Homeless in Miami
Lee Jeffries from Manchester has been making a series of photographs dedicated to homelessness for many years. He photographed these people in various locations, including Rome, Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas. Arriving in Miami, he traveled to one of the most inhospitable areas to take these incredibly expressive portraits.
Lee Jeffries is a Manchester, UK based photographer who has gained fame for his amazing portraits of homeless people. Throughout the existence of the entire series, which was launched in 2008, Lee has been trying to convey the full gamut of human emotions for each of the portraits’ heroes.
Jeffries strives to work with homeless communities not so much to click the shutter button a few times, but to build trust and provide help.
The problem of homelessness in Miami, as in many major US cities, remains acute and multifaceted. The hot climate and the attractiveness of the tourist center bring many people here, including those who find themselves on the street without a roof over their heads.
Urban areas like Downtown Miami are overrun with homeless people whose lives unfold against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers and shiny storefronts. This contrast between poverty and wealth, decadence and luxury, highlights the deep social divide in the city.
All parts of Miami have their own specifics, their own characteristics of life for the homeless.
Portraits of Miami's homeless not only capture their current state, but also tell stories of loss, survival and often despair. Behind each of these individuals lies a unique story reflecting difficult life circumstances, including economic hardship, health problems, including mental health, and lack of social support.
These photographs evoke a deeply emotional response, reminding us that homelessness is not only a personal problem, but also a public issue that requires attention and solutions at the community level.