PhotoNOLA 2025: Chasing the Light: A Life Through Photographs Documentary Screening, Q&A, and Photography Exhibition Tours
Wed, December 10th at 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
In the story of photography in New Orleans, few people have had as meaningful an impact as photographer and gallerist Joshua Mann Pailet. Since opening in 1973, A Gallery for Fine Photography has become the longest continual operational gallery dedicated to fine art photography in the United States. Pailet has shepherded photographs into countless public and private collections, including the New Orleans Museum of Art. His own work behind the camera is also counted among important institutional collections throughout the country.
On Wednesday, December 10, join us at NOMA for a special screening of the new documentary film Chasing the Light: A Life Through Photographs, celebrating the life and career of Pailet. Presented as the opening event of PhotoNOLA 2025, the film will be followed by a short question and answer session with NOMA’s Freeman Family Curator of Photographs Brian Piper and Joshua Mann Pailet.
This screening and Q&A will be preceeded by pop-up tours by Piper of current photography exhibitions on view: Nicolas Floc’h: Flueves-Ocean Mississippi Watershed, Dawoud Bey: Elegy, and The View from Here: Women Photographers of the American Landscape.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Registration is recommended.
IMAGE CREDIT: Joshua Mann Pailet. All Conversions Approximate, 1983. Gelatin silver print. Gift of Mrs. P. Rousell Norman, 86.319.39
Schedule of Events
5:45 PM: pop-up exhibition tours of Nicolas Floc’h: Flueves-Ocean Mississippi Watershed, Dawoud Bey: Elegy, and The View from Here: Women Photographers of the American Landscape with NOMA’s Freeman Family Curator of Photographs, Prints, and Drawings Brian Piper
6:45 PM: Screening of Chasing the Light in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Performing Arts. Q&A with Piper and Pailet to follow.
About the Film
Chasing the Light: A Life Through Photographs, Dir. Constance Lewis (Run time: 60 Minutes)
Chasing the Light: A Life Through Photographs offers an intimate look into the world of celebrated New Orleans photographer and photography dealer, Joshua Mann Pailet. The film is a visual journey set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans’ French Quarter and other iconic locations. The documentary reveals the passion, struggles, and triumphs of a life devoted to photography, showcasing Pailet’s unique perspective and his significant contributions to the art world.
Chasing the Light is directed by Constance Lewis and produced with support from Art Span Nola.
About PhotoNOLA
PhotoNOLA is an annual celebration of photography in New Orleans produced by the New Orleans Photo Alliance in partnership with museums, galleries, and alternative venues citywide. Showcasing work by photographers near and far, the festival includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures, a portfolio review, gala, and more. PhotoNOLA draws hundreds of photography professionals to the city to partake in a variety of educational programs and reaches broadly into the local community with exhibitions and events that are largely free and open to the public.
See the full schedule at photonola.org.
About Art Span NOLA
Art Span NOLA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We provide valuable resources and collaborative opportunities for contemporary artists. While our roots are in New Orleans, our outreach spans multiple cities. We are also committed to showcasing and sharing the rich history, creativity, and cultural depth of New Orleans through artistic exchange and collaboration.
Learn more at artspannola.org.