The Way You Move

“Tunnel Vision” is a day-in-the-life photo essay about a 47 year-old homeless woman living in a tunnel on the Los Angeles River. Inspired by “The Way You Move”, the essay explores the experience of just one woman, but represents the hardship that over 50,000 people endure in Los Angeles every day.

I met Isis one day while shooting photos of a friend on the levee. She had brought all her belongings out of the tunnel to mop the inside, only to find that someone had gone through her things and scattered them into the river. When she saw us, she apologized for the mess. I thought this was an odd statement. I had never heard a homeless person apologize for an unclean and messy living condition. But I noticed that Isis took pride in her home. She had potted flowers, had clothes hung up, and had begun cleaning up the mess.

While we spoke, it was evident that she cared deeply for her belongings. That she had a deep faith in God and a dedication to prayer and caring for the environment around her. There was more to Isis than the fact that she was homeless and living in a rat-filled tunnel by the river. I came back days later and spent time photographing her and asking her questions about her life.

These photographs come from the day that I spent with Isis. —Kate Rentz     Click here to see the full Photo Story

Raised in a small town in rural Ohio, photographer Kate Rentz began documenting the life that surrounded her at a very young age. With a deep interest in nature and culture, she was often found exploring the countryside and planning future adventures around the world. She resides in Los Angeles and has worked in the commercial in film industry since 2007, splitting her time between producing and photographing.
Kate defines her photographs simply as being “stories”. Her love for light, color, and honesty radiates in her photographs. You can find more of her work at www.alloyous.com.