The Off the Streets photo series by Nic Bothma uses intimate portraits and interviews to challenge how society sees people living on the streets.
South Africa (21 April 2026) – Cape Town photographer Nic Bothma has turned his lens toward one of the city’s most overlooked realities in a powerful portrait series titled Off the Streets.
The project focuses on people living and working on the streets of Cape Town, combining photography and personal interviews to tell stories that are often unseen or ignored. Instead of treating homelessness as a statistic, the series brings individuals to the forefront. It captures their presence, dignity and humanity through carefully staged portraits and direct conversation.
At the heart of the project is a simple but intentional approach. Each participant was approached individually, given a clear explanation of the project, and offered the choice to take part. Whether they participated or not, each person received a small care package. Those who agreed were photographed in a minimal studio-style setup, with natural lighting and a plain background, deliberately removing the usual street environment in an effort to shift how viewers engage with them.
Nic shares the reason behind the project.
“My aim is that people will become more curious and bridge the gap between their lives and those of the homeless. I hope people will stop more often and talk with homeless people and make connections with them. I hope readers will see them as the people they are and not just statistics, and, in this way, treat them with greater dignity and understanding.”
He further explains that the inspiration for the work comes from decades of photographing people in similar circumstances, and a desire to push beyond surface-level visibility. The goal is to encourage people to pause, look closer, and listen to the stories behind those they often walk past without noticing.
The project is presented through GroundUp, an independent South African media house that focuses on public-interest journalism. GroundUp operates through public funding and donor support, with a strong emphasis on telling stories that are often underreported or overlooked.
And this project is a clear example of that. In this case, GroundUp provides the platform for Off the Streets, helping bring the work to a wider audience while maintaining its focus on storytelling and awareness.
The project project also includes short interviews where participants share their experiences in their own words. These conversations aim to challenge assumptions around homelessness and highlight the personal histories, challenges and resilience of those featured.
Ultimately, Off the Streets combines photographs and storytelling to create visibility and asks viewers to see people first.
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