Cover photo created by LG @jayasimha78 using pictures captured at San Francisco Pride Parade 2023
Again this year I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Pride Parade. I was able to secure a Media credential as a freelance photographer, it was a great experience photographing this colorful diverse annual event.
This year more than 500,000 folks attended the parade, in fact the spectators were as colorful as the parade itself. In fact because of this event Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system had one highest ridership after pandemic. The San Francisco Pride Parade is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. This year parade had 220 contingents, the parade it self was more than 3 hours long.
If you are a photographer, it is always great shoot when the contingents are getting ready in the staging area. Here is a shot in the staging are of the parade. The parade route traditionally starts in the heart of downtown San Francisco, close to Ferry building and moves through Market Street, concluding at the Civic Center Plaza. The streets are filled with vibrant floats, marching bands, dance groups, community organizations, corporations, and individuals proudly expressing their support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Parade traditionally starts with more than 200+ bikers, the group is known as ‘Dykes on Bikes’. Here is a shot of one of the members with a colorful cape.
Spectators were packed through out the route of the parade. They all show up in support of LGBTQ community. Also they come dressed up, almost as colorful as the parade attendees.
Here are couple of shots at the beginning of parade, with more than 200 Bikers, with colorful costumes and carrying colorful flags.
Here is one more shot of bikers.
Here is a contingent with very interesting costumes.
Parade itself is well represented by various corporations, here is a float of Kaiser Permanente. Also many local politician, SF Mayor, Senators and member of congress represent the parade.
Here is a shot of another float and colorful flags.
Here is a shot of cheer leader group in action during the parade.
It is really amazing to see various creativity of contingents costumes. Here is one with balloons.
Apart from corporations, many groups who participate in San Francisco Carnaval were also represented in the parade. Here is a shot of Fogo Na Roupa group.
Look, I found a superman on the bike!
Here is a shot of Latino Wellness Center group.
Here is a shot of dragsroryhour group.
Here is a group with so many dogs!
Here is a shot of NASA contingent. We have few Astronauts on the streets of San Francisco!
Shot of Assembly member in a shiny car!
More colorful participants of the parade.
More creative costumes of contingents
Here is one of the first in San Francisco, A Trans woman is Miss San Francisco this year.
Capturing spectators is as interesting as the parade itself.
Here is an interesting costume! Long train!
Here is a shot of one of my friend representing Sambaxe group in the parade.
I hope you can share pictures from your local Pride parade here.
Check out more pictures from this years San Francisco Pride Parade Here.
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