What first drew you to film photography?
I grew up in the 90s, so I’d get cameras for my birthdays and disposable ones for trips. Over time, I’ve saved most of my cameras, like Polaroids with discontinued film, and my grandfather’s camera! I took darkroom classes in high school and college, but it was the pandemic that brought me back to shooting with film consistently. I’d go on long walks, taking photos of my neighborhood and posting online. It was nice to connect with other photographers during lockdown.
Which camera, film stock do you find yourself reaching for most often — and why?
My Canon-A1 has been my primary camera since 2022. It has a multiple exposure lever, feels perfect in my hands, and I love the shutter sound. Some say it sounds like my camera has asthma, but it is the most satisfying sound to hear when taking a photo.
My favorite film at the moment is Kodak Gold 200 and Lomography Berlin 400. The price is still accessible, and I like how the photos look.
Can you share one photo (or series) that feels especially meaningful to you, and tell us the story behind it?
My series Airdrop from August 2021 is when I brought my camera into the hospital. Before I was wheeled into the operating room, my surgeon asked if I wanted a photo of my kidney and I was like sure, thinking he was joking. He came into my room the next day and airdropped me a LIVE photo of my kidney in my mom’s surgeons’ hand, her abdomen open with a clamp in the background, and the sound of machines. I found out that kidneys look like chicken breasts (another name I almost gave the series). My mom absolutely transformed the next day with her new kidney, like magic.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while shooting film, and how has it influenced your growth as a photographer?
One of my biggest challenges is getting over my fear of asking people for a portrait. Sometimes on my walks I see someone I would love to take a photo of and I get nervous to ask. Lately I’ve pushed myself to take more portraits of family, friends, and even strangers, and those have become some of my favorite photos. It’s changed not just my work, but also how I connect with people.
What advice would you give to someone just starting with film photography?
Try out different cameras and films, take photos of whatever makes you feel something, and don’t worry about “finding your style.” One random day at a random moment, things will just make sense.
What’s your favorite place to take photos in San Francisco, and why does it inspire you?
I have so many favorite places! The two walks I do the most and bring me the most comfort (which is a big part of photography, it’s like therapy), would be walking around the Mission and also the route from Embarcadero to Chinatown and finishing with a slice of clam & garlic from Golden Boy Pizza. On these two routes, you walk by buildings, people, plants, good lighting, all of various sizes, shapes, and colors. Sometimes I spend hours walking and only take one photo, but I had a good time observing life and thinking about photography.
