Anna Rose Layden

Anna Rose Layden

Anna Rose Layden

Anna Rose Layden

Anna Rose Layden

Anna Rose Layden

Who is she?

Who is she?

A Washington, D.C.-based photojournalist, Anna Rose Layden represents what it means to be a woman journalist in a transformative way.

When examining her work, an evident interplay between political authority and human vulnerability becomes apparent, which is highly challenging to capture, even for a seasoned journalist.

Layden offers a mirror to America’s sociopolitical landscape from 2016 to the present.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

(The Washington Journalism and Media Conference)

Timeline of Anna Rose Layden’s Career Milestones and U.S. Political Events

  • 2010

    Affordable Car Act is passed; Republicans retake the House of Representatives in midterms.

  • 2016

    Donald Trump is elected 45th President of the United States of America.

  • 2017

    Layden began studying photojournalism and poltiical science at Rochester Insitutue of Technology

  • 2019

    Layden becomes the Media Team Photographer for Rochester Institute of Technology New Student Orientation.

  • 2020

    COVID-19 pandemic begins as well as the 2020 presidential election.

  • 2021

    Layden graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology and the Capitol riot on January 6th also occurs.

  • 2022

    Layden becomes a freelance photographer for The New York Times, Getty Images, Bloomberg, POLITICO, and Reuters. The midterm elections occur with her work involving Abigail Spanberger’s victory.

  • 2023

    Layden becomes the co-chair of the Women Photojournalists of Washington Exhibition Committee (WPWEC) and is featured in the Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW) exhibition.

  • 2024 & 2025

    2024: Layden is a guest speaker at Southern Illinois University Sharp Museum and awarded the Hawai’i Cherry Blossom Princess. This is a presidential election year with ongoing political polarization.

    2025: Layden continues to cover United States politics and social issues through photojournalism while Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States and implements new immigration policies.

How does the power of perspective play a role in Layden’s work

Both intimacy and advocacy are hallmarks of Layden's photojournalism work. In turn, her work reflects on and influences modern discourse on democracy, immigration, and gender equity. Based on her key works, Layden can uncover and help her audience uncover the lens that brings together institutional power and marginalized narratives during a time of unprecedented polarization within the United States federal government.

The Rise of Women in Storytelling

When examining Layden’s career, from the 2010s to the present, a critical connection to photojournalism becomes apparent. When considering the impact of media digitization and traditional revenue models, women journalists have had to fight for visibility within the journalism field, which men have long dominated. Turning to organizations like Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW), Layden serves as co-chair of the Exhibition Committee, providing a vital platform for challenging stereotypes and addressing inherently dominant aspects of intersectionality. By approximately 2023, women made up only twenty-four percent of news photographers globally, according to the Reuters Institute. However, in retrospect, Layden’s position and prominence at news outlets such as The New York Times and Reuters illustrate that progress is being made.

(“#AAJAExcellence in the Women Photojournalists of Washington’s Exhibit”)

(Rosenbery)

(Schmidt)

Layden’s work is seen thriving during seismic shifts. This means during the Trump presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capitol riot, and the fall of Roe v. Wade. Considering she has access to high-stakes political events, such as the January 6th hearings, as well as grassroots movements, such as the Black Lives Matter Movement, Layden can position herself as a chronicler of democracy and its fragility. Her portfolio centers on U.S. political machinery and intimate human stories, which often intersect with national debates. For instance, she notes:

(Federal Workers Walk into Chaos amid Return to Office)

(Horticulturists, Biologists, Engineers: Federal ‘Bloat’ or Valued Experts?)

(At the Capitol, the Question of Who Won the Midterms Lingers)

(At Columbia, Tension over Gaza Protests Hits Breaking Point under Trump)

“Photography isn’t passive—it’s a way to ask, ‘Who holds power, and who is left out of the frame?’”

*

“Photography isn’t passive—it’s a way to ask, ‘Who holds power, and who is left out of the frame?’” *

Key affiliations

Layden is a member of Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW), which promotes gender equity in visual journalism. She is also a part of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and the White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA).

