Pictures are everlasting; they are an
excellent way to communicate a feeling or capture a moment. Whether you are
composing an artsy New Orleans collection or you are just looking to spice up
your Instagram, Where Y'at has given several ideal locations all over New
Orleans to inspire creativity and capture the perfect shots.
Audubon Park
Located in Uptown New Orleans is the
350-acre Audubon Park. Bought by the city of New Orleans in 1871, the park is
home to massive and beautiful Spanish Oak trees and scenic wildlife. On the
east side of Audubon Park is Ochsner Island, also known as Bird Island, which
is a rookery known for its prime birding. The island attracts hundreds of
wading birds and various duck species. Audubon Park is the perfect location for
anyone who loves wildlife. Enjoy watching nature take place and get the perfect
shot for the office wall. You could also head over to Cascade
Stables in the park to get a picture of their
breathtaking horses. The free nature park is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park
Bywater Neighborhood
If you enjoy more of the urban look in
your photos, the Bywater neighborhood is a very picturesque place. This area is
perfect for scenic and historical photos. If you prefer to capture a relaxed
cultural environment and not the fast-paced vibe of the French Quarter, then
the Bywater is the place to check out. It is a riverside mix of arts, industry,
and residential—a very unique area. The neighborhood has many restaurants and
shops, such as Harold's Plants, a jungle-like
emporium of house plants, succulents, flowers, and herbs. It's the ideal spot
for an "All Things Green" photoshoot. Strolling through the Bywater can produce
some gritty urban shots, with various graffiti art all throughout the area. For
a beautiful waterfront sunset moment, the Bywater's Crescent Park is the
recommended location. Capture all the Bywater has to offer while strolling
through Crescent Park's walking trails.
Harold's Plants : 1135 Press St., (504)
947-7554, haroldsplants.com
The Garden District
Developed between 1832 and 1900, the
Garden District of New Orleans is home to many historical and majestic
mansions. For any history buff, this area would be the ultimate location for eloquent
street photography. Included in this neighborhood is Buckner Mansion, a lavish,
1856 property that is featured in American Horror Story: Coven. Take a
stroll through Lafayette Cemetery #1 to get the ideal shots with a
black-and-white filter. While in the Garden District, make sure to get a
picture of the streetcar that starts on South Carrollton Avenue and ends at
Canal Street.
Buckner Mansion : 1410 Jackson Ave.
Lafayette Cemetery #1 : 1427 Washington Ave.
The French Quarter
The French Quarter, known as the heart of
New Orleans, is the oldest neighborhood in the city. With the whole French
Quarter district being deemed a national landmark, there is no better place to
capture the high energy and diverse historic culture that New Orleans has to
offer. The best and most popular place to take pictures is Jackson Square, which
is located in front of the breathtaking St. Louis Cathedral and surrounded by so
much history. Grab your Instagram-worthy picture in front of the cathedral or explore
the outskirts of the square to capture artists at work. Artists even utilize
the picturesque iron fence surrounding Jackson Square to show off their
finished works.
To capture the best views of the
Mississippi River, take a walk in Woldenberg Park. Explore the 16-acre green
space and enjoy the beautiful sights along with unique sculptures and local
artwork all over the landscape. This is another great place to get the perfect
sunset picture.
Don't miss the adorable 13-block Royal Street,
which is a stretch of the wrought-iron balconies and art galleries that speak
volumes to the New Orleans style. The most fun place for a photoshoot is Fifi Mahony's, a girl's dream world
with glittery makeup and amazing custom wigs. Let Marcy and her artists do
their best and smile for your close-up. Grab a drink and a one-of-a-kind
experience in the Hotel
Monteleone on Royal Street. The hotel has a Carousel
Bar—yes, a bar that spins while you sit and
drink. Along with this unusual ride, the bar offers a great view of Royal Street,
so grab that camera.
Woldenberg Park : 1 Canal St., (504)
861-2537
Fifi Mahony's : 934 Royal St., (504) 525-4343, fifimahonys.com
Carousel Bar : 214 Royal St., (504) 523-3341, hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/carousel-bar
City Park
The outdoor oasis that is New Orleans City
Park is the oldest urban park in the United States. The 1,300-acre park has so
much to offer, and it is the location that will give photographers the most
diversity. The New Orleans Botanical Garden
aims to inspire the knowledge and love for plant life. Open year round, these
10 acres of beautiful plant life offer some of the best landscape shots. Also tucked
inside of City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art, with the Sydney and Walda Besthoff
Sculpture Garden outside. NOMA is the city's oldest
fine arts institution, and the sculpture garden outside is 11 acres of over 80
incredibly made sculptures—which make it a great landscape for still life
photography. City Park also features every kid's dream: Storyland. Mardi Gras float-makers
made this exhibit possible, creating life-size sculptures of known cartoon
characters and fairytale legends. Kids can slide down Jack & Jill's hill or
climb aboard Captain Hook's ship. This innovative outdoor exhibit allows
parents to get the perfect photos of their kids having the time of their lives.
New Orleans is full of both outdoor and indoor
places to take pictures. Each neighborhood has something a little different.
Five of the most popular, historic, and cultured places to take pictures in
town are Audubon Park, the Garden District, the Bywater, City Park, and, of
course, the French Quarter. Hopefully, this guide will help you navigate the
different areas and where it is personally best for you to go, based on the
photos you like to take.
