04 Suitcase Joe (Anonymous Skid Row Photographer) Artwork

Shoot Wisely the content creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi

Shoot Wisely podcast host Amir Ebrahimi has over 20 years of experience in production and has traveled the world as a documentarian covering a wide range of projects including the 2016 Olympics in Rio, social issues for the health ministry of Ethiopia, extensive global and national coverage of the NBA on and off the court, and documenting Cambodian orphanages to name a few. Host Amir Ebrahimi talks to guests about their process of creation and the road that led them to create for a living. The Shoot Wisely Podcast will have a heavy focus on photographers and videographers/DP's but will be open to inspiring creators such as artists, writers, designers, editors, etc. The main aim of the show is to talk to creates about their journey and process of creating to inspire people to create and shoot wisely. The show will have a very loose format but will touch on the who, what, where, and why. With a small portion of the conversation dedicated to the tools each creator utilizes. Thank you and please leave a review and share.

All Episodes

Shoot Wisely the content creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi

04 Suitcase Joe (Anonymous Skid Row Photographer)

February 23, 2026 • Amir Ebrahimi

0:00 | 1:06:01

Episode 04 — Suitcase Joe (Anonymous Skid Row Photographer)

In Episode 04 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with Suitcase Joe — an unidentified photographer documenting life in Los Angeles’ Skid Row.

Choosing to remain anonymous to protect both his identity and the people he photographs, Suitcase Joe shares how and why he began documenting Skid Row. Recorded shortly after the 2020 lockdown, this conversation explores the realities of the neighborhood during a uniquely tense and uncertain moment in history.

We discuss the historical context of Skid Row, the systemic issues that shaped it, and the human stories often overlooked in mainstream coverage. He breaks down his approach — how he builds trust, how he navigates ethical boundaries, and why anonymity is central to his process.

This episode is a raw and thoughtful look at documentation, responsibility, and bearing witness.

In This Episode

Why he chooses to remain anonymous
How he began documenting Skid Row
The historical and systemic roots of Skid Row
Conditions during and after the 2020 lockdown
Building trust within a vulnerable community
Ethical considerations when photographing marginalized people
The responsibility of the documentarian

About the Guest

Suitcase Joe is an anonymous photographer focused on documenting daily life in Skid Row. His work centers on dignity, truth, and accountability, prioritizing the safety and humanity of his subjects above personal recognition.