Event Photography - New Orleans Wedding & Potrait Photography by Babs Evangelista

“Who’s Who In I Do” Bridal Event at the Fairgrounds

September 13, 2011 by Babs Evangeslista Leave a Comment

I love the gang at Wedding Style magazine, so of course I was thrilled when they asked me to photograph their “Who’s Who in I Do” bridal event at the fabulous Fairgrounds Race Course in New Orleans this past Sunday. The city’s best vendors were on hand to help brides plan their dream wedding, and prospective brides were showered with an array of exciting prizes. In addition to “name drawn out of a hat” door prizes, there was also a Derby hat contest and a 21 bride cake pull for a trip to Mexico! I don’t know how they come up with these things, but I’m glad they do. Here are my favorite pictures from the day!

I was totally blown away when I entered the paddock and saw it all decked out for a wedding ceremony. I’ve been keeping one eyeball on the phone, hoping it would ring with a gal planning her wedding at the Fair Grounds. This red theme is fun and has a lot of pop to it, but I can totally picture it sophisticated and elegant in all white, or glamorous and exciting with lots of crystals, feathers, and jewel tones. I can’t wait to photograph a real wedding here!

THIS IS THE COOLEST CAKE YOU WILL EVER SEE! I want to marry this cake. I adore the “Mad Hatter” style of cake, but they are usually in really funky colors and have zany patterns on them- not appropriate for most wedding themes. The artists at Melissa’s Fine Pastries have taken that mad hatter style, and created a gorgeous, dramatic, and ultimately, sophisticated cake that still has that Alice in Wonderland feel. They are cake geniuses.

The last of my co-vendors over whom I will gush are Mandy and Melissa with The Bridal Boutique by Mae Me. These two chic and sassy ladies have been a hit with brides to be ever since they burst onto the scene with their June 1st grand opening. I follow them on facebook, and love when they post pics of the brides after they’ve found their perfect dress. I hear nothing but good things from my own brides who have visited their store, and I can’t wait to work with them. I just love their style.

I got carried away photographing the gals from Mariposa Salon & Spa. Their focus and precision as they prepped the bride models was fantastic to see. I would love to see them in action on a wedding day, working their magic on a bridal party. Also- hot tip! I did a little stalking of them on the internet when I got home and discovered a great deal on wedding day hair and makeup- the bride’s services are complimentary with bridal parties of 5 or more. So cool!

I have to mention David Storm at Omega Sound and Entertainment. DJs are the oft-overlooked masterminds of wedding reception entertainment, and I would trust David to MC the Academy Awards. He is commanding yet convivial, keeping the ball rolling but allowing the audience to relax and enjoy themselves. If you are looking for a DJ, I think you can do no better.

All in all, it was a great show. I was joined on the white sofa by many a fabulous bride, and I heard about some really cool weddings that I will hopefully be invited to photograph. It is looking like 2012 is going to be a really super year!

To view the entire event, please check out our album on facebook.

Filed Under: Event Photography, Recent Photo Shoots Tagged With: Babs Evangelista, Christine Breaux, Mariposa Salon and Spa, Melissas Fine Pastries, New Orleans Fairgrounds, Omega Sound, The Bridal Boutique by Mae Me, Wedding Style Magazine

