The Story Behind the Book Lynn had been shooting amateur photos since getting his first instamatic as a kid. Then he took a class with noted professional photographer and teacher, Andrew Eccles. An early assignment in the class was to get out of the studio. Andrew recalls that, “In the course of that single day, Lynn had photographed a boy and his disfigured father – and he had captured some of the most compelling portraits I had ever seen taken by a workshop participant.” Lynn had found the power of the photograph to capture more than images. In Lynn’s hands, his camera could hold the essence of a person. Lynn could let the rest of us see and feel individual lives that otherwise may go unnoticed and uncontemplated. Not long after his class-inspired excursion, Lynn began a journey. He often followed paths that many of us would shun out of fear. He would get out of a car in the part of these towns where homeless people gather for shelter and protection. On these ruthless streets he would put up a white backdrop, and start photographing anyone who would place themselves in front of his camera. As the crowds would form he met these people. He talked with them and somehow his sincerity and compassion melted away the protective masks. The homeless individuals and families revealed themselves: Jan, reflective, a Veteran of WWII, who fled from Czechoslovakia as a young man seeking the hope the USA promised. Matt, his body bears the wounds of multiple self inflicted cuts, but his countenance shows the real pain Matt lives with. Deborah who, simply reminded of a photo session years ago with a daughter who was “gone”, began sobbing. Brittany tried to comfort her but was moved to tears in empathy only two sisters can know. And Jamie, only 14 but homeless for more than three years. She had not seen her mother in all that time. The very day of the photograph she had arranged to see her mother for lunch. Between 2004 and 2007, in 50 sessions, Lynn photographed more than 1,500 homeless men, women and children. He sees some of them from time to time as he drives down the streets of these American cities or sets up to take even more photographs in these neighborhoods. As we look through the photos we can’t help but wonder: What happened to Jan? Did a self-inflicted wound cut Matt’s life short? Was Deborah’s child a runaway or had she been grabbed up by relatives or even death? Did Jamie’s mom show up that day and is Jamie safely home or lost to the streets? When you ask these questions of yourself you experience what Lynn did taking the photos… the confrontation with these real people leaves you caring. And so, the idea of a book was born. Let people meet these people and care about them. Soon a group of people, Mayors, celebrities, publishers, activists, and committed friends encircled the idea. Several cities are organizing fund-raising activities for the homeless centered around the book. All proceeds from the book go to assist the homeless through multiple agencies. It almost seems like the photographs and the photographer have been eclipsed by the momentum. Lynn thinks that’s a good thing. The book was never about him, it was always about the individuals he wants you to know. Knowing the people in his book will move you to see them as people and to care about them. Maybe then we all will care for them by sharing our time, talents, and monetary blessings.