By Jessica Saia

I originally attended the Folsom Street Fair about seven years ago, not too long after moving to the Bay Area. The annual BDSM and leather subculture street fair hosts an amazing display of characters and exhibitionist events — it is shocking and inspirational, and there’s a good chance you haven’t seen anything like it before.

This year, in an effort to capture the stars of the show, I chose to isolate my subjects from the very environment that provided their inspiration and energy. I set up a backdrop on Folsom Street, and much like Richard Avedon, hoped that the thrill of the individual’s personalities would come through and stand alone without distraction. I hope that like me, you find that it did.

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