Photographer Polly Irungu Named As First Official Photo Editor For The Office Of The VP

She’s been advocating for Black women photographers for years!

Photographer Polly Irungu has been named as the first official photo editor for the Office of the Vice President to the Biden-Harris Administration. 

Irungu is a multi-hyphenate creative and founder of Black Women Photographers, a community she created in 2020 that serves as a hub for more than 1,000 Black women and non-binary photographers across the globe. Her goal was to advocate for the recognition and hiring of Black women photographers, using the site as a resource for “industry gatekeepers” in need of photography services. 

To date, the community has photographers across 50 countries and in more than 35 states in the U.S. Irungu works to actively promote the members via a database that gets distributed to photo editors, directors, curators, and art buyers. This work also spurred Irungu’s Black Women Journalists platform, a community with the same mission in mind for Black women in journalism. 

In addition to her advocacy and distribution work, Irungu also offers free resources for her community members, which include regular webinars, workshops, trainings, and even portfolio reviews. The goal is to amplify and advocate for Black women in these spaces, thus ensuring the “access to professional and paid opportunities for Black creatives around the world.”

Now the champion for creatives has landed a new job of her own, Irungu recently being named as the first official Photo Editor for the Office of the Vice President under the Biden-Harris Administration. Irungu took to social media to share the news and her excitement about it alongside a picture of her in front of the White House. 

She has received tons of likes and well wishes across social media. Her new historic appointment is proof that helping others is the quickest way to help yourself and a major reminder that your gifts truly do make room for you. 

Congratulations, Polly!

Photo Courtesy of Polly Irungu/Twitter