Anonymous, San Francisco

To make this series, Katy Grannan turned the sun-drenched streets of California into an impromptu portrait studio. Each photograph is the result of an on-the-spot collaboration, made with the willing participation of her subjects, who she compensates for their time. Often using stark white walls as a backdrop, Grannan creates images that evoke the spontaneity of candid street photography and capture the individuality of her subjects—creating a tension between anonymity and the desire to be seen.

Credit: The Photography Council Fund