It took me half a day to write this post.  Mainly because I wanted to enjoy the moment.  Julia came into this world looking like me because of the shape of her eyes, Seriously...I was like oh dear Lord she looks just like me...please don't BE just like me.  We as parents don't want our kids to repeat the past life we lived but we do want to be there for the instances we can completely relate to.  
If I tell you the first band I created was called, "Black Diamond" and you remember an original song called "Fade Away", then you have known me for a very long time!!!
My aspirations have changed throughout the years but the same goal has never changed. Live for the day, celebrate life all around you and remind someone they are loved...which is why I do hugs...not handshakes when you meet me!
Everyday Julia reminds me of both Elizabeth and I depending on the circumstance. What I love the most about Julia is watching her grow as an artist (Where I can Relate) and a strong woman with values she won't deter from ...(Like Elizabeth) and the individual person that she is.  Teens can sometimes feel all alone in this crazy world because they think nobody understands the world they are living.  I remember more "NOs" the "Yeses" in life which just lit the fuse even more for me to be the individual I was meant to be.     Every "NO" for me was more ammunition I needed to explode this world into the reality which I saw it.  I see people as equals until proven otherwise.

​Watching Julia from a distance allows me to see her kindness to others, her compassion for good and her drive to create from within.  I may not be in high school right now but I can absolutely relate to that urge of wanting more.  Nobody can understand the urge you feel because you OWN it!.  It's your drive for the life you want to experience.
Here is a video of Julia singing for her voice recital just yesterday and when I tell you I see me in her, I See her mom in her and I see Julia as the individual...nobody in the world is just like my Julia. I see the start of her life's journey about to truly begin and I can only assist from time to time because raising her is done.  

Today she is our "Dancing Queen" and you should play the song, clear the floor in your den and sing and dance along with us celebrating youth and new beginnings.  It's not your age that matters...it's learning to celebrate the life you are living!

This video is Julia singing at her Voice Recital yesterday the song, "Gorgeous" which I truly believe she is.  :)

 The key to being a good model is lots of practice in the mirror learning your own expressions.  It's not the photographer's job to pose every single image, however it is a collaborative effort while working together in order to create awesome images.  You as the model should inspire the photographer by MOVING and altering your poses and expressions.  When you here the camera click...I like what you're doing.  When I'm aiming the camera at you and there is no click.....keep moving until THE SHOT happens and I'm clicking away.  It's actually a TON more fun this way also.  I want you to be YOU when we are working together.  
I haven't had too many male models in my career be able to do all the above.  When you do get someone in front your lens that can move...D I R E C T them with positivity and help push the session into the imagery you want to create.

This male model is Shashank.  This was the second time working together within a couple of weeks and when I tell you he knows how to move and be genuine, I mean it.  I think we laughed at each other more than talking about poses or better lighting scenes.  I love movement.  I love the actions your body makes when you are expressive from laughing, jumping, walking...breathing!  ha!   

In this world of texting and emails, it's actually VERY IMPORTANT to know how to be present and in the moment with your clients.  It used to be how good your images looked made you the best pro photographer in town and worthy of charging a lot of money.  Now, more than ever relationships are key to longevity in business.  Yes, you need to always get better at your craft but how well people like being around you is a major key to a success business.  THIS I CANNOT TEACH YOU!!!   
That was your parent's job raising you.   :)

If you would like to work with Shashank, you can contact him here: 225-424-4765
​Tell him GK sent you.

This is Brother John Mai. His smile is so INFECTIOUS!!!  He is one of the brothers at Christian Brothers School and since the opening of the 2nd CBS school on Canal Street, he has attended every school function with his camera and this great smile.  He walks around with camera in hand asking you, "Can I Take Your Picture?" This guy will not only capture Every Single Person Attending but he does something remarkable.  Brother John remembers your name. I'm talking from years before not just 5 minutes ago.
My niece Madeline, worked with me this day capturing images for the Mother/Daughter Luncheon at the Roosevelt Hotel.  Madeline has an older brother that went to CBS at the City Park campus.  Brother John asked Madeline for her name.  She said, Madeline Melancon, and brother John finished her sentence with, "and how is your brother Michael doing and what about your mom?!"  Madeline was shocked because that was two years ago when her brother went to CBS.

This post is happening today because every time I see Brother John Mai he reminds me to forcefully see the good with a smile! Talk to people with opened ears and lend your heart to the person in front of you at that moment.  This is how we are supposed to live life.  Anybody can walk around the room taking pictures but Brother John knows how to make you feel like we are all family and YOU DO MATTER TO HIM!

