Capturing the Girl Code Hackathon at Workshop 17: Empowering Women in Tech through Photography


On the weekend of 31 August and 1 September 2024, the Girl Code Hackathon took place at Workshop 17 in Cape Town. This two-day event brought together women eager to innovate and collaborate in the tech space. As a professional Cape Town event photographer, I had the opportunity to document the dynamic atmosphere, capturing the energy and creativity of the participants as they worked together to solve tech challenges.


About the Girl Code Hackathon


Organised by Girl Code, a non-profit committed to empowering women in the tech industry, the hackathon was designed to challenge participants to develop real-world tech solutions. Teams were formed to tackle specific problems, and by the end of the event, they presented their final projects to a panel of judges.


The venue, Workshop 17, provided the perfect environment for collaboration. The bright, open space allowed for plenty of natural light, which I balanced using flash to ensure that every shot was well-lit. While I wasn’t present during the evening sessions, the combination of sunlight streaming through the windows and flash lighting during the day helped maintain consistent image quality throughout the event.


Empowering Women in Tech Through Photography


Photography plays a key role in highlighting the impact of events like the Girl Code Hackathon. As a Cape Town event photographer, my goal was to capture the passion, focus, and camaraderie among participants. The diversity of experiences and backgrounds was evident in the collaborative nature of the event, and I made sure to capture candid moments of coding, teamwork, and brainstorming sessions.


The energy of the participants, paired with the supportive atmosphere fostered by Girl Code, is reflected in the images. Whether it was coding in teams, interacting with mentors, or presenting their final projects, the participants showcased their potential to make a significant impact in the tech world.

Team Portrait of Main Sponsor Chenosis by Cape Town Photographer
“Participants collaborating during the Girl Code Hackathon, photographed by a Cape Town event photographer
Team of women coding and discussing solutions, captured by a corporate event photographer in Cape Town
Final project presentations at the Girl Code Hackathon, photographed by a Cape Town event photographer at Workshop 17
Winning Teams at the Cape Town Hackathon photographed by Cape Town Photographer Jurgen's Photography

Photography Challenges and Highlights


Photographing a hackathon during the day presented its own set of challenges. With plenty of natural light streaming through the large windows of Workshop 17, I used flash to balance the light and ensure a professional, crisp look for each shot. The flash helped avoid overexposure from direct sunlight and allowed me to maintain consistent lighting in the images.


Key highlights of the event included the intense coding sprints, the mentor sessions where participants received valuable guidance, and the final presentations, where teams showcased their innovative solutions. Capturing the excitement and focus of the participants during these moments was a rewarding experience.


Why Events Like This Matter


The Girl Code Hackathon is more than just a coding competition. It’s a platform for young women to develop critical skills, network with industry leaders, and gain the confidence needed to thrive in the tech industry. By documenting these events through photography, I aim to provide a visual record of the progress being made towards gender equality in tech.


If you’re hosting a corporate event, hackathon, or conference in Cape Town, I’d love to help you capture the essence of your event with professional event photography.