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Only recently has photographer Hal Samples been able to take pictures of others without seeing himself.
Homeless for four months in 2001 because of drugs and alcohol, photographer Hal Samples has only recently been able to separate himself from his images of homeless people.
Homeless for four months in 2001 because of drugs and alcohol, Mr. Samples has taken countless photos of street people since a chance meeting with a homeless man named Dwayne in 2004. "I have taken over 800 homeless photos, before I stopped counting," Mr. Samples said. "I want to allow people to see the people I shoot as individuals. I want to humanize the power of serving others.
"I want to infect the lives of others in a few different ways with what has become a part of my life's work."
Mr. Samples, who has offices in South Dallas and Deep Ellum, said the first time he ever touched a camera was in summer 2003 when, out of curiosity, he borrowed one of 16 cameras owned by a former roommate. He began his career as a self-taught photographer, taking pictures of alleyways and buildings.
"I photographed fire escapes and the architectural reflections of the buildings," he said.
Mr. Samples' fascination with the natural elements of downtown
The man, known simply as Dwayne, offered to be Mr. Samples' porter while he shot pictures so he could earn extra money for food or the shelters.
Though Dwayne only worked for Mr. Samples a short time before passing away, Mr. Samples said their relationship changed him. He went from living on what he calls borrowed time to walking into his life's journey.
"Even though my photography is better and I have better credentials, I can't think of any better way to earn a living than to help others," Mr. Samples said.
He has captured the lives of hundreds of homeless people from
Back in
Chinook Wusdhu, a yoga instructor, says he became familiar with Mr. Samples' work based on word of mouth before he ever met him.
For the past few months, Mr. Wusdhu has been holding yoga classes in a Deep Ellum location that Mr. Samples rents out, a place called Space.
"Anything that involves healing is welcome here," said Mr. Samples, who's mindful of his own past with substance abuse. "I have a degree in a past life of drugs and alcohol. I can't do anything any different than I am doing now."
Julie Geldert, an aunt of Mr. Samples' through marriage, says he has been forward-looking since he was a teenager.
"Hal has a way of reading people, reading their behavior, the faces and what's between the lines," she said.
"Everything Hal does, regardless of what it is, comes from his heart; that's what drives him."
Family and friends alike say the 34-year-old Mr. Samples is known as much for helping others as he is for the pictures he takes, sometimes even combining the two.
He often sells some of his photos to help raise money for the homeless.
And while Mr. Wusdhu is currently hosting classes at Space, Mr. Samples is working to establish yoga classes for those who are homeless, or as Mr. Wusdhu says, "working to get back on their feet."
"It's a good cause. I am trying to do as much as I can for good karma," Mr. Wusdhu said.
Larry James, CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, said Mr. Samples provides his own supply of good karma by helping those who are less fortunate than him.
"We support Hal's efforts as an advocate for assisting others," Mr. James said. "As an advocate for the community, we will continue to support Hal as one of the advocates promoting positive change."
By TRINA TERRELL / Special Contributor to The
