#suitcasejoe

#downtownlosangeles #dtla #skidrowla #skidrowlosangeles #skidrow #bnwphotography #blackandwhite #streetphotography #suitcasejoe

70 years old and living on Skid Row. #skidrowlosangeles #skidrowla #skidrow #bnwphotography #losangeles #dtla #downtownlosangeles #streetphotography #suitcasejoe

While taking photos near the bottom of Skid Row I heard someone cry out in pain. Rounding the corner I met Moxaiq, a 23 year old man who looked to be in his late teens. He broke his shoulder a few years ago and he tells me that sleeping on the concrete causes it to act up. Moxaiq left home when he was seventeen after his Grandmother died and things continued to get worse for him. When he was seventeen he was invited to smoke weed after a party with some guys he met. He didn’t know it was laced with meth. He didn’t smoke it again until a year later when he started meeting guys on grinder and they would get together to also get high. He’s been using and living on the streets ever since. I asked him where he stayed and he says he doesn’t have a tent. He feels that by having a tent it will solidify his being house-less. “There’s a culture and a community down here but I don’t really take part in it. I don’t want to get sucked in. They’re not bad peoples but they’re just not for me. One good thing is nobody judges me for being gay, here, like they do everywhere else.” I gave him some money for taking his photo and offered to bring him some pain medicine for his shoulder, but he declined, and said, “To be honest I’m just gonna go get high.” Moxaiq said he was working towards getting sober again but COVID had messed that up for him. Until the pandemic ends and the world opens back up, he says he’s not even going to bother trying to get into a program. For now he feels it’s easier to continue living on the street. #skidrowlosangeles #skidrowla #skidrow #suitcasejoe https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ4oTATHOLT/?igshid=owfuizkgtx3m

Thanks to everyone who came out for the opening of Stranger Stew. I was blown away by the turn out. All the artist involved are incredible and hardworking people. Special thanks to @lifesuxbillrules for making it happen. You’re amazing Bill! The show will run through September 21st. This is one of my photos currently on display. Check out @superchiefgalleryla for more details. #strangerstew #superchiefgalleryla #superchiefgallery #suitcasejoe https://www.instagram.com/p/B2OAtaJHezT/?igshid=1h38r00ajxi85

While taking photos near the bottom of Skid Row I heard someone cry out in pain. Rounding the corner I met Moxaiq, a 23 year old man who looked to be in his late teens. He broke his shoulder a few years ago and he tells me that sleeping on the concrete causes it to act up. Moxaiq left home when he was seventeen after his Grandmother died and things continued to get worse for him. When he was seventeen he was invited to smoke weed after a party with some guys he met. He didn’t know it was laced with meth. He didn’t smoke it again until a year later when he started meeting guys on grinder and they would get together to also get high. He’s been using and living on the streets ever since. I asked him where he stayed and he says he doesn’t have a tent. He feels that by having a tent it will solidify his being house-less. “There’s a culture and a community down here but I don’t really take part in it. I don’t want to get sucked in. They’re not bad peoples but they’re just not for me. One good thing is nobody judges me for being gay, here, like they do everywhere else.” I gave him some money for taking his photo and offered to bring him some pain medicine for his shoulder, but he declined, and said, “To be honest I’m just gonna go get high.” Moxaiq said he was working towards getting sober again but COVID had messed that up for him. Until the pandemic ends and the world opens back up, he says he’s not even going to bother trying to get into a program. For now he feels it’s easier to continue living on the street. #skidrowlosangeles #skidrowla #skidrow #suitcasejoe https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ4oTATHOLT/?igshid=1ai58u9mzq481

I’m really excited to announce the Outsiders Photography group show, and all the hard working photographers who will be showing their work in it. These photographers aren’t taking photos of the same thing everyone else is shooting. They’ve put in the time and work to be able to access unique lifestyles so we can all be allowed a rare glimpse into worlds we otherwise might not get to see. Photos of backyard punk shows, train hopping, Puerto Rican cock fights, motorcycle clubs, LA gang life, and more. This is not one to miss. #outsidersphotography #streerphotography #suitcasejoe https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuVt0Jg7gh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17bii3skssb0w

A woman with presumably mental health issues running naked through the streets of Skid Row while paramedics do what they can to try and pick her up. #skidrowlosangeles #skidrowla #skidrow #losangeles #dtla #downtownla #blackandwhite #bnwphotography #streetphotography #suitcasejoe