So what does a wedding photographer really do on her day off? Well I can tell you I don't carry around a bunch of damned heavy equipment! Actually I usually only carry my iPhone. It forces me to work with the light and what I have. Yep I miss a bunch of awesome shots. Mostly because I can't get the damn phone out of my pocket in time!
What inspired me to write this is a blog post I have to write for a great UK Wedding Magazine. I write about New Orleans and what inspires me. So I have been trying to come up with something interesting. I suppose a lot of people out there would expect me to grab my gear and head to the iconic places and sites of my city. Nope. I am more inspired by light, shapes and moments. Moments are really tough to get with a phone camera due to light conditions.
Here in NOLA we never are lacking in things to do within a walk or bicycle distance. Fests, music, art, events, party every weekend. And of course we are really only biding time till the New Orleans Saints hit the field again.
When the ungodly heat and humidity of summer arrive most would run to the nearest air conditioned building but not us. Nope, we dress our men in red dresses and watch them run through the streets of the French Quarter in August. Called the Red Dress Run it started as a local event put on by a running group called the Hash House Harriers to benefit local charities. Today over 4000 register but you can bet there are about 10,000 people in red dresses running the streets. Its a blast to attend. And yes we run. Stumble would probably be more appropriate a term because the alcohol starts flowing as soon as the gates open to Armstong Park.
In the sweltering heat of July hundreds of professional rollergirls don red sexy outfits with bull horns on their heads and weapons in hand. Their goal? To take we runners out. Dressed in all white with red hankerchiefs participants (drunks to our friends) we gather, drink, chat and then run for our ever-loving lives as crazy chicks with bats chase us down. Those damn bats hurt too! Now that I have photographed one of their events I'll have to wear a mask to go un-noticed!
Satchmo-fest begins in August full of musical tributes the great Satchmo. Following that, remember its a hot mutha out there, we don white linen and head to the Warehouse District to, yes, drink and look at art for White Linen Night. The following week, not to be outdone, the French Quarter hosts Dirty Linen Night, another great drinking, meeting and viewing event.
So what do I do? Well, I play and take photographs! I carry that phone everywhere so I am always seeing, composing and shooting, capturing everyday life around me. Oh when I'm not shooting I'm playing with sculpture and painting.
Musicians on Royal Street
Algiers Ferry Terminal.
Oh and yes there are most definitely dogs involved! Miss Sybil, our baby here, after a muddy swim with her buds.
Running of the Bulls 'Festival San Fermin'.
Tuller, one of many happy pups I encounter on walks with Miss Sybil.
When you have been stuck in your house without power for days you look for humor and a reason to get the heck out of the house.
After Issac last September a friend who had lost her St. Bernard Parish home during Katrina wanted to help me take a couple journalists from Colorado to the areas that were so devastated. Let me tell you I wasn't here during Katrina but lower St. Bernard to here at Shell Beach was devastated. Heartbreaking.
One of the many things I come across on my travels.
Ironically I snapped this a couple years ago and then a year later was hired to document the removal of the big trusses and beams of the historical Huey P. Long bridge.
These were the coolest fungi that were growing on the side of the levee by our house.
In honoring the War of 1812 boats called Tall Ships arrived and docked along the boardwalk of Woldenberg Park and the Audubon Aquarium.
The Philipines had a ship with such beautiful woodwork I couldn't resist capturing a few shots.
Formerly known as the GNO this is the CCC, Crescent City Connection, the bridge that links the City of New Orleans. The city is split by the Mississippi River.
A tree I saw along the banks of the Mississippi while exploring with my husband, Kevin and photography assistant, Matt.
There is this great little antique shop tucked into the far end of the French Quarter by the French Market called Greg's Antiques. He has some of the coolest stuff there and priced to go out the door right then! He has this entire bug collection hanging on the wall. Very cool. And kinda creepy.
The lifeblood of our transportation and connection from Algiers Point (the West Bank) and the rest of New Orleans (the East Bank) is the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry. This is a view of the Canal Street Terminal from the boat as it docks. Love the seabirds all around!
This flag was waving in the breeze from one of the gorgeous tall ships that arrived last year.
This and a few others above are actually being represented by a new gallery and gift shop in Algiers Point called Nola Potter. Soon more will adorn the walls of Sweet Pea and Tulip, a totally cute and inexpensive dress and accessory shop one block off Jackson Square (corner of Wilkinson and Chartres).
Any of these places make great places for a wedding too! Call them.