Invisible in Plain Sight is a project where I delve into the lives of the volunteers at street kitchens who support the homeless, all the way from the process to the result. This is the first of three blog posts about the project.
Creative inspiration. The style and part of the idea were inspired by Alex Majoli, particularly his work documenting the humanitarian crisis on the Greek islands. I liked how truly authentic it looked, with raw human emotion, and how the dramatic, high-contrast black-and-white photography complemented the story. I wanted to bring similar depth to my project, focusing on these heroes – the volunteers who provide food for the homeless – capturing authenticity and being in the moment with a fly-on-the-wall approach. “I knew that Leros' story was associated with its psychiatric hospital and that the world knew nothing about it.” – Alex Majoli (2019).
What I aim to achieve. I want to tell the story of these unsung heroes who help and care for the homeless out of the kindness of their hearts, and portray the struggle that volunteers and the homeless go through. I want to step out of my comfort zone and explore a real-life crisis happening all over the world, and how people are trying to help. The three key themes in my work are human connection, struggle and community support. I hope it raises awareness and appreciation for the volunteers, and gives them images to show their work.
I plan to meet my goals through SMART objectives:
- Specific: Document the work of the street kitchen – unloading supplies, setting up, and giving to the homeless.
- Measurable: Eight high-quality, Alex Majoli-style images that tell the story of the street kitchen community.
- Achievable: I have already gained permission and discussed what I want to photograph.
- Relevant: It aligns with the module on photographing communities and helps me grow.
- Time-bound: Two weeks for shooting, one week for editing, and one extra week to finalise.
In conclusion, this first post has explored my creative inspiration, drawing from Alex Majoli and especially his story on Leros, which helped shape my style and storytelling. With a clear set of SMART goals, I can move on to the next phase: capturing candid moments and fostering a deeper connection between the volunteers and the homeless. I'm looking forward to seeing how this project evolves and who it will inspire.
Bibliography: Majoli, A., 2019. My Breakthrough Moment: Photojournalist Alex Majoli. Creative Review. Available from: creativereview.co.uk