Photos from the 4th Annual DeFi Retreat in Washington, DC: A Snapshot of Innovation and Policy at the Crossroads

Last year, I had the opportunity to photograph the 4th Annual DeFi Retreat, hosted at the historic Larz Anderson House in Washington, D.C.—a truly stunning setting for a forward-looking event. This invitation-only gathering brought together more than 20 U.S. government agencies, 100+ private sector companies, international organizations, academics, and VCs for a day of open conversation and candid collaboration around the future of decentralized finance.

As a Washington DC event photographer, I cover a wide range of industry and policy gatherings, but this event stood out for how sharply it balanced formality and ease, urgency and optimism. Web3, DeFi, and blockchain regulation remain among the most complex and fast-moving topics in the global tech space—and the day’s discussions pulled no punches.

What made it even more memorable was the contrast between the subject matter and the venue. The Larz Anderson House, with its Gilded Age architecture, marble interiors, and ornate detailing, offered a backdrop that was both grand and intimate. Photographing conversations about digital innovation and international policy within the walls of a Beaux-Arts mansion created a visual tension I leaned into throughout the day.

A Global Pulse Check in the Capital

This year’s retreat felt less like a traditional conference and more like a high-level, off-the-record summit. No expo halls. No corporate booths. Just serious conversation among people who shape policy, investment, and technological direction on a global scale.

I focused my photography on capturing this tone—moments of focus, nods of agreement, spirited sidebar chats. As attendees arrived and filled the rooms of the Anderson House, I moved discreetly throughout the space, documenting regulators and builders exchanging ideas, academics contextualizing global trends, and startup teams taking notes on the latest regulatory updates.

As a Washington DC photographer, I’m always thinking about how space, subject, and intention come together—and this retreat was a perfect example of all three aligning.

Takeaways: Where DeFi Stands in 2024

One of the themes that surfaced throughout the retreat was this: The U.S. is still a powerhouse, and while some companies and talent have looked abroad to faster-moving jurisdictions like Singapore, the UAE, or Hong Kong, regulatory movement in the U.S. is finally starting to trend in the right direction.

There was honest recognition that the U.S. isn’t close to having its own MICA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), but a shared optimism that once the green light comes, America’s scale, infrastructure, and capital access will make the entire market feel like it’s boarding a rocket ship.

These insights, expressed with both caution and hope, made for a compelling visual story. I captured speakers leaning in mid-point, guests nodding thoughtfully, and small group moments where the most important conversations often happen. These kinds of moments are what give a photo gallery its long-term value—images that show not just who attended, but why it mattered.

An International Lens and a Look Ahead to Paris

Though the event took place in D.C., the guest list and conversation were unmistakably international. There were forward-looking discussions around cross-border standards, compliance infrastructure, and the global innovation race—all with an eye toward follow-up meetings planned for Paris and other global financial hubs.

I made sure to document those interactions that crossed languages, borders, and sectors—because in a space like DeFi, those are often the moments where the most meaningful collaborations begin. These visual cues help future attendees, partners, and stakeholders see the broader mission in action.

Photographing the DeFi Space: Clean, Editorial, and Natural

The Larz Anderson House provided a beautiful natural light environment, with high ceilings, large windows, and warm-toned wood paneling that added richness to the photos. I photographed with minimal artificial lighting, favoring fast lenses and a photojournalistic approach with a clean, editorial polish.

I delivered:

• Sharp images of panel discussions and keynotes

• Candid moments during networking breaks

• Small group interactions and VIP exchanges

As with all high-level policy events I cover in D.C., I kept post-processing clean, true to life, and consistent with the tone of the event. I delivered a next-day highlight reel for immediate follow-up, with the full gallery available within a few business days.

Final Thoughts: When Place and Purpose Align

Photographing the DeFi Retreat at Larz Anderson House reminded me of something I love about this kind of work: moments when the setting and the subject matter create something greater than the sum of their parts. To hear discussions of smart contracts, regulatory harmonization, and venture strategy echoing through rooms once used for 20th-century diplomacy was a kind of full-circle moment.

As a Washington DC event photographer, I’m always striving to create images that reflect not just the who and the what—but the why. And this retreat made that easy. It brought together the right people, in the right place, at a moment when DeFi is navigating uncertainty with both caution and ambition.

If you’re hosting a high-level gathering, closed-door summit, or global-facing policy event in Washington, D.C., and want visuals that match the caliber of your conversation—I’d love to work with you.

I specialize in capturing events with clarity, discretion, and editorial polish, whether you’re on Capitol Hill or behind the scenes in a historic mansion.

Based in DC | Available for policy forums, retreats, and private sector gatherings across the DMV and beyond

See more of my event work or contact me to check availability