Why I Love Being a New Orleans Photographer

Several pictures of a photographer taking pictures in the city of New Orleans.

When you combine incredible people, stunning locations, and moments that matter, you get a dream job— and that’s what being a New Orleans photographer is to me. It’s one of the most unique cities in the world, but what makes it so special to live in and photograph are the people. We are filled with that joie de vivre; a celebration of life, culture and family which is why I love being a New Orleans Photographer.

This is my 15th year as a business owner and I’m so proud of the business I have built and nurtured. As challenging as being an entrepreneur can be, knowing that I have created a New Orleans photography studio that caters to families who love capturing candid and genuine moments of their family life is so rewarding. And just beyond the horizon, I will be photographing senior sessions for some of my first newborn sessions as a photographer in New Orleans. Time marches on, and I’ve had the honor of watching these little beings become amazing young adults.

Reflecting on a Year of Photography

A little girl in a white dress reaching her hand into a round pond reflection the sky for a story about why I love to be a New Orleans Photographer.

Most of my clients come to me because they want to capture a little bit of what they love about their family at this moment in time. And that doesn’t always mean life is easy. 

I’ve heard so many stories this year of big life changes, struggles, anxiety, cancer diagnoses, childhood ailments and the loss of a loved one. These stories are heartbreaking but also inspiring as I listen to the incredible strength each parent has as they press on and surround their kids with love.

Getting your pictures taken is a very personal experience; I’m asking you to share family dynamics and be vulnerable so we can capture authentic moments. And as the recipient of these stories, I just want to say how humbled and honored I feel. 

Four photographs of kids showing their personality by smiling big and playing for the photographer. For a story about the Why I love Being a New Orleans Photographer.

Being a photographer in New Orleans offers an honest look at our shared experience of raising a family and finding the joy in the many hectic and hard days. 

So even if you use that perfect picture of everyone smiling at the camera for your holiday card, just know that I see how much work it takes to be present. Keep celebrating your family, it’s worth it.

Why I love Being a New Orleans Photographer

This year I’m especially proud to have photographed more professional portraits for women than ever before. It’s so wonderful to meet these powerful, articulate and inspiring women in business who are jumping in front of the camera for sometimes the first time. Giving them a beautiful headshot that they love, I can see the confidence in which women start showing up visually in business.

One of my goals this year is to get more involved in some of the great resources and New Orleans communities for women in business including Salon 22 Nola, a meeting place for some of the most extraordinary New Orleans women in business. Make sure to check them out!

Several modern looking headshots that show personality of business women in various locations around New Orleans.

There is also no end to the visual complexity and striking urban landscape that is New Orleans. As a photographer in the Crescent City, it’s all eye candy. I literally drive around with a notepad in my car making note of new locations for photos to explore with my next family session. This year, I was able to include family mini sessions at two of my long dreamed about historic homes locations; The Terrell House on Magazine St. and The Derbes Mansion in Bayou St. John/Esplanade Ridge neighborhood. The results were spectacular!

Three siblings posing on an iron balcony at the Terrell House for family photos.

I also discovered a new coffee shop while waiting for a family to arrive that has been a hit ever since – Trumpet + Drum on Magazine St. Make sure to drop in!

My Favorite Images of the Year

The “Almost Didn’t Happen but Totally Worth It” Photo Sessions

It’s never easy to pull your family together, look great and show up with smiles for a photo session. Add in a curve ball like a rain storm or car trouble and it’s a miracle that we get pictures let alone great ones.

Two sisters in green and white looking off into the sunset in front of the Ohr-O'keefe Museum of Art building in Biloxi, MS.

For these two sisters, we had just a few minutes of daylight left after mom hustled because of car trouble to get them to the Ohr-O’keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, MS for a sunset session. It was tight, and I won’t lie, as calm as I like to be at a photo session, I was sweating a little as I watched the most gorgeous sunset go over the horizon. But I’ve been photographing Betsy and Mamie for years and I know that they are incredible at following direction. For 15-minutes we circled the museum and stepped over to the shoreline for just a couple more photos. It’s one of my favorite sessions of the year and proof that no matter what is going on in your life, photos stop time and let you see the beauty of the now.

