Many locks of bright, pink hair peek around the corner of the stairwell.
This article originally appeared on 08.17.16
A group of 105 homeless people gathered at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
Each of them was given a disposable camera and told to take pictures that represent "my London."
The photos were entered in an annual contest run by London-based nonprofit Cafe Art, which gives homeless artists the chance to have their work displayed around the city and, for some of the photographers who participate in the yearly challenge, in a print calendar.
"Some people have had experience, and others have never picked up a camera before," said Paul Ryan, co-director of Cafe Art.
The program, Ryan explained, includes mentorship and training from professional volunteers at the Royal Photographic Society, including winners of the contest from previous years, many of whom are ultimately inducted into the society.
A "Drivers Wanted" sign in the window from the MyLondon Photography Contest.
Photo by Richard Fletcher/MyLondon Photography Contest. All photos used with permission.
The goal of the challenge is to help participants gain the confidence to get back on the job market, search for housing, re-engage with their social circles, or even activate dormant skills.
"I really enjoyed it. And I started to get involved in my art again, which I'd left for years," a 2015 participant said in a video for the organization's Kickstarter campaign.
These are 11 of the top vote-getters from this year's contest:
1. Ella Sullivan — "Heart Bike Rack"
A heart shaped bike rack.
Photo by Ella Sullivan/MyLondon Photography Contest
2. Alana Del Valle — "London Bus with Sculpture"
A red-double-decker-bus behind a mirrored sculpture.
Photo by Alana Del Valle/MyLondon Photography Contest
3. Beatrice — "Out of the Blue"
A hand shadow reaches up the wall toward a water container.
Photo by Beatrice/MyLondon Photography Contest
4. Laz Ozerden — "What Now?"
Open hands accepting donations.
Photo by Laz Ozerden/MyLondon Photography Contest
5. Leo Shaul — "The Coffee Roaster"
A long coat hugs “The Coffee Roaster."
Photo by Leo Shaul/MyLondon Photography Contest
6. Christopher McTavish — "St. Paul's in Reflection"
St. Paul’s cast a reflection against a blue shoe in a puddle.
Photo by Christopher McTavish/MyLondon Photography Contest
7. Hugh Gary — "London Calling"
London calling.
Photo by Hugh Gary/MyLondon Photography Contest
8. Keith Norris — "Watching Mannequin"
Rolling your eyes at a mannequin.
Photo by Keith Norris/MyLondon Photography Contest
9. Siliana — "After the Rain"
A boat cruises under the bridge after a rainy day.
Photo by Siliana/MyLondon Photography Contest
10. Saffron Saidi — "Graffiti Area"
Life reflecting art.
Photo by Saffron Saidi/MyLondon Photography Contest
11. Jackie Cook — "Underground Exit"
Who’s that in the stairwell?
Photo by Jackie Cook/MyLondon Photography Contest
Ryan, who has been developing the program for seven years, said that while there's no one-size-fits-all solution for individuals who are homeless, for some who are too used to being "knocked back," the experience of seeing their work on display or in print — and of success — can be invaluable.
"Everyone is helped in a different way, to get up to the next step in whatever way they need to."
Our mouths loves chips. Our bodies not so much.Photo by 
You can eat well without giving up sweets completely.Photo by 
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.