REAL
WEDDINGS
nowweddingmagazine.com
HOW TO FIND
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY
STYLE
THE
PHOTOGRAPHY
EXPERIMENT
INSIDE
INTERVIEWS WITH
TOP NOLA
PHOTOGRAPHERS
february 2021
20+
Years
1000s
of Weddings
Unlimited
Creativity
Alchemy Events
Wedding Planner + Event Designer
Exceptional, unexpected, unparalleled.
alchemyeventsnola.com
Elegant or out-of-the-box, let’s make some magic!
BRIAN JARREAU
MON SOLEIL
SARAH ALLEMAN
THE WEDDING MATINEE
JESSICA THE PHOTOGRAPHER
STUDIO TRAN
IMAGES BY ROBERT T
DARK ROUX
AMIN RUSSELL
j e s s i c a t h e p h o t o g r a p h e r . c o m
FEBRUARY 2021
CONTENTS
FEATURED EDITORIAL
12
THE PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIMENT
Three models, three photographers, one fashion shoot
REAL WEDDINGS
32
Kelly Reinhardt + Kyle Leblanc
36
Lynsey Sylvas + Brian Winchester, Jr.
48
Taylor Zeigler + Charles Sagan
52
Danesha Gibson + Anthony Julien
60
Stephanie Talley + Nicholas Tolat
10 HOW TO FIND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE
A guide to determining your wedding
photography style
38 BEHIND THE CAMERA
Get to know top NOLA photographers
54 GET THE PICTURE
What you need to know before you
PLANNING
RESOURCES
Featured Articles
PHOTO CREDIT: Ashley Kapic, from the wedding of
Kelly Reinhardt + Kyle Leblanc featured on pages 32-33
CAKE: Gambino’s Bakery
book your photographer
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PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA@THENOWBRIDE.COM
Rena Sweeney
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dayna Dufrene
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
FOR ENGAGED COUPLES
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NOWWeddingMagazine.com
About The Cover
Look for new issues of
NOW Weddings Magazine every month.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Brian Jarreau Photography
ON LOCATION: InterContinental New Orleans
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Alchemy Events
GOWN + CAPE: Pearl’s Place Bridal
HAIR + MAKEUP: Tracy Branch Agency
MODEL: Camilla Marchena
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 3
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.4466 | orders@toulousegourmet.com
toulousegourmet.com
Jessica The Photographer
DELIVERY WEDDINGS CORPORATE EVENTS PRIVATE EVENTS
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.8351 | info@cannerynola.com
cannerynola.com
Jessica The Photographer
WEDDING CEREMONIES RECEPTIONS DINNER PARTIES EVENTS
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PHOTOGRAPHY SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR PRIORITY LIST. STOP AND READ THAT AGAIN. DID IT SINK IN? DO
you believe it in your soul?
Ten years from now you probably won’t remember that your
feet hurt from those fab shoes and you may not even remember
everyone who attended (I’m looking at you co-worker from 3 jobs
ago), but you WILL remember how you felt that day and you’ll
want to look back at your photos with joy. This is why finding a
photographer who is the right fit for you is so important! And don’t
worry, I’m going to share how you go about doing that.
Most couples come to me thinking hiring a photographer is all
about who is within their budget, but that’s not the case. The first
step is actually figuring out what your style is and what kind of
photographer you want to work with, then narrowing down which
vendors fit those parameters and then which of those is within your
budget.
If you’re not one of my clients with exclusive access to my Alchemy
Events planning app where I cover this, I always recommend starting
by looking at many different types of photographers - even if you
think you already know your style. Keep in mind this is artwork that
will hang in your home for the rest of your lives and should mesh
with your own personal style. Also consider the time of day and
setting of your wedding, although any photographer should be able
to shoot well in any lighting situation (this is an important thing to
look for too, by the way!).
Here I’m going to review different styles that I often see, so hold on
while we take a crash course!
SHOOTING STYLES:
Photojournalistic/Documentary - This style is all about telling
the story. Similar to being a news reporter, photojournalists
capture what is happening without a lot of interference or
posing of shots. This shows the true moments of your wedding
day as it unfolds naturally.
Editorial - This photographer focuses on creating stunning,
Pinterest-worthy works of art. They take time to consider each
of the elements being incorporated and their photos often have
an editorial feel to them. This photographer will likely pose, or
orchestrate down to the fine details, the majority of their images.
There will likely be action images, but you can realistically expect
to be posing quite a bit.
The ”New” Traditional - No, this isn’t your mom’s wedding
photographer. This style is really a mix of the other two styles,
allowing events to unfold naturally throughout the day and
capturing them, but also allowing the photographer to create
some ideal situations for capturing beautiful photos as well,
such as those beautiful flat lays we know you’ve been pinning
online and posed portraits.
