[chireau]

One advice that is commonly given by people who do lots of strangers/homeless photography: Show them that you are interrested in their story, their lives etc. Ask them how they're going through their lives, their difficulties, etc. (it can be homeless, or seniors in hospitals, I even talked to dying people when I was at the hospital..)

Lots of homeless just want to tell their personnal experience, they want to be heard, to feel that someone is actually interrested in listening to them... That anyone actually cares. That someone actually respects them.

Sometimes you will feel that they will accept to be photographed, other times they wont... (you can actually feel that by trying to know them). And if you want a shot when he dosent notice the camera... just come back a couple of minutes later, and take your picture (this way, they will remember you and wont get mad at you, and you will still have an improvised shot).

Spare some change with them, since you are taking they time (which they could have used in trying to make a living instead)... they will appreciate it! What's 10$ for you, but imagine if this 10$ is how they started that day!

This way you will take better pictures, by knowing why they became what they are, why are they so harsh sometimes... why do they have so many wrinkles, why do they seem older than they actually are...

I've spoken to a dying man (lung cancer, terminal).. and from that day on I feel I shouldnt be scared of death, I should be like him... in peace with myself... and I knew what I wanted to do in life... photographing people... making the ordinary feel and look like the extraordinary.