Above & Across San Francisco, the latest addition to our “Above & Across” series, offers a breathtaking aerial perspective of the city’s iconic landmarks, streets and architecture. Featuring 118 images by 9 independent photographers, this collection showcases San Francisco like never before. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes and Above & Across San Francisco’s official release in April.
Meet the Photographers
Hear from John James Montoya, Kris Kuganathan, Jay Huang, and Jeffery Xin as they share their perspectives in Part 2 of “Meet the Photographers” for Above & Across San Francisco. In case you missed it, Part 1 featured Diane Bentley Raymond, Howard Kingsnorth, Lichao Liu, and Jack Landau. Read more about them here.
John James Montoya
How long have you been a photographer and what initially drew you to the profession?
I’ve always had a love for photography. My father used to photograph everything and had tons and tons of photos. So when I was old enough, I used to take my camera everywhere with me as a kid. It wasn’t until college when I took a photography class, got my first DSLR and really took interest in the profession. Since then, my passion grew and I’ve been taking photos and sharing them ever since.
What made you interested in delving into drone photography in particular?
Aerial photography was something that was implanted in my head when I watched Breaking Bad. The way the directors shot the show was amazing and they’d have some shots that would make me think, “HOW DID THEY GET THAT?!” When drones became more common and available, it all clicked. I bought my first drone when the pandemic began, and it opened up a whole new world of photography for me. I was able to see angles you couldn’t see on foot on the ground. I got above the trees, the buildings, and water, and just seeing it from that angle was eye opening. It wasn’t long before I bought my second drone and really took off.
What is your process like for shooting a new location? Do you try to match the feeling of the place with the image that you produce, or is it much more spontaneous?
I’m a very spontaneous person - almost to a fault. I almost never plan anything. I’ll have my drone with me, and just drive around. It sounds so simple, but I think, “Wow if this place is beautiful from the ground, imagine above!” So, I’ll park somewhere secluded and launch my drone. Even if the spot doesn’t end up being drop dead gorgeous, just being in the air and seeing things still makes the shoot worth it and gives me ideas for my next shot.
Tell me a bit about your editing process.
My editing process is something I’m actually still fine-tuning. I am always learning. When I do get down to it, I’ll just open up my laptop, or even phone, and just edit videos or photos for a few hours. I am easily distracted so I have to isolate myself for a bit or else I won’t get it done. A large cup of cold brew helps.
What is it about San Francisco that inspires you to photograph it?
I’ve lived in San Francisco my whole life and I’ve always taken inspiration from its beauty, culture, and history. I feel that even with all the shots I’ve taken, I still haven’t photographed it all. You can drive 10 minutes and feel like you’re in another country and that’s what makes it special. Maybe I’m biased because I’m from here, but there’s truly no bad shots of San Francisco. Especially on a beautiful, calm 70-degree day.
Do you have a favorite SF moment or memory?
As I mentioned, I’ve lived here my whole life so I can give you all types of memories, but the first that came to mind was when the Giants won their first World Series here in 2010. I was at my house on Mission Street, watching it with my friend, still in our school uniforms, when the final pitch was thrown. We rushed down Mission Street to celebrate with the city. It was a dream, still so vivid. I actually climbed up this netting that maybe I shouldn’t have and took this shot of 22nd and Mission where everyone was gathered around a fire. It’s one of my proudest shots, I think shot on an iPhone 3S.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming photographers?
My best advice is to just start. I kick myself for not starting things sooner in search for perfection. The reality of it is that your first shot, YouTube video, or Instagram post won’t be perfect. So just post it, learn from it, and keep growing and learning. If it’s your passion, you’ll never feel like it’s work or an annoyance. I take my camera or drone everywhere, and if you don’t have one, you have your phone which takes incredible shots, too. So always keep your head up, pop some music in and pretend you’re in a movie and just go for a walk and shoot some shots.
Kris Kuganathan
What is it about San Francisco that inspires you to photograph it?
