Once we read Ben Fong-Torres’ interview with SFSU Alumni Hall of Famer Genny Lim, it quickly became clear that we had to do her photo shoot at San Francisco’s legendary City Lights Bookstore. It’s where Lim discovered poetry and art as a youngster — and now she’s the city’s ninth poet laureate (and the first Chinese American bestowed with the honor).
“Generally speaking, that part of San Francisco paints a historical picture of SF. The photoshoot touches first on Genny’s literary importance to the city as well as her cultural identity,” says Alexander Villagomez-Miranda, SF State Magazine’s art director. The bookstore staff were excited to help with arrangements for the photo shoot there.
The confluence of Lim’s presence and story, the location, the San Francisco history and culture — not to mention Lim’s scene-stealing four-legged co-star Rumi — made the shoot magic.
“While we were setting up, we noticed the paper lanterns hanging next to the store and couldn’t help taking a few shots there. The light, color and atmosphere made it the perfect backdrop. It even color-matched with her outfit,” says Juan Montes, the SFSU photographer/videographer who took the pictures. “That photo ended up on the magazine cover, proving how sometimes the best moments happen naturally.”
