Sydney - Film Noir - Retro Glam at Loft Studios NOLA

Sometimes, great shoots come together in awesome ways.

I was at a wedding vendor networking event. You know we all talk to each other, right? I was hanging out with Tina Rodosta, owner of the Verde Beauty Studio and Loft Studios NOLA .We were talking about how much we both love working with our wedding clients, but how we wanted to try something a bit different, something where we got to choose the themes and subject matter.

Personal projects let us stretch our wings a bit. They let us toy with the boundaries of what we like and encourage us to see what we’re capable of. Tina and I talked about some of the things we wanted to try, and we found a common interest in classic Film Noir.  We settled on a date, and Tina found Sydney to model for us. We had a great time creating these images.

If you are looking for a makeup artist, there is no one I can recommend more highly than Tina and her team.  Every time I hear that we're working on a wedding together, I have full confidence that her work will be perfect.

If you're a photographer looking for a studio to rent in New Orleans, I can't say enough great things about Loft Studios NOLA.  It has beautiful natural light and high ceilings. Or, if you prefer, you can do what we did: bring your flashes in, close the blinds, and convert it to a classic studio space. There’s real versatility with convenient off-street parking. You really can't beat it.

Celebrating the French Quarter

With all of the celebrating going on surrounding French Quarter Fest this weekend, I thought I would share an image of one of the smallest, most intimate weddings I've ever had the pleasure of attending.  I captured this while second shooting for Eddie Marroquin, and serving as the second witness on the couple's marriage paperwork. 

The Quarter is really great for things as grad as this weekends festival, or for things as small as a wedding with just you and your spouse. If you'd like to book a grand event, an elopement, or something in between please get in touch. 

Whitney and Ben, New Orleans Destination Wedding.

Whitney and Ben held and incredible destination wedding here in New Orleans.  All of their family and friends traveled in from Wisconsin and Texas to celebrate their special day, and I had a great time Second Shooting for Willow Haley.  Many more images from this one coming up on the blog.  Stay tuned. 

It's Carnival Time - Throwback Thursday.

It's that time of year again. Have you had some king cake already? I'm just hoping for good weather. 

Thankful for a Busy Fall - Monochrome Monday

Hello again everyone, so sorry for the long delay in posting.

Now, most of you know that as a rule I don't usually do baby photography.  It's just not my niche. My beautiful Goddaughter gets an exception.

It was a busy fall, and I can not tell you how fortunate I feel. I had a great time working on new creative projects, shooting weddings, and spending time doing what I truly love to do. 

I hope that all of you had a great Thanksgiving. I know I'm very thankful for the time I was able to spend with family and friends. 

A great day out. Monochrome Monday

A few weeks ago,  I had the chance to wander around the streets of New Orleans with my oldest camera.  The old twin lens you see on the top of the page next to my logo. Yes, I still own one of those cameras. Yes, I still use it. Yes, I'll be happy to take your picture with it. No, it's not the easiest thing in the world to use. But I think it's worth it.  You get that "old fashioned" look without going through all those hoops. People stopped me on the street, asked how and why I was still using an almost sixty year old camera. I ran out of business cards.  It was a great day though.  If you stay tuned, I have a feeling you'll se a few more from this roll.

Hats off to LSU, Film Friday

I'm not one to post a Mardi Gras picture out of season, but this week LSU has made a lot of people proud.  When the Horrible weather inSouth Carolina this week made it impossible to play the game between South Carolina and LSU, the folks at LSU have really stepped up to the plate. GEAUX TIGERS!

Picture of the Photographer, Throwback Thursday

In 2004 I had the pleasure of shooting family portraits for one of my oldest friends.  One of them pulled out a little digital camera and took this picture of me holding my TLR out amongst the beautiful oaks right next to the Audubon Tea Room.  It has turned out to be one of my favorite pictures of myself.  I guess when you enjoy what you are doing having your picture taken in the moment makes it special to you. I'm going to take my own advice and have a print made. 

Sometimes You're Lucky, Wedding Wednesday

Sometimes, right at the end of end of a shoot, after you've changed locations three or four times, you realize that the shade of her lipstick perfectly matches the flowers blooming behind her.  

Sometimes you just get lucky. 

Loving the Fall Weather, Thoughts for Tuesday

I felt shortchanged this weekend. All week we were told about how beautiful the weather was going to be.  I saw a few moments of sunshine right before sunset on Sunday. I had my gear ready to go. I was going to work on some fine art projects. I walked outside Saturday morning, and I felt downright gipped. 

I hope we get to get out there enjoying it though.  Even if your car isn't as cool as Dustin's 1964 1/2 Mustang convertible, get out there, crank up some music, and enjoy. 

Shooting with Friends, Monochrome Monday

One of the best things about being a photographer is the friends you make along the way.  Tina and I met each other at an amazing workshop put on by photographers Mark Eric and Brandon O'Neal back in 2013. Every now and again our schedules meet up and we're able to team up for a project.

This Saturday I had the chance to help her out with a high school senior shoot.  We had a blast. We actually put into practice some of the techniques we learned back when we met at the workshop.  

Please check out Tina's website Oliviam Photography. And thanks to Aylssa, her beautiful senior client, for taking this picture of us with my phone. 

Some things are just a good idea. Film Friday.

Today's post could have easily been yesterday's Throwback Thursday.

Sometime in late 2011 i was out shooting a roll of film to scout locations for an upcoming shoot I had with a model. I must have really liked the colors on the building.

It didn't take long for Dat Dog to grow outgrow the original location.  Now they've set up across the street with much better seating. Two more locations in New Orleans and one at Lakeside Mall in Metairie later the guys behind this operation are serving more hot dogs than anyone else in the city.

I remember one notable local "food expert" here saying that a hot dog restaurant would never last in New Orleans. Yeah.  

Some things are just good ideas. 

The original location is now home to Liberty Cheesesteaks. I haven't tried them, but I've heard nothing but good things. 

Y'all eat well this weekend.

Worldwide PhotoWalk, Throwback Thursday.

Very rarely will Throwback Thursday post happen on even intervals, but today is an exception. Back on October 1st 2011 I participated in  the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk.  I had just bought a new lens and wanted to try it out. I met a large group of photographers in front of NOMA and we spent the day walking through the Besthoff sculpture garden, City Park, and Saint Louis No.3. It was a beautiful day.

Above is one of the photos I took in the sculpture garden. The light was falling through Jean-Michel Othoniel's L'Arbre aux Colliers (Tree of Necklaces) and I was sure he was inspired  by the remnants of Mardi Gras throws. 

If you'd like to participate in this years walk,  you can find more info by clicking on this link. 

Wandering Around, Thoughts for Tuesday

“We wander through old streets, and pause before the age stricken houses; and, strange to say, the magic past lights them up.” – Grace King

End of the Summer, Monochrome Monday

It's official. Summer is over.  I for one see it as a relief.  We down here near the Gulf Coast go through a "reverse hibernation" for a coupe of months during the oppressive heat.  As I look forward to a busy fall, I can't imagine working in heat like that.

The shot above is from a roll of film I started for a client but finished on a drive out to Biloxi. I have so many great memories of that area as a kid.  I hope to be able to make many more. 

That's not how you say that. Film Friday

It must have been a tourist. Or at least a non-native.