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Tarot, Thames and the Red Arrows: This is London as seen through the eyes of homeless photographers

Every year photographers who are homeless or recently experienced it are handed single use cameras to capture a hidden side of London

a man playing flute sat in a frame

Image: Rita Caso McKay / CafeArt

These stunning shots show a different side to London as part of an annual photography project to support people experiencing homelessness.

The MyLondon project is now in its 12th year of handing out one-time use film cameras to people who are homeless or have previously been without a stable home. They are tasked with taking photos of what they love in London and their work is then turned into a calendar.

A man stood on a barge for tarot readings
Image: Molly O’Reilly / CafeArt
London skyscrapers and the sky
Image: Lui Saatchi / CafeArt
Red Arrows through London skyline
Image: Kenny Murphy / CafeArt

Like the Big Issue, that’s sold on the street in London with half of the cover price going to the vendor. Vendors sell the calendars at Spitalfields Market and in Elizabeth line stations. More than £2,700 has already been paid out to photographers.

The heartwarming project always produces an interesting selection of snaps. This year, everything from a tarot card reading on a barge on Regents Canal to an elderly woman sitting with a coffee cup on a wall near Old Street Station is covered.

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“The quality of photos in the top 25 were so high this year that we decided to print two calendar designs,” said Paul Ryan of organisers Cafe Art.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

For photographers like Allan Miller, the project is a lifeline. Miller, whose shot of the city across the Thames features in the 2026 calendar, sells the calendar in Spitalfields Market and in Elizabeth line stations. 

Old woman sat on step outside London 's Old Street Station
Image: Kenny Murphy / CafeArt
London sculpture
Image: Emane Filali / CafeArt
Big Ben shown in a bike mirror
Image: Nathanael / CafeArt
Photo of London's City across the Thames
Image: Allan Miller / CafeArt

Originally from Scotland he does not have permanent accommodation and uses earnings from selling calendars and cards and other part time jobs to get by

Organisers are currently crowdfunding to raise £11,000 by 8 September to print the calendars as well as greetings cards. Head to www.cafeart.org.uk to contribute and order a calendar.

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