Unveil Visual Ethnographies
Explore immersive narratives and visual journeys documenting how people survive, resist, and reimagine life through a visual ethnography of homelessness.
By centering the voices of the homeless, Documenting Change aims to challenge stereotypes, foster empathy, and cultivate a more informed and compassionate society. Our work creates space for truth-telling, reflection, and dialogue—bridging the gap between perception and reality to inspire human-centered solutions to homelessness.
What We Choose Not to See
As homelessness in the United States reaches unprecedented levels, cities scramble for solutions, many turning to criminalization in a desperate bid to reclaim public space. In 2024, the Supreme Court overturned Johnson v. Grants Pass, ruling that banning encampments and public sleeping is constitutional. Within weeks, cities across the country followed suit. In Orange County, California, nearly every municipality passed an encampment ban by October.
This documentary peels back the surface of what appears to be order—cleaner streets, fewer tents—and reveals the hidden cost. Through voices of unhoused people, nonprofit leaders, professionals, and city officials, we expose how these bans displace the vulnerable into neighboring cities, shelters at capacity, or behind bars. With research showing criminalization only deepens the crisis, this film asks a pressing question: when visibility is erased, do we mistake silence for progress? This is not just a policy issue; it is a human rights reckoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the digital ethnography lab do?
The ethnography lab at Documenting Change serves as a creative research hub within our larger media nonprofit. While we are not a traditional academic lab, we use ethnographic methods in fieldnotes, interviews, photography, and filmmaking to document the lives, cultures, and spaces we encounter. By combining visual and audio storytelling with on-the-ground observation, the lab creates immersive narratives that offer a raw, holistic understanding of social and cultural realities often overlooked.
Where is Documenting Change located?
Documenting Change was originally founded at Sage Hill School in Orange County, California. Our media has grown to cover the greater Los Angeles area.
Who can join this organization?
Our documentary filmmaking project is open to Sage Hill students through the Service Learning Program, with participation based on an application and selection process. Our ethnography lab welcomes applicants from any background, and currently includes students from schools across the greater Los Angeles area, as well as collaborating professional photographers. If you're interested in joining or learning more, please contact us for further information.
Connect with Our Team
For inquiries about our media packages, collaborations, or joining our team, please contact us.