Humans are typically a social species. We move across the earth from one place to the next encountering and interacting with each other for moments, seasons and lifetimes. It’s in our DNA to be acknowledged, recognized and validated. We start most interactions by making an introduction of ourselves. But what happens when others begin to see you as invisible, faceless, nameless. Everyone is born with identity. We carry it with us throughout the course of our lives. Despite our circumstances, good or bad, we strive to develop and hold onto who we are.

What if we lose our identity? What happens when we experience circumstance that completely changes the trajectory of our intended path?

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness has increased by 75% since 2013. This issue is even more prevalent throughout the state of California and in particular cities such as Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego. But this is not just a west coast problem. All across country more and more people are finding themselves on the streets, jobless, homeless with only fragments of the dignity they once held. There is beauty in the human condition. It’s in our will to survive. Survival, in and of itself, is beautiful. It is in our DNA.

SHELTER: Faceless Names of Homelessness: is a photographic exhibit featuring people— human beings, just like us who were or are currently without a place they call home. Each participant has experienced homelessness for brief or extended periods of time. The faces of the subjects portrayed within the exhibit have been purposely obscured. Perhaps you will take the opportunity to place yourself squarely into each photograph and share in their experience or consider that some of those photographed have been the overlooked and treated as faceless.

Photographer Karim Saafir invites you to share in a photographic journey of homelessness from an artistic point of view. Throughout the process he has discovered remarkable stories of resilience, pride, dignity, beauty and love. Follow Karim as he ventures into uncharted territory and points his lens at a problem that has gravely impacted the health and wellbeing of so many.