Street photography is probably my favorite form of photography. I love how candid and real each photo feels, so personal even though it’s someone you’ve never met. I love the thrill of it-taking pictures of people without permission or preparation is both controversial and anxiety-inducing, but for me, it’s part of the thing that makes this medium so special. Most importantly, however, is the ability to tell the story of a complete stranger, and to capture a part of their life that would otherwise be hidden to the world.

I took this photo during a street photography session. I thought this one represented aging well because of the hurriedness of the background, but focus of the subject. His attire suggests he’s going somewhere important, like work or an event, and he is looking straight forward, intent on going to where he needs to be. This photo reminds me of the repetitive, yet hurried nature of life, and how things can fly by so quickly without us realizing, especially when in a repetitive, dulling routine.

I’d originally gone up to the roof of a friend’s apartment to see the parrots. There’s a famous parrot colony in San Francisco, and you can hear them from miles away, squawking. We saw them out the window and decided to climb the stairs to see if we could catch them, but unfortunately, by the time we got up, they’d moved on to their next target to search for food. Instead, I got to watch a beautiful San Fransisco sunset, and I did see the parrots from a distance, so it wasn’t all bad.

This Faceless Self Portrait represents a key aspect of my life–my identity as an artist. While my art is often done digitally, I find that traditional painting forces me to slow down, watch each brush stroke with precision and caution, and feel more connected to my completed work.