Lior Noyman was inspired by the people he sees sitting outside his West End apartment.
They weren't doing much, just sitting on a bench in the sun enjoying the "the beautiful landscape of Vancouver," he says.
A local, independent filmmaker, he rarely has a moment to stop and enjoy the city, but he does have time to stop and grab a snap of someone who does have that time to sit on a city bench.
"If I can't stop to smell the roses I'll take a photo of someone smelling the roses," he tells Vancouver Is Awesome.
That's why he started Vancouver Sits, a new Instagram account. His goal is to share those moments when he catches a person or two enjoying the city by taking a break to sit.
"If it puts a smile on my face, maybe it'll put a smile on other people's faces," he says.
Noyman is hoping his photos will inspire others who have a moment to take some time to pause and enjoy the city's beauty.
"In my imagination, people who live close by — or close to other parks — after they see the photos they'll have the idea to go there and sit and enjoy the bench and moment," he says.
He describes life in the city as being like a package of cake mix, where there's a beautiful cake pictured on the box. Those boxes can sit in the cupboard for a long time, but eventually, you should make it. Or, in this case, sit and enjoy it.
"There is a bench in front of my place where I can sit," Noyman says. "But I'm not doing it often, I wish to do it more often."
So far it's mostly him taking the photos, but he's hoping others do and share them with him. Alternatively, he hopes others take up the "pics of people sitting" idea to other communities, be it on benches, chairs, or just the grass.
"Have a moment for yourself, and share with others," he says.
