Renee + Patrick | New Orleans Engagement Session

My job is not just to take pretty pictures of random things or staged emotion, but to set-up an environment that invokes comfortability and natural emotion. This allows me to observe, direct, and document people and feelings in the most authentic way possible.  

When my past meets my present, it makes for the most beautiful and unique perspective for me. I observe and document the people currently in front of me, not as any person I may have known in the past, but as they exist, in all of their current chaotic joy of life.

Both Renee and Patrick hold a nostalgic place in my heart from separate past days spent among art, friends, and laughs.  Here’s a little peek into an afternoon we spent enjoying the Fall weather, laughing, + sipping cocktails along St. Charles Avenue…

In high school, Fall evenings of friends gathering at Patrick’s house to enjoy those with musical abilities grace us with piano, acoustic guitar, and some vocals I’ll never know a thing about, while we hung out among a fire and friends. Looking back, it makes me smile.

Renee is effortlessly a model. Truly. This girl functions in front of a camera as naturally as breathing. Over the years, Renee has worked with me on several large shoots. From senior photographs to lookbook shoots full of laughs, I didn’t even realize I was watching her grow into the woman she is.

I’m so happy that somehow the stars aligned and ever-so-randomly joined Renee and Patrick’s paths.  I truly cannot wait to document this era of life for two people whom I’ve had such fond past memories with. 

SIDE NOTE: When my couples inquire about what to wear for engagement sessions, I always suggest, first and foremost, outfits that are reflective of what they are naturally comfortable in. Often times, I recommend one casual and one more dressy outfit selection, preferably in colors that aren’t extremely bright. For my style of photo documentation, I generally find more muted colors to tell a story in a photograph that leaves spotlight on the emotion, rather than drawing the eye to other factors present. That being said, throw on a statement piece of clothing that you have feels about and giiiiiirl, I’ll photograph the shit outta you.

Renee + Patrick are getting married at one of my most-loved and romantic wedding venues in New Orleans, Il Mercato. It kind of feels as though you’re in the midst of a real-life Italian Courtyard Fairytale...in the middle of New Orleans. And well, I personally don’t have any qualms about that.

Renee + Patrick, I cannot wait to watch the rest of your story unfold together.