Humanizing Through Story
@yourstorymatters
Advocacy platform through visual journalism. Focused on environmental protection and human rights. Elevating, celebrating and centering the voices of marginalized communities.
"I lost a friend" Josh stands at the place where Corey Ruiz was shot and killed by police on July 22nd #madison #policekilling #coreyruiz
A few portraits from the past 2 days up here Ely, MN on assignment with @mprnews.org covering wildfire stories.
6 years of vanlife documenting human rights as a photojournalist, my trusty 12v cooler is ready for retirement. I’m aiming to upgrade to a fridge-freezer to triple my food capacity. I’m hustling on new gig work to cover the $600 cost, Venmo: jon_stegenga Patreon: patreon.com/HumanizingThroughStory
Funeral processions for the 51 people who have died in ICE detention. These are recorded deaths and there could be more. Happened this morning on July 4th, in Minneapolis. @sunrisemvmt.bsky.social @mn50501.bsky.social
Anyone got some expiring hotel points that they aren't going to be able to use? Trying to escape this heat for a few days and get me in the cat out of the van.
Attended and documented my first pride event today in Minneapolis! 🏳️🌈😊 Happy pride everyone! You are loved! This is one of my favorite photos from today! Exited to go through then share all the photos from today. Will be posted on Substack! 🫶🏼
Young indigenous community organizer, Isa Lopez, stands outside the courtroom where her case has finished up. After being arrested last June on 5 federal charges She walks out with a misdemeanor and no additional charges, probation, or jail time. More on our Instagram
In breaking news the bill to redistrict South Carolina before the midterms has died today, May 26. The same day that early voting has started here in South Carolina 12 Republicans joined all the Democrats to block the procedural motion to advance the bill.
May 21, demonstrators gathered outside the South Carolina State House in Columbia, in mid 90° weather, to protest ongoing redistricting efforts taking place within the Senate chambers.
Will be making my way back to MN in a few weeks. If you want help with the cost of gas or these new parts ($517.99), you can donate at givebutter.com/HTSva… or join Patreon at patreon.com/Human���
My home on wheels is about to get a major repair on the front-end suspension! The MN winter, following ICE around the cities & driving 1000s of miles really did a number on the van 😫... I've got a chance to do these repairs basically for the cost of parts here in SC!
Today, May 5, is #MMIR awareness Day. Missing and murdered indigenous relatives. 4 in 5 Indigenous women face abuse in their lifetime. On May 2nd in Cherokee NC Qualla Boundary MMIW hosted their 7th annual Memorial Walk honoring the lives and families of MMIR. 66 Cases in their County alone.
For anyone that uses #TikTok be warned that it automatically allows for AI to remix your content and you have to go to each individual video under privacy settings to turn it off...
Demand the Walz administration and DNR to cancel the lease! Call Sarah Strommen (DNR commissioner) 651-259-5555. #bwca #protecttheBoundaryWaters
Community members were swept from their places of living this morning, April 13, near E Franklin and Cedar Ave. The operation was led by Metro Transit. Some shared that w/o warning people were forced to leave. Some said they were not given time to gather belongings before tents were bulldozed.
Haven Watch continuing to show up for our immigrant community day and night, rain or shine. Offering care, safety, and and comfort to those being released out of Whipple. From this morning 04/11/26 #havenwatch #minnesota #iceoutw
Within the first hour of the Stuffies Drive by Haven Watch today, 04/04, next to Whipple over a hundred stuffed animals had been dropped off. Haven Watch will be donating these directly to immigrants families entering Whipple for court cases, being released by ICE.
No Kings Rally in St. Paul draws an estimated 200,000 people, with 8 million rallying worldwide. 03/28
#NoKings Rally in St. Paul draws an estimated 200,000 people, with 8 million rallying worldwide.
Well y'all my #DJI Mini 2 ate it today. Some mid-flight issue (didn't see what happened) and it just plummeted onto the concrete and exploded. 😵😆😭 RIP mini. One day I'll get a replacement but not in the budget for now. Was flying it at today's No Kings March in St. Paul.
Thousands have already started to gather for the #noKings March in St. Paul. People will be converging at three different locations across the city in marching to the state capital. Millions more will be joined across the country and beyond. 03/28/26
4x6 “postcard” print presale Venmo (@Jon_Stegenga) or Givebutter givebutter.com/YourStoryMat... $5 per print Any additional amount helps sustain the work 🙏🏼 Note “postcard” + include contact info (or DM/email me) for shipping Larger prints coming soon to the website!
The Indigenous Tipi Prayer Camp was set up on February 9 at Coldwater Spring (Mni Owe Sni), across the road from the Whipple Federal Building. Tonight, March 15, in the falling snow, the final tipi came down after four days of ceremony and fasting to close out the camp.
Wow, we made it past the 1/4th mark of my monthly goal of $2k a month through #patreon 🫶🏼 You all are so special! 💓 These funds help make documentation possible! www.patreon.com/HumanizingTh... or make a one time donation (gas/train ticket to Chicago for HEFAT) givebutter.com/YourStoryMat...
Does anyone know grants or organizations that help repair or replace gear for independent journalist? On Feb 24 ,while covering the brutality of ICE right after Alex was murdered, my secondary camera got the viewfinder smashed. It's making it really hard to use this camera 😞
March 8 Women's Day March in Powderhorn Park South Minneapolis