Readers Ask: What’s up with the Aldermanic “Glamour Shots”?
Over the past year, readers have noticed that the quality and style of pictures from the Board of Aldermen’s meetings seem to have significantly increased. Social media posts on official accounts began featuring more, or at least higher-quality, “candid” shots of the aldermen. Readers contacted the site about these photos and wondered if the board had hired a professional photographer to document these meetings. Some questioned whether a paid photographer was a good use of city dollars, while others wondered if these publicly-funded photos essentially give incumbent aldermen access to “action shots” that can be used in future campaign ads and mailers.
When contacted about the photography, President of the Board of Aldermen Megan Green’s Chief of Staff Jay Nelson responded that there has been no new photographer hired by the Board of Aldermen. “Our office has been photographing President Green and Board of Aldermen business since she took office in 2022. No contract was issued, no vendor is being retained, and no new money was appropriated for photography. The photos you’re referring to are taken by my office’s communications team as part of their regular, budgeted duties the same way they write press releases, manage our website, respond to constituent requests, address media requests, and manage our office’s social media. There is no separate line item, invoice, or expense for their photography,” wrote in response to emailed questions. So, it would seem that the upgraded photography is more the product of an existing staffer improving their skill, rather than a new cost for the Board of Aldermen.
Nelson’s email continued, “Documenting the public business of the Board of Aldermen is a normal, day-to-day function of a government communications operation, consistent with how every office in the City documents its own public proceedings. Photographs taken by public employees during business proceedings are public record and are available to any resident, reporter, or anyone else.” Presumably, “anyone else” would include the campaigns of incumbent aldermen. So, concerns that these publicly-financed photos will end up being used in campaign literature may have some merit.
Nelson concluded that the improved photography is in keeping with President Green’s approach to her office. “From day one, our office’s communications philosophy has been oriented specifically around transparency and accessibility. To that end, we seek to educate residents on how their money is spent, what legislation passed, why legislation failed, and how people can participate.”
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