Film Photography

New Orleans on Film

An interesting thing that you might not know about me is that I don’t really drink alcohol.  It’s not a decision based on morals, I just happen to not really like most alcoholic beverages unless they taste like a chocolate milkshake in which case I will consume it immediately.  Since New Orleans is so well known for its partying and for Bourbon Street, I have always been a little hesitant about visiting.  Not that I’m a big square that would rather stay home and read Harry Potter (even though that’s true), I just didn’t know if it would have anything for me.  Lucky for me, I was wrong.  My favorite thing about NOLA (other than obviously, the historic gates, colorful homes, gas lamps, and BEIGNETS) was that it feels like it has a soul.  Every corner you turn has an interesting story or the best jazz band you’ve ever heard playing on the sidewalk.  And the people who live there seem to belong there.  There is so much character and beauty.

I’m not going to do a full recap of our trip because I’m almost late for work (typical) but here are a couple of tidbits:

  • We stayed in a beautiful home in the Bywater neighborhood.  It is a little further from the things one would like so we ended up taking multiple 45 minute walks to and from the French Quarter several times a day.  Not ideal but the house is gorgeous.  So if you are wanting to go in New Orleans and not be smack dab in the middle of all the tourists, this is a good spot.
  • Our favorite activities were probably a Swamp Tour (where we saw swamp pigs!!) and the Voodoo Lady Haunted tour which was really cool but a little long.
  • Obviously we ate the beignets at Cafe du Monde.  I don’t know why but they are way better than the ones at the French cafes in Charlotte.
  • I loved walking around the Garden District, which is where most of these pictures were taken.  Is anyone surprised?
  • One of the highlights was walking to Frenchmen Street to listen to jazz and shop in a little bistro-lit alley.  Frenchmen Street is basically a classy version of Bourbon Street, or so I’m told.
  • If you want to feel super sophisticated, go have a beverage in the Sazerac bar at the Waldorf Astoria.
  • A quick tip – whatever you do, no matter how tired your feet are, don’t get into the car with questionable strangers.

All images captured on film with my Mamiya 645 on Fuji 400h (although a roll of Portra 400 might have slipped in) and processed by Richard Photo Lab.

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  1. Megan

    Soooo pretty! Let’s go back. I miss Jim B.

  2. Katie

    So pretty Colleen! I’d go back in a second!

  3. Stephanie

    Love them! So glad you enjoyed it! I will go anytime.

  4. Kat Faux

    Come on now, I thought it was going to be a free ride!

  5. Taylor

    The post I’ve been waiting for! I love seeing NOLA through other people’s eyes 🙂 I’ll probably be purchasing a piece from you to add to my collection. So glad yall had fun.

  6. marilyn

    Pictures were incredible! You should work for the New Orleans
    Visitors Bureau. They couldn’t describe it any better.
    Dad

  7. Michele

    I visited New Orleans for a the first time a couple of years ago and LOVED it there. I really enjoyed seeing your photos–they are wonderful. And they brought back happy memories of our visit. Thanks for sharing.

  8. Colleen

    Thanks so much everyone!

  9. Jean Wilks

    Enjoyed the photos!
    Reading your blog this morning was like a nice visit with you!
    Thanks,