Tiny at thirty on the beach with Daylon, Seattle

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In 1983, Mary Ellen Mark was sent by LIFE magazine to photograph street kids in Seattle. There, she met thirteen-year-old prostitute Erin “Tiny” Blackwell. Tiny became one of the central subjects not only of Mark’s photographs, but also of the documentary film Streetwise which followed in 1984. Mark has unflinchingly documented Tiny’s life for nearly three decades, illustrating her struggles with poverty, substance abuse, and abusive partners and family, but also capturing moments of joy and intimacy. Mary Ellen Mark has kept in touch with Tiny over the years, and continues to document her life and the lives of her children.

Keywords

American
Black and White
Social Class
Child
Mother
Photography
Beach
Poverty
Family