Not every photographer falls exactly in line with one of these
styles, and they can overlap a bit depending on the individual,
which can also be true for editing styles, which I’ll cover next.
How to Find Your
PhotographyStyle
PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Jarreau Photography
:: From the Creative Director’s Desk ::
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 11
EDITING STYLES:
Dramatic - These images lend themselves to a more emotional
vibe, using deep shadows, higher contrasts and richer colors.
Light and Airy - These photos are more romantic, soft and
whimsical, with lighter tones and muted colors.
True Color - These images are shot and edited in a way that
captures a photo more true to what you saw on your wedding
day with your naked eye. You may have some that are bright and
some that are dark, but overall, it will be more middle ground
than either extreme. Of course, some photographers who edit
this way also like bright punches of color, so even this style can
vary a bit from photographer to photographer.
Even if you’re drawn to dramatic or light and airy styles, you’ll
want to make sure that images aren’t so bright that you lose
all the details of your wedding dress, or so dark that you don’t
capture the details of a tux with really cool accessories. A good
photographer can give you that look while not sacrificing those
details.
POSING STYLES:
Traditional - This is what most people think of when you mention
posed photos. There is usually studio lighting setup for the best
possible outcome, everyone is given direction and placed in a
specific position, and then you smile for the camera.
Casual - Casual posing might still have you lined up with your
attendants, however, in a less time consuming and less formal
way. The photographer may just tell you to gather together, to
chat and look at each other, to walk toward the camera or just
relax and position your body as it feels natural.
Fashion Editorial - This style often takes its cues from fashion
magazines. Attendants and family members may be placed in
creative poses and look more serious or may be lounging on
furniture for a very glam look.
No matter which style of posing you are most drawn toward,
opt for a mix of a few styles just to be safe. What you love today
might make you cringe 10 years from now, or you may want a
very specific photo with loved ones that feels more intimate
than an editorial look. I also always recommend giving the
photographer the final call on this. As they are looking through
the camera, they can see if something is or isn’t working and
adjust accordingly to give you the best possible photos of your
wedding day.
Now, here’s some practical advice: do not just go by a
photographer’s social media feed or even their website. Ask to
see a full gallery of images from a recent wedding they shot
(or one that might be similar to yours, such as time of day or
location). Everyone, of course, cherry picks the best images of
our work to feature on social media, but what you’re doing here
is digging deeper. When looking at their full gallery, it should be
more than 50-100 photos. If that’s all a couple is getting back
(from a full day-long wedding, not a short elopement, etc.), be
concerned. If they shoot a thousand images but only a small
portion are ones you think are good, consider that. You want to
find a balance between getting back a lot of photos and a good
number of photos you love!
Finally, if you don’t have a wedding planner to help guide you,
ask your other vendors for recommendations or feedback.
While good references from other clients are great to have, they
are not professionals either. Vendors often know one another,
work together frequently and have an insider’s look at things. So
a vendor recommendation is a valuable asset!
Once you have gone through several options and narrowed
down your choices, go with your gut. Your photographer will
be by your side throughout the day so make sure it’s someone
you feel comfortable with. Doing engagement photos with them
prior to the wedding is a great way to get to work with them
and become comfortable prior to your wedding day. Once
you’ve got them booked, you know you’ll be able to relax and
enjoy your wedding day knowing those memories are forever
preserved for you.
Happy Planning!
Rena Sweeney
Rena Sweeney
Creative Director, NOW Weddings Magazine +
Owner, Alchemy Events
TRADITIONAL STYLE POSING
CASUAL STYLE POSING
FASHION EDITORIAL STYLE POSING
PHOTO CREDITS (ABOVE): Jessica The Photographer
12 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
NOW WEDDINGS
STYLE
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Brian Jarreau Photography, brianjarreau.com | Hannah Herpin Creative, hannahherpincreative.com | Jessica The
Photographer, jessicathephotographer.com | ON LOCATION: InterContinental New Orleans, icneworleans.com | CREATIVE DIRECTION:
Alchemy Events, alchemyeventsnola.com| BOUQUETS: Berry Blossom Flowers, berryblossomflowers.com | HAIR + MAKEUP: Tracy Branch
Agency, tracybranch.com | NAILS: Passport Polish, passportpolish.com | FASHION: Pearl’s Place Bridal, pearlsplace.com
Three models, three photographers, one fashion shoot.
It can often be difficult to truly compare photographers because each wedding is as unique as the photographer themselves.
For this editorial experiment, we leveled the playing field.
The Parameters:
Each model chose her own look for the shoot and was assigned an area in the InterContinental New Orleans for her photographs.
