Open Gov Hub Photographer

The Open Gov Hub is a co-working space dedicated to organizations that focus on government transparency, accountability and civic participation. As of publishing, The Hub network includes 55+ organizations and over 150 people working from Washington, D.C. in partnership with 75 countries around the world, and offers members a slew of services beyond a hot desk and free coffee. I initially visited Open Gov Hub as a guest of The Unfunded List and followed up with a proposal to be an in-house photographer for the Open Gov Hub and its members.

We agreed on a three month residency where I would be available to members at least one predictable day of the week for headshots and visual consultations.

Members of The Hub benefited from discount headshot sessions and The Hub was able to promote an additional support service to its members. It also gave me ample opportunities to hone my lighting and direction skills, as well.

Logistics

A dozen Hub members took me up on my offer. Sessions were booked through Calendly, a new to me service that I will be incorporating into my client workflow in the near future. I chose to pose each participant in a blue nook and in front of a white wall, plus a third “make it up as we go” option.

Technology wise, I decided to limit myself to one flash, a Godox V850II (such a sexy name!) and one light modifier, a 2×3′ Neewer softbox. Constraints on gear and themes usually provide ample opportunities for experimentation and discovery. It’s hard to hone skills if you simply throw more gear at a problem or situation.

I also used a Fuji XT-3 and 18-55 kit lens for most of the sessions. The XT-3 is such a great camera for portrait sessions but I decided to return it within my 30 day Adorama window. I will definitely be putting together another Fuji setup before the year is out though. 

It’s great to see everyone in front of the same backgrounds, especially the blue. I love a consistent series. It lets each person distinguish themselves in their own way. 

Bright white is always a useful option, too, and its consistency works as a series on white just as well as it does in blue. 

The “make it up as we go” option was always a roll of the dice. Sometimes I would try out a scene in the office that I had noticed earlier or I would literally let the conversation between myself and sitter lead the way. Most people develop a good mind for locations once they understand the flow of a headshot session and start to see great images of themselves on the back of a camera. 

It’s an “ah ha” moment that I get to enable during just about every portrait and headshot session. 

These type of shots are great for a variety of marketing uses; websites, blog posts, email marketing, social media. These members definitely benefited from easy access to an in-house photographer at their co-working space.

Overall, the project was a success. I met some great people, tried out some interesting techniques and processes and I had the chance to make work in a low pressure but appreciative setting. 

Some of my initial contact with members has already blossomed into more work. 

This residency as an in-house photographer coincided with a thorough redo of the backend processes of my business. It was a great project to pursue while rebuilding my business. I can’t recommend these sort of partnerships enough to headshot and portrait photographers or other creatives and co-working spaces.

Book a Similar Session

I am no longer working out of Open Gov Hub and now live in Rhode Island full time. If you are in need of headshots or portraits similar to what is presented on this page, contact me to discuss your needs and we can book a session specific to your needs.