I'm not sure what to do with these photos

mwr6348 · 04-25-2021, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

Hi All,

This past autumn I was on a break between jobs (I'm a RE/Arch photographer) and was approached by a homeless man who saw me with my equipment. He explained to me that he was dying and wanted to be photographed to be remembered. We spent about 45 minutes taking photos, had lunch, and went on our own ways. He didn't personally have a phone, however, he gave me a phone number of someone who could reach him to get him the photos. This person doesn't answer/won't call me back. I don't know what to do with these photos. I'm not really a social media user, and I can't find him in person. I don't want these photos to just get buried on my hard drive, but I'm not sure of a respectful way to put them out there. I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.

**luftfluss** · 04-25-2021, 05:30 PM

Contact the local social services office?

**DWS1** · 04-25-2021, 05:49 PM

You could check at the churches, missions, or shelters in the area where you ran across him and see if anyone knows him. I'm sure they would be willing to help you.

JohnMc · 04-25-2021, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by mwr6348

Hi All,

This past autumn I was on a break between jobs (I'm a RE/Arch photographer) and was approached by a homeless man who saw me with my equipment. He explained to me that he was dying and wanted to be photographed to be remembered. We spent about 45 minutes taking photos, had lunch, and went on our own ways. He didn't personally have a phone, however, he gave me a phone number of someone who could reach him to get him the photos. This person doesn't answer/won't call me back. I don't know what to do with these photos. I'm not really a social media user, and I can't find him in person. I don't want these photos to just get buried on my hard drive, but I'm not sure of a respectful way to put them out there. I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.

Get (make) a few prints and perhaps a small flash drive and go back to the beginning, or something nearby. Only so much you can do.

**bwgv001** · 04-25-2021, 11:52 PM

I second for the social services

wkadruje · 04-26-2021, 12:43 AM

Local charities working with the homeless could probably put them to good use (their social media etc).

brewmaster15 · 04-26-2021, 01:00 AM

Craigslist is often used by homeless people to connect or seek assistence. Maybe run a post there.. just set up a burner email so you dont get spammed on your personal email.

Al

Gopersuel · 04-26-2021, 01:50 AM

Maybe I can find out something by tracking down the phone number.
I hope you are lucky in your search.

**Michail_P** · 04-26-2021, 04:35 AM

Social services is a good start, after that I could search charities and churches. Any kind of shelter he could have turned to. It’s a tough circumstance but I applaud your efforts to respect the wish and personality of that man.

dlhawes · 04-26-2021, 04:38 AM

Sounds like a "human interest story" that someone at PBS would be interested in.

**Perfessor5646** · 04-26-2021, 04:41 AM

Most volunteer/non-profit homeless outreach organizations know the regulars they serve and their stories. (Locally, The Forgotten Louisville and Hip Hop Cares could probably help me locate someone more quickly than a government social services dept.)

I shot the photos for a magazine article on the homeless. I was advised not to go wandering into a camp without someone who.knew the residents there. Homelessness, mental illness, addiction and outstanding warrants are not an uncommon mixture. There might be some hesitation to help if they think you are searching for him due to an old warrant.

**Bob 256** · 04-26-2021, 09:31 AM

Don't take this the wrong way, but depending on the town you're talking about, you might also consider the police department. In some cases, these departments reach out to the homeless and also may have some information which could help you identify or contact the person whose photo you took. Police have gotten a bad reputation these days but not all that is deserved and there are many police who understand the homeless situation and help in different ways. They could be a useful resource, depending on where this is.

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-26-2021, 11:43 AM

If there is a local rescue home check with them. Or any kind of place that street folks frequent, it could be different in any town, and I think the police is a good idea.

**MossyRocks** · 04-26-2021, 11:44 AM - **1 Like**

Another option, especially since they are digital, might be to see if the local historical society might be interested. If the individual's goal was to be remembered that would help to honor his desire.

11GTCS · 04-26-2021, 02:04 PM

Finding homeless people is difficult, no doubts there. That said, the Craigslist is a solid option, probably the best if he gets periodic internet access, and it’s always worth calling the PD to see if they know the guy, they might know where he frequents etc.

