2 weeks ago I returned to New Orleans to photograph an event known as West Fest. A unique Mardi Gras Indian event started by Chief Tyrone Casby of the Ward 15 (Westbank, Algiers) Mohawk Hunters. It's the day when Mardi Gras Indians from the other side of the river, where most gangs reside, come accross to parade for the people of Algiers. Other Mardi Gras subculture groups parade as well. this year I know there were some #Baby Dolls participating. If you're intrigued by the concept of Baby Dolls, i would strongly urge you to seek out this book (shameless plug);
The "Baby Dolls": Breaking the Race and Gender Barriers of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Tradition by Kim Marie Vaz
Ms. Vaz has written a fascinating, enjoyable, readable book tracing the Baby Doll Mardi Gras subculture from the beginning to present day.
ok, back to shameless self promotion. No Indian pictures this time. Those are being saved for a later date. I stayed an extra day and took a few photos around the City that Care Forgot. I hope you like them
these were shot in several neighborhoods of the city. in order; Algiers, the Garden District, Ninth Ward (2), Prytania St. in the lower Garden District, and Upperline St. in the Garden District/Uptown.
there's a plan in place to return to nola in late June, with my friend Danny Cohen. As always, I look forward to my next visit with great anticipation. It will give me the opportunity to show Danny more of the city than he's previously experienced, allow me to add to my collection and get some work done on my book.
i have my first authentic photo shoot today, thanks to my friend Maria Oullette. I'll be shooting for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Information Network. The group is involved in advocacy and education for patients who survive blood and marrow transplants. Patients who have faced things like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma for instance.
Every year they put together a calendar of transplant survivors from across the country, to serve as an inspirational piece for other people facing transplants. The transplant centers around the country nominate a survivor that they think should be in the calendar. I'm shooting with a survivor from Lancaster MA. Some of those exposures will be posted over the next week.
stay tuned
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