Polly Irungu is a Kenyan-American photographer and journalist. She founded Black Women Photographers, a global network aimed at promoting and assisting Black women photographers. She is also the official photo editor for the office of US vice president Kamala Harris.
Polly Irungu | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | University of Oregon (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Photographer, journalist |
| Website | www |
Early life and education
editIrungu was born in Nairobi, Kenya.[1] She moved to the United States at the age of 4,[2] and was raised in both Kansas and Oregon.[3]
Irungu worked at McDonald's in high school, and saved her earnings to buy her first camera.[2] She practiced portrait photography using her brother as her model, and visited sporting events to better learn how to properly photograph fast subjects.[4] Irungu earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Oregon in 2017.[5]
Career
editIn 2018, Irungu moved to New York City and took a job as a digital content editor at New York Public Radio.[5][6] While working at WNYC, she continued to pursue freelance photography, selling shots of New York City to clients such as Refinery29 and BBC News.[5]
In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Irungu started Black Women Photographers, a "global community and database of Black women and nonbinary photographers".[4] The group currently has more than 1,200 members spanning 50 countries.[7] Black Women Photographers is credited with helping members get jobs with The Washington Post and The New York Times, and also provides classes and grant opportunities.[8][9]
In 2022, Irungu became the "first official photo editor" for Vice President Kamala Harris,[10] who tasked Irungu with documenting her "campaign's story".[11] She also works as an editor and video producer in the White House Office of Digital Strategy.[1]
Awards and honors
editIn 2024, Irungu received the Eric Allen Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Muia, Sylvania (Jul 30, 2022). "Kenyan-born photographer Polly Irungu lands top White House job". Daily Nation. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Fulleylove, Rebecca (August 4, 2021). "Polly Irungu on creating Black Women Photographers". Creative Review. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Villamizar, Laura Beltran (December 27, 2020). "Founder Of Site Promoting Work Of Black Women Photographers Wants It To Impact Hiring". NPR. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Evans, Erin E. (February 23, 2023). "How Polly Irungu Created Space For Black Women Photographers". HuffPost. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c Walsh, Brienne (October 5, 2021). "'Black Women Photographers' Aims to Fill Industry Hiring Gap". RangeFinderOnline.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ White, Brooklyn (June 25, 2021). "Polly Irungu Is Helping Black Women Photographers Land Jobs". Essence. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Ebert, Grace (August 19, 2022). "Black Women Photographers Is a Global Community at the Forefront of a Changing Industry". Colossal. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Voynovskaya, Nastia (August 19, 2021). "A Global Network for Black Women Photographers is Changing the Industry". KQED Inc. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Spike, Carlett (April 21, 2022). "Making space for Black women photographers". Quill. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Ezra (July 29, 2022). "Polly Irungu: Kenyan Woman Makes History As First Photo Editor At The Office Of US Vice President Kamala Harris". whownskenya. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Polly Irungu: Kenyan Journalist in Kamala Harris' Campaign Team". MSN. 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ "Polly Irungu '17: 2024 Eric Allen Outstanding Young Alum". University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.