Condom Shack

From the archives -
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Taken 6/16/13

Tarmac

O'Hare Airport
Chicago, IL

Taken 12/16/16

Engrossed - Plate X

San Francisco, CA

Taken 12/2/16

Arturo

Holding a little dog in his lap, he was sitting on the corner across from Union Square, with a sign seeking money to buy food for his dog and himself.  He had heard of $2 Portraits when I inquired and agreed to participate.

Arturo was a very friendly guy.  At 53 years old, he’s been in San Francisco for 10 years.  Originally from Mexico, he still has a lot of family there.  I didn’t catch where in Mexico he’s from but he did say it was in a Mexican state south of Arizona.  He has family in Phoenix and in Florida, but no family in San Francisco.  We joked a little bit about his ability to travel back and forth once “the wall” is built and he said it won’t be a problem.

Being on the street is not a full time vocation for Arturo.  He said that construction is what he’s done for many years and always has 2 or 3 customers he’s doing small jobs for…tile, carpentry, etc.  When I asked why he’s on the street, he said it supplements his income and he gets the opportunity to meet some interesting people!  Arturo chuckled when he described being able to pick out people from Spanish-speaking countries and just start a conversation in Spanish.

As we shook hands farewell, I wished Arturo “Feliz Navidad” and gave him $2.

Taken 12/2/16

On Tap

Palm Springs, CA

Adoptable

"Florence" was a rescue hanging out at the Westin Mission Hills Resort until adopted.  So darn cute...we almost pulled the trigger.

Taken 11/2/16

Look Alikes - Plate IX

Off The Grid - Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA

Taken 9/2/16

Contemplation

South San Francisco, CA

Taken 9/29/16

Good Advice

Aspen Art Museum
Aspen, CO

Taken 9/21/16

Clothesline

As viewed from the 350 Post construction site.
San Francisco, CA

Taken 9/13/16

Shuck Me

Jack's Oyster Bar & Fish House
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA

Taken 9/3/16

Black Elvis

Off The Grid - Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA

Referring to the sandwich, not the guy.

You have not lived until you've tried the Black Elvis from the Grilled PB&J Guy.  Consists of peanut butter, nutella, banana & bacon on grilled bread.  Decadent for sure!

Taken 9/2/16

Ron

He was sitting against the light post as I walked up Mason, sign in hand.  I asked him if he wanted to participate in $2 portraits and he said “why not?”

Originally going by the name of “Shameless”, he told me his real name was Ron after I told him about a lead character in the TV show bearing his name.  Ron is a native New Yorker but has been in San Francisco since before the BART tunnel under the Bay.  He said he is older than 50 pointing to his gray beard, “Can’tcha tell?”, but couldn’t seem to remember his precise age.  In his working days, Ron “did everything” which included construction and cooking.  Said he opened the Sizzler’s on 11th Street back in the day.

It was tough having a conversation with Ron as he could barely keep his eyes open.  I gave him $2 and wished him luck.

Taken 8/18/16

Jammin'

Market Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 8/18/16

Rainbow

"Love the hair.  Is it okay if I make a photo?"
"Sure."
Snap.  "Awesome, thank you."
"You're welcome."

And that's how it went.

Market Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 8/18/16

Clean Energy

Michigan City, Indiana

Taken 8/5/16

Gobbledegook

Downtown
Los Angeles, CA

Taken 7/14/16

Far From Home

NYPD cruiser seen on Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Filming an episode of "How To Get Away With Murder"

Taken 7/14/16

Spanky

I was walking down the street in a hot area of Indianapolis.   He had a sign that said "Army Vet" and was asking for 37 cents.  I said to my son, "I should do a $2 Portrait" and he responded by saying he'd love to watch me do one.  So I approached the guy and asked if he had heard of $2 Portraits.  He had not and after I explained it, he readily agreed to participate.  He told me he originally wanted 37 cents so he could get a beer, but $2 would set him up good.

Spanky is 55 years old and was born and raised in Indianapolis.  He has no family other than the guys he knows from the streets, one of whom was keeping him company this evening.  He told me his friend can come the the shelter for 3 nights at a time but then has to leave, but after a couple of nights he can come back for another 3.  Spanky used to be an electrician but isn’t working now.  He served in the Army at several bases in the US and was also in Iran (maybe Iraq?) for a short period of time.

All the while I’m talking to Spanky, my son was looking on taking it all in.  I thanked Spanky for his service and gave him $2.  An hour later we saw him again and he and his friend thanked me for the beers; even asking me if I wanted a swig.  After having dinner nearby and returning to the car, my son offered Spanky our leftovers.  He accepted but also asked for 37 cents…

Taken 6/18/16

Mrs. & Mrs. McGruff

Mason Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 5/26/16

Priority Seating

BART
San Francisco, CA

Taken 5/26/16

Stinkeye

Busted on Powell Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 5/26/16

Populations of Infinity

Another Frank Chu sighting along Market Street.  Frank advised me that Donald Trump was one of the "corrupt ones" on this and the other planets.

