CASE STUDY: TECHIES
In 2016, Helena Price launched the Techies Project to challenge Silicon Valley's prevailing narratives about its workforce. Drawing from her background in tech, communications, media relations, and photography, she set out to photograph and document the stories of 100 individuals who represented the true diversity powering the tech industry.
The project emerged from Price's recognition of persistent gaps and biases in media portrayals of technology workers. To ensure completion, she set an ambitious three-month deadline and publicly committed to it. From over 500 applicants, Price selected 100 participants representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and paths to tech careers. The project demanded over 1,000 hours of work, encompassing interviews, photography, editing, and production.
Price transformed her home into a professional photography studio, ensuring technical consistency across all portraits while maintaining the unique personality of each subject. She conducted detailed interviews using early podcasting software, personally transcribing and editing each conversation for clarity. Collaborating with web designer Alonzo Felix and developer Martha Schumann, Price created a website that allowed visitors to filter stories by various demographic tags, making it easy to discover both familiar and unexpected narratives.
The project went beyond simple documentation. Each portrait and interview aimed to capture not just the subject's professional role, but their complete story—their challenges, triumphs, and unique experiences within the tech industry. This comprehensive approach helped illuminate the complex realities of working in Silicon Valley, particularly for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
At launch, the Techies Project reached over 7 million views in the first month and garnered coverage from major media outlets including ABC, CNN, Newsweek, Fortune, Fast Company, The Guardian, Elle, and Oprah Magazine. The project sparked significant dialogue about diversity in tech and helped shift industry conversations toward more inclusive perspectives.
The complete project can be viewed at www.techiesproject.com.
The project emerged from Price's recognition of persistent gaps and biases in media portrayals of technology workers. To ensure completion, she set an ambitious three-month deadline and publicly committed to it. From over 500 applicants, Price selected 100 participants representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and paths to tech careers. The project demanded over 1,000 hours of work, encompassing interviews, photography, editing, and production.
Price transformed her home into a professional photography studio, ensuring technical consistency across all portraits while maintaining the unique personality of each subject. She conducted detailed interviews using early podcasting software, personally transcribing and editing each conversation for clarity. Collaborating with web designer Alonzo Felix and developer Martha Schumann, Price created a website that allowed visitors to filter stories by various demographic tags, making it easy to discover both familiar and unexpected narratives.
The project went beyond simple documentation. Each portrait and interview aimed to capture not just the subject's professional role, but their complete story—their challenges, triumphs, and unique experiences within the tech industry. This comprehensive approach helped illuminate the complex realities of working in Silicon Valley, particularly for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
At launch, the Techies Project reached over 7 million views in the first month and garnered coverage from major media outlets including ABC, CNN, Newsweek, Fortune, Fast Company, The Guardian, Elle, and Oprah Magazine. The project sparked significant dialogue about diversity in tech and helped shift industry conversations toward more inclusive perspectives.
The complete project can be viewed at www.techiesproject.com.
