"The Forgotten" series
My photographs document homeless individuals blending with crowds of people in the city of Los Angeles. I began this series because I was personally impacted by a random encounter with a homeless man. The complete selflessness he showed me prompted me to reflect on how I treat the homeless. In response, I aim to create meaningful connections with the homeless, while depicting the lack of care the public displays, and to translate that into my photography.
To accomplish this aesthetically, I create a double exposure by sandwiching two photographs together. I layer a black and white portrait of the individual with an image of a motion blurred crowd. Along with the photographs, I include a small description of each person based on what they choose to share with me. My approach is to treat everyone with kindness and respect. Asking permission for a photograph is the last question I ask, and I don't take a photograph unless I have full consent. The photographs put forth an empathetic perspective on homeless individuals who are mostly ignored, and the descriptions reveal that we all share similar struggles, humor, and interests.
(This series is still a work in progress)