Airbnb Castles – Homeless Paris – Photography is a series of pictures about homeless living situations in Paris city centre. Paris living costs is one of the highest in the world. Therefor Airbnb is one of the most appealing solutions.
When I first moved to Paris, I found myself in a hard to find an affordable place. First Airbnb, then with some help from the school I found locations to live, but ideal it wasn’t real. Every night on my walk to home I would encounter endless homeless families living on the streets. Even with children and it simply broke my heart.
That’s why I felt the need to create Airbnb Castles – Homeless Paris – Photography.
I started taking these pictures because I got inspired by the locations and constructions that the homeless people are using. Mostly finding themselves in the most beautiful regions of Paris. To show the constructions that they use in order to add comfort.
In my photography, I use light and color compositions. In order to enhance the beauty of the living conditions. Touching the desire, as if they are commercials to promote their location.
My work shows the urgency of helping the homeless. At the same moment reflecting on the ignorance of the community in order to make their lives better. My pictures present the situations around the most desired housing locations in Paris. Like close to metro stations, community parks, palaces and trendy neighbourhoods.
In most of my pictures, I make the effort to keep it anonymous. Even though in some situations I felt the importance to show their faces. In order to show that the people are seen. Also that the spectators are not responding to those awful conditions. Even though it is known that Paris has a large community of homeless. I still think that they need help to find a solution, to establish a better life.
According to La Croix there are about 3500 people that sleep on the street in the city centre of Paris, with every year more and more women that find themselves in the streets. These are not even the people that stay in the homeless centres during the night. Even though I don’t believe these numbers present reality.
Studio Wendy Nouse 