Exposed DC

for the love of DC photography

DC Public Library Secures Exposed DC Photography Collection 

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Images Document District Life and Culture 

Washington, D.C. — The DC Public Library has acquired the Exposed DC Photography Collection, an archive of more than 600 digital images capturing life in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Documenting nearly two decades of the city’s culture, history, and communities, this collection offers a perspective on the District’s transformation, with contributions from local photographers who have documented the region’s story. 

The Exposed DC Photography Collection originated as part of DCist, a local news site, and has since grown into a photography exhibition showcasing life in the nation’s capital. The collection draws from 18 annual Exposed DC exhibitions, featuring images that capture the city’s street life, cultural events, architecture, and political moments – from famous landmarks to ordinary scenes that define life in the District. Now managed by Exposed DC, a nonprofit documenting D.C. through photography, the collection’s new home at the DC Public Library will help preserve it and make it accessible for future generations.

“The Exposed DC Photography Collection is a vivid tapestry of our city’s recent history,” said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library.  “By integrating its collection into the People’s Archive, we’re ensuring that this valuable record of District life is preserved and accessible to all. We are grateful to Exposed DC for their partnership in bringing these images to the public.”

“The local photographers in the Exposed DC community have been sharing their perspective on life in the District for nearly two decades,” said Heather Goss, founder of Exposed DC. “We are so honored to see it officially become part of our historical record through the DC Public Library.” 

The Library’s People’s Archive will manage the project, working in partnership with Exposed DC to secure the collection by the end of 2024. The collection will be made available to the public through the DC Public Library’s Dig DC portal, providing community members and researchers an opportunity to explore a visual record of D.C.’s evolution. The collection will be integrated into Dig DC in phases. Highlights will be featured in a series of public releases—such as images related to local elections and notable political events—to coincide with major moments in the city’s history. 

As Exposed DC and the DC Public Library continue their collaboration, both organizations aim to use the archive to connect with the community. Plans include social media promotion, newsletter updates, and an event in Spring 2025 to celebrate the collection’s completion and availability online. 

For more information about the Exposed DC Photography Collection and upcoming events related to the project, visit https://digdc.dclibrary.org/.

Winning Photos of the 18th Annual Exposed DC Contest

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We are excited to announce the winners of the 18th annual Exposed DC photography contest and are so grateful to everyone who submitted to this year’s contest for sharing your unique perspective. We always enjoy seeing this city through your eyes, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to share these photographs that, as seen together, tell the story of Washington, D.C., as documented by the people who live, work, and love here. We invite you to join us tonight for happy hour at metrobar from 5:30-7:00 p.m. as we toast to the winners and catch up after entirely too long!

We’re also excited to announce that the 2024 Exposed DC Photography Show will be held at Fathom Gallery Georgetown this summer! Save the date for our opening celebration on Friday, July 12 and check back for updates. Or, better yet, subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about our events, contests, and shows, along with the latest photography news, and follow us on social media for regular features and updates.

Whether you just found out about Exposed DC recently or you’ve been with us from the very beginning (see postscript below), we want to say thank you for being a part of our community. Here are some ways to get involved.

Now, without further ado, we present to you the winning images of the 18th annual Exposed DC photography contest.

Ather Ahsan – 007 – License to Chase
Emma Alexandra – Alone at the Reflecting Pool
Sharafa Aremu – Remnants of Chocolate City
Krista Boccio – All the Light
John Brighenti – Smoke Break
Erica Buerger – Untitled
Kevin Burns – Fly Me to the Moon
Steven Cheadle – Amelia’s Cream Cord on the Mall
Rachel Chilton – Reflections on the Hill
Thomas Cluderay – Timeless Ally
Daniel Coates – Bridge Over Muddy Waters
Scott Cook – Eastern Market
Mac Cosgrove-Davies – Ron at Aerators
Brett Davis – Capitol Snow Globe
Sue Dorfman – Little Amal Gets Encouraged
KC Felzener – Pride 2024
Karon Flage – You Going to Miss Me
Obediah Golden – National Building Museum
Nicholas E. Guerin – Couple by the Canal
Rich Hepburn – Motion
Miki Jourdan – Unicycle
Kevin Kasmai – Frontman Crane
Katelyn King – Alternative Renaissance
Prescott Moore Lassman – Fluffy White Hats
Prescott Moore Lassman – Sleeping Cow Girl (MoCoAgFair)
Shell Long – The Voice of Iranian Women
Ruolin Lu – Moroccan World Cup Celebration
Dave Lyons – Cherry Blossom Reflection in Fog
David Moss – Fog Head
David Moss – Hey There, Little Birdie
Angela Napili – Calaya and Her Three-Week-Old Daughter Zahra
Van Pulley – A View of the Bridge
Patrick Ryan – Ceramics Class
Valerie Short – Intense Repetition
Farrah Skeiky – Ride for Palestine
Carol Stalun – Mount Vernon Christmas Illuminations
Maude Svensson – The Red Car
Edward Underwood – Abandoned Basketball Dreams
Brian Wee – Moon Dreamin’ on Such a Fall Day
Eric Whitaker – Penn Ave Surfing
Kaiden Yu – The Winner (2023 17th Street High Heel Drag Queen Race)
Kaiden Yu – The Sky High (2023 Army 10 Miler)

This project is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

P.S. Exposed DC and our wonderful photography community originated at DCist 18 years ago. We’re devastated at the news of its closure today and our thoughts go out to the staff, and to the loss of more local journalism.

