Earlier today, Carlos Cisneros of The Bay Area Native contacted me asking if he could use one of my Black and White Dollar Portraits (BW$P) in an article he was putting together.  I didn’t have much information on what the article was going to be about, but gladly agreed. Well, it looks like Melissa Brooks was […]

Project: BW$P | More from the project Meet Chad. Chad was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, barefooted with a cup filled with spare change, a dollar and a cigarette. As I approached Chad, he only kept staring at me, not saying anything.  I approached him slowly and said, “Hey, how are you doing?”  He […]

Meet David. Along with all of the other performers along Jefferson St. at the Fisherman’s Wharf, David sat. He was not harassing anyone for change, nor even actually physically asking, just getting ready to light a cigarette and holding his “Need $$$ 4-Weed” sign. I approached him and explained the project I was working on […]

It has been awhile since I’ve taken at portrait for this project due to two things: 1) I have been slacking on having my camera with me all the time (not something I like to admit) and 2) I keep finding myself without small bills available. Well, over the past several weeks, I have seen […]

Meet Brady. As I headed from work to the Metreon to catch AVATAR, Brady was sitting on the sidewalk along 4th Ave. kindly asking for change.  I approached him and explained my BW$P project.  Brady agreed without hesitation and not once asked for more.  I asked him what his name was and how he was […]

Meet Deon. During the lunch rush hour, as I crossed the street heading back to my office, I ran into Deon.  I told him about my BW$P project and he responded, “What, you want to draw my picture or something?”  I explained I would take a photograph of him and apologized and he agreed.  As […]

Meet Bent. I was heading back to the parking lot with a friend from the downtown area when I bumped into Bent asking for money to help him out.  I stopped and explained my BW&P Project to him and he quickly agreed.  As I took out my camera, he tried haggling for $2.  I kindly […]

Meet Dorothy. As I headed to the bus stop from work today, I bumped into Dorothy on the corner of Pine and Montgomery asking for change.  I approached her and explained my BW$P Project.  She didn’t agree right away, but rather stated, “I’ve been sitting on this corner since 6am this morning and all I’ve […]

Meet Pete. As I walked home from the Papyrus Store, I came across Pete sitting in a wheelchair asking very quietly for change.  He asked so quietly, I wasn’t even sure he was asking for change and had to ask him what he said.  He repeated, “Got any change?”  I told him about my project […]

Meet Nickey. As I was walking back to my office from running a few errands, I met Nickey sitting outside of Walgreens asking for change. As soon as I approached him, even before I said a word, he was saying, “Thank you.” Nickey was extremely enthusiastic and full of spirit as a talked with him. […]

Meet Carol. I met Carol while in New York on my way to Katz’s Deli.  As I walked down E. Houston St. with my friends toward the deli, Carol was enthusiastically asking people for change.  When I approached her and explained my project, she happily agreed. I asked my typical, “How long have you been […]

Meet Meridith (not 100% sure on his name). During my recent visit to New York, I met Meridith as I exited the Astor Place subway station on my way to Washington Square Park.  After Meridith asked me for change, I explained to him about my project.  He quickly commented, “Well, won’t you just have pictures […]