THE STREETS OF NEW ORLEANS
I traveled to New Orleans over the course of two weekends, during that time my goal was to be shooting throughout the time I walked through the French Quarter and highlight the street life and culture of the city as well as the traditions of Mardi Gras. I chose specific times of day and night to capture different conditions of available light and highlight the variety of activities that occur at various times. Since it was during Mardi Gras I wanted to focus on large crowd-oriented photos to capture the feeling of chaos and craziness on the streets. On the contrary, I also sought out the small, quieter moments. This included things such as shop owners, casual conversations, architecture, etc. I drew inspiration from Joey Meyerowitz and Robert Frank’s style of street photography, framing and color manipulation and used elements presented in their work to influence my own.
01 Bradley New Orleans 3539.jpg The streets of New Orleans are in a constant state of hustle and bustle as bodies shift through the narrow avenues to celebrate the early weeks of Mardi Gras. Bourbon Street fills with crowds of abundant laughter, noise, and over-indulgence on a hazy February afternoon. 02/22/2025 Bourbon St., New Orleans LA
02 Bradley New Orleans 3525.jpg A store owner cleans her shop windows as she prepares to open her doors for wandering Mardi Gras customers. 02/22/25 511 Dumaine St., New Orleans LA
03 Bradley New Orleans 3618.jpg A street performer strums the strings of his cello on the sidewalk during a warm Saturday afternoon. The sounds of jazz sweep throughout the streets of the city. 02/22/25 New Orleans, LA
04 Bradley New Orleans 3467 A street artist takes a smoke break in between the strokes of his paint brush against a canvas hung up on the fence surrounding Jackson Square Park. Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 3/22/2025
05 Bradley New Orleans 3500 Located in the heart of the French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral serves as the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States. It stands tall in Jackson Square over the echoes of street bands, artists, bustling tourists, and locals alike. Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 3/22/2025
06 Bradley New Orleans 3495 A band of street performers jam out in Jackson Square center. A large crowd is gathered around them occasionally donating tips as the band ends their set with a symphony of jazz. 02/22/25 Jackson Square, New Orleans LA
07 Bradley New Orleans 3434 Miranda Bradley (left) and Beau Bradley (right) stop by an outlet into an alleyway after touring various shops along the French Quarter. New Orleans, LA 03/22/2025
08 Bradley New Orleans 3510 A lone man solitarily sits at the edge of the Mississippi River bank while taking in the view of the Crescent City Bridge on the horizon. New Orleans, LA 03/22/2025
09 Bradley New Orleans 3540.jpg Masses of pedestrians squeeze through the cramped streets of New Orleans as groups of bead-beggars flock to balconies to receive multi-colored arrays of Mardi Gras decor. 02/22/25 New Orleans, LA
10 Bradley New Orleans 3600Cara Cunningham joins in the cheering crowds of Mardi Gras as the evening's parades roll by tossing beads to outstretched hands. 03/3/2025 New Orleans, LA
11 Bradley New Orleans 3600 Nolan Marsh, a jazz street performer, softly plays his trumpet that echoes through the noisy night time atmosphere during Mardi Gras. 03/3/2025 New Orleans, LA
12 Bradley New Orleans 3635 Mardi Gras beads decorate the blossoming branches of a tree hanging over Jackson Square on a cool New Orleans evening. 03/3/2025 Jackson Square, New Orleans LA