StrangersInLosAngeles

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“I’ll tell you something that may surprise you. I just got back from Africa.” -John, Lazear, Colorado

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Birdman #sila #skidrobot #streetphotography #strangersinlosangeles #losangeles @skidrobot

[strangersinlosangeles]

Birdman #sila #skidrobot #streetart #streetphotography #strangersinlosangeles #losangeles @skidrobot

[strangersinlosangeles]

Birdman told me he's been on the street for 25 years and that he used to be a movie producer. He had a penthouse in Hollywood and Sam Goldwyn used to visit all the time. Next time you're at Alvarado Streeet and the 101, roll down your window and say hello to Birdman. Curious about the artwork? Follow #skidrobot on Instagram and see all the work he/she has done for homeless around Los Angeles. #sila #strangersinlosangeles #streetart #skidrow #streetphotography @skidrow

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Perry-Owner (along with his wife Sarah) of Campus Shoe Repair, Encino, CA since 1977. Originally from Louisana.

"The best thing about my job is the people. I have generations of families for customers. There's nothing I don't like about my job. I might get tired....but I'll figure it out. I got my start from Leah and Sol Firestone over in Century City. Sol told me he couldn't pay me what I was worth for the first year, but asked if I stuck with him and help him get his business off the ground, he'd help me find a place of my own. I used to eat with them 3-4 times a week. They only had daughters. I was like their adopted son. You know what my favorite dessert that Leah made? Baked apples. The apples had a cinnamon stick stuck right in the middle. That was my favorite."

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Metzti and her friend Katie, North Hollywood, CA. First day out raising money towards her Mom's stage 4 breast cancer treatment which was diagnosed in February.

"We're not going through chemo because she hasn't had any vaccinations because of our culture. We're Mayan from El Salvador. I have an older brother and younger sister and my cousin is living with us helping care for her. I'm going to set up a Go-FundMe campaign, I just haven't done it yet."

[strangersinlosangeles]

Fuad with Kilo and Buddy. Owner of Hamanti Tires for 28 years in Van Nuys, CA. Originally from Jordan.

"Everytime the dogs hear my keys jingle, they jump in the back of my truck. I tried leaving them at home, but my Mom says they go crazy. I also have a horse."

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Cody. Owner of the the grocery and mercantile store in Rico, CO. When I asked his wife Anna if she thought he'd let me take his photo, she said "Oh yeah! He was just in ESQUIRE!" "Hot mountain dudes?" I asked. "Pretty much", she replied. This video features Cody and the rest of the men from the piece http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/rugged-fashion-0114?click=main_sr Fun fact. I recognized another man from the layout. I had seen him twice in Telluride the day before. Anna told me that fellow owns the local dispensary.

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Justin. 17 years old. Red Lake, AZ. Finishing Summer School. Then moving to Utah. #strangersinlosangeles #portrait #streetphotography #webstapick #utah #redlake #redlakearizona #nativeamerican

[strangersinlosangeles]

Siblings. Red lake, AZ He was wearing his "Christmas slippers" #siblings #arizona #redlake #nativeamerican #photography #portrait #streetphotography #strangersinlosangeles

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Sheena was the woman wrangling the teens at the gas station in Red Lake, AZ. I asked if anyone had access to email, so I could send the photos. It was silent. Sheena spoke up, "I can get email." She didn't sound too confident. #redlake #arizona #strangersinlosangeles #photography #streetphotography #portraits #nativeamerican #bw #bnw #blackwhite #blackandwhite #noirlovers

[strangersinlosangeles]

Standard Oil. US HWY 40. #arizona #graffitti

[strangersinlosangeles]

It happened very fast. I was at a gas station in Red Lake, AZ and met a small group of teenagers. This girl is 13. Her energy was very powerful. I wish I could've taken her aside and talked to her privately. #strangersinlosangeles #redlake #arizona #nativeamerican #portrait #photography #streetphotography #teen #teenager

[strangersinlosangeles]

NEAL "When I was younger,​ I did a lot of nude modeling for artists​ to help pay the bills while I was pursuing my dream of acting​. One day I was walking down 3rd street and I saw a sign that read MODEL WANTED. So I went in and said to the guy, "Does it have to be a woman?" And he said, "No, but you'll have to be nude." And I said, "So what?" So he said, "Okay, go back there and take your clothes off." So when I came back out, a bird flew in through the skylight and sat on my shoulder. I didn't move a muscle. And he said, "Oh that's marvelous. I never wanted to do anything but be in the movies and act. ​Many years ago, I​ used to have a mailbox on Sunset Blvd. One day I ​took a walk ​ to check it, and this little black girl ran up to me and said," Hey mister, mister! I've been chasing you for blocks. I saw you on TV and I think you're wonderful." A little black gal. Very sweet. I never saw her before or after that.​ ​I still get residual checks. Last week I got a check for $0.75 from ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE."

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Meet Neal. Neal is a Korean War Vet. He shared this photo of himself circa 1970 (photo credit unknown). Want to take a guess about his life? I will post my recent photo and interview with Neal on Monday. Thanks for playing.

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Taryn Rae "I have a film camera. I like candids and capturing beauty when people aren't looking. They're being genuine and just being themselves." #sila #strangersinlosangeles #melrosetradingpost #strangers #losangeles #streetphotography #interview #adorbs

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Zack and Laura http://littleyellowtypewriter.com/ • "We met at a dive bar in Burbank. We had an '88 Bronco that didn't run and traded it for this Love Bug. It had been sitting in the desert for about 30 years, so it was full of critters. The community sense we've gotten with this whole thing has been really incredible. Really inspiring. The support and rallying local people do to support small business... and the friends we've made along the way has been really surprising. Really wonderful." #sila #strangersinlosangeles #melrosetradingpost #fleamarket #strangers #losangeles #vintage #kitsch #interview