#1. FROM A VISIT TO THE BARBER: Cut Straight Through

Mihailo Subotic
Jun 2, 2023
2 min read

People are judged by a variety of factors. One of which is by the way we look. By offering complimentary shaves and haircuts, local barber Alysha Osborne, founder of 2 Paycheques Away.., cuts straight through that bias by helping to change the flawed perceptions of Vancouver BC's Downtown East Side (DTES) one haircut at a time.

It was roughly 6 years ago I received a text message asking to meet for coffee. That coffee led to a new idea, that new idea led to a new project, that new project led to a new way of communicating through visual storytelling.

As a photographer the genre of a before and after series is a worn trope and used mostly just to grab a views attention and too many lack purpose or luster. By making the goal of this series to educate, bring awareness and dissolve the stigma of the DTES by starting a conversation about the misconceptions regarding homelessness, addiction and mental health, we have found a new way to communicate these misconceptions and rise above that worn trope and bring a new life and perspective.

With the focus of this project to be about the residents, their experiences and their mistreatment, we have been able to make such a strong and genuine connection with the people we are fortunate to meet. By simply asking how would you like to look?, we get a glimpse into a whole new world of what it feels like being misunderstood and judged.

Be sure to follow for more inspirational and life affirming stories from the strong and resilient residents of Canada's most controversial area code: The Downtown East Side.