Samson and Paul

Samson and Paul, originally uploaded by Stephanie A. Richer.

July 24, 2010 in Venice Beach, California.

Today, I participated in Scott kelby's 3rd annual Worldwide Photo Walk, which brought me to Venice Beach.

I also contribute photos to a group started by Thomas Hawk, the $2 Portraits Project. The idea is that when you are asked for money by many of the homeless we see on our cities' streets, offer that in exchange for $2, you can take their picture and hear their story. There is a dignity afforded a person by mutually participating in a transaction with them that mere charity cannot bestow.

The fellow here is Paul. Paul grew up in Venice Beach and has remained there all of his life. He says that all of it will be gone some day - "burned down" - in order to make room for apartments.

Samson is Paul's little puppy. Paul told me how much he loved the dog, and he got him in order to ease the pain of losing his pet rooster, who kept him company on the streets of Venice. "They stole him from me! He's probably wound up in somebody's taco!"