In early May, I had the opportunity to photograph the inaugural Disrupting Poverty DC Action Summit, a powerful and purpose-driven event hosted by Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath). Held at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill, the two-day summit brought together a diverse mix of leaders, learners, and changemakers—all focused on one urgent mission: disrupting poverty and advancing economic mobility in the United States.

As a Washington DC photographer, I’ve covered a wide range of convenings—from high-level policy forums to grassroots community events—but this summit struck a rare balance between policy and lived experience, systems-level change and personal empowerment. Over the course of two days, attendees engaged in honest dialogue, deep learning, and shared commitments to driving progress.

Here’s a closer look at how I approached photographing this unique gathering, and what made the Disrupting Poverty DC Action Summit stand out.

A Mission-Driven Summit in the Heart of D.C.

The event took place May 7–8, 2025, just steps from the U.S. Capitol, anchoring the summit in a location symbolic of the policy change EMPath is working to influence. The Lutheran Church of the Reformation, with its soaring ceilings, stained glass, and natural light, created a setting that felt both grounded and inspiring—perfect for a gathering centered on social impact.

Attendees included EMPath staff, program participants, members of EMPath’s Economic Mobility Exchange learning network, policymakers, advocates, and members of the public. The event’s structure encouraged connection and collective action—through keynote presentations, facilitated workshops, personal storytelling, and breakout strategy sessions.

My job as a photographer was to document not just who was in the room, but what the energy felt like—and why it mattered.

Capturing Energy, Empathy, and Urgency

From the opening remarks to the closing calls to action, this summit was filled with emotion and intention. I focused on capturing that feeling through candid, human-centered imagery: a program participant sharing their story with quiet strength, a policy advocate nodding in solidarity, a moment of laughter between collaborators during a break.

As a Washington DC photographer, I’m often asked to walk a line between professional documentation and heartfelt storytelling—and this event required both. The subject matter was personal for many in the room, and my goal was to preserve the dignity, warmth, and courage that attendees brought to every conversation.

Throughout the summit, I photographed:

Opening keynotes and plenaries with EMPath leadership and policy voices
Breakout workshops on economic mobility strategies and systems change
Panel discussions highlighting lived experience and community-driven innovation
Networking and informal moments between attendees from across the country
Visual storytelling of the church space and event branding

The Visual Strategy: Advocacy and Access

Because this was EMPath’s first D.C.-based summit, I knew these photos would serve multiple purposes—social media storytelling, post-event reports, future fundraising materials, internal recaps, and potential press outreach. That meant creating a gallery that was not only high-quality, but versatile and accessible.

I used a documentary-style approach, favoring clean, true-to-life edits and natural lighting. I also made sure to include a range of image types—wide environmental shots, close-ups of speakers and attendees, signage and collateral, and of course, those small candid interactions that often go unseen but say so much.

Whenever I photograph advocacy events in D.C., I pay special attention to the tone and framing—I want each image to reflect the values of the organization while staying grounded in the reality of the work being done. With EMPath, that meant photos that felt hopeful, inclusive, bold, and human.

Why This Work Matters

At the heart of EMPath’s approach is the belief that economic mobility isn’t just about programs—it’s about people, policy, and persistence. That message came through in every aspect of the summit. Whether attendees were sharing firsthand experiences with navigating poverty or collaborating on scalable solutions, the emphasis was always on action—and dignity.

Photographing this summit was a reminder that events like these aren’t just one-off gatherings. They’re rallying points in much longer movements. And the images captured along the way help keep that momentum going—reminding participants of the power of collective action, and helping new audiences understand what’s at stake.

Final Thoughts

The Disrupting Poverty DC Action Summit wasn’t just a success in terms of turnout or logistics—it was meaningful, urgent, and beautifully led. As a Washington DC photographer, I was honored to be trusted with telling a piece of that story visually.

Whether through portraits of speakers in motion or quiet moments of reflection in the pews, I hope the final gallery serves as a lasting record of an event that was, at its core, about hope—for individuals, for families, and for the systems we’re all working to improve.

If your organization is hosting a mission-driven summit, advocacy day, or community convening in Washington, D.C., I’d love to help capture it.

I specialize in photography for nonprofit and policy-focused events that center around equity, collaboration, and impact.

Based in Washington, D.C. | Available for summits, strategy sessions, and advocacy campaigns across the DMV

📸 See more of my event photography work or reach out to check availability

Photographing the Inaugural Disrupting Poverty DC Action Summit with EMPath