(“#AAJAExcellence in the Women Photojournalists of Washington’s Exhibit”)

(Rosenbery)

(Schmidt)

Layden’s career illustrates how women photojournalists navigate structural barriers. As co-chair of Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW)’s Exhibition Committee, she can amplify the voices of those who are underrepresented. The 2023 Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW) showcase, held at Southern University, features her work alongside that of 23 other women. This challenges the notion that hard news needs a male gaze. Additionally, Layden has emphasized that there is no singular path to success in journalism during campus visits. She displays a critical mantra for students in an industry grappling with layoffs and distrust. Layden diversifies both who tells stories and which stories are told.

(“#AAJAExcellence in the Women Photojournalists of Washington’s Exhibit”)

(Rosenbery)

(Schmidt)

Roe-Related Storytelling

When examining Layden’s work, we encounter images that depict protests related to women’s reproductive care rights. Through her work, Layden can highlight the significance of collective care during demonstrations. In this, Layden’s approach subverts the concept of the “male gaze” by emphasizing female solidarity and bodily autonomy. We see tight framing and work that reflects a growing trend to document systemic issues through personal narratives.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Method, Challenge & Impact

When examining Layden’s “District of Columbia” series, we observe that the images prioritize the depiction of physical touch, human bonds, and intergenerational relationships. We see the limbs that bring humanity together and bring them closer to their person. For instance, we see people have their hands on their faces, hands reaching out, and more. And in context, we see a challenge to the public against what they deem necessary for disagreement. In turn, her work’s inclusion of pure, raw voices can demonstrate how to converse. Its intimate framing can reframe debates on political and human rights-based issues rather than through fear. Layden can capture humanity and use it as a model for journalism, which is what journalism is meant to do.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

District of Columbia

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

  • One

    This image centers on and emphasizes diverse demographics and organic emotions with politics and voting. In turn, it counters stereotypes of political apathy. Layden’s choice to foreground grassroots enthusiasm, rather than the candidate herself, illustrates a broader trend in journalism toward humanizing politics and the electoral process.

  • Two

    For instance, Layden notes that this work aims to “expose the public to visual journalism’s impact” beyond Washington, D.C. insiders.

  • Three

    This photo effectively underscores the photojournalist’s belief that elections are about the people, not about the politicians. In turn, this photo has sparked discourse on how grassroots activism should be visualized and portrayed.

Abigail Spanberger's 2022 Victory: A Portrait of Grassroots Hope

Turning to the 2022 midterms, a referendum on post-Trump politics was evident in Representative Abigail Spanberger's (D-VA) defiance of predictions in a swing district. Looking to Layden’s work on the subject, a photo of supporters celebrating in Fredericksburg, Virginia, soon becomes an emblem of democratic resilience (seen below).

(Rosenbery)

Moments of Intimacy Amidst Chaos

Moments of Intimacy Amidst Chaos

In moments of intimacy, Layden can cover a wide range of issues through an emotional, raw lens. While the specifics of Layden’s immigration coverage are not fully detailed, her focus on familial stories and women’s issues is evident in her increased attention to migrant crises and reproductive rights following Roe v. Wade. Layden’s approach prioritizes quiet, personal moments over sensationalism. This mirrors a shift toward solutions-oriented storytelling in journalism.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Changing the Institution

As a mentor with the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW), Layden prioritizes and promotes uplifting emerging photographers of color.

(“#AAJAExcellence in the Women Photojournalists of Washington’s Exhibit”)

(Rosenbery)

(Schmidt)

Inside the Carjacking Crisis

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Inside the Carjacking Crisis (“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Solutions-Oriented Journalism

Most importantly, as seen above, Layden avoids sensationalizing images that she captures by giving the public moments of quiet agency. She prioritizes the responsibility of the subject and the topic she is covering, rather than the most sensationalized image.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Why She Reports, and How

Layden’s approach journalistically is rooted in intersectional advocacy and democratic accountability. Her identity, education, and mentorship play significant roles in this. As a native Hawaiian and Asian-American woman, her work highlights marginalized communities through both an understanding and an objective lens. In some of her work, she shows migrants and women protestors, who are underrepresented in mainstream political coverage. By studying photojournalism and political science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, she was able to combine technical skills with policy analysis. In her role at Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW) and the Asian American Journalists Association, her mission is to demystify photojournalism for younger women by emphasizing that there is no singular path to success. All of this culminates in her style. She prioritizes intimate, unposed moments over staged political imagery.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

“Our cameras can either exploit or empower. Choose every frame like it’s your last.”