Taken 5/26/16

Sweet Ride

Farmer's Market
Santa Fe, NM

Taken 5/7/16

Old Man, Old Car

On the Turquoise Trail
Madrid, NM

Taken 5/11/16

Drive Thru

Taos, New Mexico

Seen at the Rio Grande bridge along NM64.
Taken 5/8/16

Blow Up Balloons, Not People!

Farmers' Market
Santa Fe, NM

Taken 5/7/16

Bus Ride

Albuquerque, NM

Taken 5/6/16

Frank

It was early evening and I was walking around the Old Town Square in Albuquerque.  I spotted him on a bench looking a little forlorn and appearing to need some conversation.  I told him about the $2 Portrait project and he lit up and agreed to participate.  Frank has a rugged look and I was surprised to learn that he was not from the southwest, but rather from Chicago.

Frank is 71 years old and has been in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area for only a week.  Twice married, Frank is hoping that his second wife will take him back and that one of his three sons will return his calls.  He told me that he had a little bit of savings but it was being quickly depleted by his family.  Being a former principal of a grade school, Frank is hoping that his teacher pension can survive his love for younger women.  Frank told me his second love is a daily Starbucks and he’s hoping to find a job as a barista to sustain his relocation.

I told Frank I couldn’t help him with the younger women but would be happy to get him a Starbucks.  When I returned, he was still on the bench.  I gave him the Starbucks and $2; he shook my hand, thanked me and said “Ride ‘em Cowboy!

Taken 5/11/16

OMGWTF!

From the archive - captured while driving in the Bay Area.

Taken 12/21/15

Selfie Heaven

This went on for several minutes.

Market Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 4/6/16

Engrossed - Plate IX

San Francisco, CA

Taken 4/6/16

Juanita

It was about 8:30pm and I was just about to head to BART after an evening of shooting photos.  She approached me from behind, “Excuse me sir, can I ask you a favor?”  Juanita told me she had a few more Street Sheets to sell in order to hit her quota of 75 for the day.  Since she had to be back to the shelter by 9:00pm, we talked fast.  She was about 60 days into a 90 stint selling papers, after which she’ll have enough money to get her 7 year old daughter back and a place to live.  Also, she said the Street Sheet organizers are helping her find a job.

I bought a paper, told her about $2 Portraits and asked if I could take her photo.  She obliged, thanked me and then hustled off.

Taken 4/6/16

Today's Color Is Multi-

San Francisco, CA

Her hair caught my attention first but then I locked onto her bicycle.  She designed the paint scheme and had it professionally done with 9 layers of powdercoat.

Taken 4/6/16

Papa Bear

He was sitting on the corner of Mason and O’Farrell reaching out to everyone who passed by.  “How about some help?”  I asked him if he’s heard of $2 Portraits - he had and agreed to participate.  “You’ll take my picture and give me $2?  For sure.”

Papa Bear is 53 years old and has lived in San Francisco his whole life.  He’s out of work, but is a self-described jack-of-all-trades.  He’d like to get a job doing anything.  I asked him how he got the name Papa Bear.  “8 kids”, he responded.  “So where’s Mama Bear”, I asked.  “She left me.”

He was a super-friendly guy, but distracted from our conversation.  All the while I’m talking to Papa Bear, he’s hitting up every person that walks by.  Being out of $2 Portrait practice, I was really off my game.  Afterwards, I thought of a dozen questions I could have asked.  If I see him again, we can pick-up where we left off.

Taken 4/6/16

Today's Color Is Red

Market Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 4/6/16

Rolling In The Dough

Thursday night street fair
Palm Springs, CA

Taken 3/10/16

Mr. Specs

I was in Orlando on business and before heading to the airport took a stroll around Lake Eola park. This gentleman was camped out listening to some live music and his glasses just jumped out at me. With permission, I had to shoot them.
Orlando, FL

Taken 2/27/16

Curiosity

Sheraton Waikiki
Honolulu, HI

Taken 2/3/16

Wrinkle Cream Dudes

Walked by these two dudes selling wrinkle cream to young women.
Honolulu, HI

Taken 2/4/16

Capturing Michael Being Captured

Street Performer
Honolulu, HI

Taken 2/4/15

Got the Shot

Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI

Taken 2/3/16

No. 45

Itzik Hagadol Grill
Encino, CA

Nope, did not order them.

New Year...New Friend

Ronald
Glenview, IL

The Tradition Continues...

...on New Years with a movie (The Big Short), dinner (Pizano's), and welcoming in the new year at Debbie & Mark's house.

Top Row L to R:  Karen, Mark, Smiles
Middle Row L to R:  Norm, Lin, Jeff (yours truly)
Bottom Row L to R:  Linda, Debbie, Ione, Frank