The Archives: August 2020 The Chef

I didn’t know it at the time, but this would be the day that truly cemented my love for photography. It had all the elements I could ask for as a San Francisco portrait photographer.

First, the setting. While San Francisco isn’t exactly new to me, the locations were—and that brought that “new place” excitement. We were shooting in the Mission District, one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods for creative portraits. Every street corner felt like a cinematic set, with colorful murals, textured walls, and that perfect urban energy.

Then there was my subject: a guy who goes by “The Chef”—and trust me, his images were cooking. He had the perfect blend of energy, charisma, and character that makes a portrait session come alive. For any photographer, that kind of personality in front of the camera is pure gold.

As for my style, I naturally gravitate toward cinematic photography in everyday life. My go-to lens? The 16–35mm wide angle. Wide and low—that’s my jam. It allows me to create wide-angle portraits that feel dynamic, immersive, and full of life. The Mission District was the ideal backdrop to bring that vision to life.

Put all these elements together—the city, the personality, the creative energy—and you get the kind of shoot that reminds me exactly why I love being a Bay Area portrait photographer.