LGAA National Juried Photography Competition, Exhibition and Sale

The Lake Granbury Art Association (LGAA) National Juried Photography Competition & Exhibition, sponsored by the LGAA, brings together the region’s strong photographic community with an influx of photographers from across the United States. This national juried exhibition will offer up to $4,000 in cash awards and provide photographers with the opportunity for national recognition.

Call Description:

The Lake Granbury Art Association (LGAA) National Juried Photography Competition & Exhibition, sponsored by the LGAA, brings together the region’s strong photographic community with an influx of photographers from across the United States. This national juried exhibition will offer $4,000 in cash awards and provide photographers with the opportunity for national recognition.

Background:

The Lake Granbury Art Association has supported photography for more than 20 years, including regional and member-only exhibitions. LGAA has also hosted a highly respected National Fall Juried Exhibition, now one of the largest juried shows in North Texas, which includes photography among its categories.

In recent years, submissions to the LGAA’s national exhibitions have come from across 50 states, demonstrating exceptional quality and depth of art. The response of photographers to this show has confirmed that photography merits is own dedicated national juried exhibition, creating expanded opportunities for photographers to gain national exposure and compete for increased cash awards.

Art Delivery — No late deliveries will be accepted.

Hand Delivery:  May 20, 2026 10 am – 6 pm

Earlier delivery arrangements must be made only with the approval of the Show Chair Pamela Steege. Emails must include the subject:  RE: LGAA Photography Show 2026. Email address: LGAAPhotographyShow@gmail.com.

Hand Delivery Location:  Shanley House Gallery, 224 N. Travis St., Granbury, TX 76048

Shipped Delivery:

If shipped, art must arrive by May 18 to be accepted into the show. IMPORTANT NOTE:  Shipping address is different from Gallery address.

Shipping Address:

Lake Granbury Art Association c/o John Jones

427 Penny Ct.

Granbury, TX 76049

All shipped art must be pre-paid. No COD shipments will be accepted. Shipments must include a reusable shipping carton and a pre-paid return address label. All work will be returned-shipped in the container in which the work was received. It is the sole responsibility of the artists to insure their art.

Return shipping begins:  June 19, 2026

Eligibility:

·       This competition is open to photographers residing in the United States.

·       Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

·       Artwork should NOT have been exhibited in any previously LGAA-Sponsored JURIED competition.

·       Photographs, including composites, are eligible.

·       All work must be original, lens-based photography created by the submitting artist.

·       AI-generated imagery is not permitted.

·       Work done under the guidance of an instructor is not permitted.

·       NO NUDES are permitted.

Application Requirements:

·       Artists may submit up to six (6) entries.

·       All submitted artwork must be for sale.

·       Entries must not have been previously exhibited in a JURIED show at the LGAA Gallery (Shanley House).

·       While there is no restriction on when artwork was created, artists are encouraged to submit recent work.

Image Integrity:

Submitted images must originate as lens-based photographs created solely by the entrant. Images may not incorporate elements that were created by others or by artificial intelligence, including but not limited to stock images, clip art or AI-generated content.

Size & Presentation Requirements:

Maximum size: Entries are allowed up to 36 inches wide x 72 inches tall, including the frame and mat. Oversized art will not be accepted.

Minimum size: Image (print) must be 9 inches x 12 inches or larger excluding the frame and mat. Smaller images will not be accepted.

·       Art must be professionally presented and wired for hanging.

·       No sawtooth hangers are permitted.

·       A gallery-wrapped fine art canvas submission should be printed with a minimum of 1.5-inch side depths. Mirrored or Museum (black) side edges are acceptable.

·       Frames are not required for printed mediums such as canvas, metal or acrylic, but the art must be properly wired for hanging.

·       Any art that is framed must use a black frame including fine art canvas, etc.

·       Framed traditional prints must use a black frame with a white mat.

·       Signatures/watermarks on artwork or mats are discouraged. However, should the art include a signature/watermark, be aware that it will be covered during judging. The judge will not be allowed to know the identity of the artist until after judging selection is completed and awards are decided.

·       If framed, the use of glass is discouraged. Lightweight, non-breakable plexiglass is preferred.

Entry Categories & Descriptions:

Best of Show:  Entries accepted into this Exhibition will be eligible for consideration as Best of Show. This includes artwork in categories 1, 2 and 3.  

Category 1: Color Photography

Photographic work printed in color on any medium (paper, canvas, metal, etc.) and created using any photographic process.

Category 2:  Black & White/Monochrome Photography

Photographic work printed in black and white or monochrome on any medium.

Category 3: Digital Composite

A digital composite is artwork that integrates multiple photographic images into a single composition. These compositions are digital images that remain camera/lens-based and do not incorporate AI-generated imagery or non-original photographic elements.

Clarification: Digitally captured and digitally edited photography is welcome in all categories provided the work remains lens-based and does not incorporate AI-generated imagery or non-original photographic elements.

Entry Fees:

·       $45 for one (1) entry

·       $10 for each additional entry

·       Maximum of six (6) entries per artist are allowed. Entries may be entered in one or more categories.

