As a photographer my activities have drastically changed during this time of pandemic. I would typically be right in the middle of covering music festival season across America. I would be seeing musicians perform their top hits while getting a farmer’s tan and working to get in shape walking 25 miles a weekend carrying camera gear.
As with many others I have had to pivot and stay at home for the months of March and April. On May 1 I started a road trip to my house in New Orleans where I could still social distance but I would be able to walk around outside and take pictures of the city as it remained closed due to the outbreak. The weather has been amazing and I have been able to walk around the different areas of the city every day to photograph the area and artwork that I normally do not have time to shoot. I have explored my neighborhood in the Marigny, the French Quarter, City Park, the Bywater Neighborhood, Uptown, Holy Cross, Mid City and the Ninth Ward.
When I am in town I am usually here for music festivals so every day is packed with work and editing and so there is no time to just enjoy the city. The past week I have been able to see areas of the city that I have never visited and capture wonderful photos of artwork and architecture.
I am very happy I made the journey down to New Orleans and was able to spend time here. I was able to JazzFest in place with WWOZ. I also saw close friends with porch visits and fantastic local food six feet apart which turned out to be so nice to see people in person even without hugs. The hardest part of this quarantine for me has been missing human interaction with many of my friends.
It was surreal to see the city closed up completely with empty streets. I did not live here during Katrina but I know this city is strong and one of the most resilient in the world and that it will survive and thrive as it starts to re-open this weekend. Keep that Chin Up. This too shall pass!
