Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaydee Sanchez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Zaydee. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
September of 2018 I found myself wanting to shift the focus of my lens. I had been photographing mainly actors headshots, small fashion lines, street, and just about any gig that I could get. As photographers, we are constantly searching for where and what we are passionate about photographing. I realized through my years of street photography that I was always pointing my lens to people who we as a society at times forget about. I would photograph marches, rallies, protests, wherever I would find myself globally and every time I would walk away with a feeling of, “this is it.” There is this beauty, powerful feeling of being a part of history, change, people coming together, and that is what led me to want to cover human crisis like the Central American caravan and the homeless here on Skid Row. I have been a volunteer for the past five years for a non-profit called, Share A Meal, where we feed the homeless five days a week all around Los Angeles. I dedicate Monday nights to the Skid Row community and through that organization, I have been able to tell the stories of the people living in this community. Around that time, I teamed up with another volunteer and filmmaker, Scott Barker. Scott had begun a project on the people of skid row and when we both realized we share the same passion on covering these types of stories, we teamed up.
While documenting Skid Row in Mid – November, the news of 3,000 migrants from Central America arriving at the Tijuana border seeking asylum in states hit front page news. We knew we needed to cover that story. We have now spent almost a year, covering stories in migrant shelters, churches, detention centers. Following every individual story and speaking to anyone who wanted to share their journey with us and the public.
Through the art form of photography, virtual reality, and storytelling the work has been able to exhibit all over Los Angeles. In every exhibition we target different topics, generation, timing, children, history. At times, I have been able to exhibit the work with collaborating with other artists through music, poetry, spoken word. My goal stands the same, I want to simply tell stories of many who feel unheard. Not getting political but simply stating the facts and revealing the truth. The city of L.A has been extremely supportive in welcoming the work and allowing migrant stories to be heard. City council member Paul Koretz and The Commission on the Status of Women have recognized the work at the border along with the work on Skid Row. It’s been a year of pointing my lens to subjects that truly matter to me, learning so much as I go but knowing, “this is it, this is what I truly want to be photographing.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road. Many challenges have come up. When you are documenting topics like immigration, homelessness, housing, you are sure to run into one major challenge, the difference in opinion. As an artist, my job is to bring the truth and facts of all subjects not leaning left nor right when it comes to the work.
This question makes me smile for it takes me back to the very first challenge I came across. One early morning I was woken up by a phone call informing me that the exhibit of the border, that was scheduled to go up in two weeks, was being canceled due to the subject being, “too sensitive for the community.” I remember that morning so vividly. I sat up on my bed in disbelief and disappointed, thinking of not only all the work that we had done for months to prepare for this opening but of the people, the stories that needed to be heard, the promises I gave to every individual who had allowed me into their lives. To tell their truths. I made a call to a dear friend of mine who I knew would know what to say to me. “If you do the right thing, in the right way, if you don’t give up, you will prevail,” the wise words of Chuck Levin. I dropped everything around me and in one week after constant emails, meetings, back and forth conversations, and learning the new meaning of “being uncomfortable,” I prevailed and the exhibit opened on the day it was promised.
Another major and very important challenge that I have come across more now than ever is that of being a woman. As the project evolved I found myself documenting on my own and quickly realized the huge absence of constantly having a male around me and how quickly my safety had suddenly become a concern. I continue to document the crisis at the border, the homeless issue in San Diego, San Fransisco and here in Los Angeles. My awareness of my surroundings, time of day, equipment, choice of clothing, have become a strategic choice. I’ve learned that sexual harassment is a laughable term in certain countries. I encounter many comments, looks by all sorts of men and at one point found myself circled around them, them wanting to know if I was married woman. I realized that my emotional, defensive self does not work in all situations and although I hate saying this, when you are alone, in a foreign country, in the middle of chaos, and your safety is at risk you find that you have to play the situation correctly even if it means putting up with two hours of constant sexual comments in order for you to get back to safety. Let me be clear, these situations have all been mild compared to so many horrifying stories I’ve heard and read from other photojournalist who are women. Now is truly the time in my life where I’m learning the power and consequences that come with my gender but of course that will never be an excuse to stop me from continuing to cover these stories.
Whether I find myself circled by men at the border or being chased on the streets of the Tenderloin neighborhood in San Fransisco for witnessing something I shouldn’t have, or having to say Scott is my boyfriend, husband, friend everywhere we go, I’ve learned through these challenges there is good and bad everywhere no matter the country, neighborhood or gender. I’ve learned to listen to my instincts for they seem to keep me safe, so far. And yes, there is a lot injustice women in all fields face and in the world of photography women are constantly being taken advantage but we also hold, I believe, a powerful weapon, vulnerability. If there is one crucial thing I’ve learned while covering these types of stories is because I am a woman and vulnerability comes naturally, people sense that and they allow me into their lives. Its something so beautiful and at times I am so conflicted with how it all works. How one moment my safety is at risk because of my gender and another moment I am being allowed into a location or someones life for the same reason I was at risk. My head is spinning, I better stop now. haha
So no, the road has not been smooth and I am sure I will encounter more struggles as I keep going. I’ve currently teamed up with other filmmakers, one who happens to be a female, and I am sure more will happen. Homelessness and immigration are very personal issues to me and even with the struggles I can’t stop now, I care too much.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many deserve credit!
First hands off to my creative partner, Scott Barker. Scott is an experienced documentarian who has taught me so much along the way. He allowed me to collaborate on his project of the people of Skid Row and pushed me to ask questions out of my comfort zone. Through him, I’ve found what I truly am passionate about. He is an incredible filmmaker, editor, and superhero. Thanks, Scotty!
Chuck Levin, I don’t even know where to begin with him. Chuck is the perfect definition of what a friend is. He believes in me and my vision and pushes me to do things that I would in a million years never think of. Chuck has dedicated his life to serving the city of L.A through is activism and registering people to vote for countless years. He has opened doors to places I would never have access to. I will forever be thankful to you Chuck! Thank you for believing in me and believing in the better good.
Share A Meal, Jacquie and Ravi, the founders. Through Share A Meal I have found a community of people who share the same yearning in helping others. Through this organization, I have made many friends, not only the volunteers but the people living on the streets of Skid Row. Being a part of Share A Meal has truly become a lifestyle. Thank you to all of the volunteers and to Jacquie and Ravi for always supporting my work!
To Alison Simard, City council member Paul Koretz, and the whole Koretz office thank you for honoring the work at the border and on Skid Row!
And of course, a huge thank you to every soul that has allowed me to tell their story through the art form of photography. It is an honor to be able to tell the stories of humanity.
Contact Info:
- Website: zaydeesanchez.com
- Instagram: @zaydeelady
Image Credit:
Scott Barker, Zaydee Sanchez
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