“If you’re alive, you can’t be bored in San Francisco. If you’re not alive, San Francisco will bring you to life… San Francisco is a world to explore. It is a place where the heart can go on a delightful adventure. It is a city in which the spirit can know refreshment every day.” – William Saroyan
I’m working on this post while sitting on a balcony in Hawaii, looking out over the ocean while I write. My wife is reading, my daughter is playing and I just finished a photowalk. Life is good, and it got me thinking…
In the last 12 months I have spent time in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Amsterdam, Paris and now, Hawaii. A few of these trips have been for family vacation, but most were photography related (either teaching workshops or creating work for upcoming projects). I’ll be home for a few months now, giving me time to catch up and enjoy springtime in Vancouver and then I’ll be heading back to Paris to teach a street photography workshop in July.
I’m incredibly fortunate for this life that I lead. No, that isn’t right. I am incredibly fortunate for this life that I built. It was only a few years ago that PTSD, a gift from decades of working as a paramedic, had a hold on me. It was a turning point though, one that set me on my current path that I wouldn’t change for anything. Now my time is spent shooting, teaching, writing, working with my amazing clients, traveling and perhaps most important of all… ensuring a proper balance of work and time with my family. I know I am rambling a bit here, but I’m feeling pretty grateful right now and maybe…. just maybe… this post can serve to inspire someone else to make a change they want to make in their own life.
How does this relate to San Francisco? The photos in this four part series were made on a trip there in January, and I consider a couple of them amongst my best work. Not all of them, but one or two will go into my portfolio for sure. I was able to visit this city, and make these photos, because I changed my life. That’s a pretty cool thing.
So, here is part three in this ongoing series featuring new street work from San Francisco….