#86... check!

I have crossed off one more thing on my 101 list: #86. Visit New Orleans

I had the opportunity to go to New Orleans at the beginning of the month for a workshop called, Image X. For more information on how I got this opportunity, click here for a past blog post.



After a bachelorette/bachelor weekend with friends, S and I left on a plane mid-Sunday and headed to the "Big Easy". Once we arrived we caught a cab from the airport to the French Quarter.


The French Quarter is New Orleans most popular neighborhood. It is one of the most preserved historical neighborhoods in America and has a strong Spanish and French influence. In the Quarter you'll find some really neat antique shops and art galleries along with the most famous street in America, Bourbon Street. You might even see famous people because Brad Pitt along with Nicholas Cage and many others own houses within the quarter.



Our workshop was taking place in the Omni Royal Hotel, an 1827 Creole Townhouse, that's only one block from Bourbon Street.



After such a busy weekend and a tiring flight into the city we took it easy Sunday night and rented a movie in our room. 21, if you haven't seen it, is a pretty cool movie about the game Blackjack. Interesting choice, since we actually played this game the following evening. Monday morning came fast and my cold that I was beginning to get over the past weekend, hit me hard. However it didn't put a damper on my day. The morning consisted of classroom time with Joe Photo. Then we ventured out for lunch, where I met S and we ate at The Napoleon House.



After lunch it was time to shoot around the quarter. We had a beautiful bride & groom as models. Here's a shot of Joe as we were shooting in Jackson Square.



Monday evening, since S was still in town, he and I went out to dinner at NOLA restaurant, one of the 3 restaurants owned by Emeril. The food was delicious!




Then we took a carriage ride around the quarter. We learned many historical facts about the city and got to see the beautiful architecture of all the buildings. After the carriage ride we went to Harrah's Casino for some roulette and blackjack action. It was a fun night to be at the casino because not only was it Monday night football, but it was Monday night football in New Orleans! The New Orlean Saints were playing the Minnesota Vikings. People in the casino were going crazy over the game and everyone had on their saints jerseys. After a close 4th quarter the Saints couldn't quite pull it off.

After some much needed rest, Tuesday was already here. I had the opportunity to spend the day with the wonderful Chenin Boutwell. Chenin taught us a lot about branding and style: finding our true style within our photographs. After a morning of discussion we set out in the streets again to shoot with a new model. Here's a sneek peek (I have tons from this session that I love)!



Wednesday consisted of a wrap-up session where a panel of photographers answered questions. The panel consisted of: Jessica Claire, Jesh de Rox, Tamara Lackey, Jerry Ghionis, Chenin, Victor Sizemore, and John Michael Cooper - all of which are AMAZING and so very TALENTED photographers! Then it was time to catch that jet plane home and boy was that a LONG trip. What should have been 5 hours ended up being 9. Ahh... the joys of flying.

Stay tuned next week for posts of Monday & Tuesday's sessions in the quarter!