The recording of the presentation from Sarah Wells titled “The challenges/successes documenting the LGBTQ community in the 1980’s” given to the Focus Camera Club on March 11, 2026.
Program Description
From Sarah – “Coming out in the 1980’s, I realized that I would need to find my place in community. I knew that I wanted to be honest with my friends and family and that secrets just made life more difficult. Moving to San Francisco in 1985 was affirming and enabled me to fit in to the LGBTQ+ community.
I first spent most of my time photographing people on the streets of San Francisco. I photographed mostly LGBTQ+ street fairs and festivities. My intent was to convey the beauty of not only people but the beauty of freedom being expressed in the streets and the freedom to be one’s authentic self in a safe environment.
Then as time went on, I began to photograph my friends, neighbors and co-workers. It was a transition that allowed me to become more connected with my subjects. The photographs conveyed more intimacy and emotional connection.
For this presentation I will talk about my challenges, success, and failures in documenting the community.”
Learn more about Sarah on her website https://www.sarahjwells.com/ and her collected vintage photos on IG at https://www.instagram.com/sarjane62_vintagephotos
Timestamps
0:00 Club News & Intros, 18:01 About Sarah and her photo journey, 31:34 Influential Photographers,
38:22 Early Work, 42:47 Airports and Airplanes, 50:53 The gear, 55:42 Non Satis Scire, 56:48 San Francisco in the 80’s, 1:08:54 Just Being photo series, 36:00 Final Q & A / Outro