Two kids huddled under an ubrella in a garden posing for a New Orleans Photographer.

Rainy days can be a pain in New Orleans. It’s often those short rain storm that downpour for an hour and then leave us to a bright sunny day that cause the most problems. The question is: do we reschedule or do we take pictures? Often on rainy days I am in contact with my clients up until the last hour and if it looks like it will be raining we reschedule.

This year, however, I had fall mini sessions at the Botanical Gardens on a rainy day and with no alternative but to move forward. Both families that I photographed that day were exceptional. Not only did they come with fabulous “what ever happens, happens” attitudes, but they leaned into the weather by jumping in puddles, and dancing together in the drizzle. Their pictures are truly one-of-a-kind and show the joy and love they have in just being together. And thank goodness I carry that cute kids umbrella from Pippen Lane in my car.

A family of four hugging and walking together in the New Orleans Botanical Gardens.

Dreamiest New Orleans Location Portraits

I often get obsessed with new locations, all to the benefit of my clients I hope. One such location is the Magazine St. shop Century Girl, a meticulously curated women’s boutique in the Lower Garden District. Owner Leah Blake has created an interior that exudes elegance, reminiscent of a Parisian Salon, that showcase her exquisite collection of vintage and designer clothing and jewelry. Turning their weathered blue stairway into my studio for a day evoked a sense of mystery and nostalgia and was a dream come true. The results speak for themselves, and I hope to return someday soon!

Four pictures of women wearing evening dresses while posing for a photographer on a stairwell.

Best New Orleans Newborn Moments

Three pictures of a mom, dad and newborn session wearing white in their living room for a newborn session in New Orleans.

It can feel like so much more than 9 months when you are waiting to meet the newest member of your family, yet when he or she arrives the days speed by. I love going into a new mom’s home for a lifestyle newborn session, I know it can feel overwhelming to be photographed yet with a slow pace, gentle guidance, plenty of time to feed your baby and some window light we start to capture those first moments of your overwhelming love.

These newborn sessions are baby led, meaning if we need to stop to change a diaper, gently rock or just stare into your baby’s eyes, we do just that. I’ve had some of my most meaningful conversations about motherhood and parenting during newborn sessions. Photographing Jaaziel with his mom and dad encompassed all of this and more. And look at that cute baby boy! There is truly nothing better than having the time to just be with your newborn and the photos to remember these days.

I also know that things don’t always go as planned. A few days before her maternity session, my client Mary went into labor. Twins Charles and Linus were born premature and stayed in the NICU for several months. Needless to say, we kept in touch and postponed their newborn session until both boys were home safe and healthy 3-months later. Finally meeting these boys and their big sister and brother was a highlight as I know the incredible journey they undertook to finally be home together.

A picture of a big sister and brother holding twin 3-month-old babies as they kiss them on the head as they sit in their New Orleans home.

Gorgeous New Orleans Maternity Session

Maternity photos are often the thing you don’t know you need until you see the final pictures. For Molly those last few weeks before meeting her little girl Ruby was a perfect time to explore the Lakefront and West End with this gorgeous dress from Amazon! She had a serenity and loveliness to her that translated into her pictures effortlessly. This also was the first time I have done maternity sessions along the Lakefront at sunset and it did not disappoint. Finding new locations for photos in New Orleans is always an added bonus!

A woman in a pink fitted dress with billowing fabric as she cradles her pregnant belly in her hands.

When Photo Magic Happens

Getting three young kids to sit still and smile at a camera can be challenging, but far from impossible. I’ve photographed Rhys, Nico and Auggie since they were babies, so I knew I wanted to capture a real smile that shows their personality. I also knew mom really wanted a picture of them all sitting still and looking at the camera. So we kept things moving during our session, with lots of silliness to keep them engaged. As usual, I took a lot of bad pictures to get to the good ones. And then when I asked Nico and Rhys to lean into their big brother magic happened. I love this picture and I know their mom did too!

Three young brothers sitting on steps looking at a camera as they post for a New Orleans Photographer in City Park.

Most Inspiring In-Home Family Photos

One of the first questions I always ask clients when they reach out is why now. Why is now a good time for investing in professional family photos? What is it you want to remember about your life at this moment in time? For the family below, it was to help them find their new normal.

After suddenly losing their dad earlier this year, Tibbi and Ben are still navigating this monumental change with the love and comfort of their mom. Walking into this warm and loving home still filled with so many memories of their dad, it was an inspiration in how find joy through deep sadness. And how to honor memories.

It’s also one of the reasons I love photographing in your home, I see such a difference in the level of comfort and connection with my clients who open up their homes for photos. And those moments are so important to you now and your kids later in life. What a gift to them. Your home is always a perfect New Orleans photography studio!

A mom hugging her two children in their living room as they play.

My Favorite Dog Model

It’s no secret, I’m a pretty big dog lover. I can appreciate cats, but honestly give me a big dog to photograph with your family any day and I’m a happy photographer. And these are just a few of the dogs (and one cat) that stole the show for their family portraits this year.

Several families posing for photos with their pet including dogs and one cat.

I also need to thank the Tubre family for inviting me to photograph them with their older dog Coco who was having health issues. We walked around their neighborhood of Bayou St. John and Coco had the best day ever getting extra treats and being showered by love. Sadly, Coco passed away the next day. It’s truly an honor to be their family photographer and celebrate their founding family dog.

A family hugging their dog as they sit along the banks of Bayou St. John.

Best New Orleans Headshot Photos

One of my favorite branding and headshot sessions this year was with the fabulous artist and teacher Adele Sypesteyn of Art with Adele. She’s an inspiration in putting yourself out there even if it makes you uncomfortable, loving what you do and leading your life with passion and humor. Take a look at her website, it comes alive with her personality and her branding photos were designed to match her messaging.

Three creative headshots of an artist wearing brightly colored clothing around urban New Orleans landscapes.

Most Fabulous Senior Session

We all want to celebrate our child’s amazing accomplishment of graduating high school or college, and allowing them to shine during a Senior Photo Session is a great way to remember this time. When we can end our photo session with something that speaks to their extraordinary talents, like we did with Ava’s senior session, it makes photos even that more special. Ava has been dancing at City Park Movement and Art since she was a little girl and I knew a sunset photo session on her pointe shoes at the docks of City Park would be perfect!

A young ballerina on point with a flowing skirt and arms in the air.

The Best Blooper

A baby trying to grab a camera. For a story about Why I love Being a New Orleans Photographer.

And last but not least, a few of the moments that went wrong. Proof that every family I photograph has someone who might not be that into wearing the fancy outfit, being held by Grampa, or wants to model a baby peacock costume- no matter how cute it is.

Moms took the brunt of it; including one moment at the beach when Emmett’s sandy hand went right into mom’s hair. Or Ryder decided his mom needed to take a swim too. But nevertheless, they make for great photos!

A sister playing peak-a-boo with her little brother who is crying.
A baby boy in a peacock costume with tears in his eyes as his mom tries to consul him during photos.

Wrapping Up an Incredible Year

Reflecting on this past year, I’m reminded of how much I love being a photographer in New Orleans. Each session was a chance to create something meaningful and beautiful for my clients that I know will become even more valuable as the years pass by. I’m so grateful to my amazing clients for trusting me to capture their memories, step outside of their comfort zones and enjoy the process of creating photographs of their lives.

If you want to stay on top of what’s coming up this Spring with curated New Orleans Mini Session Locations, New Orleans Headshot + Branding photos and New Orleans Senior sessions, make sure to get on my VIP list by joining my newsletter.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to talk about your next photos!

A few other tips you might like to read:

The Best Cameras for Kids and Teens

5 Myths About Headshots in New Orleans

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    About Jennifer

    When you work with me for your family, maternity + newborn photos, you’re getting a lifelong, professional in my field (not just a photography enthusiast) dedicated to providing families with meaningful portraits of the most special time in their lives whether it's the big moments or the smaller ones.

    Interested in booking a session?

    CONTACT JENNIFER

    504-388-8739
    mail@twirlphotography.com

    New Orleans Family Photographer