These photos are part of an ongoing series I’ve been shooting in and around San Francisco since picking up a film camera for the first time in years. I’m primarily a portrait photographer, and I love shooting people I’m close to, but picking up a point-and-shoot has gotten me back into shooting more candid street photos and getting brave enough to approach strangers for portraits. San Francisco is a beautiful city full of interesting, inspiring and eccentric personalities. This series has been a fun way of trying to capture that.

San Francisco has the hustle of a major city, but it is also accessible to the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. Having grown up in a rural town close to Philadelphia and NYC, I love being close to both of these environments. I love being inspired by the city’s energy, and recharging by exploring what’s just outside of it. I appreciate how every neighborhood here has its own distinctive feel, and how inviting and helpful the people in the creative community have been to me since moving here.

One of those rare 75 degree days when I can wear a t-shirt, eat ice cream, and go explore a hidden nook in the city (or just outside of it) and shoot some photos.

Being surrounded by creative people who are brave enough to take risks, fail, and try again.

The widening socioeconomic gap and subsequent tension among different groups in the city.

How quickly the weather can change over the course of a day in San Francisco’s crazy micro-climate. People aren’t messing around when they tell you to ‘dress in layers’ when you visit.

A gorgeous homeless person.

Michel Gondry, Charlie Engman, Gregory Crewdson