Mike Brodie: Polaroids

La Sena Gallery is proud to present Mike Brodie: Polaroids, an intimate exhibition of 50 original Polaroid photographs by American photographer Mike Brodie, known to many as “The Polaroid Kidd.” This special presentation offers an unfiltered look at Brodie’s early work - gritty, spontaneous portraits of life on the move across the American landscape.

Born in 1985 in Arizona, Mike Brodie began his photographic journey in 2004 after receiving a Polaroid SX-70 camera. Over the next four years, he crisscrossed the country by freight train, capturing the lives of fellow travelers, squatters, and outsiders. His images, raw, honest, and deeply humane, offer a glimpse into a subculture rarely seen, framed with a sensitivity that transcends documentary.

Between 2004 and 2008, Brodie immersed himself in this nomadic lifestyle, building a body of work that is as much about freedom and defiance as it is about community and connection. The 50 Polaroids on display at La Sena Gallery reflect the spirit of this period: candid moments of camaraderie, solitude, and survival, rendered in the warm tones and distinctive textures of instant film.

Despite transitioning into a career as a diesel mechanic in 2008, Brodie has not walked away from photography. Today, he continues to create new work, turning his lens toward the industrial world of diesel machines. An evolution that stays true to his fascination with the often-overlooked corners of American life. His influence continues to ripple through the worlds of documentary and fine art photography, celebrated for its authenticity and emotional depth.

Brodie’s work has been exhibited internationally and is included in the collections of institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Berkeley Art Museum. Mike Brodie: Polaroids marks a rare opportunity to experience these seminal works in their original format and context.