Description:Hedges tried to capture the human face of homelessness. This photograph shows that positive family relationships existed despite the difficult conditions. The boy and his sibling are shown under the watchful eye of their mother whose reflection is seen in the mirror above.
These photographs were made between 1969 and 1971 by Nick Hedges. They were commissioned by the housing charity SHELTER and were used in their reports and advertising campaigns. In his role as the charity’s photographer, Hedges attempted to record the terrible housing conditions that existed across the UK in the late 1960s. Many of his photographs were taken in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Glasgow and London. SHELTER redefined homelessness to include people living in poor housing as well as those living on the streets. The photographs revealed the hidden domestic lives of children and their families and helped change people’s understanding of homelessness.