Kenyan-American photographer Polly Irungu has officially announced her departure from the White House, marking the end of her tenure as the Official Photo Editor for Vice President Kamala Harris and as an Official White House Photographer.
In a statement on Monday, January 20, Irungu reflected on her journey and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve in such a prestigious role.
“When I developed a love for visual storytelling and worked at McDonald’s in school to save up for my first camera, I never thought my passion would take me to the White House. After nearly three years, today was my last day. Thank you, Mr. President, Adam, and Lawrence,” she said.
Irungu earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oregon in 2017. In 2020, she founded Black Women Photographers, a global community that now includes over 1,000 Black women and non-binary photographers across more than 50 countries.
Her breakthrough came in 2022 when she made history by becoming the first official photo editor for the Office of the U.S. Vice President. In this role, she curated and managed the visual documentation of Vice President Kamala Harris’s engagements, ensuring the imagery aligned with the administration’s communications strategy.
Irungu’s work has been featured in prominent publications, including The New York Times, Reuters, Global Citizen, NPR, BBC News, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, and CNN. Her efforts in promoting diversity and representation in media have earned widespread recognition.
In 2024, she received the Eric Allen Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication for her significant contributions to the field.
In a past interview, Irungu shared her long-term aspirations:
“In the next 10 years, I would like to own a creative studio back in Nairobi. As a journalist and photographer, I realized how important it is to be able to tell your own story. I’m tired of seeing stories and photos of Africa through a white lens and pen.”
