New Orleans Jazz Fest Volunteer Photography Program 2027

Overview

The Volunteer Photographer Program is a community outreach project of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Archive. The program documents the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, held at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Documentation includes the stages and music as well as the food, art, culture, and people who attend the festival.

Key dates

• Submission deadline: November 14, 2026
• Applicants notified: End of January 2027
• Festival dates: April 22-25 and April 29-May 2, 2027
• Mandatory photographer meeting: Day before festival starts (required to receive photo pit passes and tickets)

Eligibility

• Must be 18 years or older
• Open to student photographers, amateur photographers, and professional photographers
• International applicants welcome
• No more than 150 applications can be accepted

What to submit

• 6 watermark-free digital photographs
• Images must be submitted without watermarks—double check before submitting
• Photographers are responsible for providing the Archive with all images taken at the festival

Position requirements

Volunteer Photographers must be able to manage and edit hundreds or thousands of digital images. The work is physically demanding, with photographers often walking many miles a day around the Fair Grounds Race Course. Photographers are responsible for their own photography gear and may encounter various weather conditions including rain (mud) or shine (dust) in potentially very hot weather.

Contact information

• Email: [email protected]