Woman's Painfully Ironic Photo Highlights The Reality Of Homelessness

A heartbreaking photo in front of a Los Angeles mural is creating a lot of backlash, but also starting important conversations about homelessness in the city.

The Sunset Boulevard mural by artist Dallas Clayton bears the words “Stand here and think about someone you love!” Earlier this week, an unidentified woman was spotted taking a seemingly exuberant photo in front of the mural -- and directly in front of a sleeping homeless man.

Local resident Rich Michalowski just happened to be driving by and snapped his own photo of the scene.

“At one point the photographer directed her to move closer to the homeless man so she could center the photo,” Michalowski told TakePart. “They were still at it when I drove away.”

But while many social media users -- and news headlines -- disparaged the women in the photo, other people pointed out that their actions really aren’t that different from the way many people ignore the homeless on a daily basis.

“When there is a homeless man in front of the grocery store camped out asking you for money ... most people still walk right by and do their shopping,” wrote one Facebook user, according to TakePart.

A 2014 video, shot in New York City, drove that point home by proving that people didn't even notice their own family members dressed as homeless individuals on the streets.

Artist Clayton wrote on Instagram that he is glad the photo is “stirring a dialogue” and hopes that something meaningful comes of the discussion.

“So in the spirit of thinking about those we love, instead of talking about this woman and her (hopefully momentary) ineptitude can we instead focus on well-researched links to local organizations who are offering their best efforts to fight the uphill battle to help end homelessness in Los Angeles and worldwide.”

An estimated 17,000 people live on the streets in Los Angeles.