“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
— Dr. Edwin H. Land (Founder of Polaroid)

Moments speak to us. Whether imagined in the mind’s eye or unfolding right in front of us, there is an internal impulse as artists to respond and to act before the moment slips away.

As part of the celebration of PolaCon Bay Area 2026, an open call was extended to the instant film community. The resulting exhibition, When the Moment Presents Itself, brings together more than fifty artists working across instant film formats to explore spontaneity, chance, and the material presence of analog photography. Featuring Polaroid and Instax works across a wide range of subject matter, the exhibition highlights the immediacy and tactile presence that define instant film. In addition to traditionally created photographs, the exhibition includes three-dimensional and sculptural works incorporating instant film and emulsion lift processes, demonstrating the medium’s versatility and continued evolution.

The exhibition is curated by Danny Sanchez (Themes+Projects gallery), Niniane Kelley (Analog Forever Magazine), and Brian Brooks (SF Instant Photowalk).