04-25-2021, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#1
mwr6348 New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 8	I'm not sure what to do with these photos Hi All, This past autumn I was on a break between jobs (I'm a RE/Arch photographer) and was approached by a homeless man who saw me with my equipment. He explained to me that he was dying and wanted to be photographed to be remembered. We spent about 45 minutes taking photos, had lunch, and went on our own ways. He didn't personally have a phone, however, he gave me a phone number of someone who could reach him to get him the photos. This person doesn't answer/won't call me back. I don't know what to do with these photos. I'm not really a social media user, and I can't find him in person. I don't want these photos to just get buried on my hard drive, but I'm not sure of a respectful way to put them out there. I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

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04-25-2021, 05:30 PM	#2
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Contact the local social services office?

04-25-2021, 05:49 PM	#3
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	You could check at the churches, missions, or shelters in the area where you ran across him and see if anyone knows him. I'm sure they would be willing to help you.

04-25-2021, 06:24 PM	#4
JohnMc Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 655	Originally posted by mwr6348 Hi All, This past autumn I was on a break between jobs (I'm a RE/Arch photographer) and was approached by a homeless man who saw me with my equipment. He explained to me that he was dying and wanted to be photographed to be remembered. We spent about 45 minutes taking photos, had lunch, and went on our own ways. He didn't personally have a phone, however, he gave me a phone number of someone who could reach him to get him the photos. This person doesn't answer/won't call me back. I don't know what to do with these photos. I'm not really a social media user, and I can't find him in person. I don't want these photos to just get buried on my hard drive, but I'm not sure of a respectful way to put them out there. I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks. Get (make) a few prints and perhaps a small flash drive and go back to the beginning, or something nearby. Only so much you can do.

04-25-2021, 11:52 PM	#5
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	I second for the social services

04-26-2021, 12:43 AM	#6
wkadruje Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 145	Local charities working with the homeless could probably put them to good use (their social media etc).

04-26-2021, 01:00 AM	#7
brewmaster15 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,860	Craigslist is often used by homeless people to connect or seek assistence. Maybe run a post there.. just set up a burner email so you dont get spammed on your personal email. Al

04-26-2021, 01:50 AM	#8
Gopersuel Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 92	Maybe I can find out something by tracking down the phone number. I hope you are lucky in your search.

04-26-2021, 04:35 AM	#9
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Social services is a good start, after that I could search charities and churches. Any kind of shelter he could have turned to. It’s a tough circumstance but I applaud your efforts to respect the wish and personality of that man.

04-26-2021, 04:38 AM	#10
dlhawes Guest	Sounds like a "human interest story" that someone at PBS would be interested in.

04-26-2021, 04:41 AM	#11
Perfessor5646 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Louisville, KY Photos: Albums Posts: 605	Most volunteer/non-profit homeless outreach organizations know the regulars they serve and their stories. (Locally, The Forgotten Louisville and Hip Hop Cares could probably help me locate someone more quickly than a government social services dept.) I shot the photos for a magazine article on the homeless. I was advised not to go wandering into a camp without someone who.knew the residents there. Homelessness, mental illness, addiction and outstanding warrants are not an uncommon mixture. There might be some hesitation to help if they think you are searching for him due to an old warrant.

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04-26-2021, 09:31 AM	#12
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Don't take this the wrong way, but depending on the town you're talking about, you might also consider the police department. In some cases, these departments reach out to the homeless and also may have some information which could help you identify or contact the person whose photo you took. Police have gotten a bad reputation these days but not all that is deserved and there are many police who understand the homeless situation and help in different ways. They could be a useful resource, depending on where this is.

04-26-2021, 11:43 AM	#13
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	If there is a local rescue home check with them. Or any kind of place that street folks frequent, it could be different in any town, and I think the police is a good idea.

04-26-2021, 11:44 AM - 1 Like	#14
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Another option, especially since they are digital, might be to see if the local historical society might be interested. If the individual's goal was to be remembered that would help to honor his desire.

04-26-2021, 02:04 PM	#15
11GTCS Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 98	Finding homeless people is difficult, no doubts there. That said, the Craigslist is a solid option, probably the best if he gets periodic internet access, and it’s always worth calling the PD to see if they know the guy, they might know where he frequents etc.