The Homeless Photographer

August 26th, 2007 by Bryan

Leroy Skalstad’s portraits of the homeless are not typical snapshots of people on the streets. They capture more than the scenes that most people walk by everyday, and bring out the real personality and feelings of his subjects. It is because of his personal experience living on the streets that he is able to vividly capture these emotions. I had the opportunity to speak with Leroy about his life, his photography, and his motivations. He has dedicated a great deal of time and energy toward helping and photographing the homeless. Portraying them as the people that they are, Leroy brings life and personality to each individual and his plight.

As a child, Leroy’s mother was “a serious amateur photographer” who was always taking pictures, and quite good ones according to Leroy. He learned about photography from her at their rural home in Wisconsin. She encouraged and taught him, but insisted that his first camera be one that he earned himself. So, at age 9 he tried to sell greeting cards to make enough money. However, in the end, because of his shyness, his mother did most of the work to sell the cards. Finally, he purchased an Amsco camera with the money.

In the summer of 1967 Leroy was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam. He had more money than he needed and ended up spending a good bit of it on 35mm cameras purchased at the commissary. After his tour, however, he ran into some trouble, and spent time in prison. Then, in 1989, he headed to Milwaukee to look for a better life. He had difficulty holding down a steady job due to his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and eventually became homeless. He spent several months living on the streets before he could put his life in order, ultimately drawing benefits from the VA.

Homeless man sleeping with his bible

It is this set of events and unique experiences as a homeless man that gave Leroy his unique insight into the lives of the homeless. His photography not only shows us his skill as a photographer, but also portrays the unique bond that Leroy develops with his subjects. There is one neighborhood in downtown Milwaukee that is commonly frequented by homeless individuals. It is here that Leroy makes friends with many of those portrayed in his photographs. He often invites them into a nearby coffee shop for a meal and conversation. They open up to Leroy as if this is their chance to tell their story. The discussion often turns to life and the future, and then photography. Leroy said that most of the individuals are more than willing to have their photo taken. These photo sessions became an extension of their conversation until Leroy finally asks his subjects to simply unload their feelings down into his lens. Leroy explained to me, “When two homeless people pass each other on the street, they may share a look, and in that moment, without speaking, they have knowledge of each others’ lives.”

In 1992, Leroy took a photograph of a young homeless couple. The next year it won a Kodak photo contest in Parade magazine, and Leroy knew that he was on to a good thing. He mentioned that some people felt that he may be taking advantage of his subjects, but he feels he is doing them justice. He always asks for permission to take a photo, and believes that it would be wrong to take a candid photo of someone in such a particular situation. At one point he took a photo of a man asleep with a bible, but later felt guilty about it. He eventually found the man at a meal site that he often volunteers with and asked the man for his permission to keep the photo. The man agreed, “but if he didn’t, I would have just tossed it,” said Leroy.

Homeless Mike

As a regular volunteer at several homeless meal sites and shelters, Leroy often sees some of the regulars and has become friends with them. Mike is one of the homeless men that he has been able to photograph on a regular basis. In the 1990s, Mike was a successful construction contractor in Canada with a six-figure salary. His life took a downward turn and he turned to alcohol, and eventually became homeless, ending up in Milwaukee. Mike was also a very talented charcoal artist, and during their photo sessions Leroy said, “Mike was working me for a good photo, instead of the other way around.” Mike’s life has improved lately. He is in an alcohol rehabilitation program, and has recently been placed into an apartment as part of a HUD housing program. In 2007, one of Leroy’s photos of Mike won the People’s Choice award in the Smithsonian Magazine’s annual photo contest.

I finally asked Leroy what an individual person could do to help. He said that finding a shelter or meal site in your local area is an easy way to get involved. As a volunteer himself, Leroy wanted to emphasize that it is important to not get burned out. Many young volunteers commit to spending two or three times per week with various organizations. In reality, a few times per month is more practical and sustainable. There is a need for long term volunteers, but often volunteers lose interest after a few months.

In Milwaukee, Leroy spends a good deal of his time at Repairers of the Breach and St. Benedict’s, two organizations that provide shelter, meals, and other benefits to the homeless. It is these two organizations that helped Leroy during his difficult times on the streets. For more information on homeless shelters in your area, Leroy recommends the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. as a starting point.

Tags: homeless, Leroy Skalstad, meal site, Milwaukee, National Coalition for the Homeless, Photography, Smithsonian Magazine
Posted in Articles, Housing and Homelessness, Photo Highlights, Photographers, Photography, Poverty and Hunger