The man going viral for taking pictures of people on a Philadelphia street

“South Street has long been an inspiration for all kinds of artistic endeavors, and we’re proud that many artists have underscored the unique environment that South Street, our businesses and residents provide,” Ingersoll said.

Aziz’s subjects are some of his biggest fans.

“It’s a creative expression showing what’s really going on in the community,” said Joacquin Franklin, 22, of Philadelphia, photographed with two friends and a white Nissan by Rita’s Water Ice one recent afternoon.

“It’s like we’re famous!” said Adrian Hairston, age 8, of Delaware, who was visiting South Street with his family to have dinner when Aziz snapped their portrait.

Aziz lets all the people he photographs know that they can download their photos from his page if they wish, and he lets them know he accepts tips via Venmo. He said two to three percent of the people he shoots do pay, and that is fine with him.

A portrait photographer, he also gets commissions for family photo sessions, head shots, and special events like an engagement video he was hired to do through the contacts he makes in his street work. It’s enough to cover his living expenses while he pursues his South Street passion project.

Aziz isn’t sure what his end goal for the work will be. He has done similar projects in Los Angeles and San Diego, but not this extensive. He says he would like to do a photographic book or a gallery show.

But for now, his focus is the seemingly limitless faces of South Street he sees everyday though his lens.

“It’s beautiful, it’s amazing,” the photographer said. “I like to think this is what people need to see.”