If you are a fellow photographer would you be surprised if I told you the image above was taken with a 16 mm lens?  My new Fuji camera is simply amazing for it's usability. The Fuji 16 mm 1.4 is a lens like no other.  The way I can just get as close as I can and still hold focus allows me to work a room for an event unlike ever before.  The image above was literally taken inches away from the rings.  I wanted to post this image for the sake of saying the name brand of your camera does NOT matter if you know how to get the shot.  The equipment we use is just the tool to get the job done.   

Every wedding I am looking for those small moments in time that can be captured in a unique way.  This image was on the way to the 1st look.  The bride was just chillin on the Street Car enjoying the ride when I saw the cool angle that would make the image sing!  This is no direction from me which is why I love it so much.  You may see a bride enjoying the ride but I see the anticipation in her expression for the 1st look. She is relaxed and as natural as she can be, so the beauty in the flowers, her dress, her hair and makeup stand out without any effort.  Love!

I would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

I know Monday's can SUCK, but this is one little thing you can do to fight the Monday blues.

Ahhh, my New Orleans at night.  I work downtown a lot and often I am leaving to go home in the evening at some point in time. The city has a unique essence about it when the sun is gone. I swear it's like having two different kinds of cities rolled up in one. The daytime version of New Orleans Is filled with color and textures your eyes can't stop looking at. As you walk around downtown the music that is everywhere outside sets the tone for the natural ambience we naturally have And the smell of amazing food heightens your emotions about what your eyes are seeing.  The nighttime version of New Orleans has those exact same things but in eeriness in the darkness and adds a different flair to your experience. I think it's safe to say that you're daring side will want to come out.  

While walking around you'll notice a gentleman dressed finally in a doorway will he invites you to view the restaurant and the courtyard area without asking for anything else.  We just love everyone enjoying our city.  People are working all over the place including the new pedicabs that have taken over the downtown area. We all say the same thing about people who work in these petty cabs… Man that looks like a workout!  

For me, I have so many past experiences for my younger days going out to my early days of my career when most of the venues were new to me. I have always met people along the way and I had no idea I would see the same people hundreds of times over my future career.  When you get to a point where you feel like the city is truly yours it's because of the history you both share together. The scene streets and sidewalks you have been walking or driving on for over two decades is now part of your natural scene.    There is however one thing as locals do for which we take for granted. If you live here you are used to telling a lot of people hello while walking around the area. I don't know what it is but being kind and courteous just seems to be a thing around here.  My friends from around the country think it's a little strange when a visit and I say hey how you doing to lotta people as I'm walking around is if I know them as personal friends. I don't really have the perfect answer for them and all I can say is, around here if you say hey how you doing and they respond back to you that that that you're cool with each other. My northern friends will tell you they don't speak to anybody on the street and if somebody does speak to you it's apparent that they want something from you or they should not be trusted. I guess you can say we live backwards over here and New Orleans.

We invite you to visit our great city and remember that I contact and friendly head nods like we know you is just part of who we are. There is only one question you need to answer for when you visit down here. When the street pedalers ask you I bet I know where you got your shoes… The correct answer is (ON MY FEET) 

Well the Krewe of Muses rides tonight and the one thing they are most known for is custom designed shoes!  Literally throughout the year members will design shoes like the one in the image above.  My friend, Jeanne at BBC Destination Management is the creative director and she created this beautiful table arrangement.  Each shoe had a theme which entailed time and created effort to make it all happen.  I'm always impressed by the special designs Jeanne creates.  I love my job!

New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras and it's parades but did you know we do parades all the time??  Corporate events will have sometimes huge parades escorting their guests to the next location.  Last night my friends at BBC Destination Management, created a parade with 2 high school marching bands.  You don't need floats to have a parade, you just need the bands and the people to walk the route desired.
I get asked all the time if I get bored with 2nd lines and parades throughout the city.  I tell them NO, because it is something only New Orleans celebrates.  There is nothing like having the police block off major streets like Canal or Poydras as we parade through like celebrities.  If you have a company that want to create an event that your guests will always remember, then call my friends at BBC and lets create a moment you'll never forget! Welcome to my New Orleans!

ummm...this hurts!  I can tell this little injury will take some time to heal since it's on my right arm which I use ALL THE T I M E !!!!    :)

Well today is the one day of the year you need to show your LOVE!  I know all of you are going to have a wonderful day but I have one request. Show a stranger some love today by being extra nice, leaving a tip when not needed, smile more, let people driving into your lane when you see a blinker on trying to get over, and most importantly SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel.    ha!  :)

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Have a creative day and remember to stay focused on your dreams.

I love black and white photography more than anything! The way the world can look so moody and more defined amazes me every time.  The Fuji XT3 camera has a B&W mode called Acros.  I know we live in the age where Photoshop is king and we can altar anything in post at a later time, but what if you made those decisions on the fly?  What if you could go back in time and throw a black and white roll of film in that digital camera of yours and re live those learning years when you fell in love with photography.  The following images were captured in the camera in Black and White mode while working in downtown New Orleans.

Our great city already offers many different looks and styles but when the fog rolls in, I could only imagine it captured in black and white. 
Camera: Fuji XT3 - Acros film mode
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