Some Call me Sixx

It was a Sunday in Montreal.It was rainy and cold. We decided to go down a few back alleyways but to be honest nobody was really around.Magic happens for god knows what reason in photography but all of a sudden I saw Sue standing by this doorway and quickly pulled the car over.She was small,smaller than expected.She spoke broken english with a heavy French accent.The first words were “I am just trying to get money for my eye surgery”.Her left eye was running pretty bad and she kept having to wipe away the fluid with a dirty rag.I knew she was working but I really didn’t understand why she felt the need to explain herself to a complete stranger holding a camera,but then it hit me.It was mothers day and as I raised my camera I noticed the number on the wall was also my birthday.My heart began to beat a bit faster as I pushed the shutter.Did she have a mothers guilt? And me a sons remorse? Too many feelings to explain from my childhood.I gave her some money and she smiled.I never really regained my composer.I went back to the hotel and called my mom.I never told her I took the saddest photo of a prostitute (and probable mom) on mothers day.I don’t know why this one hit so hard.But it did.

Leica M240,35mm lens

© Nikki Sixx Photography

It was like a beacon perched high high above where people were sleeping on the street below.Some people strolled by not noticing the sign above or the people holding signs asking for a little help..The light was perfect for such an imperfect moment.There are sign’s everywhere if you just open your eyes.

Leica Monochrom,35mm lens

©Nikki Sixx Photography

The story on his face stopped me dead in my tracks.I walked up slow and bent down low to be eye to eye with him out of respect.He was sitting on a stump.I introduced myself and he answered back with”Its nice to meet you,my name is Mack”. I asked him how long he had been on the street’s and he answered fast,10 years.I have heard that before and too be honest with you i cant even comprehend that harrowing hell for a night much less 10 years.I had one more question,he answered hard and it hurt.I said “Do you think you’ll ever get out?” and he looked directly into the lens and said one word “Never”.This is that moment.Mack is First Nation indian.Winnipeg,Canada.

Leica M240,35mm lens

© Nikki Sixx Photography

His name is Joe.There was nothing to laugh about considering his whereabouts in the part of town we both stood.Yet as the brisk morning slipped into an afternoon he had somehow found the perfect wall to warm himself.Nothing daunting or horrific jumped out at me when i saw Joe.It was actually the opposite.He was smiling with his head back.Almost like he was soaking up the good life.Next to where he was standing was a black glass window reflecting off even more sunshine.Sometimes your perspective is your reality.

Leica Monochrom 35mm lens

©Nikki Sixx Photography

I met Patrick in Winnipeg. He was sitting outside the shelter that was about to serve up a limited yet hot meal.He was alone but didn’t give off the vibe of a grifter nor a man looking for a hand out. He was down and out for sure and I can only imagine the things he has seen judging from the story on his face. Patrick is First Nation Indian.Patrick was kind.Why are the ones with less more generous than people who seemingly have it all. Life is fucked up sometimes.

Leica M240 35mm lens

Nikki Sixx Photography

Sometime after midnight outside Red Square.Everybody needs a helping hand.

Moscow Russia.

©Nikki Sixx Photography 

It was just about that magic hour for photography.Depending on where you are on the planet,somewhere right before sunset (Usually 5-9 pm)…It was around 7pm in Winnipeg Canada and I saw this young lady sitting at a stop sign waiting for a driver to stop so she could hold out her hand and ask for a helping hand.Problem was,it was Sunday and the streets were dead.As i was giving her a bit of money this young kid came up ( not more than 16 ) and said this is his territory and i had to pay him to shoot in this part of town.I laughed at him and said the only person getting money today was this girl.He looked surprised.I looked away.

Leica Mono,35mm lens

©Nikki Sixx Photography

#Street Photography #Leica #Monochrom #35mm #Canada

Village outside of Sabi Sabi South Africa.They had nothing yet they had everything.

Leica S2,35mm lens

©Nikki Sixx Photography

I met Patrick outside the Main Street Project in Winnipeg Canada today.I asked what he was doing and he simply said ‘WAITING’.He kept staring straight ahead.I took a few pictures and when we were done we said our goodbye’s but for some reason I stopped,turned around to look back at him and this is what i saw.”A man so focused on the door of a building that nothing and i mean nothing else really mattered”.They were about to open to door’s to take people in for the night,shower and feed them.The complete desolation of this shot touched me.The man walking in the background has a story too but i am sure Patrick could care less,he only had one thing on his mind.

Leica M240,35mm lens

©Nikki Sixx Photography

Jackie.”This is Gonna Hurt”

©Nikki Sixx Photography

Outtake from “This is gonna Hurt”

©Nikki Sixx Photography

I was lurking in the shadow of a tall building on Hollywood Blvd.Honestly i was focused on a shot i wanted of a this old couple at the bus stop 15 feet away and nothing else.I had my camera set to hyper-focus as this lady walked around the corner none to happy to see me pointing my camera in her direction.I just pushed the shutter release without framing.It seemed like i invaded her space and honestly,i probably did.I think this moment shows what she was thinking..

Leica M240,35mm lens

©Nikki Sixx Photography

I met Lilly trying to sleep off her life in Pigeon Park downtown Vancouver.People were looming around,some still high and others waiting for the connection to show up.She had the whole bench taken up between her bag of clothes and her out stretched body and seemed unconcerned that people needed a place to sit.Her hair was cut short to her head,but not for ease of care.When the female addicts don’t make good with their drug debts the dealers shave their heads to send the message the other woman what happens if you don’t pay up.I am sure that was the least of her problems but it somehow added to the sorrow.

Leica Monochrom 35 mm 1.4

© Nikki Sixx Photography

I had been walking the streets of Sydney trying to fight off the jet lag when i ran into this gentleman.His demeanor seemed somewhat monk like to me as i asked if he minded if i snapped a few quick photos..As we were talking people walked by not even slowing down to throw a few coins into his basket.I found it odd and he said that’s usually the way it goes.I asked him if he had ever been to any other countries and he said no,he’s has never left Australia and time has been rough on him.He asked where i was from and i told him Los Angeles.He said it seemed so far away from where he was and sadly looked off into the distance.This is that moment.

Leica M9,35mm Lens.

©Nikki Sixx

# Photography #Leica #B&W #Street