The 2019 Texas Tribune Festival, held Sept. 26 – 28 in downtown Austin, was the biggest one yet. Thousands turned out to hear hundreds of speakers, attend dozens of panels, watch live podcast recordings and join in countless other special events, large and small. Photographers for the Tribune were there all through the long weekend to capture this uniquely Texan festival of ideas that draws visitors from all over the state, nation and world.

First: Willie Nelson listens as U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at the Texas Tribune Festival at the Paramount Theatre. Last: Pelosi closes out the Festival in an interview conducted by Smith. Credit: Eddie Gaspar and Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Kim Olson was among the panelists at the “Democratic Do-Over” panel moderated by Tribune D.C. Bureau Chief Abby Livingston. Others on the panel included Wendy Davis, Sri Kulkarni and Gina Ortiz Jones.
Kim Olson was among the panelists at the “Democratic Do-Over” panel moderated by Tribune D.C. Bureau Chief Abby Livingston. Others on the panel included Wendy Davis, Sri Kulkarni and Gina Ortiz Jones. Juan Figueroa for The Texas Tribune

Scenes from the Open Congress portion of the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019. Credit: Juan Figueroa and Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribune

MSNBC news anchors conduct a telecast on Congress Avenue during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019.
MSNBC news anchors conduct a telecast on Congress Avenue during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019. Marshall Tidrick for The Texas Tribune

First: Presidential candidate Julián Castro speaks with MSNBC journalist Katy Tur during a Saturday session of the Texas Tribune Festival in downtown Austin. Next: A Paramount Theatre audience watches presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Friday. Last: Attendees look through The Texas Tribune Festival guidebook at the Driskill during an event. Credit: Bob Daemmrich and Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribune

Nikole Hannah-Jones (right) speaks with Errin Haines during a one-on-one panel at the Paramount Theatre.
Nikole Hannah-Jones (right) speaks with Errin Haines during a one-on-one panel at the Paramount Theatre. Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
Festival attendees gather at a dinner event on Friday.
Festival attendees gather at a dinner event on Friday. Marshall Tidrick for The Texas Tribune

First: Michael Beschloss, author of “Presidents of War,” speaks with Evan Smith during a Texas Tribune Festival event on Sept. 27, 2019. Last: Democratic U.S. candidate MJ Hegar speaks during a panel on Sept. 28, 2019. Credit: Marshall Tidrick and Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

Saturday at the Tribune Festival featured Open Congress — an opportunity for the public to attend free events held in multiple tents on Congress Avenue, where traffic was closed down for the day.
Saturday at the Tribune Festival featured Open Congress — an opportunity for the public to attend free events held in multiple tents on Congress Avenue, where traffic was closed down for the day. Juan Figueroa for The Texas Tribune

First: Margaret Talev interviews Susan Rice at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Austin. Last: Conversations about the future of Texas were the focus of a track of panels in the Texas 2036 tent on Open Congress. Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera and Marshall Tidrick for The Texas Tribune

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith backstage at the Paramount Theatre during the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019.
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith backstage at the Paramount Theatre during the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019. Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune

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Miguel Gutierrez Jr. was The Texas Tribune's inaugural photo editor. He oversaw our photography operation, thinking strategically about how to tell visually rich stories about Texas government and politics...

John Jordan is the deputy director of photography, part of the team that ensures our stories are graced with arresting visuals. Based in Austin, John grew up in South America and has managed to hang on...