by Roddy | Dec 4, 2018 | Engagements, Featured
Audubon Park Engagement Session
If you’re new to New Orleans and celebrating your engagement, there are few places where you can find a little bit of everything the city has to offer like Magazine Street, which was the setting bride-to-be Courtney and her soon-to-be groom Dave chose for their engagement photo sessions. They are recent transplants to New Orleans from Pennsylvania where they met. Dave was going to a tanning salon for a little pre-vacation tan, and there was Courtney, who was working at the salon part-time while in college. A few words later, Courtney had Dave’s phone number, and a few weeks later on their first date, she had his heart. They have been together for six years now. While they were still living in Philadelphia, Dave proposed to Courtney on Christmas Eve in 2017. He cleverly hid the ring box in the bottom of a bag of Christmas gifts they were wrapping. Courtney, of course, said yes after such a wonderful Christmas surprise. Not long after they became engaged, Courtney and Dave moved to New Orleans. Since they adore the city’s food, their stroll down Magazine Street gave them dozens of excellent options for satisfying their taste buds. If they felt like a quick snack was more in order, they could just grab a hot dog or something from one of the many food trucks in the area.
There’s also no shortage of bars offering all types of drinks and live music. Courtney and Dave strolled the cobblestone streets with their two dogs, Charlie, a Boston terrier, and Tug, the Pug. The two brothers are great friends and will get to be a part of their human parents’ special day, possibly as ring bearers sporting tuxedo collars. While the dogs enjoyed sniffing the air and passersby, Courtney and Dave enjoyed the scenery, occasionally hamming it up for the camera, while talking of the things they enjoy doing together, such as watching the Philadelphia Eagles or the Phillies play ball, or planning their next big vacation. They recently went to Thailand where they road on elephants and saw the splendor of the Bangkok temples. They did pause long enough for a warm embrace as the setting sun streamed through the trees in the background. At the present time, Dave works in the nuclear power industry where his focus is on reducing human error and bringing safety to the forefront. Courtney has a background in logistics and in supply chain, and is currently a Logistics Coordinator for Nabisco. When the big day arrives, the couple has chosen to hold the ceremony back in Pennsylvania where most of their friends and family still live. Of course, they didn’t just choose their venue because of location. It was all about the food! As a tribute to their favorite dessert, New Orleans king cake, they are in search of a Pennsylvania bakery that can create a king cake-inspired wedding cake. Even though they won’t be in New Orleans for their ceremony, they are sure to laissez le bon temps roule.
by Roddy | Jun 6, 2017 | Engagements, Featured
New Orleans Engagement Session
Sometimes when two people meet, they just know they are right for each other. When that happens, they just want to dismiss with the conventions of a typical engagement and wedding, and get on with the adventure of living life together as a couple. For Bre and Jared, a somewhat unconventional pair from Canada, a New Orleans’ French Quarter engagement trip and photo session were the beginning of that adventure.
Bre and Jared strolled through the streets of the French Quarter pausing to take pictures in front of what can only be described as the architectural art of the city’s famous buildings and homes. Colorful walls and shutters set the perfect scene for them. Jared was dressed in what could best be described as dressy-casual in a white dress shirt and yellow tie with black shorts. Bre, on the other hand, went with a deep lime green, floor-length dress with gold sandals and matching belt. They were the picture of style. They even found some graffiti art to pose in front of that rivaled Bre’s own beautiful, Picasso-esque body art.
As the sun shone brightly on this loving pair, the love they shared for each other was evident in their eyes, or more precisely in their heart-shaped sunglasses, which literally reflected one to the other!
When day gave way to night, and a sunny sky became aqua blue giving way to the royal blue of a starlit sky,Bre and Jared held each other and whispered of the joys ahead when, on the next day, they would say their vows in front of a Justice of the Peace.
The unconventionality and vibrant colors of New Orleans were just the thing for this daring duo.
by Roddy | May 31, 2017 | Engagements, Featured
Engagement Session in New Orleans
What more perfect day for an engagement session in New Orleans than one where it begins with the sun shining down on you from a cloudless sky and ends with a star-filled, royal blue evening sky above. This is the beautiful day that Sarah and Josh got as they strolled the streets of New Orleans to celebrate this momentous time in their lives. Having met and become friends in college, the couple has now been together for six and a half years, although they’ve only been engaged for five months. Josh chose to propose while they were on a holiday vacation in Honduras. When they were taking a sunset walk around the remote island of Pigeon Cay, they just happened upon a mysterious bottle with a message in it. The bottle contained a poem meant just for Sarah and, at the end of the poem, Josh gallantly went down on one knee and asked Sarah to be his wife. They had a romantic champagne dinner on the island before heading back to Roatan where they were staying. If someone ever asks this couple who they’d like to be stranded with on an island, it’s obvious the answer would be each other. The couple hails from Texas and likes all kinds of music. They also enjoy good cocktails and wine, and think of themselves as “foodies” with an adventurous streak. Josh, who is a Business Development Manager, and Sarah, who works for a boutique consulting firm, love traveling, scuba diving, cooking, and spending time with their son. For their engagement session, they spent time admiring each other and some colorful architecture in the city, and paused for a few intimate moments amid some of the city’s famous live oak trees. As music lovers, it seemed fitting that they should pose for some photos on the steps of the famous Marigny Opera House, referred to as the Church of the Arts, which hosts music, live theatre, and ballet. As the sun set on this perfect day, the only thing that shown brighter than Sarah’s engagement ring was the glow being emitted from this couple’s eyes as they gazed at each other under the lights of the city. 
by Roddy | Nov 5, 2016 | Engagements
New Orleans Engagement Session in the French Quarter
Sometimes in life, we overlook the best things for us, even when they’re right in front of our faces. This was the case with Laura and Ben who were next door neighbors while growing up, but who never really hung out together, even though they shared the same friends. It took this couple 14 years after graduating high school to meet again and realize they were meant for each other.
While vacationing on the Carolina coast, Laura and Ben finished up their trip in Charleston, SC, which has a rich history. It began as a colonial seaport in 1670. In order to retain the original architecture after the damage of the Civil War, Charleston chose to repair its buildings rather than tear them down and rebuild, thus preserving their beauty for generations to come. And since history is what this couple already shares, they decided it was time to start building on that.
Laura, a high school physical education teacher for the past 12 years, and Ben, a salesman, chose to celebrate their engagement in New Orleans where they could indulge their love of food and drinks. The couple also loves to travel and has not only traveled throughout the U.S., but has visited several countries as well. They love the outdoors and spend their weekends hiking, biking, kayaking, or fishing, although Laura says Ben is the real fisherman. She just likes to tag along. They both enjoy music and visiting local breweries when traveling.
While strolling through the New Orleans’ French Quarter celebrating their engagement, the couple paused for photos in Jackson Square with the famous St. Louis Cathedral as their backdrop. Sitting on a bench beneath a sign that read, “Witchcraft & Magick,” you could see that this couple was under the spell of love. They stopped for a cocktail, and then headed to the Riverwalk for a sunset kiss on the mighty Mississippi. And what better place to wrap up their special day than on Royal Street next to the Forever boutique sign with the city lights shining down on them lighting their way to their forever together.
New Orleans Engagement Session in the French Quarter
by Roddy | Oct 27, 2016 | Engagements
City Park Engagement Session in New Orleans
When romance is in the air, often music is too, so what could be more romantic than a song written especially for you. If you want to know how special that is, just ask Heidi, because that’s just how Brent began his evening of surprises during their recent week-long cruise. During a music trivia game they attended, only Brent knew this one particular song because, as it turned out, he wrote it for his beloved Heidi. Brent professed his adoration for Heidi in front of a crowd of about 100 people and asked for her hand in marriage. The usually cool Brent who, as a professional musician, regularly performs in front of large crowds, was nervous as he waited for Heidi’s reply. Even in a state of complete surprise by Brent’s majorly important performance, Heidi managed to say, Yes!
The couple decided to celebrate with a New Orleans’ City Park engagement session, where nature, fantasy, and history abound. In order to create some history of their own, they brought their Boston Terrier, Taz, along for the photo session, but, thankfully, he didn’t steal the show from the happy couple.
This edgy, traveling duo from Austin, Texas love to scope out new places or sometimes just get in the car and head to parts unknown to see where life takes them. When they aren’t on the road, they spend time sharing their special talents with each other. Heidi’s learning music and teaching Brent to play golf. They both love rock climbing, and Taz likes to tag along wherever they go.
As night settled in around them and the city lights came up, it was hard not to mistake Heidi’s dazzling bright smile for one of the stars coming up in the night sky. Heidi, a dental hygienist, obviously practices what she preaches.
With their engagement, this adventurous couple, who have been together for three years, is now committed to a totally new adventure – life as a married couple. Maybe Heidi can serenade Brent while he works on his golf swing.
by Roddy | Oct 14, 2016 | Engagements
Engagement Session in City Park
Hilary and Dan’s City Park engagement session allowed them to commune with each other and nature while taking in a bit of New Orleans history. As one of the nation’s oldest urban parks, City Park boasts over 1,300 acres of picturesque landscape that make the perfect backdrop for memorable photos. Hilary, who works for a private investigation firm, probably didn’t have to do much investigating to know that Dan, who works in public relations, was the man for her. And Dan certainly advertised his feelings for her when he recently presented her with an engagement ring.
To celebrate their engagement, they strolled beneath the ancient oaks in City Park as the sun shone through the curtains of Spanish moss hanging from the giant, sloping branches to shine down on them on this special day. The pathways they walked were lined with large groupings of iron plants, stands of magnolia trees, and other natural flora and fauna featured throughout the park. They paused at the Owen/Butler Memorial Fountain, titled the Unfortunate Boot, which was created in 1910. The original sculpture was replaced with a water nymph in 1929, and then in 1994, the fountain was restored and rededicated. They enjoyed a few private moments in front of Popp Fountain, added to the park in 1937 and designed by artist Enrique Alferez. The fountain is over 60 feet wide and has a water spray of 30 feet, which comes out of a cast bronze sculpture of leaping dolphins. The fountain is surrounded by 26 Corinthian columns draped in wisteria and has brilliant-colored crepe myrtles lining its walkways. What a romantic setting for an engagement photo.
And in anticipation of sculpting the perfect marriage, Hilary and Dan will be celebrating their upcoming wedding in City Park’s famous Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which sits on five acres and is host to more than 60 sculptures by master sculptors and contemporary artists from around the world.
Their reception will follow at the park’s New Orleans Museum of Art, the city’s oldest fine arts museum. The museum is home to a permanent collection of over 40,000 works, including pieces by such famous names as Monet, Picasso, Degas, Pollock, and O’Keefe. The couple and their guests will be able to dance the night away in some famous company before beginning their spectacular life together.
