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They live around my work in Downtown Miami. I've been seeing them every day for more than 20 years. One day I asked a friend of mine to loan me a camera and that's how it all started.How long had the urge to spy on them been brewing before then?
I don't consider my photography "spying." Every subject is photographed in a public space and has no expectation of privacy. I'm doing this so that people can see what a tough life really is. I think that my photos give people a glimpse into lives that are hopefully nothing like theirs. I have a quiet life with a wonderful wife and a nice home in the suburbs--I couldn't imagine the hardships or trials of someone that lives on the streets and is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Think of what it would be like not to know when your next meal is coming, or your next drug fix.

The people of the neighborhood don't interact with the office workers as they cross paths.
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There are at least three different aid agencies providing services to the homeless within a mile of my office. The fact that the same people survive in the area for more than three years and are continually getting arrested for drugs and prostitution shows just how hard it is to get off the street. My wife and I do donate to several of these agencies that provide assistance, but otherwise, what am I going to do?What is the worst thing you've witnessed?
One day I watched a woman's "boyfriend" slap her bloody during a fight on the corner.

I haven't seen arrests in person, but the police force is very active in this area.

I saw another photographer post some mugshots on his website, so I wondered how long it would take to find some of the subjects that I had photographed. The first time I searched it only took me five minutes to find someone I had already photographed. The saddest thing about all this is I keep seeing the same people in the area. There's just no escape from the cycle of crime, arrest, release, and back to crime again.
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Most people are amazed that this activity goes on in broad daylight. Others mention how "perverse" they feel this type of photography is. I would like people to view these images and feel gratitude that their life is a lot better, safer, healthier than others' in this world. But I can't spend my time worrying what people think of my photos, you know? I enjoy taking photos and I appreciate other photographers' work as well, but at the end of the day photography is just my hobby. It would please me if my images would be considered art, though.INTERVIEW BY CLARISSE AND PAULINE MERIGEOT-MAGNENAT
































