Commercial Photography » Three Different Headshot Session Styles

This week, we’re looking at three very different headshot portrait situations: first, a natural setting for a beauty pageant; second, a professional setting for a federal marshal; and third, a fast-paced conference setting culminating in a total of 450 headshots. You’ll see how each session is tailored to the needs of the client.

Sam + Kelly » Surprise Proposal » New Orleans City Park

Sam + Kelly were the last surprise proposal I had the honor of photographing, before we left New Orleans. I’m always happy for the opportunity to capture such a special moment, paparazzi style.

City Park makes for a stunning backdrop any day, but Louisiana really put on a show for us this day, giving us a dreamy golden sunset while he asked for her hand in marriage. This very sweet couple from out of state were so gentle and calm in each other’s company, and I wish them all the best!

Couple » Engagement » Fontaineblueau State Park in Louisiana

Louisiana’s climate is so diverse and beautiful; during my five years living in New Orleans, any time I had the opportunity to photograph outside of the city, it felt like a whole different world. This couple’s engagement session at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville felt like a dream, with the oak trees and Spanish moss, swampy cypress trees, and a white sandy beach along the lakefront, all in one location.

Pattee Family » 30-Minute Portrait Session » New Orleans Garden District

Over the course of 15 years running my photography business, I’ve worked to create three different session options that can fit most family and portrait client needs: 30-minutes, 1.5-hours, and 3-hours. I chose to share this session, as it’s a great example of what we can capture in a 30-minute timeframe. Despite the big Louisiana rain drops cutting the session a little shorter, the Pattee family still got a nice variety of settings, family groupings, the kids, and the parents.

Shields Family » Portrait Session » New Orleans Audubon Park

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this session for a while, as it’s such a great “real life” example of family portraits with babies and young toddlers. You know, sometimes they just don’t want to sit still for even one second, and that’s ok! I’m always happy to chase kids around, and get on the ground, to try to capture the essence of what your children are truly, unapologetically like at this age, without getting them to “say cheese”. Their younger baby, of course, was all smiles and giggles!

Sam + Layken » Engagement » New Orleans French Quarter & Audubon Park

When Sam and Layken contacted me for an engagement session, they chose to book for a full 3-hours. This gave us ample time to thoroughly explore the French Quarter, stop by Jackson Square, order some coffee and beignets from Cafe Beignet, then head Uptown for Audubon Park. A full New Orleans experience!

Veronica » Travel Portraits » New Orleans Bywater & City Park

During my eight years as an Oregon photographer, I only had one session for clients vacationing in Oregon. But during my five years as a New Orleans photographer, I suddenly found that people on vacation made up over half of my annual portrait sessions! When my cousin Veronica came to visit, of course we made time for a travel session. She’s such a beauty, as you can see, in the Bywater and City Park.

Igo Family » Portrait Session » New Orleans Audubon Park

What a cutie! This little family looked like they belonged with the whimsical Spanish moss in Audubon Park. Their coordinating white dresses was a really thoughtful touch, with Dad’s light colored outfit. It sort of feels like a fairy tale.

Lucas + Chey » Couple’s Session » Downtown New Orleans

This couple chose not one, but two, amazing locations for their couple’s portraits. Lucas and Chey really brought the glam for an indoor session at The Jung Residences, then they chose dressy casual for some fun chasing the streetcars as they rumbled along Canal Street.

Sophie » Senior Portraits » New Orleans Bywater

I’m going a little further back in time to share Sophie’s senior portraits from 2020. I can’t really imagine what it must’ve been like for her senior year of high school to be tangled up with school closures and isolation. But upon meeting her, I was instantly inspired by her bright, positive outlook, and her hope for a future in music.

Ian + Ally » Wedding » Derbès Mansion New Orleans

Ally and Ian’s wedding was one to remember. Together, they planned countless thoughtful details, to make their special day true to themselves, but they were also sure to incorporate friends and family from near and far.

Brooke + Sean » Couple’s Session » New Orleans Audubon Park

Since my last post featured my favorite location in Audubon Park, I wanted to show you the versatility of the Spanish moss-covered oak trees, by featuring another session at the same spot.

Brooke and Sean contacted me for a portrait session during their vacation in New Orleans, with the intention of creating artwork for their home display. They were great to work with! When shooting at the same Audubon Park location, in the morning light, you can see that the atmosphere is very different. The light is coming from overhead, but is greatly diffused, giving a gentle, breezy quality of light.

Jared + Eric » Engagement » New Orleans Audubon Park

I was so pleased when my friend Abbi contacted me; she wanted to book an engagement session for her friends Jared and Eric. It was such a kind gesture, that I offered to return her kindness, by offering to include Abbi and Max in the session as well. This was one of my last shoots in New Orleans before our big move, and I’ll always remember these two sweet couples.

My favorite portrait spot in Audubon Park at sunset did not disappoint! Gotta love that Spanish moss.

Steven + Mallory » Wedding » New Orleans Bywater & French Quarter

Steven and Mallory traveled from Texas to celebrate their love in New Orleans. What a perfect way to spend the time between Christmas and the New Year, they shared a week with their friends and family in a big, beautiful Bywater home, soaking up all New Orleans has to offer! Their wedding day included a backyard ceremony, a cocktail hour in the French Quarter, and a secondline parade, followed by a family-style shrimp boil. Amazing.

2019 In Review » French Quarter Sessions » New Orleans

In continuing my reflection on the past year, I took some time to look back at this year’s French Quarter sessions! I got to use this amazing backdrop for 52 sessions in 2019: couple’s portraits, solo traveler’s portraits, senior portraits, family portraits, maternity, engagements, proposals, weddings, and elopements. Everyone loves the French Quarter. It’s beautiful and full of surprises, like carriages passing by, and bubbles for some reason! In this post, I’ll focus on the couples, families, and individuals. It was really difficult to narrow down some of my favorite moments!

2019 in Review » Surprise Proposal Sessions » New Orleans

The beginning of the year is a perfect time to both reflect and plan for the year to come. I’m taking some time to look back at this year’s surprise proposal sessions. They all have their unique love stories, but they also all have one thing in common: She said yes!

Aimee + Christy » Napoleon House Wedding » New Orleans

I got to share a short time with Aimee + Christy on their wedding day, but it only took a moment to see their warmth and love for each other! Their French Quarter celebration was personal and sweet, as they included many friends and family in their heart-felt ceremony. The dance floor was on fire by the end of the night. All my best to you both!

Matt + Ally » French Quarter Wedding » New Orleans

This sweet couple said “I do” with a rooftop view overlooking the French Quarter. The sunset painted the Louisiana sky with fiery oranges and pinks during their ceremony. Of course, their reception at the Riverview Room lasted well into the night, full of friends and family celebrating their love. Congratulations, Matt + Ally!

Mel + Sofia » Halloween Elopement » New Orleans

What can I even say. Three words to describe Mel and Sofia are: creepy, sweet, and fun. They chose to elope in New Orleans on their favorite holiday in full Halloween costumes! We spent the whole day adventuring all over New Orleans, from an amazing Uptown mansion, to their ceremony at the Tree of Life, and (of course) a trip to the cemetery. ‘Til death do us part 🖤

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