Fighting Homelessness One Photo at a Time

February 15, 2018

The above photos were taken by Steve Latimer, a volunteer photographer for Care for the Homeless (CFH) since December 2016. He first got involved with CFH after answering a request for a photographer on Volunteer Match. Steve says during his first encounter with employees at CFH, he saw “a group of dedicated individuals that are committed to working with people who are experiencing homelessness.” “I could tell CFH employees were trying to make life better for clients,” he said. But volunteering with CFH is not Steve’s first experience with helping individuals who are homeless.

In 1966, Steve retired from his position as an officer in the Navy and in 1968, graduated from law school. He worked at a few law firms before starting to use his skills to help people who are experiencing homelessness while working for Bronx Legal Services. Having worked in the South Bronx for several years and in other low-income communities, he became very familiar with the problems that people experiencing homelessness face. It was while working as a civil rights attorney, that he began utilizing his skills photographing cultural events for the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

A CFH staff photo taken by Steve

Steve says the most challenging thing about taking photographs for CFH is putting the clients at ease. “I find it important that the clients relate to me and to my camera,” he says. “Sometimes it is off-putting to poke a camera in somebody's face, especially in settings such as the health centers or food pantries,” he continued. Steve says it can be challenging making individuals feel comfortable with him taking photos of them. To reassure clients, he engages them in pleasant conversation. “Every situation is different,” Steve says. He always asks clients if they are comfortable having their photo taken. Then, he’ll start a conversation to find an interest he has in common with them and talk about that. For example, “if they have children, everybody likes to talk about their kids,” he said. Interacting with clients and staff is Steve’s favorite part about volunteering.

Two young CFH clients pose for a photo
by Steve

“Whenever I leave a shoot for CFH, I feel very good about what I've done,” Steve admitted. “The fact that my photographs may help to educate people about homelessness and the work that CFH does is very fulfilling,” he continued. Steve wishes that more people knew that people who are experiencing homelessness, “want a decent place to live and are not in that circumstance by their own free will.” He believes the United States has the resources to provide at least minimal homes for those who need it and that those individuals should be given access to affordable housing.

Steve retired from practicing law in December 2009 and has been doing pro bono photography since 2014. His advice to others who want to consider volunteering is to keep an open mind, work with enthusiasm, and most importantly, respect the clients. Steve says volunteering with people who are experiencing homelessness “is one of the most rewarding things you can do.” We are immensely grateful to Steve for his generous contribution of time and valuable photography skills that help us tell the stories, with photos, of New Yorkers without a home. If you would like to join Steve as one of our many AMAZING volunteers or would like more information on our volunteer program please email volunteerservices@cfhnyc.org.