JURIED THEME GALLERY – Trees

Trees are symbols of strength, individuality and expression, calmness, growth and the interconnectedness of everything.

“When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.” — Mary Oliver

AZPA’s Juried Theme Gallery is a project developed in 2024 that highlights the work of our members who range from full-time professional photographers to enthusiastic amateurs. A number of times each year, a call for entry will be announced with a rotating theme. Current members can submit up to three digital images that speak to the theme, which will be juried by a different professional photographer each cycle. The juror will select ONE image from each entrant that best represents the theme. Each of those images will be displayed here in the online gallery. The juror will also choose one first-place winner to receive a cash award of $100, plus two honorable mention recipients.

About the Juror for Trees

Jennifer Laffoon is a fine arts photographer specializing in both traditional and digital mediums. She serves as a residential faculty member and the coordinator of the Photography Program at Phoenix College. Jennifer holds an Master of Fine Art from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Fine Art from The Museum School of Fine Art at Tufts University.

With 20+ years of teaching experience, Jennifer has also taught at the University of South Carolina, where she led the photography program in the Media Arts. Her work has been exhibited nationally, and she has delivered lectures on her photographic series as well as on the history of photography at the Columbia Museum of Fine Arts and the Phoenix Art Museum.

Currently, Jennifer is developing a new series that delves into the complexities of loss, aging and the everyday. Through a juxtaposition of seemingly disparate images, she constructs narratives that weave together personal experiences with the critical examination of media judgments and the blurring of memory. The series employs humor and raw emotion to depict the interactions and judgments we all encounter, offering a poignant commentary on societal perceptions of the self and our evolving identities within contemporary culture.

Juror’s Statement

It has been an honor to be a judge for Arizona Photography Alliance. Judging this photography competition has been a reminder of the quiet, powerful presence of trees. These entries reveal the sheer diversity and beauty trees bring to our world: resilient giants that have endured for centuries, delicate saplings reaching for sunlight, intricate textures, and vibrant hues that capture the essence of life itself. Trees offer us shade, oxygen, and the deep sense of wonder we feel when standing beneath their branches. Yet, this beauty is not permanent. Climate change threatens these irreplaceable forests, challenging the very existence of the landscapes that photographers work to immortalize. As we continue to witness rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and frequent forest fires, the lives of these trees — and our experience of their grace — are at risk. Through these images, we are invited not only to appreciate the beauty of trees but also to consider our responsibility in preserving it. It’s clear that if we do not change our course, this natural splendor will be only a memory. I hope these images inspire us all to advocate for and protect the environments that nourish trees, so that generations to come may experience the wonder they offer.

First Place: Reid Woodward

That Tanaka Tree © Reid Woodward

Honorable Mention: John Wagner

Snow Trees, Chicago  © John Wagner

Trees Gallery

(click on each image for full view and description)

If you are interested in purchasing any of the photographs offered for sale, please contact the artist directly via the email link shown with each image. Thank you for visiting!