About the MPS Fund

The Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography (MPS Fund) was created to honor the life and work of Michael P. Smith, one of New Orleans’ most legendary and beloved documentary photographers. The MPS Fund awards cash prizes and exhibition opportunities to Gulf Coast photographers whose work combines artistic excellence and a sustained commitment to a cultural documentary project.

Both emerging and established photographers residing in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are eligible to apply for the MPS Fund. The subject matter for the proposed project is not limited to the Gulf Coast geographic region.

QUESTIONS: Britney Penouih, Grants coordinator bpenouilh@neworleansphotoalliance.org

Michael P. Smith (1937–2008), a New Orleans native and award-winning professional freelance photographer, spent a lifetime capturing the music, culture, and folklife of New Orleans and Louisiana. He was well known for documenting New Orleans social club parades and jazz funerals, neighborhood Mardi Gras traditions, spiritual church ceremonies, and many of the city and state’s renowned jazz, blues rhythm and blues, and gospel musicians. Smith photographed at every New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival from its inception in 1970 until his retirement in 2004, when he was honored with a major grandstand exhibition and photo kiosks placed around the Fair Grounds.

In a brilliant career that spanned more than four decades, produced five books, and garnered a host of honors, including two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. Smith was an inspiration, a role model and a mentor to many photographers in New Orleans and beyond.

MPS honorees and recipients:

Riel and Bianca Sturchio Receives 2020 Grant

2020 Recipient – Riel and Bianca Sturchio

Click here to read more.

2019 Recipient – Rory Doyle

Click here to read more.

2019 Finalist – J.T. Blatty

Click here to read more.

2019 Finalist – Ben Depp

Click here to read more.

2018 Recipient – Anastasia Samoylova

Click here to read more.

2018 Finalist – Elijah Barrett

Click here to read more.

2018 Finalist – Allison Beondé

Click here to read more.

2017 Recipient – Stacy Kranitz, First Place

Click here to read more.

2017 Finalist – Marisa Chafetz, 2nd Place

Click here to read more.

2017 Finalist – Amber Shields, 3rd Place

Click here to read more.

2016 Recipient – Annie Flanagan

Click here to read more.

2016 Finalist – Jeremiah Ariaz

Click here to read more.

2016 Finalist – Michael Adno

Click here to read more.

2015 Recipient – Cate Sampson

Click here to read more.

2015 Finalist – Jeremiah Ariaz

Click here to read more.

2015 Finalist – Lance Rosenfield

Click here to read more.

2014 Recipient – Brandon Thibodeaux

Click here to read more.

2014 Finalist – Dominic Bracco II

Click here to read more.

2014 Finalist – Katty Ryan Hoover

Click here to read more.

2014 Finalist – Liz Moskowitz

Click here to read more.

2014 Finalist – Bryan Schutmaat

Click here to read more.

2014 Finalist – William Widmer

Click here to read more.

2013 Recipient – Andrew Kaufman

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Jeremiah Ariaz

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – James Edward Bates

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – JT Blatty

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Sydney Byrd

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Kris Davidson

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Corey George

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Walker Pickering

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Bryan Schutmaat

Click here to read more.

2013 Finalist – Brandon Thibodeaux

Click here to read more.

2012 Recipient – Kael Alford

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Jeremiah Ariaz

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – David Armentor

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Lizzie Chen

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Public Attire

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Jennifer Kaczmarek

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Tomas Montoya

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Raymond Thompson

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Mary Lou Uttermohlen

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Michel Varisco

Click here to read more.

2012 Finalist – Monique Verdin

Click here to read more.

2011 Recipient – Scott Dalton

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Jeremiah Ariaz

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Dominic Bracco II

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Debbie Fleming Caffery

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Loli Kantor

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Deborah Luster

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Charles Martin

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Nancy Newberry

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Rick Olivier

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Betty Press

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Amber Shields

Click here to read more.

2011 Finalist – Brandon Thibodeaux

Click here to read more.

2009 Recipient – Jonathan Traviesa

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Shannon Brinkman

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Sydney Byrd

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Jenny Ellerbe

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Philip Gould

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Deborah Luster

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – David Rae Morris

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Lance Rosenfield

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – David Wharton

Click here to read more.

2009 Finalist – Jennifer Zdon

Click here to read more.