Perfectly Parish Photography

Kill Baby Kill: A Day at Grand Isle

2010-06-13T12:10:00.166-05:00

Louisiana is caught, once again, between Mother Earth and Uncle Sam, in a place that more resembles the Twilight Zone, than the place that I call home. Fifty-four days ago, the nation's greatest man-made disater, the British Petroleum Gulf Oil Spill occured. What shall we call this episode? Drill Baby Drill? Spill Baby Spill? or how about Kill Baby Kill?

I have heard Louisiana dumped on for all of my life, and now, once again it is slipping away, and she will eventually heave her last breath, and it will be like she never existed. What is being killed? Our way of life. Our ecomony. Our heritage. Our very existence.

On Friday, May 28th, 2010, I took a ride to see Grand Isle, before she is gone forever. These are my photos from that day, which was also the day that President Obama visited Louisiana for the third time. The beach had been cleaned up just prior to the President's visit- WHY? I don't know! You'd think he needed to see that mess!! Most folks here feel like it was more of a photo opportunity for the Presidnet than anything else. He didn't even get in a boat! You don't come all the way here and don't get in a boat!

Take Highway 1 in South Louisiana as far as you can go,

and you will find yourself in Grand Isle.

While crossing a bridge I spotted the first oil boons, bright orange, laid out in the water...

"Jesus Christ Reigns Over Grand Isle"

Worker's who are paid $10.00 an hour to work on the sweltering heat que up to ride the bus back.

A clean up crew poses, but I was quickly shooed away after wards and asked not to photograph the workers.

I obviously didn't listen!

The Sassafrass Girls came from Alabama to deliver their message, which is different from most Louisianians, who want to keep drilling, whether it be at sea or on land. We don't make all the airlines stop flying whenever there is a plane crash do we?

I me tthis young man who was selling lemonaid to help raise money to help clean up the oil spill in his backyard.

The President leaves Grand Isle with fanfare.

These traps should be in the water.

Oyster shells lie in the grass along the highway on Grand Isle.

The fish may die in the Gulf, but the sharks are just fine!

I met this guy who works at a tatoo shop in South LaFourche Parish in one of the little fishing villages along Highway 1. We talked a while and laughed at each other's accents ,and even though we are both from Louisiana,we each thought the other one talked funny! He fears that business will dry up, and if that happens then he will pack up his family and head west.

Cricket & Ricky

2010-03-20T22:04:00.014-05:00

"I'm here, but I'm NOT gonna watch when they start all that kissing stuff!", declared 8 year old Nathan. I turned around to see the author of the declaration and introduced myself. We were at Cricket & Ricky's wedding... I was there to capture the "kissing moment" and he was determined to not see it! He made me laugh! Childhood...weddings...sunny days...family...babies...LIFE. This is the good stuff. Congratulations Cricket & Ricky. May God Bless Your New Lives Together. (and think you for asking me to share in and capture all of those beautiful moments of your special day).

Cricket nervously getting ready...

Ricky calmly waiting for his bride...
Frank and 4 month old Emily begin the procession...

Here comes the "kissing stuff"...

Cricket gets a hug from Dad!
This precious baby girl was all about "working the lens"...isn't she adorable???

The toast...
The ring!!!
The cake!!!

I thought this was sweet when Cricket frosted Ricky's nose...
And the Groom's cake was the best I have ever seen...It was in honor of today not only being Cricket & Ricky's wedding day, but it is also the first day of turkey hunting season here in south Louisiana, and if Ricky had not had a pressing prior engagement, I believe he would have been hunting...so Cricket had this cake especially for him... (cakes by Theresa Ditmore)

p.s. When Cricket's brother complained that she did not "smush" the cake in Ricky's face she chased him with a piece of cake and got him!!

Legend 315

2010-03-17T19:16:00.006-05:00

Meet my friend's newest "bundle of Joye" named Legend. He is as precious as he can be. His mommy happily reports that he is an angel, as she cooes over him and calls him "my love", "my angel", "my precious"... I couldn't agree more...

TTD- Danielle

2010-03-16T11:01:00.022-05:00

Danielle has gone from a little girl who had sleep overs with my daughter at my home, to a beautiful young lady full of life and love. We had soooooooo much fun with her TTD (Trash the Dress) photo session that within hours after I left her home she was on the phone with me dying to see her pictures! "Are they ready yet" she teased me! I hope these pictures were worth the wait....

Trash The Dress- Katie

2010-03-14T20:03:00.013-05:00

Would you? Could you? Katie said "yes" to my crazy request to "trash her dress"! I finally had a victim, uh "client". She is gorgeous, wouldn't you agree? And the fact that she was willing to get down and dirty is so cool! If you don't know what "Trash the Dress" is all about I'll tell you!

It is a symbolic gesture that says "I have found the one and I'm done with this dress". After all, what are you going to do with it? Stuff it in a closet for the rest of your life? Give it to your daughter? (Did you wear your mother's dress?) Why not go all the way and TRASH IT?

Katie said she had more fun taking these pictures that she did posing for her photos on her wedding day! Well, we know weddings can be stressful- "Stand here. Stand there. Don't get the dress dirty", but TTD (Trash the Dress) is like "Opposite Day"...how fun is that?

So, how about you? Do you want to stuff your wedding dress in a closet or make the ultimate statement of commitment and trash it?

Tanner

2010-03-14T12:25:00.007-05:00

Tanner is the cutest little boy "made up of snips and snails and puppy dog tails" as the nursery rhyme goes. He loves to fish, play with his kitten, roll in the mud (if he has half a chance of getting away with it), his cousin Maddie, and his hero "Pee Wee Herman"...lol! His beautiful blue eyes are from his mother who adores him!

T- three

A- adorable

N- ninety miles an hour

N- never stops talking

E- energetic

R- really, really loved by his mommy & daddy!

Bacchus 2010

2010-03-07T07:48:00.017-06:00

Bacchus 2010.

Drew Brees is the King. And his wife the Queen. We arrive about 2 hours early, and the streets are packed. We are on St. Charles and Napoleon. Sweet. We find a spot on the parade route where people are dancing behind us to the sound of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline". There are several frat houses and the party is in full swing! I ask a lady if we can get on one of her ladders, because my friend needs a good shot of Drew Brees for her assigment. "Sure no problem" and she gives us two ladders! People are here for a GOOD TIME! Everyone is happy! No one pushes or shoves! The next goal...get a black Drew Brees doubloon! We are here for great pictures, a great time, and that special doubloon that only Drew Brees will throw!! I ask a kid to catch us some and offer him $$. His eyes are as big as doubloons! Later he gives us 2, the only 2 he caught, and I give him $5.00. We are both happy! Next goal...catch a Drew Bress football! We do not accomplish this one. But I have a picture of a very happy lady who did catch one (see below). Oh, it's all so silly I know...parades, happy people, but if you can't let your hair down here, then you must be bald! I hope that whomever sees my pictures enjoys them, and feels the fun spirit of Mardi gras. And please drop me a line or two!!

This is true "hero worship"...kids wearing Drew Brees tatoo "birth marks"... and the proceeds go to a charity. There were dozens of kids wearing these tatoos! How sweet and bizarre.

On assignment...
"Drew Call Me"...
People threw beads at this big guy.

and his girlfriend...

Drew!
The lucky lady who caught Drew Brees' football...

The Flame Beau Carriers...back in the day they lit the way for the night parades, and people tipped them...now we have street lights...too bad...

For My Paris...

"Moo Dat"...

Amee

2010-02-18T18:27:00.008-06:00

My photo shoot with Amee.An up and coming young photographer the sky is the limit for my friend Amee...
Born and raised in New Orleans she is a lover of all that is good...and fun...
Not used to being on the other side of the lens Amee was willing to be my model...
at 8:00am! (Thank You)
She's not a morning person...
but don't tell her that!
This is one of my favs!
And I love the drama of this one...
We had fun trying out new poses...
and teaching me to be a better photographer...
I love the curve of this tree branch and how Amee mimicked it...
Everywhere you look in City Park is so beautiful...
and the moss-covered oaks make for the perfect backdrop...
Thank You Amee!

and if you watch the sky you'll be sure to see Amee's star streak across your corner of it!

L-O-M-B-A-R-D-I-G-R-A-S-!

2010-02-16T14:21:00.016-06:00

Our city has coined a new term! "Lombardi-Gras" is the new wordthat refers to our beloved Saints Historic Super Bowl win...and even before they won the super bowl the party had been planned! Win or Lose the Saints were in the Super Bowl and New Orleans was set to show their team a heroe's welcome...BUT WIN THEY DID AND MAN DID WE PARTY!!!
Ingredient's for Lombardi Gras fun:

One Amee...
A great spot on the parade route...We choose St. Charles at Julia...
Old Street Cars carrying people to and away from the city...
and some crazy fans...
The Times Picayune declares "The Boys Are Back In Town"...yeah you right!
The kids each had hand decorated Saints umbrella's...how adorable!
A wave of purple, gold and green reflected off of this tin wall as a "Shockey Heart & Soul" fan passes by...
People stake out their claim to the parade route.
She's ready for some fun!
Even the littlest fans are in the Spirit!
Prancing to their own music...they wanted to show us how to party ...
New Orleans finest in black and blue...
A dancing chicken declares the news... (oh yeah, we have a new mayor too!)
These ladies have great taste!
This lady has her own taste!
Could he be any happier?
This woman had Saints love from her head to her toes...
And this little lady had to show her love too!
ok, just a couple of drunk guys here! LOL
A proud group of Saints fans strut their stuff down St. Charles...
And this guy just wants to make a buck!
There is not end to the creativity of a true Saints fan...
We dat!
I love it! Amazing what a can of gold spray paint can do to one's outfit...
or what a glass of wine can do to one's station...
General Robert E. Lee watches over Lee Circle as revelers march down St. Charles...with the news "Rickey in the Hall of Fame" (check) and "Super Bowl Champs" (check)...
How do you get down St. Charles? Ride a colt!!
A sea of black and gold begins to swell...
A little fan passes the time playing football...
And the tweeners text...
The cops mark the immenent parade...
And the Marine Corps has arrived...
Tom Benson's float...

Drew Bree's float...

The Saint-sations...

Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!

Kicker Hartley rode in a big ladies shoe! LOL

Finally Sean Peyton with the Lombardi trophy...
Good Night New Orleans!
I love you!

New Orleans Saints...Defending The Dome!

2010-01-23T23:27:00.009-06:00

So I was dying to drive to New Orleans and take some pictures the day before the beloved Saints defend the Dome against the Minnesota Vikings...I wanted someone to go with me...I thought about the perfect friend who would be up for almost anything on the spur of the moment...and that friend is Amee! But she's in Utah...and I'm here!
So I went alone, and I found it to be a bit quiet, like how I was feeling. As I approached the Dome, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe, unlike I had ever felt before. I have passed the dome so many times before, but this time was different...and the city knew it. It was the calm before the storm..........
Next I drove over to the Moon Walk and found a beautiful blanket of fog had settled over the French Quarter, enveloping it's reveler's in an omnipresent feeling of peace and clam, a sort of stillness of knowing that we are on the verge of something great!
I languished in it's beauty...
As all were welcome...Saints fans & Vikings fans...
Even the mannequins seemed to stand a little prouder as the displayed the Black & Gold fashion plates...
It was only about 6pm, but tiem seemed to stand still for New Orleans...
Jackson Square was reverent...
and more beautiful than I had ever seen it before...these 2 Saints fans knew it as well
Even though Jackson Square was closed I did not mind...
I was able to get my lens between the gate...
and see it anew...
On the other side of Jackson Square I spyed the corner and took this shot...
and this one too!
I caught this guy coming out of the St. Louis Cathedral, not doubt he just finished praying to the Saints for the Saints...!
I wonder if they heard?

Further down into the French Quarter I found theses 2 Saints fans!
And more hung out on the balconies.
These two guys could not contain their excitement, but I think they are Vikings fans, I'm not sure...
So Good Night Sweet Saints, sleep tight! We'll see you on the other side of History!

Looking Back At A Few of My Favorites From 2009

2010-01-15T20:25:00.004-06:00

Renda! Fierce Model/Musician...Katie! Thrash The Dress...
Christina! Beautiful Mommy TO BE...
Anja! My Sister...working on a FULL SLEEVE...
Last of all me... Not that I belong on my own "Favorites" category, but I accidentally uploaded this and now I'm afraid that if I delete it I'll delete everything else. So since I'm here I'd like to say that I'm a insufferable perfectionist. In fact, I am a habitual destroyer of my own work because I constantly doubt myself, and I end up hitting the delete button on everything, my blog, my life, my self, everything. I hope to stop doing this in 2010...