For questions and inquiries: alex14ramos@gmail.com
• Limited edition prints available in the following sizes: 12x18”, 20x30” and 30x45”
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Alex Ramos (b. 1989) is a photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area whose work explores railroads and their influence on the American West. Rooted in an early fascination with trains—shaped by growing up near the tracks in Berkeley, California, having family who worked for the railroad, and working aboard trains himself—his projects examine landscape, movement, and the layered histories of railroads.
Alongside his photographic practice, Ramos has worked within the photographic field for over twenty years across galleries, retail, and publishing. He has held roles ranging from gallery assistant, preparator, and framer to Gallery Director and Creative Advisor. Through this work he has remained closely connected to the photographic community in the San Francisco Bay Area, supporting exhibitions, publications, and collaborative projects. Ramos is also the founder of Ramos Projects, an independent platform through which he develops creative collaborations, workshops, and more. His photographs have been published and exhibited at The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA), SFO Museum, and California State Railroad Museum.
Work Experience:
2024 - Ongoing: Creative Advisor, Leica Store San Francisco
2023 - 2024: Creative Director, Leica Store San Francisco
2014 - 2023: Gallery Director, Leica Store San Francisco
2008 - 2014: Gallery Coordinator, Scott Nichols Gallery
Education:
2007-2009: City College of San Francisco - Photographic studies with a focus on wet darkroom printing and business of photography with Ken Light.
Solo Exhibitions:
2021 - Chinese Historical Society of America: Ceremony at Summit
2016 - SFO Museum: Railroads
2012 - Mission Workshop: The San Francisco Bay Railroad
Group Exhibitions:
2025 - Daido Starspace / Nazraeli Press - It Will Hold You
2025 - Rayko Photo Space - Pretty Gritty 2
2024 - Book and Job Gallery - “Current Affairs”
2015 - Rock Paper Scissors Gallery
2008 - California State Railroad Museum
2007 - California State Railroad Museum
Lecture:
2010 Conference: Center for Railroad Photography and Art
Juror:
2018 - UC Berkeley: Dorothea Lange Fellowship
Publications:
2026 - It Will Hold You, Nazraeli Press
2021 - Portrait of a City: San Francisco, Taschen (photographs)
2020 - Channel of Escape, self published artist book (ed. of 25)
2019 - After Promontory, University of Indiana Press (photographs)
2009 - TRAINS, Locomotive Special Issue, September (article + photographs)
Awards:
2008 Center for Railroad Photography and Art, 3rd place
2007 Center for Railroad Photography and Art, 3rd place
Film Credit:
2024 - Who Is Michael Jang?
2019 - Show Me the Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall
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Photographic tools and related products that I really appreciate:
Camera: Leica Camera ( Leica SL and M system + 24-70, 28/50/90 lenses)
Paper: Hahnemuhle
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro II
Lighting: Harlowe
For analog photography, my preferred photolab: Underdog