I’m a fan of street style photos so I was absolutely delighted when I connected with Liisa Jokinen, the creator of Hel Looks, a street style blog in Helsinki, Finland and more recently SF Looks. She generously agreed to answer some questions about her experience photographing this city’s most stylish folks.
What inspired you to start this blog?
I started taking street style pics in 2005 for my Hel Looks site. It was one of the first street style blogs in the world, maybe even the very first! (My friend Brent Luvaas from Drexel University is doing research on street style photography and he has not found any street style sites prior to Hel Looks. There were many street style photographers before us, of course, but not blogs.)
After moving to SF it was natural that I continued street snapping here. It’s the best way of getting to know the city and people. You can say it’s my obsession. A combination of all things I love: styles, meeting new people, photography, blogging, and documenting local style history.
What are your thoughts about style in San Francisco compared to other places?
It’s definitely casual and comfortable, not so many high heels here! The range of styles here is wide, and that makes me happy of course. SF is not the fashion capital of the world, but that’s more than ok for me: fashion is not what I’m looking for but individual, unique styles. People who would rather create their own fashions than follow the fashion.
How do people generally respond when you ask to take their portrait?
Very well indeed! Only four people have refused so far. People are so open, happy, friendly, and confident with their looks and styles here. I love this attitude!
Have you become friends with anyone you’ve photographed?
Yes! On Sunday I wanted to photograph this Swedish girl but she refused. I was so sad for a moment but yesterday she sent me an email and asked me for a coffee. I’m super happy to meet her again.
What if anything have you learned from photoblogging?
To be more open, more curious, and broad-minded. That everyone of us has a story to tell and anything can be stylish really. And of course I’ve learned to be a better photographer!
What in San Francisco inspires you?
Everything. Just everything.
All photos by Liisa Jokinen/SF Looks
