Human Centric Media was commissioned to produce a suite of commercial portraiture in celebration of Pride — helping Affect develop a stock photography library for communications campaigns nationwide.
Something really special about Portland right now is its intersectional thinking. We’re building a broad progressive coalition of liberation-minded businesses, nonprofits and foundations that all share the same goal: a Pacific Northwest and United States that provides transformational opportunity for all its people.
We’re all aware of the power of representation. Denying young people leaders who look, sound and experience life like they do robs them of the opportunities to imagine. It’s a disservice to the future.
The Assignment
Affect hired Human Centric Media in the summer of 2025 to develop an expressive, prideful suite of imagery for its Disabled and Here stock photography library and interview series.
Affect also operates the COVID+ Health Resource Library, a community resource for disabled and COVID-cautious BIPOC. Testing and N95 masks were required on the closed set in NE Portland, and each of the talented models were empowered to dictate the scope and style of the experience.
We worked to document a complex range of emotions — centering their genuine expression in a way that feels true to life and relatable.
A Safe Container
While this production was a celebration of Pride Month, and there was plenty of joy and laughter on-set, it came at a challenging time for many queer and disabled people nationwide. The combined threat of federal policy and highly infectious viruses like the flu and COVID-19 was weighing heavy.
Adhering to safety protocols was important but it was equally vital to the success of the production that the model’s self-agency, and authentic energy, drive the experience from start to finish.
Human Centric Media centers rapport building in its production process because the resulting campaigns find their way into people’s hearts, motivating them to act. You can’t rush it or manufacture it — rapport has to be patiently constructed, nurtured and protected. You can see it in the images.
Media that Stands the Test of Time
The resulting commercial portraiture has powered nonprofit communications campaigns across the country, ensuring that the charisma and complexity of these models impacts people for years to come.
By bringing a trauma-informed method and letting genuine emotionality inform our creative direction, we produced campaign materials that speak to the true power and beauty of this community.
That’s how we build a better future together.
How does your narrative development process treat its subjects?
