About Petra Ford
I'm an award-winning street photographer, obsessed with documenting the spirit of the world around me, particularly in my hometown of Chicago. My goal is to make images that evoke emotion and curiosity, images that make the viewer slow down and look longer and closer, and to realize that perhaps they see themselves in these strangers on the street.
The images in the 'Chicago' galleries span from 2007 through the present, and the rallies and protests were all shot in Chicago.
The images in the 'Europe' gallery were made in Copenhagen, Paris, London, Lisbon, and Berlin between 2012-2016.
I began the 'Pacific Beach, San Diego' and 'San Francisco' series in the summer of 2024, both on-going projects.
I work commercially in interior, lifestyle, and fashion photography, and, after almost 5 years in LA, I'm happy to be based full-time in Chicago once again. I'm a mother, a cat lady, an avid reader and traveler, and a roller skater. Street photography is my lifeblood.
Interview:
Upcoming & Recent Group Exhibitions:
Chicago Center for Photojournalism - No Kings: This is Chicago!, Chicago, IL, August 8 - September 20, 2025.
Chicago Center for Photojournalism - IN PROTEST: Global Activism, Chicago, IL, October 2024 - February 2025
Awards:
Fifth Wednesday Journal: Editor's Prize in Photography, First Place, 2012
