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/.
