In an age of digital photography, a dedicated community of analog enthusiasts converged in Denton for PolaCon 10, a weekend-long celebration of instant film cameras. The 10th annual PolaCon — co-founded by Brookhaven Campus professor Daniel Rodrigue — marked a decade of preserving the art of instant photography and demonstrated that the appeal of Polaroid-style pictures is as strong as ever.
PolaCon began as a daydream in 2013 and materialized in 2016 as the world’s first convention devoted to instant film photography. That inaugural gathering drew just 80 people, many of whom bonded over their shared love of snapping photos that develop in the palm of your hand. Since then, the festival — organized by the Denton-based Instant Film Society — has grown into an annual meetup attracting hundreds of attendees from across the world.
Rodrigue and fellow IFS co-founder Justin Goode launched the nonprofit in 2012 with a mission to increase the awareness, accessibility and understanding of analog instant photography. The annual PolaCon event has become key to that effort, serving as an all-things-instant-film extravaganza for both die hard film shooters and curious newcomers.
Each year’s schedule is packed with demos, talks, panel discussions, workshops, photo walks and even live music. PolaCon Denton traditionally coincides with the opening weekend of the State Fair of Texas, kicking off with a group PolaWalk photo stroll at Fair Park in Dallas before moving to venues around Denton. This year’s edition, held Sept. 25–28, followed suit: after the 14th Annual State Fair PolaWalk in Dallas, the action shifted north to Denton for three days of instant-film fun.
Attendees spread out across multiple sites, from the Denton Camera Exchange shop to Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios and other local spots, immersing themselves in the analog experience.
Throughout PolaCon 10, participants of all skill levels found opportunities to learn and play with Polaroid and other instant cameras. At Denton’s Harvest House, novices could join an Instant Film 101 session to dip their toes, while more seasoned photographers experimented with advanced techniques like emulsion lifts and creative double exposures in dedicated workshops at Rubber Gloves.
In keeping with PolaCon tradition, Saturday afternoon featured the “Zines & Things” Swap Meet, where vendors and artists offered vintage instant cameras, film packs, zines and one-of-a-kind Polaroid art prints.
“We dropped in and were very impressed with the various vendors and programming,” said Thaddeus Mantaro, dean of Student Health and Wellness at Brookhaven Campus. Mantaro discovered the event by chance during a visit to a local camera shop and found a welcoming environment. “It was an amazing experience attending PolaCon 2025,” he said.
PolaCon’s blend of education, art and entertainment is a large part of its appeal. Attendees not only talked shop and tested out cameras; they also enjoyed social events that put a quirky spin on photographic culture. This year’s schedule included everything from a daytime mural photo walk around downtown Denton to an after party honoring the late director David Lynch. All three nights were capped off by musical performances from local bands.
The convention has even expanded beyond Texas in recent years, with satellite PolaCon gatherings popping up in New York and the Bay Area, reflecting the growing demand for instant-film experiences. Still, the Denton event remains the heart of the movement. “This one is at home,” said IFS board member Alexas Monroe.
PolaCon offers a special point of pride and a chance to reconnect with analog roots. Mantaro, who lives in Denton like co-founder Rodrigue, admitted he hadn’t realized one of his colleagues was behind the festival until he attended.
“Dan[iel] and I both live in Denton, but I did not know he was one of the founders,” Mantaro said. “In fact, I didn’t even know about the Instant Film Society. I was very involved in photography in the past, and I’m excited to see both the IFS and PolaCon here in Denton.”
He wasn’t the only attendee to walk away inspired. Many participants found themselves captivated by the tangible, nostalgic charm of instant film — a medium where each print is unique and develops before your eyes.
“It brings me back to my childhood,” Jared Fuentes, an attendee this year, said. “My parents would take Polaroids of family gatherings and vacations when I was a kid. Those are good memories.”
Mantaro is eager to return. “I would highly recommend this event to anyone interested in film and photography,” he said, noting that he and his daughter are already marking their calendar for PolaCon 11 next year.
PolaCon’s first decade proved that digital isn’t everything. There is real magic in analog photography, especially instant film. Whether it is nostalgia that brings people back or an eagerness to understand the photography of the past, PolaCon will continue to provide a strong buffer against the digital age for years to come.
