A Day of Photographs

Joy Eckstein, of the Carriage House, offered to host Elle and me for a photographic tour of downtown Boulder in search of homeless people that would like to have their stories told in our book. (What photographer wouldn't like to join a guide for a photographic expedition! Particularly an expedition that is so meaningful!) So, enjoying yesterday's wonderful weather, we started at the Carriage House, walked the Pearl Street mall, and finished at the main branch of the Boulder Public Library.

We captured images of eight subjects, digitally recorded an interview with one, and received agreement for the others to either write their own stories, or to be interviewed by the project's writers.

It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

This is a photograph of Rabbit that I captured by the courthouse on the Pearl Street mall.  He has a pretty exciting story to tell....

Betsy Duckett, RN

Yesterday, I photographed Betsy Duckett in follow-up to an interview that Doug Hill conducted with Betsy last week. Betsy is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the People's Medical Clinic on 13th Street.

Betsy knows the homeless. As the Clinic's Homeless Outreach Nurse, it is Betsy that spends much of her time outside of the clinic to meet with patients and provide access to medical care to many of Boulder's homeless population. She meets them where they are - at the Shelter, the Carriage House, Attention Homes, and elsewhere. After the photography, I showed Betsy images of those photographed for the project so far. She named each person.

A woman of great compassion, Betsy describes her calling as part medical and part social work. She's a specialized case worker.

Boulder's homeless are fortunate to have Betsy caring for them.

Katrina & Dionshay

Elle and I met with and interviewed Katrina and Dionshay this afternoon. What an amazing and inspirational story!

As a ward of the state of Colorado since she was two, Katrina has been homeless for much of her adult life. The opportunity to have her four year old son returned to her custody led Katrina to change her situation and get on a new path.

She is now in an apartment with Dionshay, is no longer drinking and is looking forward to a productive life. Later, she wants to return to school for training in radiology, culinary arts, or automotive repair. But, for now, her focus in on taking care of Dionshay and getting him into school.

For those that believe life is the result of the choices we make, Katrina's story shows that positive choices can turn around a life and set it on a new course. I'm inspired by this formerly homeless woman!

Where Are the Photographs Taken?

In order to capture the images of people in Boulder's homeless community, we go where they are. In the case of yesterday afternoon's interview, it was to the main branch of the Boulder Public Library in the art gallery at the north entrance.

Before the interview with Angela and Keith, I photographed the couple. And, in the process of my photographing, our writer, Anne Doyle, took a picture of me.

These photos show the place where we met with Angela and Keith, and the resulting image of them.

A Missed Appointment

Yesterday afternoon, we were scheduled to interview and photograph a homeless woman at the Boulder library. She missed our appointment. Later, I learned that she had a chemotherapy session on Thursday, the day before, and she was sick. She simply couldn't get to our session.

When I'm sick, I can stay home in bed to recover. Where does a homeless person rest and recover?

Adding Writers

We have over 30 writers that would like to be involved in this project to give faces and voice to the homeless in Boulder. We are eager for the writers to help tell the story of homelessness so that those in the mainstream will learn, grow and be aware.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to again meet with Doug Hill. Recently returned from a visit with family in New Jersey, Doug was formerly homeless in Boulder. He will soon start work at a new restaurant in town. Doug is a writer who has written a number of pieces about homelessness and his experience on the streets.

For our project, Doug will be paired with a mainstream person to interview about their intersection with the homeless.

Like all of our authors, Doug's picture will be included in the book along with a very brief bio. I was able to capture Doug's portrait at the Boulder Bookstore, after sharing coffee with him at Bookends, next door.

What About Volunteer Photographers?

A couple of times I've been asked if we need photographers for the project, as we appreciate the many writers that have volunteered. While the answer - No - is simple, some background is in order.

When I conceived this project in October, I anticipated doing all the photography, writing, graphics and publishing myself. Those thoughts lasted only until the enormity of the undertaking, and balancing it with my work and other commitments, became clear. Advice from family, friends and fellow Rotarians helped fix my misconceptions.

The need for a variety of writers and a variety of styles - all well executed - became apparent. I'm not a widely published or professional writer. Very quickly, we were introduced to people in the Boulder writing community that shared our concern for this vulnerable segment of our population. And, many of these people wanted to contribute their talents. Greatly appreciated!

Through the advice and connections of others, we've been introduced to graphics and layout artists that are interested in exploring how they can help with the project. Greatly appreciated!

So that leaves the photography. Since I'm a professional photographer with over 40 years of amateur and professional experience; and since I specialize in portrait photography; and since I have the time, equipment, and ability to do an excellent job in this aspect of the project; and since my vision for this has always included consistency of style with the photography, I intend to handle the photography myself, with onsite assistance from other photographers as they would like.

It's not that we don't want additional photographers, it simply appears that we won't need them for the majority of the project.

For those interested in seeing samples of my photography, please visit www.DMPageImages.com