Michael Caswell Photography

New Orleans Wedding Photographer

My name is Michael Caswell and I’m a New Orleans wedding photographer and portrait photographer based in Slidell, Louisiana. I’ve documented over 800 weddings in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the northshore, the Mississippi Gulf Coast region, and other locations throughout the southeast since 2005, and I’d love to photograph yours too!

EXPERIENCED, NOLA-LOCAL, FULL-TIME PHOTOGRAPHER

I'm proud to be a full-time wedding photographer, which enables me to devote the necessary time and attention to my clients before, during, and after the event in this heavily service-oriented craft. I am among the most experienced and skilled professional wedding photographers in New Orleans and the surrounding area, having documented a large number and wide variety of marriage celebrations over the past 18 years.

Based in southeast Louisiana, I was born and raised in this area, and have lived here my entire life. Having photographed celebrations at the best wedding venues in New Orleans and the surrounding area, I have extensive experience working in a wide variety of locations and conditions.

Kinfolk Brass Band Wedding Second Line Parade
Palmettos on the Bayou Wedding in Slidell Louisiana
Wedding Reception at Academy of the Sacred Heart NOLA
Saint Louis Cathedral Wedding in New Orleans
Bride and Mother Arrive at Church in Bentley Limo
Southern Hotel Covington Wedding Portrait
Omni Royal Orleans Rooftop Bride and Groom
Bourbon Vieux in the French Quarter Bride and Father
Wedding Ceremony at the Cabildo in New Orleans
Immaculate Conception Church Wedding Ceremony Photo
Southern Oaks Reception First Dance
Hotel Peter and Paul Wedding Ceremony in New Orleans
The Chicory Wedding in the Warehouse District in NOLA
Wedding Ceremony at The Gallery Venue at Tomas Bistro
Bride and Groom Kiss at Hotel Peter & Paul Wedding
Lang House Wedding in Mandeville Louisiana
Couple's first dance at Maison Dupuy wedding reception
Jackson Square Wedding Ceremony Photograph
Michabelle Inn Wedding in Hammond Louisiana
Audubon Tea Room Wedding Flower Petal Send-Off
City Park Botanical Garden Wedding Ceremony
Bride and Groom at Destrehan Louisiana Church
Southern Oaks New Orleans Wedding Ceremony
New Orleans Bridal Portrait at Southern Oaks
Latrobes on Royal Bride and Groom Portrait on Stairs
Elms Mansion wedding ceremony in New Orleans
Beach Wedding Portrait of Bride and Groom
Republic NOLA Wedding in the Warehouse District
Hotel Mazarin Ceremony in Courtyard
Latrobe's Wedding in New Orleans

A Little About Me, my photography style, and how I work

I employ a photojournalistic, documentary-style approach to the craft of wedding photography. This means that I use my skills and many years of experience behind the camera to candidly and unobtrusively capture the events and emotions of your day naturally as they unfold. My goal is to create stunningly beautiful and authentic pictures that tell a complete story and let you relive those moments every time you look through your wedding photographs.

New Orleans wedding photographers and videographers are fortunate in that we get to work with a diverse range of clients at a wide variety of fascinating ceremony and reception venues with a tremendous amount of visual character, and unique southern traditions that you don't find in other parts of the country. One of the most enjoyable aspects of being in this craft in this city is that on any given weekend, I could be shooting in a quaint French Quarter courtyard that dates back hundreds of years, a stunningly beautiful church, a historic old building that has been repurposed to host events, a spacious and opulent hotel ballroom, a scenic park full of graceful moss-covered oak trees that are centuries old, a rustic looking barn, or a modern and sophisticated event venue.

I believe a big part of why I've been so successful as a wedding photographer is that I genuinely enjoy I enjoy every aspect of the work, from discussing wedding visions, plans, and logistics with my couples, working with them on engagement portraits and bridal portraits, preparing for and capturing the big day itself, and the image editing and album design work that takes place afterward. I even enjoy boxing up and shipping my couples' wedding albums to them! Weddings (and wedding-related portraits) are, by choice, what I specialize in, and I greet each and every couple's event with enthusiasm and a personal desire to capture beautiful images that my clients will treasure and that I myself will be proud of. I get a deep sense of pride and personal fulfillment from creating pictures that I know my couples and their families, both present and future, will cherish forever.

OTHER PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALTIES

Additional photographic specialties include engagement portraits, bridal sessions, vow renewals, and I have extensive experience in capturing surprise marriage proposals. I am also available for documenting other special events, and portraits of families, and children, as well as high school seniors and college graduates. And I photograph corporate events, trade shows, and conventions as well.

Testimonials

Couples often remark that I was invisible most of the day as I photographed their ceremony and reception, and that I was fast and efficient, completing the formal group photographs and portraits of the couple in a timely and stress-free manner so that they could enjoy more of the party with their family and friends. I am also universally praised as being a pleasant and enjoyable person to work with. It's no surprise that many of my bookings come from referrals from past brides and grooms. Very often I'll receive inquiries from newly-engaged brides who were bridesmaids at weddings I photographed, and on numerous occasions I've had families repeatedly hire me to document the nuptials of their other children as well, which I believe is the ultimate compliment a wedding photographer can receive.
I have been voted Best of The Knot nine years in a row by brides and grooms who have gotten married in south Louisiana and Mississippi, consistently receiving very positive reviews from my couples, and am included in The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame.
Here are just a handful of the wonderful compliments my clients have given me over the years:

Michael was wonderful from the first emails to receiving the edited photos. He was very responsive and helpful in finalizing the venue location since we were coming from out of town. He was very prompt, had great communication, and knew exactly where to go around the area to take beautiful and unique photos. I will definitely use him again if the occasion every calls for needing a photographer in New Orleans.

—Erin & Jesse, elopement at the Pharmacy Museum in the French Quarter, May 2024


Thank you so much for capturing the magic of our wedding day so beautifully. Your talent truly shined through each and every shot. The moments you captured will be cherished by us and generations to come! We are so grateful for the incredible gift you have given us!
— Kassie & Denis-Michael, Champagne Palace, October 2023


We hired Michael to photograph our wedding. Michael not only cares about his craft, but the people he photographs. He helped us through us both being uncomfortable taking photos. We’re so happy with how the pictures turned out and would gladly refer him to anyone who is looking for a photographer!

— Devin & Sid, New Orleans City Park, March 2023


Michael is a fantastic photographer. All of our pictures turned out beautifully. Michael is responsive, prompt, and professional. He also suggested some photos that I wouldn't have thought of that turned out to be my favorites. He was able to capture the emotions of the day so perfectly when we weren't expecting it. I asked Michael to take charge of the photographs because there was so much going on and I didn't want to spend my happiest day directing anyone - he made sure that he caught every memorable moment on camera and we couldn't have been more pleased. My husband and I highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a seasoned, professional, and creative photographer who listens to his clients and delivers the best results.

— Adria & Michael, Napoleon House in the French Quarter, October 2022


Michael Caswell is the most amazing photographer! I did a lot of research before I chose him and made the perfect choice. He listened to all our requests and documented our most special night exactly the way we envisioned it. He came early and stayed late to make sure he captured all our special moments. He brought Allison with him and they were a great team. So many incredible photos to choose from. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

— Lori & Lain, Hotel Mazarin in the French Quarter, December 2021


Michael was so wonderful to work with. We love the photos he captured for our wedding but also loved how behind the scenes he was. We wanted to be able to experience our day without worrying about the photography and Michael helped us accomplish just that. He captured the shots without interrupting the flow of the day. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer with a great eye who is also subtle. His turn around of the photos was quick and he is extremely responsive to any questions. Highly recommend.

— Elsa & Sean, Jackson Square in the French Quarter, May 2021


You did a great job! I am so happy I chose you as my photographer. You truly made this a pleasant experience for us especially during this stressful year. We received our wedding book. It looks amazing! Thank you for the beautiful pictures and all your help. If we ever need a photographer in New Orleans you know I will contact you.

— Lori & Clayton, Le Musée de f.p.c. in New Orleans & a lakefront Airbnb in Slidell, October 2020


Michael, I cannot say thank you enough for the incredible job you did! Thank you so much for capturing our day, making sure you got all the shots I asked for. Thank you for doing it in a timely manner and easing all of my worries. Thank you for your professionalism and time from the beginning, for the meetings and countless questions, emails, and phone calls. The sneak peeks look incredible, and I'm giddy and excited to see the rest! Thanks again!

— Amy & Shawn, Trinity Banquets & Receptions in Slidell, August 2019


Michael!! Oh my gosh you are amazing!! These are perfection! You captured every single detail and so many wonderful shots of us and our family/friends! We can't believe how you made your way around the space, especially during the ceremony – you are a photo ninja! We cannot thank you enough for capturing these moments – so excited!

— Taryn & Christopher, Compass Point Events in Algiers, April 2018


Dear Michael, we wanted to send a sincere THANK YOU for being such an amazing photographer! Your photos are stunning – you always know how to get every angle and how to make the slightest adjustments to make the shots perfect. Your are a pleasure to work with – always punctual, professional, and sweet! We absolutely loved working with you. I know there is no one who could have captured our best moments, faces and feelings like you did. I would recommend you to anyone, and approach you again with any of my photography wishes. We could not have had a better photographer, and we just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated you every step of the way!

— Christie & Brandon, Southern Oaks in New Orleans, March 2017


Thank you so much for being a very special part of our wedding! We appreciate you spending the day with us and capturing so many great moments! You were an absolute pleasure both before and throughout the whole wedding day. Thank you for being flexible with everything and really catering to all the crazy shots we requested! We're so glad we had you as our photographer! We can't wait to see the rest of the photos!

— Rita & Lawrence, Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans & Palmettos in Slidell, October 2016


Arthur Hardy here, completely blown away at your photos of our son's wedding... Count me in if you need an endorsement or testimonial. Your work is superb and I will be happy to shout it from the rooftops.

— Arthur Hardy (father of the groom, and legendary New Orleans Mardi Gras historian!), Beauregard-Keyes House in the French Quarter, December 2015


Other Areas Served

In addition to New Orleans, I am available to document events across a widespread area in the Gulf South region, serving Mississippi and the Gulf Coast, and other areas of Louisiana such as:
  • Slidell
  • Pearl River
  • Lacombe
  • Mandeville
  • Covington
  • Madisonville
  • Abita Springs
  • Metairie
  • Gretna
  • Marrero
  • Franklinton
  • Laplace
  • Hammond
  • Ponchatoula
  • Vacherie
  • Houma
  • Thibodaux
  • Raceland
  • Baton Rouge
  • Lafayette
  • Grand Coteau
  • New Iberia
  • Opelousas
  • Lake Charles

I generally do not charge a travel fee for weddings in these cities, or anywhere else within 200 miles of the New Orleans metro area.