Legal Agreement:

Artists retain ownership and all copyrights to their work. Artists whose work is juried into the Exhibition grant LGAA permission to use images of the artwork and artist names for promotional purposes, including print, website and social media.

LGAA reserves the right to reclassify entries that do not meet category definitions.

LGAA reserves the right to photograph artwork and/or to use digital images submitted as entries to produce an exhibition program and for publicity purposes, including but not limited to print and social media.

All reasonable care will be given to protect artwork. LGAA is not responsible for loss, theft, damage or replacement of artwork while work is in LGAA custody nor liable for damage during shipment. Please consider insuring your work. Submission of any entry to this Exhibition constitutes agreement on the part of the entrant to all conditions set forth in this prospectus.

Sales:

All artwork must be available for sale. Please state a valid price reflecting current market value for your artwork. For any artwork sold, LGAA shall retain twenty-five percent (25%) of the selling price as commission. LGAA will conduct all sales during the exhibition. Sales price, not including tax, must be listed on the entry.

Awards:  Over $4,000.

The Juror will select up to 55 - 70 images for exhibition. Accepted work will be judged as a whole and in individual categories. The juror and show committee reserve the right to withhold awards if insufficient quality or quantity is determined.

CaFÉ System Issues/ Application and Uploads:

For technical assistance, contact CaFÉ at 303-629-1166 or cafehelp@westaf.org.

About The Juror: MacKenzie Hughes

MacKenzie Hughes is a photographer and photography educator based in Aledo, Texas. He brings deep expertise in both the technical and fine art dimensions of the medium. As the former General Manager of Fort Worth Camera and The Print Refinery, Hughes created and produced the Fort Worth Foto Fest (later Funkytown Focus), a multi-day festival of imaging and content creation events (2015-2025). With a lifetime dedicated to travel, landscape and environmental portraiture, Hughes has led photo expeditions and workshops across California, Texas and Puerto Rico, guiding photographers in developing their vision and craft. He currently fosters the photographic community through Aledo Aperture, organizing events and educational opportunities throughout the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond. Hughes’ approach to photography emphasizes technical excellence and authentic storytelling through the lens while never forgetting the true enjoyment of image making with a camera.

About the Exhibition Chair: Pamela Steege

Pamela Steege is a fine art photographer who has spent more than two decades documenting the American West. Rooted in Texas, yet shaped by ranches and rodeos throughout the region, her work captures not just place, but movement, rhythm and grace. Trained as a classical dancer, Pamela brings a deep sensitivity to gesture and flow, revealing elegance within dust, dirt, rope and the unbridled horse. Passionate about educating audiences on photography as Fine Art, her images invite viewers to see beyond the movement and into the artistry of life lived in motion. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions, publications and private and corporate collections nationwide, with accolades including Cowgirls With A Camera, Western Spirit Art Show, The Power of the Horse, Photoplace Gallery, Texas Photographic Society, Rio Brazos Art Exhibitions, The XIT Ranch Western Museum and Cowgirl Artists of America — just to name a few.

Application Requirements:

·       Artists may submit up to six (6) entries.

·       All submitted artwork must be for sale.

·       Entries must not have been previously exhibited in a JURIED show at the LGAA Gallery (Shanley House).

·       While there is no restriction on when artwork was created, artists are encouraged to submit recent work.

Image Integrity:

Submitted images must originate as lens-based photographs created solely by the entrant. Images may not incorporate elements that were created by others or by artificial intelligence, including but not limited to stock images, clip art or AI-generated content.

Size & Presentation Requirements:

Maximum size: Entries are allowed up to 36 inches wide x 72 inches tall, including the frame and mat. Oversized art will not be accepted.

Minimum size: Image (print) must be 9 inches x 12 inches or larger excluding the frame and mat. Smaller images will not be accepted.

·       Art must be professionally presented and wired for hanging.

·       No sawtooth hangers are permitted.

·       A gallery-wrapped fine art canvas submission should be printed with a minimum of 1.5-inch side depths. Mirrored or Museum (black) side edges are acceptable.

·       Frames are not required for printed mediums such as canvas, metal or acrylic, but the art must be properly wired for hanging.

·       Any art that is framed must use a black frame including fine art canvas, etc.

·       Framed traditional prints must use a black frame with a white mat.

·       Signatures/watermarks on artwork or mats are discouraged. However, should the art include a signature/watermark, be aware that it will be covered during judging. The judge will not be allowed to know the identity of the artist until after judging selection is completed and awards are decided.

·       If framed, the use of glass is discouraged. Lightweight, non-breakable plexiglass is preferred.

Eligibility:

·       This competition is open to photographers residing in the United States.

·       Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

·       Artwork should NOT have been exhibited in any previously LGAA-Sponsored JURIED competition.

·       Photographs, including composites, are eligible.

·       All work must be original, lens-based photography created by the submitting artist.

·       AI-generated imagery is not permitted.

·       Work done under the guidance of an instructor is not permitted.

·       NO NUDES are permitted.