S5E8: The Blank Canvas — How Photographer Jimell Greene Lets People Be Who They Are

What if the most powerful thing a photographer could do had nothing to do with the camera? Jimell Greene — D.C.-based photographer, cinematographer, and the man behind the Department of Government Waste — joins Elevating Good to talk about seeing people the way they deserve to be seen.

From disposable cameras at Detroit parties to portraits of displaced federal workers against a weathered American flag, Jimell's career is built on one belief: let people be exactly who they are, and make it look beautiful. This conversation covers his origin story, Gordon Parks, the fear of repercussions in America, AI's threat to the creative industry, and what he'd tell any young Black kid picking up a camera today.

IN THIS EPISODE Jimell’s origin story — Detroit, a single mom, disposable cameras, and a slow-building 16-year career Calling moment — bringing his camera to his grandmother’s hospital bedside, and what those photos became Being a “blank canvas” — the gift of letting people feel no fear of judgment in front of you Department of Government Waste — the portrait project documenting displaced federal workers Fear of repercussion in America — the most surprising thing Jimell found when the project launched Gordon Parks, single images, and how a photograph changed the course of history Being a Black photographer in 2026 — honest, layered, and real AI’s threat to the creative industry — and what Jimell predicted in a Paris café in 2024 Smartphones, social media, and what it means to be a professional visual storyteller today What he’d tell a young Black kid with a phone and a dream ABOUT JIMELL GREENE Jimell Greene is a Washington, D.C.-area photographer and cinematographer with 16 years of experience creating expressive portraiture, cinematic video, and documentary work for editorial features, commercial campaigns, government clients, and non-profits. He is known for rich color, dramatic mood, and an uncanny ability to capture the essence of a person, brand, or moment.

He is the co-creator of Department of Government Waste — an ongoing portrait project documenting the human faces behind the federal workforce displacement of 2025. Each subject is photographed against a weathered American flag and given the option to appear in silhouette or in full.

The project asks not about politics, but about people: How are you doing? How is your family?

How do you feel about America right now? Jimell served on the board of the American Photographic Artists, D.C. chapter, following his protest photography in 2020.

He is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and takes assignments across the United States. CONNECT WITH JIMELL GREENE Email: hello@ Website: Jimell Greene on Instagram: Jimell Greene on LinkedIN: Jimell Greene on Facebook: Department of Government Waste: Gordon Parks Foundation: OpenGovHub (mentioned in episode): American Photographic Artists – D.C.: CONNECT WITH ELEVATING GOOD Elevating Good is a podcast for women of faith who refuse to give up on people.

Hosted by Morenike Ogebe — attorney, bridge builder, and people-centered leader — each episode shines light on the good God is doing in the world. Substack (subscribe to bonus content): https://elevatinggood.substack.com Instagram: Facebook: NEW!

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And if you know someone who needs to hear Jimell’s story right now, you know what to do.