Street Money | lorichristmas

TORONTO, Ont. (09/16/16) - A man performs for people passing by at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto as a tin man. One or two dollars is required to "operate" the man as he moves like a robot or a machine. The tin man can be seen frequently in Downtown Toronto. Photo by Lori Christmas

TORONTO, Ont. (09/16/16) - Kevin Hunt, also known as Silver Raven, works on an art piece on Queen Street West. He comes to this spot whenever he is available which usually works out to ten hours a week. Silver Raven works 60-80 hours a week at festivals, tours, resorts, and teaching classes. His sign in front of his demonstration reads, "Cash for art supplies, food, and love." Photo by Lori Christmas

TORONTO, Ont. (09/16/16) - Sheryl Genser speaks with a customer at her on-the-street jewellery shop on Queen Street West in Downton Toronto. Genser is at the shop every single day as it is open from 11am-8pm. Genser has owned the shop for 25 years and has sold jewellery to many different people as the location is a hot spot for tourists. Photo by Lori Christmas

TORONTO, Ont. (09/17/16) - Darkish Goshtasbi plays the Persian setar on a street corner near Bloor and Royal York in Toronto. Goshtasbi plays on the streets about once a week. He says he does not play for the money but for meditation purposes. He sees his setar as his partner and says, "you're never alone because you can talk to it." Photo by Lori Christmas

TORONTO, Ont. (09/16/16) - Steve "The Magician" Wallace shows off his magic tricks to a group of kids at Yonge-Dundas Square in Downtown Toronto. Wallace comes to the square every weekend to entertain people and to earn some money to put him through school. He is a political science major. Photo by Lori Christmas

TORONTO, Ont. (10/12/16) - Ersin Yilmazer draws with chalk a rendition of the famous painting 'Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer in Yonge-Dundas Square. Yilmazer is a Turkish painter and is frequently at downtown to create masterpieces on the sidewalks. Photo by Lori Christmas

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STREETMONEY

This photo series started as a sense of belonging project in which I was assigned to find people who all belonged to the same "group".

I decided the "group" of people I would photograph would be people who make money on the streets of Toronto.

Whether they are artists, buskers, or vendors, the only criteria was that they were making a little (or a lot of money) on the streets.

This is an ongoing project.

Click the photos to read more.