Francine Orr

Staff Photographer

Francine Orr has been a staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times since 2000. Previously, she was as a staff photographer at the Kansas City Star. Orr served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. While there, she learned how to be a quiet observer and gained a love for stories. She was raised in Colorado and earned bachelor’s degrees in both history and art from the University of Saint Mary. Orr has focused on poverty issues in Africa, India and the United States. In Los Angeles, she has concentrated on the growing homeless crisis since 2005. She was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in feature photography in 2012. Other awards include the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism, honors from Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Center for Public Integrity’s Daniel Pearl Award, Pictures of the Year International, National Press Photographers Assn., Society of Newspaper Design, Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service, Harry Chapin Award, Los Angeles Press Club, National Headliner Award, Sidney Hillman Award, Press Photographers of Greater Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Times Editorial Awards.

Latest From This Author

California

After 18 months reporting on the homeless crisis, this is what I learned

California

After 18 months reporting on the homeless crisis, this is what I learned

The homeless crisis is rewriting the history of Los Angeles. Can the city meet the challenge?
California

After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy

California

After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy

First in a series: Big Mama and her neighbors live in a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. Through a special housing initiative they’ll soon have the opportunity to move into apartments.

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Part 2: Broadway Place’s homeless residents were promised homes. Had the city forgotten them?
California

Broadway Place’s homeless residents were promised homes. Had the city forgotten them?

California

Broadway Place’s homeless residents were promised homes. Had the city forgotten them?

Big Mama and her friends were promised new apartments, but there were delays. Weeks later, a few residents received new apartments, but Big Mama and Top Shelf were left behind.
California

An entire L.A. homeless encampment moved into apartments. But their past still found them

California

An entire L.A. homeless encampment moved into apartments. But their past still found them

After moving into their apartments, Big Mama, Top Shelf, and other former residents of the homeless encampment find life indoors difficult.

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Part 1: After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy

Part 2: Broadway Place’s homeless residents were promised homes. Had the city forgotten them?
California

When L.A. moved them off the streets, some knew it was their last chance. Others didn’t see it that way

California

When L.A. moved them off the streets, some knew it was their last chance. Others didn’t see it that way

When L.A. tried to move an entire homeless encampment off the streets, some residents jumped at the opportunity. Others couldn’t overcome past struggles.

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Part 1: After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy
California

San Bernardino police seek public’s help in shooting that injured eight

California

San Bernardino police seek public’s help in shooting that injured eight

Christine Roy was getting ready for bed at her north San Bernardino apartment when she heard a burst of gunshots followed by “hollering and screaming.”
California

Scenes of Homelessness

California

Scenes of Homelessness
For people dying on L.A. streets, he offers help, and he won’t take no for an answer

For people dying on L.A. streets, he offers help, and he won’t take no for an answer
California

For those detained at LAX under Trump’s ban, hours of fear, chaos and hope

California

For those detained at LAX under Trump’s ban, hours of fear, chaos and hope

A second day of protests got underway at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday after a day of chaos, fear, protests and ultimately some relief over President Trump’s travel bans.
California

Friends, relatives of LAX travelers detained by Trump’s order welcome their release

California

Friends, relatives of LAX travelers detained by Trump’s order welcome their release

As the protest against President Trump’s immigration order continued at LAX into early Sunday, some travelers from targeted nations were being released to the relief of family and friends.