The faces of Baltimore

Like a lot of photographers, Jonathan Hanson carries his camera with him constantly. And like a lot of city dwellers, the 32-year-old wanders the city streets — in Hanson's case — of Baltimore.

Which is exactly where he finds the subjects for his ongoing portrait series.

"When I see someone that causes an immediate reaction, I run with it," Hanson explained via email. "There really wasn't a normal reaction (from the subjects). Some immediately said yes, while others wanted to know what I was shooting for, where it was going."

Fed up with social media and the way it can stunt real connections, Hanson began this series to provide a way to reconnect to the city he loves — and the people who populate it.

"I love Baltimore," he said. "It's an amazing city that has a rich culture and strong working-class roots. It doesn't pretend to be something it's not, and I respect that."

Such admiration drives the way Hanson shoots his subjects and his city as well.

"I wanted to combine the beauty and history of the city, while showing some of its grittier side," he said. "Contradictions are interesting — and the city embraces its contradictions."

**To view more of Hanson's work, visit his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter**