Forced to Mellow | New Orleans Vacation
If you are like me and are into Universe confirmations and what not, keep reading! This was the most in-your-face universe speaking to me I have ever experienced while also learning about myself and getting a total reset.
A few weeks leading up to my 6 day trip, which I might add wasn’t long enough, I had planned exactly 4 photoshoots with models. One canceled and I rebooked another for the same day, but that was also canceled the day before the shoot, on my arrival date to New Orleans. And that was just the first day, with the same shoot being canceled twice, the next one soon followed suit with one of the models getting a flu. Then the last who was in a minor car accident, her being healthy with no injuries thank goodness. When the last one was canceled it was impossible to ignore the very obvious signs that I was not supposed to work on this trip.
Heres the thing, I had big hopes and dreams to have this amazing portfolio of people in the quarter, in the garden district and park to display and use to book clients with. This way I could come to New Orleans more often. I had already thought this out and knew exactly what I wanted and usually don’t do well not getting what I want. But, I’ve done some growing up.
One morning, feeling a wii bit defeated, I stopped in on a cafe in the garden district. I walked in, bought myself a latte, sat down and just watched. I watched the people come inside and out, order their drinks. The young professionals working on their laptops, some conversing with friends. Then I noticed the original windows of the the building, it was actually a home originally, turned coffee shop. I saw the string lights hanging down from the ceiling at different lengths. The light reflecting on a wall from the light shinning in outside. I was calm, I didn’t have anywhere to be, anything to do, I was just there, in the moment.
I am learning to let things go, always trying to remember that if what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me. That mantra really grounds me and quite honestly made this trip as enjoyable as it was. Because if not, and I tried to continue to book more shoots, and lets face it could go two ways, 1. I’d be rushed and not organized because of putting together last second shoots and/or 2. I wouldn’t be able to stop and relax this trip, but instead be constantly model searching, photographing on a whim and editing it all on the little downtime I would have left.
Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and the answer may be bigger than us, or as simple as ‘stop and relax’ . But I do believe there is a reason, whether we initially agree with it or not. Because we don’t always know what we need, we may know what we want, but our needs are often left ignored. Maybe because of obligations, the need to always feel productive, or we just never learned to chill the fuck out.
That was my lesson learned. The trip was amazing by the way, I was filled with so much joy getting back to my roots in photography and street shooting again. It was a forced action upon me that I am grateful for and will cherish. Every where I walked, every corner I turned, the loosened schedule really centered me, calmed me and just filled my tank with so much joy. So here are some I’d like to share. If you love any of them, please feel free to pin on Pinterest of share on social media. I love my art and would love more people to see it!
French Quarter Adventures
Before my trip to New Orleans recently I put out the vibes into the universe (and instagram) for some more amazing people to photograph. And the universe delivered! I was contacted by a beautiful being, inside and out, for a solo lifestyle shoot just because. HELL YEAH, THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Empowerment photoshoots yessssss!
The weekend of the shoot, we met next door to the Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, one of the oldest bars in New Orleans not to mention the French Quarter. The weather was being exceptionally clear and gorgeous, and was just the perfect temperature. When she showed up I took her all around the residential side of the French Quarter where there wasn't really any tourist. I use to live in New Orleans a few years ago and would wonder the same area taking street photography images, it was what really fired up my passion for photography. So this photoshoot was like a dream come true basically.
We got to know each other more as we wondered around and taking photos, then there was a moment just 15 mins in when my heart was feeling so full. You know that feeling, when all the feelings and vibes are so high and positive and just over powered with love? Yea, that's what was happening.
I have seriously been putting out good vibes because every single one of my clients are always so amazing and go with the flow like me. As awkward as it can be at first being photographed, it becomes a lot easier, much sooner into the shoot than you think. That's because working with me, we interact, we are playful and always, ALWAYS having fun.
I plan on making more trips to New Orleans this year and looking forward to the future photoshoots in the city. It is an amazing place to be, so beautiful and so vibrant, there should always be reason to be photographed in New Orleans, even if there is no reason at all.
In Home 'Sunday Lazy Sunday' Sesh
I can't begin to explain how much fun I had getting to know Alyssa and Justin! A lot think that getting a photojournalist is only for big events like weddings or engagements. But I can't stress enough the beauty in the everyday. All the little moments that builds and grows the love between two people in day to day life. The touches, the looks, the playing with each other. I was fortunate enough to find these two love birds just before their 1 year wedding anniversary. I got to know both of them deeply, their story, before and after they met each other. Their individual passions, their interests and professional work life. I absolutely loved how they found their own love in what they do for a living. The tiresome journey and devotion to pursuing their dreams. It fills my heart up to know that someone enjoys and loves what they do for a living after working so hard to get there.
Now these two have each other, the love when they speak about their professions is almost as much as when they speak of one another. From when they first met in college to their trip to Italy together where Justin snapped his all time favorite picture of Alyssa. These two have that solid foundation and I just pray I am around to see it longer!
Thank you Alyssa and Justin for being so sweet and inviting me into your lives and home! I truly loved the time together and documenting y'alls beautiful love life!
