TOOWOOMBA'S Hailey Casey's latest exhibition was inspired by photography project Humans of New York.

Instead, she focused on homeless people living on Australian streets.

Her exhibition The Streets opens next Monday to coincide with Homeless Week.

It features stories and images of 12 people living on the streets of Toowoomba and Sydney.

"Every year I try and hold an exhibition to raise money and awareness for an organisation and this year I decided to help the Basement Soup Kitchen," she said.

"I just had it in my heart to do something for the homeless. I want to be able to give back through my photography and I thought I would do something similar to Humans of New York.

"Most of the work I do is creative but this was more real. It's portraits of real people and their stories.

"It's mostly about raising awareness but if we can raise money too that would be awesome."

She said it was an incredible experience finding out the stories behind homeless people.

"It was a sad but enlightening experience," she said.

"Everyone's story is different. Being homeless isn't a choice it is just a by-product of something that happens in people's lives.

"I am happy that I am able to share their stories."

Basement Soup Kitchen co-ordinator Nat Spary said Ms Casey put her whole heart into her work.

"It's great that she is using her gift and love of creative work to help people," he said.

"It's quite amazing that she has a heart that gives people dignity."

The exhibition is being held at Wendland Fine Foods From Monday, August 1 to Sunday, August 7.

The opening night will on Monday, August 1 from 6pm to 8pm and feature Mr Spary as guest speaker.

Visitors are welcome to make a donation with all proceeds going to the soup kitchen.