I gave lawmakers cameras. Here are the results

@dylanewells

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Washington Postseen in 9 videos →https://wpcreator.washingtonpost.com/subscribe ↗

Why it worked

The video provides exclusive, humanizing access to high-profile political figures through a unique 'disposable camera' narrative device, making the content feel authentic and behind-the-scenes.

Summary

A political reporter gives disposable cameras to two freshman members of Congress to document their experiences during a joint session address. The video showcases the resulting photos, providing a behind-the-scenes look at their interactions and activities.

Structure

1Reporter introduces the experiment
2Shows photos from the Republican representative
3Shows photos from the Democratic representative
4Displays a mix of professional and personal moments
5Concludes with the reporter's branding

Product placement

The Washington Post is mentioned in the caption and the reporter's handle, and the creator's bio link leads to a Washington Post subscription page.

Original caption

Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) and Brandon Gill (R-TX) serve as Congressional freshman class presidents. At 32 & 31 years old, they are the youngest female and youngest GOP member of Congress. I gave them instant cameras to capture a day in the life for Trump’s joint address 📷 @Yassamin Ansari #brandongill #congress #trump #trumpspeech #politics #journalism #democrats #republican feat @Derek Tran @Robert F. Kennedy Jr @Sarah McBride @Congressman Maxwell Frost @We are a newspaper.

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On-screen text

March 4, 2025 Washington, D.C. We gave lawmakers cameras. Here are the results One Democrat and one Republican, for them to document their view of a day in the life as a representative attending Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress of his second term. DYLAN WELLS NATIONAL POLITICS REPORTER Here's what they captured. Courtesy of Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) Washington, D.C. | March 4, 2025 Gill with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Courtesy of Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) Washington, D.C. | March 4, 2025 Ansari outside a committee hearing room Gill plays in his office with daughter Marigold Ansari with fellow Democratic freshman lawmaker Rep. Derek Tran (California) Gill doing an interview in media row Reps. Sarah McBride (Delaware) and Sarah Elfreth (Maryland) at the Democratic caucus meeting Gill meets constituents, the Wise County commissioners A "protect trans kids" pin Ansari wore to the speech A Texas flag in Gill's office Ansari documents House Democratic colleagues in the chamber Gill snaps a selfie in Statuary Hall after Trump's speech Ansari with her guest for the address, a teacher and DACA recipient Gill documents the media frenzy leaving the chamber after Trump's address

Transcript

I gave cameras to two freshman members of Congress, one Democrat and one Republican, for them to document their view of a day in the life as a representative attending Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress of his second term. Here's what they captured.