Five professional photographers from the Durango area will compete in a unique visual storytelling competition Wednesday night at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The inaugural Colorado Pro Photographer Showdown, presented by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, promises to bring back the art of the slideshow with a competitive twist.
The event is the brainchild of Director Jack Turner, who founded a similar competition in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, in 1997. Turner's inspiration came from a snowboard expedition to Iran in 1996, when he realized that amazing photographs from their travels would never be seen by the public. "So we just went to a bar that we knew, and we threw a slideshow one night. All these people showed up and just loved it," Turner explained. The popularity of that impromptu event led to the creation of the International Pro Photographer Showdown at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival.
The Colorado version follows the same format: each photographer will present 10 minutes of their work as slides set to music. "You know, you never see slideshows anymore. Everything is video, and things are edited at 50 frames a second and everything's fast," Turner noted. "One of the beautiful things about it is it's just so unusual. When's the last time you saw a slideshow?" The event is made possible through the City of Durango's Lodgers Tax Arts & Culture Fund and the Durango Creative District.
Five accomplished photographers will showcase their work in the competition. Michael Lufty, a freelance photographer based in Durango, specializes in landscapes, wildlife, travel, and commercial photography, with adventures around the world and Southwest seeking unique locations and dramatic light. Shaun Stanley brings impressive credentials including coverage of Pope John Paul II's traveling press pool, Operation Enduring Freedom aboard the USS Enterprise after the September 11 attacks, and documentation of the Atomic Age legacy in the American West. His personal projects focus on the dramatic light, people, and landscapes of Colorado and the Four Corners region.
Nick Kogos contributes more than 25 years of experience capturing the beauty of the American West. Originally from the Midwest, his career has taken him through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, focusing on landscapes, wildlife, action sports, and lifestyle imagery. Shanda Akin, who retired from a 25-year career in the United States Air Force, turned her lifelong passion for travel and storytelling into a full-time photography business. Her portfolio spans landscapes, fine art, commercial, and real estate work, with images captured across 48 countries.
Divine Windy Boy rounds out the group as a photojournalist and portrait photographer based in Ignacio. A member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and first descendant of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, she has worked for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for seven years. Since 2022, she has served as a reporter and photographer for the Southern Ute Drum, covering community news and cultural events. She belongs to the Indigenous Journalist Association, Colorado Press Association, and Society of Professional Journalists, with photography that reflects a strong commitment to honest storytelling and Native representation in media.
The competition includes $3,000 in total prize money, with $1,000 each going to Best in Show, Audience Favorite, and Best Train photo featuring a Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train. The railroad serves as the presenting sponsor and is providing the $1,000 for the train photo category. Judges for the event include The Durango Herald's Photo Editor Jerry McBride, among others.
Between each photographer's presentation, party breaks will feature music by DJ Mowgli. Turner emphasized that future competitions will likely use a juried selection process rather than invited participants. "This event is a true celebration of the incredible talent and artistry we have in Colorado," said Al Harper, owner of the DSNG. "It's a unique opportunity for the community to witness the power of visual storytelling on a grand scale."
The evening will also feature a Youth Photography Showcase sponsored by Alpine Bank. Area middle and high school students were selected to have their photos displayed during the event and later exhibited at Durango Arts Center from November 17 to 22, where they can sell their pieces and keep all proceeds without paying commission. A reception at the Durango Arts Center will be held at 5 p.m. Monday.
Turner views the event as a celebration of the local arts community and a chance to slow down in today's fast-paced world. "In today's society, everything is so fast. It's nice to catch your breath," he said. "We advertise this as a party, not a show. In a movie, you have to sit on your hands and be quiet so you can hear everything and catch all the imagery. In this program, we tell people, if you see something you like, clap, scream and yell, especially if you've got a favorite photographer there, because you might influence the judges." Tickets for the 7 p.m. Wednesday event range from $25 to $35 and are available online.
