Jules L. Cahn John H. Lawrence Photography Lecture: New Orleans in the ’90s

HNOC is excited to bring together photographers Cheryl Gerber and Gus Bennett and HNOC Associate Curator Libby Neidenbach for a special behind-the-lens conversation about the New Orleans photography scene in the 1990s. Presented in conjunction with the annual PhotoNOLA festival, the 2025 Jules L. Cahn John H. Lawrence Photography Lecture will explore the era’s street photography scene and photojournalism through the lens of the Times Picayune archive in HNOC’s holdings.

At 1 p.m. in HNOC’s Williams Research Center, our panelists will discuss their favorite moments, practices, and trends from the time period. Immediately following the lecture, attendees are invited to a community reception and photo sharing experience at 520 Royal Street.

Following the lecture, from 2 to 4 p.m., attendees and local community organizations are invited to take a trip down memory lane and participate in a communal photo sharing experience hosted at HNOC’s 520 Royal Street campus. We encourage participants to dig out and share their old photo albums, snapshots, and Polaroids depicting New Orleans neighborhoods, Carnival season moments, block parties, bars, and other reflections of ’90s-era life in the city. Complimentary light refreshments will be provided.