Vintage 329′s Summer Reading Kickoff

June 17, 2011 by Babs Evangeslista Leave a Comment

Last night I was invited to photograph the Summer Reading Kickoff Party for the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library hosted by Royal Street gallery Vintage 329. The fine folks from Hotel Monteleone provided refreshments and were on hand to showcase their own original literary works. Writer Lolis Eric Elie was on hand to welcome everyone to the event. Several of New Orleans’s finest actors read aloud from signed first editions of iconic American classics by Dr. Seuss, Harper Lee, and Robert Frost. Big Choo and the Game Ova Boyz closed out the evening with a music and dance performance designed to get the message out to children that “reading is cool!” As I drank my delicious raspberry spritzer and listened to selections from To Kill A Mockingbird, surrounded by historical iconography and one-of-a-kind pop culture memorabilia, I was distinctly aware of being present for a uniquely New Orleans event. Our city has a wonderful way of combining the arts with a good party for a great cause, and it was a special evening for all who attended. 20 % of proceeds from rare book sales at last night’s event went to the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library, and Vintage 329 is donating 10% of rare book sales through July 31st to the FNOPL, so you still have time to visit the gallery and check out some incredible books. While you are at it, bring a few books from your own collection at home, because Vintage 329 is serving as a depository for the book donation arm of the FNOPL. Click here to learn more about the program.

Filed Under: Commercial Photography, Event Photography, New Orleans Photography, Recent Photo Shoots Tagged With: Babs Evangelista, Big Choo and the Game Ova Boyz, French Quarter, Lolis Eric Elie, New Orleans Wedding Photographer, Professional Photography, Vintage 329

Krewe of Muses on NOLA.Com

March 3, 2011 by Babs Evangeslista Leave a Comment

Hey everyone! Here’s another short diversion from my work as a portrait and wedding photographer. Everyone’s favorite source for news and information about New Orleans- NOLA.com, is featuring my photographs from Krewe of Muses last year on their “what’s rolling today” page. I’ve posted a couple of pictures from the gallery here. To view the rest of the pictures, you can visit the gallery on NOLA.com here. Enjoy, and have a safe and happy Mardi Gras!

Filed Under: Event Photography, New Orleans Photography Tagged With: Babs Evangelista, Krewe of Muses, Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Professional Photography

New Orleans Wedding Photography- Church Ceremony, Rosy’s Jazz Hall Reception

August 19, 2010 by Babs Evangeslista Leave a Comment

All of my wedding packages include a custom designed wedding album. Albums are a timeless and sophisticated way to preserve wedding day memories, and having one made is definitely one of the plus sides of hiring a professional wedding photographer. A blend of photojournalism and classic portraiture are used to tell the wedding day story, and most of my clients end up ordering copies to share with their parents and other family members.

These album layouts feature Erin and Lee’s summertime New Orleans wedding. Their ceremony was a full mass at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church- an excellent choice given the sheets of rain falling outside for most of the day. Lucky for us, the clouds parted for a few minutes on our way to the reception at Rosy’s Jazz Hall. We were able to hop out of the limo bus and capture a few Bride and Groom portraits in Audobon Park. The album begins with Erin’s Bride Prep at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and Lee’s cocktail hour with his groomsmen at the Hotel Monteleone.

It is such a thrill to share the joy of a wedding day, and take great care to present a collection of pictures that precisely reflect the memories that began swirling in my client’s heads just moments after they were created. If you are planning a wedding and like my blend of artistic photojournalism and modern portraiture, please visit the website for Harlequin Photography and Fine Art to see more wedding pictures and learn more about wedding photography services.

2010 Whitney White Linen Night

August 12, 2010 by Babs Evangeslista Leave a Comment

New Orleans isn’t known for its mild summers. The syrup-like air and blazing heat tend to make for a sparse events calendar compared to the relative hubbub of spring’s festival season. A magnificent oasis of culture and class is Whitney White Linen Night, an annual fundraiser for the Contemporary Arts Center that has become the largest arts event of the year. The New Orleans Arts District becomes host to a block party along historic Julia Street’s “gallery row.” More than 20 galleries, along with the CAC, open their doors to showcase new art and create buzz for the upcoming fall art season. The party is free, the wardrobe suggested by the event’s title is one most attendees embrace with aplomb. The word on the ground was that this was the largest White Linen night ever, and Harlequin Photography Studio and Fine Art was packed to the gills with people! The wall art collages and giant canvases are the perfect way for art collectors to display their own family portraits, and I was excited to meet so many potential new clients. To make an appointment to visit the wall art in person, and consult about portrait or wedding photography, please visit the website of Harlequin Photography and Fine Art.