JAKE STANGEL PHOTOGRAPHS EMPLOYEES AT WORK FOR OPENAI

OpenAI, an artificial intelligence laboratory based in San Francisco, commissioned Jake to photograph their workplace, culture, and employees.

“I've lived in San Francisco since 2011 and cut my teeth on a bajillion Bloomberg Businessweek assignments back in the day—I have been to a lot of offices," says Jake. "I shot most of those with flash, in less than 30 minutes. The way I shoot has evolved. My Q-flashes all got stolen and I never replaced them, I light differently, and I'm more focused on the contours of faces and little physical traits of humans. Luckily, the offices have gotten nicer, people have more style, and there is far better representation at companies like OpenAI. Everyone was fantastic and clear-eyed and warm.”