Every picture tells a story, and this year we received nearly 200 entries for our annual Photo Contest sponsored by Kadair’s, Baton Rouge’s locally owned photography, printing and home entertainment store (kadairs.com).
We invited readers, both amateur and professional photographers, to submit images that reflect the themes of community, dedication, food, journey, joy, struggle and refuge.
We turned those entries over to two judges, portrait photographer Amy James and photojournalist Tim Mueller, both acclaimed veterans of their craft. Together, they chose their favorites in each category as well as an overall “Best in Show” winner.
Category winners receive a $100 gift card to Kadair’s, and the overall winner receives a $300 gift card.
Scroll down to view the winning photos, and learn more about our judges.
“This photo was taken of my son, Chase, at the first fall Live After Five concert this year. He had a blast playing in the water sprinklers.”
“Southern University tuba players marching into the ‘Jaguar Nation’ at A. W. Mumford Stadium on Thurs., Sept 13.”
“This photo was taken at my home in May during a family celebration of my graduation from LSU. My relatives from out of the country—American Samoa—requested a Louisiana-style backyard feast, which we gave them with three sacks of raw and char-grilled oysters. The shuckers rotated, but Austin Stukins’ gloved hands are pictured. Between the eight of us, every last oyster was devoured.”
“Art creates enchantment and intrigue and takes us on a journey from the colorful light shining through Steve Wilson’s stained glass window to Damien’s curious and intriguing face.”
“Friends and family celebrate as Bradford Smith and Natalie Bailey kiss after Bradford proposed via flash mob in front of the LSU Memorial Tower on Aug. 8, 2012.”
“My little boy and I were taking a walk in our neighborhood in South Baton Rouge. There’s a small retention pond with an open area where he likes to run around, catch minnows and play in the mud. We were both standing at the top of this small hill looking out at the beauty of the day and feeling the warmth of the sun and the slight breeze in the air. I was able to capture this shot of the two of us standing there in the sun with our shadows cast down upon the grass and the shadows of the trees.”
“Though our two-year-old pup Sazerac faced many struggles before he found his forever home with us, he is safe and happy now. He loves his new home and a second chance in Baton Rouge.”
“I just happened to have my camera outside taking garden shots when I looked up and saw the joy of our rescue dogs Benji and Lily jumping in anticipation for my son Miles at the gate. I took the shot and was overjoyed to see Benji in mid-air when I got the film developed. I only snapped one photo, and this was it.”
“This spontaneous photo evokes real human emotion and compassion, along with being humorous. I appreciate the way the photographer chose to fill the frame. The architecture of the fence in the foreground is mirrored in the background, while the entire image splits up in an array of interesting geometric shapes. This is only enhanced by the black and white image, with the distraction of color stripped away. ”—Amy James
“This photograph really captures a moment that can’t be staged. It reflects a joy and a feeling that is infectious—a feeling that, in our day-to-day, we don’t stop and experience often enough.”—Tim Mueller
Carl Motsenbocker
“Young ladies at the My Brother’s Keeper Orphanage outside of Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa ,enjoy the rain while washing their clothes.”
Clay Pylant
“At the Burbank Dog Park occurs the classic staredown between dog and ball.”
Matthew Spencer
“Walking along University Lake at sunset, I came across these egrets taking refuge among the cypress trees.”
To be a photographer is to be an adventure-seeker. Sometimes that adventure is powerful or dangerous or just plain weird. We asked this year’s Photo Contest judges to share with us some of their most odd or otherwise memorable experiences while taking pictures. Here’s what they said:
The most unusual shoot I’ve experienced was when I set out to photograph two sisters for a show I was doing celebrating women. Now, I am an extreme dog lover, so I planned to include the sisters’ beautiful 95-pound yellow lab in some of the images. One of their husbands decided to come out and watch.
He casually picked up a stick to throw to the lab. As the stick whizzed past my face, I thought nothing of it, until a blur of yellow fur and fury slammed into my knees knocking me to the dirt. It was a moment of severe pain and a bit of confusion. What took place next was in slow motion. I looked up to see my $3,500 Mimiya camera soaring downward through the air. I actually shouted ‘Noooooooo!’ and it hit the dirt, just as I did.
I heard the click of the shutter release as I gasped.
One fractured foot and a new camera later, I am still a dog lover, and, most importantly, I got the shot! amyjamesphoto.com
Photography has offered me the chance to witness a lot of unique, tragic, wonderful and bizarre events. On my first job I witnessed the power and awe of shuttle launches and the tragedy of watching space shuttle Challenger explode over Cape Canaveral.
As a photojournalist in Baton Rouge, I have covered hurricanes, football games, and even had an angry crowd threatening to kill me because of my presence at an accident scene. But, often the most rewarding experiences arise from reporting stories of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances.
I remember taking pictures of a refugee family who had just arrived in the U.S. Sitting on the floor of a bare apartment room, the family eagerly dined on Popeye’s chicken and proudly sang ‘God Bless America.’ Not a bizarre moment, really, but memorable for being so heartfelt and genuine.” timmuellerphotography.com
