Everything you need to know about wedding photography in New Orleans!
Weddings
Although some of my couples have me start with the ceremony, most include some getting ready coverage. Typically this will be at a different location, such as a hotel room, an Airbnb, or a private residence. Sometimes this will be at the venue itself, as some event venues have space set aside on-site for this purpose.
The photographs taken during this time are typically candid in nature, documenting the getting ready process, such as the ladies having hair and makeup done, and the guys fixing each others' ties. Other pre-ceremony moments can be captured as well, such as a shot of the girls sitting on the bed in their robes / PJs, and the guys sharing a shot of whiskey.
This is also a good time for detail shots, such as flowers, the invitation suite, wedding rings, other jewelry, etc.
In some cases, during this time the couple will also (separately) read letters that have been written to each other, and/or open gifts.
Getting Ready
Though traditionally the couple would not see each other on the wedding day until the start of the ceremony, over the past 15 years or so, more and more couples are choosing to do a first look beforehand. There are some logistical benefits to doing a first look, with the main one being that it enables us to get most (or all) of the formal group photographs done before the ceremony, as well as the portraits of the couple.
While both of these can help improve the flow of the event (since we can go right into the reception at the conclusion of the ceremony), in the case of the couple portraits, in some cases doing a first look is crucial to getting these shots. If your wedding start time is at or near sunset, or is in the evening, we will not have natural light to work with after the ceremony. This is especially common for Fall and Winter weddings, as it gets dark rather early. There may be instances where nighttime conditions are preferred for these portraits (such as a dramatic city skyline shot), but if you want daytime portraits, be sure to factor this into your timeline.
But even aside from those advantages, first looks are also a beautiful moment to capture that emotional spontaneous reaction to seeing each other for the first time in your wedding attire.
If you do choose to do a first look we will pick an appropriate spot, and coordinate with the two of you (and your planner, if you have one) to make this moment happen!
First Look
Many couples place portraits of the two of them (beyond the portraits we'd typically get of them during the formal group shots) as a high priority for their wedding day. Capturing these kinds of photographs does require some time and planning though. Timing, locations, lighting, and (sometimes) transportation logistics all need to be considered.
For French Quarter weddings during the Spring, Summer, and early Fall, we can usually sneak out for 15-20 minutes or so during the reception to do some of these portraits, but this is highly dependent the timing of the event. If the ceremony took place in the late afternoon / early evening (or if it's a Winter wedding, since it gets dark much earlier), chances are we won't have daylight to work with by the time the reception is underway, and although we can shoot outside after dark, most couples prefer the natural light look for these shots. So, as mentioned on the previous page, it may be that having a first look is the only option if these portraits are important to you.
This is also the case if your wedding is taking place elsewhere in the city, but you are getting ready in the French Quarter and want some portraits in that area... a first look lets us do these portraits before we head off to the venue.
Regardless, if these portraits are important to you, it's worthwhile to include early in the planning process (preferably before your ceremony time is even established) the discussion of where and when to do them.
Couple Portraits
Wedding ceremonies require a delicate balancing act between being as discrete and unobtrusive as possible so as to not be too much of a distraction, while also capturing the beautiful and memorable pictures that my couples expect and desire.
For church ceremonies, there are usually restrictions on photographers and videographers, but typically these rules match up with how I would shoot anyway. I will sometimes use flash during the processional depending on the lighting, but then I will shoot with the available light. I'll be at the first pew (nearest the altar) during the processional, which also enables me to get the shot of the groom's reaction to seeing the bride come down the aisle. For the rest of the ceremony I'll be off to the sides and at the rear of the church, occasionally moving partially up the center aisle for capturing certain key moments, such as the exchange of rings or the first kiss. This approach meets the approval of most churches in the New Orleans area, though some occasionally have more restrictive rules that require me to only shoot from the back of the church or choir loft.
For ceremonies taking place in other locations, such as a hotel courtyard or ballroom, a park, or a dedicated event venue, I'll allow myself a bit more leeway in terms of movement and use of flash if the lighting is poor. While being unobtrusive is always my top priority, in some cases the tighter confines and/or setup for these ceremonies does require me to be a bit more visible than I ordinarily would be at a more spacious church.
Similarly, while the altar of most churches will usually be reasonably well-lit, lighting conditions in other indoor venues may dictate that I supplement it with my equipment. Photographing ceremonies outside at night almost always requires some use of flash, usually by employing strategically-positioned remote flashes on light stands.
Regardless of the venue, I always strive to achieve a balance between discretion and thoroughness, as well as the even more delicate balancing of capturing well-lit, pleasing photographs that also accurately represent the natural ambiance of the location and decor.
Ceremony
If there is one common thing that I hear frequently from almost all of my couples, it's that they do not want to spend an excessive amount of time doing formal group photos. My goal is to finish these as quickly as possible so that you don't miss too much of your reception (or cocktail hour). Depending on the number of groupings requested, I usually plan on these to take 15-20 minutes, but it's a good idea to allow 30 minutes just in case things run a little longer than expected.
Another option to alleviate this potential source of wedding day stress is to have a first look, which can enable us to get all of these formal group shots (as well as couple portraits) done before the ceremony, which means afterward you can go right to the reception without delay.
In either case, make sure your family members and wedding party know when and where to report for these photos. For pre-ceremony group shots, this means ensuring they are ready early enough (it's ok to cheat a little and tell them a time that is 15 minutes or so earlier than our actual expected start time for these pictures). For post-ceremony group shots, ensure that the people needed for these know to not roam off until we are finished.
It can be helpful to provide me with a list of the group shots that you want to capture.
Group Shots
While wedding ceremonies, especially in a church, require an approach of being as non-distracting as possible, there is generally no such expectation during a reception, where the festive and chaotic atmosphere, loud music from the band or DJ, flashing lights, and guest activity will make my movements and use of flash pretty much unnoticeable.
Still, I prefer to candidly capture natural moments that occur during the course of the event, rather than approaching groups of guests and asking them to "look at me and smile". Obviously the dance floor is where most of the action takes place, and much of my coverage is focused in this area. But I do also periodically roam around the other areas of the venue in search of people mingling and talking.
And while the bulk of my wedding photography coverage is photojournalistic in nature, I am perfectly fine with brides, grooms, or guests seeking me out to request informal group shots (friends from college, co-workers, distant relatives, etc.) during the course of the reception.
Reception
Weddings in New Orleans, just like other places, will often conclude with a grand send-off by guests at the end of the reception, which is a wonderful way to end the night... bubbles, sparklers, confetti, and streamer wands are just some of the options.
But here in the Crescent City, we have an option that you are unlikely to find anywhere else, your own second line parade through the streets! If you live in this area, you almost certainly know what a second line parade is. And if you've visited from out of town, particularly in the French Quarter on weekends, you have most likely witnessed a few of these. While "second line" has a specific traditional and historic definition stemming from unofficial marchers who would follow behind a Mardi Gras krewe's parade, the term has come to be more broadly used to include parades for weddings and other special occasions.
The parade consists of the newly married couple and all their guests being led through the streets with a brass band. While sometimes the brass band is at the very front of the procession, my preference is to have the couple first, then the band, followed by the guests. Having the couple at the front of the parade, with the band behind them, makes for much better photographs.
While the parade most often takes place at the end of the reception, it's not uncommon to have it be between the ceremony and reception, either to move from one place to the other, or to facilitate the venue flipping the space.
Send-Off
Wedding PHOTOGRAPHY
Pricing
My wedding photography pricing starts at $1,875, and on average my couples spend about $3,200. Weekday elopements start at $650, and intimate weddings / micro-weddings start at $1,275. For complete pricing details, please contact me using the form here, by emailing me, or by calling or texting me at 504-453-8029.
I offer packages that include ample hours of coverage for larger events along with beautiful album options, as well as packages that are compatible with smaller budgets. I also have special options just for couples who wish to elope in the New Orleans area or who are having a very small event that only require a few hours of coverage time.
And although I have an assortment of packages that have been designed based on my experience with what works best for most weddings, custom packages can be created to accommodate the special needs of events that do not readily fit with my regular packages.
Wedding Photography FAQs
As with all of your wedding vendors, you should book your photographer as early as possible to help ensure you are able to secure your first choice, and for most couples, the photographer is the second thing booked right after the wedding venue is confirmed. On average I book about 8-10 months in advance, with some popular dates (such as Saturdays in the Spring or Fall) tending to fill up earlier. But even if your date is only a few months or even just a week or two away, it still doesn't hurt to inquire about my availability, as I may have an opening... I book several weddings every year that are just a few months out (or less), and so far my record is one that, incredibly, was booked a mere three days before!
Yes. As one of the most experienced wedding photographers in New Orleans, I'm perfectly comfortable working by myself for most events, but can also make good use of a second photographer, and can help you decide which option is more suitable for your particular event.
As a very rough and broad estimate, expect to receive about 75-200 images per hour of wedding day coverage (a bit more if your package includes a second shooter). Every wedding is different, and various factors can influence how many pictures are captured, but there is no predetermined limit.
Absolutely not! Thankfully, the vast majority of videographers in the New Orleans area are respectful of the fact that you have invested a significant amount of money in a photographer, just as I am regarding the investment you've made in your videographer, and we will work together in a cooperative manner to beautifully document your wedding.
Yes, my business does maintain appropriate liability insurance, which is a requirement that many wedding venues impose on vendors who are providing services there. If your venue requires that they be named on a certificate of insurance, I can provide this upon request.
Marilyn & Ben
Gallery Venue at Tomas
Michael was a fantastic choice for us. His photos were beautiful, his communication was fast, and he was very professional.
Gina & Hugo
Board of Trade
We received our photos within a reasonable time frame after the wedding. We were impressed with the quality and quantity of photos. The pictures are perfect and we will cherish them for years to come. He exceeded our expectations!
Alexis & Dontaye
Riverview Room
The shots that Michael captured were nothing short of breath-taking! Every single guest has told us how they look like something out of a magazine.
Kathryn & Scott
Roosevelt Hotel
He was so professional and made us feel comfortable throughout what can be a very nerve-racking day! The pictures turned out so beautifully, and he was responsive and extremely helpful through the whole planning process.
Lauren & Will
Southern Oaks
My favorite part of the experience was him perfectly coordinating our "first look". From him suggesting the first look location in the French Quarter, to arranging where both parties were to meet- the entire process was flawless!
Madeleine & Lenny
Westin Canal Place
We even had guests come up to us after the wedding (even before seeing any photos!) complimenting his style and how wonderful it was to have such a skilled photographer navigating the event.
