Calling all photographers — we’re looking for photos that represent Oakland. (All photos must be made in Oakland, CA.) 35mm, medium format, large format, digital, cyanotype — all formats are welcome. Please submit only 1 image for consideration.
Street Stories: Oakland in Focus
We’re building a visual narrative grounded in the rich, layered culture of The Town. Your submission doesn’t need to be literal — we’re just as interested in mood, movement, and atmosphere as we are in subject and story.
IMPORTANT: Single frames only — no diptychs, collages, or composites.
It’s FREE to submit.
Accepted submissions will be required to pay a reasonable gallery fee.
DEADLINE: April 25th, 11:59pm PST.
Full details and submission form via the link in bio.
Can’t wait to see what you send in — and please spread the word!
Big thanks to our sponsors and supporting partners: @vsco , @oaklandish , @underdogfilmlab , @camerasandcoffeeclub , and @oak.spc
Elvin Catley’s photography reflects his curiosity and passion for storytelling. “I don’t believe I have a style; I just shoot what captures my interest.” Whether documenting the streets or skateboarding culture, Elvin sees himself as a visual storyteller, building narratives that take viewers on engaging journeys.
Elvin’s most cherished moments come from interactions with people he meets while shooting, and his biggest inspirations are his peers and the OAKSPC community. He credits photo books and creative breaks for helping him stay inspired.
Depending on the day, you’ll find him with a Leica M1 for street photography or a Nikon F5 while skateboarding. Currently, he’s working on a project centered around skateboarding.
His advice: “Keep shooting, buy photo books, and embrace the bad photos—it’s all part of the practice.”
📷 @elbooi
Photography became a passion for Matthew Evearitt during a time of personal growth, and it has since evolved into a way of life. From skateboarding with friends to documenting his journey of meeting his birth family, Matthew’s work is deeply rooted in capturing human connection and the beauty of nature.
He finds inspiration in the unexpected, always pushing himself to create and experiment. With his Sony and Leica Q always by his side, Matthew is dedicated to turning fleeting moments into lasting memories.
“I just keep shooting. Even when it’s tough, I push myself to create. Skateboarding and being with my family always help me stay grounded.”
Discover the world through his lens.
📷 @beholdcreators
Scott La Rockwell’s photography journey began with his dad’s 35mm camera and a love for art. After trying film, a friend’s Canon 5D sparked his passion. Over time, his style has evolved from controlled shots to embracing the spontaneity of the moment.
Highlights include shooting in Japan, working with Snoop Dogg, and capturing Hells Angels funerals. Now focused on street photography, he blends it with his lifestyle work, inspired by legends like Sebastiao Salgado and Richard Avedon.
Currently using a FujiFilm x100v, Scott is working on projects about the Hells Angels, Santeria, and street photography.
“Shoot daily, focus on process, and let consistency lead to great images.”
📷 @scottlarockwell
Kristian Salum’s photography journey began with capturing friends and creating prints for his walls. Over time, he shifted to documenting the people and moments around him. He now travels with a Nikon F6, Hasselblad X-Pan, and Fuji Natura Black, a setup that fits his style.
Street photography became his true passion after overcoming initial nerves in 2020 during a solo trip to New York. For Kristian, it’s about staying alert to capture spontaneous, unexpected moments. Influenced by Daidō Moriyama, Greg Girard, Estevan Oriol, and Ruth Orkin, his style evolves by respecting personal space and reading the room.
“Shoot everything, push yourself, and don’t get caught up in the numbers. Instagram doesn’t make you a better photographer—you do.”
When stuck, Kristian resets with photo books and walks. Traveling and collaborating with like-minded people keep him inspired. His most recent memorable experience was documenting his parents’ retired life in the Philippines. He’s currently working on his first solo zine, focusing on their journey.
📷 @00hsh00t
Photography became a passion for Bradley Fowl during a challenging time and has since evolved into a way of life. From capturing the energy of pro wrestling to documenting candid moments on the street, his work is all about telling stories through the lens.
Bradley finds inspiration in the unexpected. With his Fuji X-Pro3 and Leica M6 always on hand, he’s dedicated to turning fleeting moments into lasting memories.
“I just grab a camera and walk outside. Being in the world always gets me out of my head and into the moment.”
Discover the world through his lens.
📷 @bradleyfowl
Tare Sang is a storyteller who blends creativity and culture to craft meaningful narratives. With roots in graffiti and music, he discovered photography’s lyrical potential after a bandmate compared it to writing music. His style now reflects a deep appreciation for subtlety, complexity, and grace.
Influenced by photographers like Alex Webb, Harry Gruyeart, Baldwin Lee, and Sage Sohier, Tare finds beauty in the understated. His work often focuses on personal themes, like the resilience of Cambodian refugee-owned donut shops—a tribute to his family’s journey surviving genocide to building a small business in America.
“Follow what gives you energy, even if it’s not ready to share. Intuition will take you further than any algorithm.”
Tare’s images invite connection, leaving space for viewers to complete the story. His art invites reflection and shared wonder, fostering a deeper connection with the world and its undertones.
📷 @tareweezy
Demondre Ward: The Choices You Make
Every choice you make shapes your story. Discover how Demondre uses his photography to capture moments, make a difference, and find inspiration.
What will you capture in 2025?
We hope you find inspiration through Demondre’s story to make this your most meaningful year yet.
Take the Picture. Tell Your Time.
Link to full film in bio.
Rudi Tcruz is a Bay Area documentary photographer using his craft to tell powerful stories that foster human connection. Overcoming the challenges of dyslexia, he found his creative voice through art and discovered a passion for photography at SFSU. Inspired by Sebastiao Salgado and Gordon Parks, Rudi captures images to spark awareness and inspire change.
From documenting the Southern Peasants’ Federation of Thailand in Surat Thani to exploring human rights and immigration, his work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling. Whether using a Fujifilm X-Pro3 or Leica SL2-S, Rudi brings purpose and passion to every shot.
“You don’t need the best gear to start shooting, you just need to do it and do it a lot. Hopefully it’s fun because you’ll suck for a very long time, but in due time, everything else will fall into place.”
Follow their journey and stories.
📷 @rudimarr
Print session for @beholdcreators “Is Beautiful” video premiere and show. @dre.wick dropping knowledge on printmaking, paper, and process with the collective. Highly recommend printing —there’s nothing like holding your art work in hand. #oakspc #oakland #leicama #tmax400
📸: @tareweezy
