We had just started the Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk in Chicago heading east on Jackson from Union Station. He was sitting at the bridge holding a sign and I asked him if he’d heard of $2 Portraits. He hadn’t but agreed to participate after I explained it.
Jason is 30 years old and from New Orleans. He lost both his parents in Katrina and came to Chicago with his brother shortly thereafter. His brother was a member of Hell’s Angels and “was into some bad things.” Everything that Jason had was in his brother’s name and he lost it all when his brother was convicted of federal crimes under the RICO act. His brother is serving a 99 year sentence and Jason has been on the street for about 2.5 years.
Jason held the same expression throughout our brief conversation. I took a few shots and gave him $2 and wished him luck. Afterwards, I wondered how someone in his situation can pull themselves out. Sad.
Taken 10/11/14
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