Street Sense photojournalism volunteer Brett Edward Mohar left D.C. for a new job in Philadelphia. Before long, he started exploring the stories of homeless men and women in his new hometown. He sent Street Sense this photo essay.
“It is the same scene every day, on every corner,” Mohar said, “Seen by thousands; noticed by few.”
He described his subjects as being “the most accepting and willing to tell their stories to a perfect stranger with a camera and a notepad, expecting nothing in return.”
Each one seemed grateful for the help he or she received from the community. No one blamed anyone else for his or her homelessness.
“Most of the people I spent time with in the photographs were intelligent, humorous, sober, and open-minded, but lacked optimism and hope,” Mohar said.
“All I want to do is show those people that can’t or don’t take the time to hear their stories that there is another, softer, more humanistic side to nearly everyone, including every subject in these images.”
Mohar plans to go on using his camera to explore the lives of his homeless neighbors in Philadelphia.
