PHOTOGRAPHER
I am a creative portrait, fashion, and commercial photographer based in the Bay Area of California. Santa Cruz is my hometown and I still live in the area. Although I studied photography in college, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in English. After college I moved to Portland, Oregon for several years working in the restaurant industry and photographing in my free time.
As a kid I was always drawn towards creative arts. And as a dreamer, I loved the movie theater. Blockbusters, westerns, detective fiction, you name it and I probably would have joined you to watch it. The allure of Hollywood and the big screen really got my attention. With that, fashion and glamour evolved into themes of interest with my work. I believe the use of photography and motion picture empowers the artist to tell a story in a way they want to see the world as appropriate for that narrative. The product gives the viewer (and the artist) permission to imagine and ‘willfully suspend disbelief’. Since college I have been strongly influenced by the likes of Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon.
I prefer a Leica rangefinder camera as my tool of choice because of its simplicity which makes the camera get out of the way. The process helps me remain present and connected in the moment and it encourages me to pre visualize the image before it’s clicked. Any camera will do, but it’s the experience that is different between one type of kit and another. The Leica M is the camera that speaks to me and encourages me to get out there every day and keep shooting. My tools include a digital Leica M rangefinder kit, Hasselblad X2D, and a Pentax 67II.
Ok, since you asked.
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My family comes first. I have an amazing wife and two daughters. We’re focused on quality time together and a healthy lifestyle.
When I do have free time, I love distance running -mostly on trails, mountain and road cycling. It’s been difficult to keep up on all my interests, but if I had more time I would pick up my routine of daily vinyasa flow yoga. I never felt more centered, strong, and flexible, than I did with all those activities woven into a weekly routine.
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This is more of a passion and a significant part of my past to categorize this into a hobby. I worked in the restaurant industry for nearly twenty years. Most of my time was front of house work serving, bartending, and managing. I studied wine and spirits. I still do.
Needless to say, I am the chef in the house. I love cooking. I keep an organized kitchen and the most commonplace dinner for my family will involve nearly everything made from scratch and sourced from quality purveyors. Food should taste good. Slow food. It’s important.
Cooking is my love language. It’s how I express my gratitude. I break bread with family and friends in an effort to preserve old traditions and I try to make each meal and each day special.
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There’s a few big things in the pipeline for this year. I will be hosting two workshops for sure: a one day fine-art photography session in the Bay Area this summer; and, a 5-day France Workshop that will be centered on photography, food & wine, and adventure.
The best way to keep in touch is to subscribe to my mailing list. I don’t spam that list but I will share essential news including events such as the workshops.
I have started filming for a new YouTube channel. So please tune into that.
You can also find me on Instagram @sf.evans
Feel free to email me with any questions, I love to talk shop.
