Ground-breaking partnership challenges visual stereotypes of the homeless to drive narrative of possibility

Ground-breaking partnership challenges visual stereotypes of the homeless to drive narrative of possibility

Mar. 21, 2018

Getty Images, a world leader in visual communications has joined forces with the Düsseldorf street magazine fifty-fifty and the creative agency Havas Germany to launch a campaign which aims to change the way the homeless community is viewed and drive a narrative of possibility. The ‘Repicturing Homeless’ campaign (http://www.repicturinghomeless.com)  sees homeless individuals portraying people from different walks of life in a series of stock images which are available to license from today. 

Members of Düsseldorf’s homeless community, all sellers of the fifty-fifty street magazine, have been hired to model in stock photo shoots for some of the most saleable themes on Getty Images – such as businessman, cook, shopkeeper and traveller. The stock images are now available for licensing on gettyimages.com and iStockphoto.com and will be promoted to Getty Images’ customer base. 100% of the royalties from images licensed go back to fiftyfifty to support the local homeless community.

Paul Foster, Senior Director Creative Content at Getty Images, said:

"At Getty Images we believe in the power of images to spur change, shift perceptions and evoke empathy, so we could not be prouder to be partnering with fifty-fifty and Havas on this project to re-picture the homeless community. We know the power images can have in making and breaking stereotypes and see this partnership as an opportunity to challenge perceptions around and help raise awareness of the homeless community.” 

 

Darren Richardson, Chief Creative Officer Havas Düsseldorf, Executive Creative Director Digital Havas Europe, said:

"Instead of showing stereotypical images of the desperation and poverty of the homeless, our campaign aims to surprise people and make them think. Our approach is not to leave anybody sad or guilty, but above all to encourage us all to critically question our often prejudiced ideas about our fellow human beings." 

 

Hubert Ostendorf, Founder and CEO of fiftyfifty said:

“The public attitude towards the homeless is marked by compassion but many citizens perceive the homeless as helpless and desperate. This photo project is about showing that which is rejected by society also has value." 

 

Karl-Heinz Josef Hense, 56 years old, comes from Kaiserswerth Düsseldorf and has been homeless for 25 years. He is one of the fifty-fifty sellers who modelled in the stock images. “I feel like a new man. It was a real pleasure for me to participate. Really.” 
 
The partners hope to expand the initiative over time to generate further awareness around the homeless community.

Related News

Jan. 18, 2024

Havas Invests in Its CX Network with the Appointment of David Shulman as CEO

Shulman arrives from VML to lead global network of more than 1,800

Dec. 13, 2023

Havas Announces Acquisition of Hamburg-based Performance Marketing Agency EPROFESSIONAL

EPROFESSIONAL will retain its independent branding and join the organization under Havas Media Network

Sep. 28, 2023

Mirakl & Havas Announce Global Partnership to Accelerate eCommerce and Retail Media Growth

Unique global partnership between Mirakl & Havas will create the most powerful independent retail media network

Latest News

Mar. 29, 2024

Moving Vehicle Trials to Begin for Volkswagen's Kangaroo Deterrent, Roobadge

Developed over three years by Volkswagen Australia and the DDB Group in consultation with the University of Melbourne and WIRES

Mar. 29, 2024

Ride-Hailing App Tackles Mental Health in Ambitious Work With BETC Paris

Heetch and BETC Paris launch "First Conversation" in partnership with the Foundation Falret