Instagram's vision: making photography accessible and creative for everyone.
At FSFA, we believe moments like this happen through genuine connection and personal guidance. This kind of one-on-one attention and transformative interaction simply wouldn't be possible in a large class setting. We're dedicated to working closely with each individual student—to nurture their unique vision, support their creative journey, and help them discover what makes their perspective truly their own.
