We continue our photo series with another installment of brief on-the-street interviews and snapshots from our friend Dijon of Souls of San Francisco.
Today, we present a few portraits that Dijon took recently in Hayes Valley.
“I moved here five months ago from New York to get a change of life. Something more relaxed. I’m really inspired by the people, I get a lot of energy from the city.”
“How do you want to contribute to the culture and vibe of San Francisco?”
“I think it’s more the culture and vibe contributing to me. I’m pretty high-strung and it’s been refreshing to see how everyone is here. Take a breath, it’s all chill. I continue to catch myself learning.”
“I've been in this neighborhood for quite a few years. You can see me here on the corner everyday. I should be getting off the streets next month. I applied for Section 8. Hopefully by December I can have a nice warm Christmas.”
“How long have you been on the streets?”
“About six months. I lost my job. I got unemployment but it ran out and I lost everything. Now I just have a few changes of clothes and a sleeping bag. It’s kinda rough.”
“Well I hope Section 8 works out for you.”
“Yeah. It would be a $985 payment. The rent would be $650 and then I would have a couple hundred dollars left over.”
“That sounds like a good start. I’m Dijon. What’s your name?”
“Andrew.”
“I moved here 28 years ago from Southern California to study ceramics. They '80s were a lot of fun. A lot different than it is now.”
“How so?”
“It was more carefree, people weren’t so serious about making money. I moved here with $3,000 in my pocket not knowing anybody. I don’t think you can do that anymore.”
“I still make some ceramics and paintings.”
“Where do you get your inspiration?”
“Mathematics and M.C. Escher. Just playing with spatial depth and tweaking it.”
“We’ve been married two and a half years, together four years total.”
“How’d you meet?”
Him - “I saw pictures of her on Facebook and asked a friend to introduce us.”
“You two seem really at ease with each other. What’s your secret?”
Her - “I don’t know. It’s always been pretty easy between us. We don’t really fight.”
“What’s one of your favorites things about him?”
“He has a very pure heart.”
“What’s one of your favorite things about her?"
“She’s funny. Much funnier than I am.”
Check out our first installment of Souls of Hayes Valley here, and stay tuned for more installments coming to a neighborhood near you.
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