Project Des Moines is the result of a partnership with Anawim Housing and photographer Joe Crimmings to help tell the story of our community. Crimmings, an Iowa-based lifestyle photographer, was inspired by Anawim's mission to end homelessness and ensure the most vulnerable have a safe place to call home. As a result, he created images around the idea of what homelessness looks like in Des Moines, and through those images, we sought to end stigmas associated with it.
To paint everyone in the same light, each person was photographed in black and white, and in a similar fashion: both those who have faced homelessness and those fortunate to have not. The images create the opportunity for you to explore your own biases and rethink how we look at our fellow neighbors.
In the video below, Joe Crimmings shares his vision for the project, and what he found surprising and most-meaningful when working with the twelve individuals featured in this unique body of work. Anawim Marketing Manager, Kate Bergeron, shares her experience working alongside Joe to help share each individual's personal story through a camera lens. The finished project helps shine a light on those similarities and connection points that bring us all together when it comes to the significance and meaning of home - regardless of your background. Home is everything and holds great meaning within its walls.
Project Des Moines was unveiled at the Anawim Housing We Empower Families ThanksGIVING event, Nov. 2022. We hope to display the exhibit in future public spaces and continue to share this important body of work with our community.
If you would like to get in touch with us about helping publicly display the exhibit or share with the community, please contact Kate Bergeron at: kbergeron@anawimhousing.org
Connect with Joe Crimmings at: www.joecrimmingsphoto.com
