About The Gallery
The Senate Press Photographers’ Gallery is responsible for credentialing bona fide news photographers and facilitating photographic coverage of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Our goal is to keep our membership informed about upcoming news events and hearings, and to assist them with coverage logistics. To date, we have a membership base of over 300 photographers from a wide variety of media outlets.
During sessions, gallery hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM– or until the Senate adjourns, whichever is later. During recess periods, the gallery is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The growing role of photography in journalism throughout the early 20th century created a need for formal access for press photographers to Congress. As newspapers and wire services increasingly relied on photojournalism to document political events around Capitol Hill, photographers began regularly covering activity alongside reporters.
In 1955, the Senate formally established the gallery to create a standardized system for credentialing professional news photographers and coordinating their coverage of congressional proceedings. The office was designed to ensure that bona fide members of the press could document Senate activity while maintaining orderly access to the Capitol.
Over time, the gallery’s responsibilities expanded alongside the growth of the ever-changing news industry. Today, it continues to credential photographers from major newspapers, wire services, magazines, and digital outlets, while coordinating photographic coverage of hearings, press conferences, and other events involving the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.