This homeless fashion photographer is proof that things are not always as glamorous as they seem
In the early '90s, Reay pursued a career in modeling, but he was only making $10,000 a year and never considered himself successful. It was at that time that he first met director Wirthensohn, who was also employed in the modeling industry, though it would be another 20 years before they would collaborate on the "Homme Less" documentary.
Reay also got involved in acting and is still an active member of the actors' union. He's filled in as an extra in several TV shows and films, including "Sex in the City" and "Men in Black 3."
In 2006, Reay began trying his hand at photography, offering his services to people who wanted professional documentation of their vacations. It wasn't as lucrative as he hoped, though, and he came back to New York broke. He briefly stayed in a Brooklyn hostel, but he was convinced the lodge had bed bugs in it — worried he might bring the bugs into their homes, he avoided staying with friends.
Reay decided to tough it out and use whatever money he earned to maintain his camera, phone, and computer. He was determined to keep pursuing his passion for photography, no matter the conditions.
Reay started pitching various fashion magazine editors in the hopes he would get a job shooting during New York Fashion Week.
Dazed Magazine hired him, and he's been shooting Fashion Week for them ever since.
But Reay was still struggling to make ends meet. He started sleeping on a roof in New York City's East Village neighborhood in 2008. Reay had been given an extra key by a friend who lived in the building. Lucky for him, the friend never found out what he was doing with it.
Sometimes he would use the bathrooms in public parks to clean up or shave. "I don’t want people to feel any sympathy for me. So that’s why I'm not 'homeless.' I just don’t have a roof over my head," Reay said to Business Insider.
Reay also had a membership at a local gym. There, he'd exercise, shower, and store his belongings in lockers.
Wirthensohn's film also shows Reay's volunteer efforts for Women In Need (WIN), an organization that provides shelter to women and children. In one scene, Reay dresses up as Santa Claus for a Christmas family charity event. He was named Volunteer Of The Year in 2013.
It wasn't easy to keep his homelessness a secret, and Reay was nervous about agreeing to the documentary at first. He feared being exposed, kicked out, or worse, arrested — but he eventually decided he was ready to risk it.
On the "Homme Less" website, Wirthensohn writes, "[Reay] looked like a millionaire living it up in this town. So it was shocking when he finally revealed his unbelievable story to me. At first, I thought he was joking."
![On the "Homme Less" website, Wirthensohn writes, "[Reay] looked like a millionaire living it up in this town. So it was shocking when he finally revealed his unbelievable story to me. At first, I thought he was joking."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49247338,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1451439/on-the-homme-less-website-wirthensohn-writes-reay-looked-like-a-millionaire-living-it-up-in-this-town-so-it-was-shocking-when-he-finally-revealed-his-unbelievable-story-to-me-at-first-i-thought-he-was-joking-.jpg)
The film explores many important themes, including the idea of the American dream, perception versus reality, and the stigmas applied to those who are homeless. This was Wirthensohn's first time directing a feature-length documentary, and he and his small team spent almost three years shooting.
The film premiered in November 2014 at the IFC Center in New York City, screened as part of the Doc NYC festival. It's now being shown to audiences around the world.
The film sheds a new light on New York City, which is often portrayed in movies and literature as the ideal place to chase dreams. "I see the potential for the film as endless," Reay told Business Insider.
He left the roof last July, but he still doesn't officially have a place to call his own. Contrary to a report in the New York Post, Reay has not moved back to New Jersey with his mother. "Like anyone with an over 80-year-old mother, of course I want to spend time with her," Reay told Business Insider. "But what 56-year-old man wants to say he's living at home with his mom?"
The star of the film (left), and the director (right), sit on a bench as we chat in Madison Square Park. As we're leaving the park, Reay asks Wirthensohn where he's heading now. "Home," Wirthensohn says. Reay laughs and, with a smile, says, "Ah, home. I hope to have somewhere to call that one day."
Reay has set up a GoFundMe page to help him get an apartment. You can check it out here if you'd like to show your support.
You can also watch the trailer for "Homme Less" and check for screenings near you.
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement