Emily and Maddie wanted to take Bywater engagement photos to highlight the colors and charm of New Orleans while avoiding the major tourist spots. We started our session near Clouet Gardens and wandered around finding the best pockets of light.
Bywater Neighborhood History
The Bywater neighborhood is located just downriver from the French Quarter in the city’s 9th Ward. The neighborhood is full of charm and character with colorful houses and quirky murals. On each block, it’s easy to find an entire rainbow of colors painted on the historic Creole cottages and shotgun houses with decorative gingerbread details. The Bywater is known by long-time residents as the “Upper 9th Ward” as it was separated from the Lower 9th by the Industrial Canal in the early 20th century.
Today the Bywater is increasingly becoming a tourist destination and victim of gentrification, but it still holds a lot of local flair. It is close enough to walk into the French Quarter yet far enough that many tourists don’t make it that far after a hand grenade or two!
The Bywater and the neighboring Marigny neighborhoods are two of the most colorful neighborhoods in the city. House after the house is brightly painted. The water is truly one of the best and least-visited destinations for engagement photos!
Bywater Engagement Photos Process
When I start an engagement session, we often walk a block or two before I find the perfect spot to start. Working in an urban environment like New Orleans poses all sorts of challenges for photos. It’s unpredictable exactly where in the Bywater the best spot for photos will be which is why it’s so helpful to have a professional along with you! On some days my favorite spots are covered with heaps of trash cans, but luckily New Orleans is never short of beautiful spots for photographs.
I always start my posing with lots of movement to make sure your engagement pictures are fun, true to you as a couple, and never cheesy. After my couples get warmed up with posing, we often get a little bit cozier with posing and photo compositions. It’s often I have my couples repeat the same poses a couple of times until we get it perfect. This way there is no stress that you get everything right on your first try!
Emily and Maddie
Emily and Maddie met each other while both working as physical therapists within a local hospital system. It’s often the advice that you shouldn’t date where you work but Emily and Maddie are defying the odds. These two are so sweet with each other. It’s clear how much they
If you liked this session, check out this colorful Marigny engagement photo set!
