08/31/2021
"Comraderly Love," signed Beat Poet Jack Hirschman while inside his room atop Trieste cafe. September 10, 2017. San Francisco.
I met Jack just a few days after my first flight to San Francisco. My group of friends were literally from all over the world and he spoke with them in each of their languages. A few days later we were hanging out with him and his wife Angie at their home and then at Rocking Horse Gallery. I still ran into him at the Harvey Milk Photo Center and North Beach Public Library years later; each time grateful to see him well.
Hanging out with Jack was one of the best experiences anyone coming to San Francisco for the first time could ask for. But he holds a special place in my heart not only for his work against the Vietnam War and his curiosity and respect for our culture, but also since he reminds me of my great grandma who passed away a few years back.
This photo of him was one of the first portraits I took and is one of those which turned me on to photographing people. Starting out as a landscape shooter, I never thought I would be the fashion & portrait photographer I am today.
So thank you for this moment and your time that I will forever cherish, Jack. Rest in peace