The models were instructed not to share what poses or specific backdrops in their assigned areas with the other photographers.
Each Photographer was allowed 1 hour with each model to create a collection of images in their personal shooting
style and then edited the images in their style and submitted their favorites for the editorial.
experiment
experiment
T H E P H O T O G R A P H Y
FEATURING
FEATURING
PHOTOS: (this page and opposite)Camilla: Brian Jarreau Photography | Sophia: Hannah Herpin Creative | Allie: Jessica The Photographer
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Camilla Marchena
the models, unmasked
the models, unmasked
Sophia Scott
Allie Simoneaux
Camilla Marchena (pronouns: she/her) is currently working as a linkage specialist, patient navigator,
and community health educator at a non-profit health care facility in the Transgender Women’s
Engagement and Entry to Care (TWEET) program helping to remove barriers to healthcare, and
other services. Camilla is a proud, Latinx trans woman who felt a calling to serve her community so
others would feel supported on their journeys. She is also a part of the Trans Advisory Committee
which trains personnel on cultural humility and trans competent care, as well as working on different
advocacy efforts in the greater New Orleans area. Camilla is also a founder of House of Tulip, a new
initiative that provides zero barrier housing to trans and gender-nonconforming communities in New
Orleans while also fostering pathways to education, healthcare, employment, and homeownership.
She is fluent in Spanish and works to connect and navigate healthcare for the LGBTQ Latinx
community. She is working towards advancing her career in health care to become a provider that
focuses on gender affirming care. In her free time she enjoys thrifting on Depop, cuddling her two toy
poodles, and trying new food spots around the city.
ABOUT CAMILLA’S LOOK: Camilla chose a crepe sheath silhouette wedding dress with frosted,
embroidered appliqués. Her look is embellished with a chic, romantic cape. This gown and cape
are available at Pearl’s Place. Camilla’s makeup is soft and elegant and her hair is styled in a one
shoulder, vintage, Old Hollywood style wave. She chose Passport Polish’s St. Barth for her nails.
Camilla was photographed in the InterContinental New Orleans’ La Salle Ballroom and Grand
Staircase.
Sophia Scott, a New Orleans native, is an educator and model. As an educator, she is the Executive
Director of Opportunities Academy, a school that serves students who are between the ages of 18-
22 and have significant exceptionalities. Since 2007, she’s worked in education as a teacher; and she
soon realized she gained the most joy and energy from working with students who need the most
intense supports.
Ten years after Sophia started teaching, she decided to try modeling after two modeling opportunities
were offered to her. The second opportunity, from a high school classmate, was to model for Mave
Couture for the relaunch of their curvy couture line (who she continues to model for). That experience
gave Sophia the push she needed to start pursuing other modeling opportunities, and that’s where
Ms. Glamazon was born. Since then, Sophia has walked in numerous fashion shows, and participated
in several makeup shoots and fashion photo shoots for some New Orleans designers and business
owners. She also competed in the Ms. Full-Figured USA Louisiana 2019 Pageant, where she placed
second runner up and was crowned Ms. Photogenic.
ABOUT SOPHIA’S LOOK: Sophia chose a sparkling a-line, ivory and champagne ball gown silhouette
gown with a corset back. This bridal gown features crystals, embroidery, and appliqués on a lace, tulle
gown. A finger-tip length veil with crystal edging completes her ensemble. This gown and veil are
available at Pearl’s Place. Her hair is styled in a soft up-do and her makeup is glamorous with a bold
red lip. She chose Passport Polish’s Italy for her nails.
Sophia was photographed in one of the InterContinental New Orleans’ luxury suites.
Allie Simoneaux, a Louisiana-native currently residing in Los Angeles, is a flight attendant for a major
US airline. Allie has been traveling the world for many years, but nature and solitude brings her back
to being grounded with her inner peace. Working in the airline industry during this pandemic has
brought her thoughts to full gratitude and inner peace more than ever before. Allie is grateful for
her health and career and felt with this photo shoot experience that she was able to wear that inner
health proudly. Allie is a fitness and healthy eating enthusiast.
ABOUT ALLIE’S LOOK: Allie chose a Tillie Chantilly, striped lace and tulle gown with a Calla motif
and long lace sleeves. Instead of a veil, she opted for a Dreamcatcher headpiece accented with clear
stones. This gown and headpiece are available at Pearl’s Place. To match her Boho style, Allie’s hair
is styled in loose curls and her makeup was natural with a dewey look. She chose Passport Polish’s
Iran for her nails.
Allie was photographed in the InterContinental New Orleans’ Marigny Atrium.
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BRIAN JARREAU PHOTOGRAPHY
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HANNAH HERPIN CREATIVE
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JESSICA THE PHOTOGRAPHER
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