San Francisco is easily one of my favorite cities in the United States to photograph! What inspires me is how dynamic the city itself is. San Francisco is unique in many ways. First, it’s nestled in between two massive bodies of water - the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. This gives ample opportunity for amazing sunset and sunrise compositions. In addition to an abundance of beautiful light, the hilliness of the city gives an opportunity for tighter compositions with higher focal lengths. My 600mm doesn’t get as much usage in any other city than in San Francisco. Lastly, the weather in San Francisco is very much inviting for photography. Often blanketed by overcast, the lighting in the city is smoothly diffused and isn’t as harsh as it is in other parts of the country, and sometimes that fog even dips below the height of the bridges and skyscrapers in the city, providing epic conditions for the aerial shots featured in this book!
Has your style of aerial photography changed since you first began shooting? Tell us a little bit about this evolution.
My style of photography has certainly changed. I’m a firm believer that if you’re not growing, you’re regressing. Like most people who first get into aerial photography, I think I originally fell victim to only wanting to capture the highest, widest, sweeping shots of the city in a single frame. Over time, I’ve been more focused on specific lineups and tighter compositions. One thing I love doing is pairing up 1 or 2 major landmarks in the city in a single frame. It’s far more intentional and gives me much more satisfaction when pulled off than the ultra-wide aerial shot.
Jay Huang
How long have you been a photographer and what initially drew you to the profession?
I started to photograph my family portraits with DSLR when my two kids were born, and got more serious in landscape photography around 2010 when both kids grew up.
What made you interested in aerial photography in particular? And have you ever delved into other subjects?
Aerial photography offered a bird’s eye view that most people rarely experience. Due to drone shooting being illegal in many areas I am interested in, I try to hire a helicopter/small plane to do the photography with DSLR.
What is your process like for shooting a new location? Do you try to match the feeling of the place with the image that you produce, or is it much more spontaneous?
Shooting a new location requires careful planning, such as studying the location, checking weather conditions, understanding regulations, and planning the shoot. I prefer to match the feeling of the place with the image that I produce.
Tell me a bit about your editing process.
I always shoot in raw and use photoshop and TK action tools to enhance colors, contrast, and sharpness while maintaining a natural look.
What is it about San Francisco that inspires you to photograph it?
San Francisco is a photographer’s dream, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, architectural charm, and cultural vibrancy. There are endless inspiring subjects for photographers to explore. Whether you are drawn to its iconic landmarks or its hidden corners, there’s always something new to discover and capture.
Do you have a favorite San Francisco moment or memory?
Low Fog Event in Golden Gate Bridge is my favorite scene to photograph in San Francisco.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming photographers?
Photography is as much about passion as it is about skill. Stay true to your vision, keep learning, and enjoy the process!
Jeffery Xin
What is it about San Francisco that inspires you to photograph it?
San Francisco is a city that never looks the same twice. The combination of its dramatic landscapes, historic architecture, and constantly shifting weather makes every moment feel like a fresh opportunity. The way the fog moves through the Golden Gate Bridge, the patterns of light hitting the skyscrapers, and the vibrant energy of its neighborhoods all inspire me to capture the city from different perspectives. Aerial photography, in particular, allows me to see the city’s intricate details—its hills, bridges, and waterfronts—in ways that aren’t always visible from the ground.
Do you have a favorite San Francisco moment or memory?
One of my most memorable moments was capturing the city just before sunrise, when the fog was rolling in thick over the Bay. As the sun started breaking through, the tops of buildings and bridges slowly emerged from the mist, creating this surreal, dreamlike landscape. It felt like watching the city wake up in slow motion. Those fleeting, in-between moments—when nature and architecture interact in unexpected ways—are what make San Francisco so special to photograph.
Has your style of aerial photography changed since you first began shooting? Tell us a little bit about this evolution.
When I first started, my focus was mainly on getting clear, high-altitude shots of the city’s famous landmarks. Over time, my approach has become much more intentional. Now, I think more about composition, lighting, and storytelling—capturing not just what San Francisco looks like, but what it feels like. I experiment more with unique angles, layering fog or reflections into my shots, and playing with contrasts between natural and urban elements. My editing style has also evolved, emphasizing textures, mood, and atmosphere to bring out the emotion in each image.
Above & Across San Francisco will be available in April 2025.