Friday Links: May 12, 2023

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Photo by Mike Maguire

Preparations for our 17th annual Exposed DC Photography Show are in full swing, and we are getting more excited by the day to celebrate local photography with you all next month! Feel free to share our Facebook event with friends and fellow photography fans, and we will see you at Lost Origins Outside on Sunday, June 4 for the opening celebration.

Exposed DC Returns to Mount Pleasant for 17th Annual Photography Show

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  • Featuring 35 images of the Washington, D.C. metro area taken by local photographers
  • Exhibit presented at Lost Origins Outside in Mount Pleasant
  • Opening celebration: Sunday, June 4 from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Best in Show awards chosen by five distinguished local photographers
  • Full-color exhibition magazine featuring all winning images available for purchase

Exposed DC is excited to partner with Lost Origins Gallery to present the 17th annual Exposed DC Photography Show in an outdoor installation in Mount Pleasant opening on June 4. The show features 35 images that were taken by local photographers and selected from a contest for their unique perspective of the D.C. metro area. The exhibition will be on view at Lost Origins Outside located along the exterior wall of Ellē restaurant at 3221 Mt Pleasant St NW throughout the summer. A virtual gallery will also be available for remote viewing of the exhibition.

Join us for an opening celebration on Sunday, June 4 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. View all the winning images together and chat with featured photographers and the Exposed DC team. Each image in the show will be available to purchase as a fine art framed print for those looking to expand or even begin their own personal collection. An exhibition program featuring all the winning images in full color will also be available for purchase. Attendees will also have the chance to win a gift card from Aperturent, Nations Photo Lab, or Capital Photography Center for their gear rental, photo printing, and photography education needs.

Five of the photographs will receive a Best in Show award along with a $100 cash prize. These awards are selected by independent judges who are acclaimed photographers and creatives in the D.C. community. This year, we’re thrilled to have Astrid Riecken, Briana A. Thomas, Candace Dane Chambers, Carol Guzy, and Colin Winterbottom selecting these special awards. Get to know the judges now and stay tuned to find out which photos they selected in the days leading up to the show.

Since 2006, Exposed DC has been celebrating life and culture in the Washington, D.C. area through the perspectives of photographers who live, work, play, and love here. Our annual photography show shines a spotlight on life in the D.C. metro area as seen through the lenses of some of the region’s most passionate amateur photographers and professionals alike.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Noe Todorovich at info@exposeddc.com

The Exposed DC Photography Show is a Ten Miles Square production.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter 

Exposed DC would like to thank the 2023 show partners & sponsors for their support.

Winning Photos of the 17th Annual Exposed DC Contest

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We’re excited to announce the winners of the 17th Annual Exposed DC Photography Contest! These images, as seen together, tell the story of Washington, D.C., as documented by the people who live, work, and love here. You can view the full list of winners below.

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest for sharing your work with us and congratulations to this year’s winners. We always enjoy seeing this city through your eyes, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to share the work of local photographers of all levels whose images help tell and celebrate the story of life in and around this city of ours. Stay tuned for updates about the 2023 Exposed DC Photography Show and join us for a celebratory happy hour on Wednesday, March 1 from 6-8 p.m. at 801 Restaurant & Bar. 

Whether you just found out about Exposed DC recently or you’ve been with us from the very beginning, we want to say thank you for being a part of our community. Here are some ways to get involved, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on our events, contests, and shows, along with interesting photography news.

Now, without further ado, we present to you the winning images of the 17th annual Exposed DC Photography Contest.

Alethea Merelos – Washington National Cathedral
Angela Napili – “Draw the Curtain” and “Delta Solar”
Arpita Upadhyaya – Time Travelers
Ather Ahsan – Untitled
Brian Mosley – Roman Candle
Chris Suspect – Daikaiju @ Slash Run 2022
Christopher Buoscio – Franciscan Monastery in Spring
Craig Nedrow – Vietnamese Lunar New Year
David Moss – Tigrayan Anti-War Demonstrator
Don E. Harris – Untitled
Doug Davies – Turtles All the Way Down
Geoffrey Vincent – Georgetown Gothic
Ian Cunningham – Late Night Bus Ride
Jeffrey Morris – AceOno
John Brighenti – It’s a Long Way to the Top
Josh Steele – Moon Diva
Kaleb Friend – Magnolia Warbler in Hawthorn
Karen Davis – Untitled
Karon Flage – Whitney Guccigoo at New Year’s Day Brunch at Perry’s
Kendell Smith – Discovery
Mark Alan Andre – Into the Void
Matthew Steaffens – Metro Jam
Mike Landsman – Airshow Salute
Miki Jourdan – Not Your Body
Mukul Ranjan – Brazilian Dancer
Pablo J Benavente – Into the Void
Peter Quinn – Sunset Castle Tour
Prescott Moore Lassman – Gallery Girls
Richard Brundage – On Thin Ice
Robert A Urteaga – Get Lost
Robin Fader – Abortion Rally Green Torch – July 4, 2022
Ryan Merkley – Moonset Behind Cathedral
Suzanne McIntire – Performer Without an Audience
Thomas Cluderay – Light Show
Zev Kanter – Freedom Park