During the Golden Lens Photography Exhibition, attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes for the $500 People’s Choice Award. Before the event concludes one photograph will be awarded with the $1,000 Jurors’ Award for First Place and the $500 Peoples’ Choice winning photograph will be announced.

The Golden Lens Exhibition consists of photographs taken during Prize Fest season, in September and October 2025, and selected by a jury panel of experts. This exciting photography competition invites photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, to capture the unique essence of Shreveport and Bossier City. Through their lenses, we invite you to explore our vibrant community, iconic landmarks, and the spirit of our festivities.

Voting begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. and can only be done in person, so don’t be late!

MEET OUR GUEST JUDGE
We are thrilled to introduce Joshua Mann Pailet as the distinguished judge for the Golden Lens Competition 2025. As the owner of A Gallery for Fine Photography in New Orleans, the longest-surviving photography gallery in the world representing legends like Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson, Joshua brings a lifetime shaped by a single college art credit that grew into a storied career. His own photographs, held in institutions including the Smithsonian, NOMA, and the Library of Congress, capture the honesty of a moment with remarkable clarity. With the recent premiere of the documentary Chasing the Light: A Life Through Photographs, it is the perfect moment to celebrate his lasting contributions to the art form. We are honored to have his expertise and discerning eye guiding this year’s competition.