about my work

Hi! I’m a photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Being born and raised in the Bay, I’ve seen and experienced how our region’s runaway economic inequality creates an environment for working class people defined by struggle under gentrification, displacement, and constant change. Yet, despite the hustle, the Bay remains a place of culture, radical thought, and beauty.

Does anyone really own anything here? If we don’t, then what do we do now to make such this place home?

The main purpose of my work is to document my home— particularly the queer & BIPOC punk, art, and activist subcultures that I call my community— as it is now before this place inevitably changes. You can find most of my work on Instagram at @ianshootsphotos. I also occasionally upload videos to my YouTube at ianshootsvideos.

I also have experience as a photojournalist, with credits in publications including Berkeleyside, KQED, Street Spirit, SF Examiner, and SF Chronicle. In the past, I freelanced regularly for the Berkeley Times, Oakland Roots Sports Club, and various community organizations, venues, and artists in Berkeley and Oakland. That being said, to pay the rent, my day job is in applied data science - you can learn more about me professionally on this site’s main page here.

I am available for hire (news, concerts, fashion, you name it) and love talking to other artists - DM me on Instagram or email me at iancastromedia(at)gmail.com. Let’s connect!