*

“Our cameras can either exploit or empower. Choose every frame like it’s your last.” *

Exploring her journalistic works

  • Layden is living in the present. She is within my generation, and her work is centered on the issues that concern most of my generation. I feel that is most important because we are the ones rising into leadership positions and leading roles within this nation and the world. 

  • A lot of her work is centered around issues within the world and is less focused on entertainment, sports, and so on. She can show us what it is to be human and live as humans in this world. For instance, her work is centered on international political tensions, U.S. politics, and other related topics. 

  • I feel as though Layden best describes her point of view on her Substack: “I was born in Hawai’i, where my mom’s whole family still lives. Of all my cultural backgrounds, Hawaiian is the one I’ve always felt most connected to. To “talk story”, one of the oral traditions in Hawaii, is the act of sharing history, ideas, opinions, with anyone, anywhere. Your parents tell you to get ready to leave a party, and stay another hour because they’re caught up talking with their friends as they say goodbyes.” 

  • As mentioned above, she was born in Hawai’i and hopes to eventually move away from politics. However, her perspective remains focused on politics because she wants to effect change, as most journalists do. 

What Defines Her, and Her Obstacles

Political upheaval acts as a catalyst for Layden. As a photojournalist covering the 2021 Capitol Riot on January 6th, she was able to document the hearings. Additionally, her 2023 coverage of reproductive rights protests focuses on intergenerational groups of women, contrasting with the tendency of male photojournalists to prioritize confrontation over solidarity.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Overcoming Those Obstacles

Layden illustrates her resilience in the face of career obstacles by redefining hard news and continuing her mentorship. For instance, her images focus on what it means to be human. There is the capturing of tenderness amid tumultuous times that challenge dehumanizing narratives of marginalized communities. At Southern Illinois University, she advised students on the importance of ethical storytelling over sensationalized journalism and images.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

Compared to Other Journalists

For instance, when holding Layden against other journalists, such as Erin Schaff at The New York Times and Doug Mills at The New York Times, we see the following differences:

(“Erin Schaff”)

(Story)

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)

  • Layden: Grassroots emotion, institutional humanity

    Schaff: Intimate personal crises

    Mills: Iconic political moments

  • Layden: Shallow depth of field, muted tones

    Schaff: Stark realism, high contrast

    Mills: Wide-angle, ceremonial clarity.

  • Layden: Spanberger victory (2022)

    Schaff: Oklahoma family opoid story (2023)

    Mills: Biden’s inauguration (2021)

How did this journalist influence her times, and how was her work influenced by the times?

Her work is influenced by the times, as she continues to report on politics, given our current political climate. Layden hopes to escape politics but chooses to stay because of the stories emerging from the nation’s politics. Layden, in turn, influences her time by bringing these stories to light and giving them a new and fresh angle, considering her age. Her work is deeply intertwined with urgency, whether it involves White House briefings and congressional hearings, or documenting protests and narratives centered around immigration. Layden is able to reflect both her commitment to hard news and her commitment to community-driven stories. Her work influences the times through its revelations that challenge traditional societal and journalistic standards, while also reflecting the times' need for such revelations. The duality of her approach enables her to navigate between tension and emotion, between depicting power and grassroots stories, and between being the resistance and capturing who the public is resisting. Her depth knows no bounds to what a camera can capture.

Layden shows us what it means to be a journalist and how to take a non-traditional path as a freelancer. Most of my sources and references come from either newspapers or her postings.

Layden’s role in organizing the 2023 exhibition of Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW) at Southern Illinois University challenged the male-centric canon of political photography. By shining a light on marginalized artists, the exhibit was also to redefine hard news and its aesthetics.

Anna Rose Layden can transcend the typical expectations of a photojournalist. She serves as both a witness and an advocate, with work centering marginalized voices within the heart of political power. She can challenge traditional media standards that prioritize spectacle over substance. Within her legacy, there lies not only memorable images but a relentless drive to democratize visual storytelling and push for change within society. In a tumultuous time, Layden demonstrates that journalists can still wield skills rooted in empathy and shows how such skills can be so potent. Her non-traditional path of freelance photojournalism for major outlets reveals a part of her that is reflected in what she captures. By living within the times and navigating them herself, she can create a hybrid career by amplifying stories that might otherwise go untold. Layden pushes boundaries so that, in turn, the public can feel empowered to push back.

(“Anna Rose Layden: Photojournalist”)