Maybe you should screen capture his image above, print it and display it at work where you'll see it when life gets tough and you wonder where is the humanity....Brother John Mai will always have that smile on his face to remind you of YOUR HUMANITY!​

Do you remember your high school senior pictures.  Did you like them or love them?  Did you remember the experience you had while working with the photographer?

I love creating an experience that is fun, memorable and creative! Many aspects of the session are discussed earlier, like the clothing selection, your style and where should we go on location that'll best match your style.  Once we have those aspects in line, we schedule the day, pray for good weather and rock the heck out of your high school senior portraits.    

If you would like to create something fun and creative with me, just email me and I'll make it all happen for you.  george@gkphotography.com

​

These images of Courtney are stunning!  The owners of Felicity Church restored the building in a way that showcases the organic age of the building without compromise.  I had the pleasure of capturing Courtney's senior portraits years ago and yesterday she was the bride!  I have been sitting on these images for a little bit until after the wedding so, here we go!  I adore black and white images because it takes all the distraction away which is color and concentrates all focus on the subject matter.  

If you are a new bride and you would like to do your bridal portraits here at Felicity Church, then give them a call and we will create something amazing with you.

Courtney and Jimmy were happily married yesterday with many friends and family celebrating with them. It is my absolute honor be her photographer for so many important moments in her life.  I'm excited to watch their family grow!

​I have another full blog post on the way when the images are developed. Have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for more images to follow.  :) 

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!  DO I have a ton of amazingly beautiful imagery to show you from this past weekend in Puerto Rico.  If you are NOT following me via Youtube channel...now is the time to subscribe! I have vlogged along the way and the video and imagery is simply stunning.  Heather and Andrew first of all are amazing people and personal friends of mine.  After this weekend we are absolutely family and the images show our fun together.  All of the planning and effort that went into this location and times of the day truly paid off in the images.  Their guests enjoyed a postcard visual wedding with the atmosphere any bride would want for a tropical wedding outdoors.  We can plan and plan and plan all we want, but in the end God gives you the day he had planned for you.  Being in Puerto Rico showed us both the simple beauty of the area and what stopping to enjoy life around you is really important for our lives.  

New Orleans and Puerto Rico have a lot in common actually. We both provide great music, food and culture for you to enjoy and we DO NOT make excuses for who we are as people.  You are here to enjoy what we have thrived on for decades and this is a trait both New Orleans and Puerto Rico offers it's residents and guests.  If you haven't been to either...what are you waiting for?   

More images to come...check back soon!  

Every little girl want to grow up to be a princess....so what's stopping you? Andrea has loved Disney her entire life and it's only fitting for her to have a Disney inspired wedding.  Andrea truly went all out to include as many cool aspects of Disney into her special day.  She created hidden Mickey's for the guest to participate and find. Her gown was complimented by a tiara crown that sparkled in the light.  Even her groom's cakes were displayed in a way to look like Mickey ears.  I knew this family was going to have a super fun wedding because their entire crew knows how to celebrate life together. 
​The images posted below tell a better story than what I can put into words.  enjoy.

One thing that makes me feel so honored is when I get the chance to photograph both sisters for their high school senior portraits.  These two ladies are one year apart and they both chose me for their photographer.  WAYYY COOL!  I also really like how both of their sessions are so different.  I love creating something different with each client because no two people are the same so why should your photography be the same?
​#NotTheSchoolPhotographer

This is Miss Vivianne. We just worked together for her high school senior portraits.  The weather we had truly set the tone for the images that followed.  The day started with overcast skies which gave us soft even light to work with, then towards the end of the session the skies opened and the heavens shinned upon us!  The above image is NOT Photoshop.  Her father used to drive the Natchez Riverboat, so when we saw the boat coming  down the river we just had to grab a picture with Vivianne and the Natchez river boat behind her. 
​#SimpleCleanBeautiful

I love the sunset the good Lord gave us for our background.  This was truly one of the most beautiful skies I have seen in New Orleans.  I can't wait for my next session just to see the awesomeness our great city of New Orleans has to offer us.  :)

I get asked this question all the time by photographers.  What style am I? What is your favorite lighting style? I will admit, I love natural light all day everyday, but knowing how to work with multiple light sources makes my creations sooooo much easier than in the beginning when I was learning photography.  Photography is the art form of capturing light.  We literally chase the light all of our jobs.  We see how light will help or hurt an image.  I used to be so jealous of the photographers that had that "Light Thing" down to a science.  The best day for me when when it all made sense and I could create anything I saw in my head.
​The image gallery below is a quick compilation of past years work using all types of light sources.

Next time someone asks you if you have a lighting style just tell them your a pro photographer and all light is beautiful when used correctly!   :)