Tommy Keith is a photographer based in Toronto. His work has been exhibited internationally and featured in publications including The New York Times and Vogue Italia. His book Don’t Forget to Wave was a finalist for three international photobook awards.
There’s a short stretch of Toronto’s public waterfront that’s easy to miss. Tucked between the private grounds of the exclusive Boulevard Club and Branch 344 of the Royal Canadian Legion, it is also hemmed in by Lakeshore Boulevard, the Gardiner Expressway and rail lines to the north.
This area is disconnected from the continuous flow of the nearby Sunnyside Beach promenade, which has allowed it to evolve into a rare and vital sanctuary. Further to the west, the mouth of the Humber River offers a similar haven.
I’ve been photographing in and around this part of the lakeshore for two years, and while there’s a beauty to the water and shady foliage, it’s the people who drew me here. The hidden little pockets they can claim as their own – whether sharing a beer with a close friend, swimming with family or escaping the city for a breath of fresh air.
The human connections I make are significant to me and to my work, and so I always try to photograph people in a meaningful and respectful way, always asking them if they’re interested in having their picture taken. Sometimes it’s a fleeting encounter, but once I set up my light and start shooting it can also morph into an extended hang out where we talk, drink, or listen to music.
I’ve come to realize that the reality I’m attempting to reflect is far more complicated than anything a single picture can represent. There’s a mix of people from all walks of life who are drawn to this spot, each with a different story about what brought them here. Some have steady jobs at the Boulevard Club or Palais Royale, a nearby venue, while others sporadically live here, in boats or in tents. Some are here to celebrate, others to grieve, but everyone is looking for some kind of connection or to express themselves in some way.
