Best Places in New Orleans To Take Photos

Photography in Downtown New Orleans

Constantly searching for the best places to take pictures in New Orleans? Look no further! Hidden behind the Creole cottages and between the lush foliage of the live oaks, you are certain to find something special. Capture the beauty and magic of the Big Easy with a special photo session from SKirk Photography! 

The historic city of New Orleans, home to Mardi Gras, Jazz music, Voodoo, and much more, has been drawing visitors to its unique riverfront property since 1718. The dreamy and slightly dreary atmosphere in New Orleans makes it the perfect place for unique and special photography. 

New Orleans is a popular destination for many special events: engagements, bachelorette parties, weddings, and honeymoons. Why not capture these moments forever?

SKirk Photography proudly shoots weddings, engagements, families, and couples engagingly and professionally. We want to become part of your special moments!

But first, let's look into what there is to do and see, and where the best photography locations in New Orleans are. A city where the sounds of the docile streetcars slowly churning along are only drowned out by the vivid music in the air. 

The French Quarter

Having a photoshoot in the Old Quarter may seem like a daunting experience without prior knowledge of the brittle streets. As dazzling as the brightly colored homes may be, they are private property. So be aware of where and how you are taking photos. 

Our best advice is to take pictures early in the morning! The French Quarter is a populated place at all hours, and even though it has a magical hue to it at night, it becomes too hectic in the evening hours. Fighting drunk tourists and tour guides for the perfect shot in front of that cute Creole Cottage is not worth the effort! 

While you’re down there be sure to stop by Cafe Du Monde for a world-famous Beignet! Watch some street performers on Royal Street, maybe catching a shot or two, but be sure to leave a tip! There is an extraordinary amount of fun to be had in the French Quarter so go out there and capture that perfect shot! 

The Marigny District

Looking for something fun, funky, and fresh? Find the perfect place for wedding photography when you don’t have a location in the Marigny! The vibrant, historical neighborhood is full of beautiful and colorful Creole cottages that make the perfect photo shoot for all occasions. 

The Marigny District is the perfect place for wedding photography packages, which SKirk Photography offers at great prices! The laid-back, island setting of the neighborhood adds a tropical and romantic touch to any wedding shoot. The first neighborhood outside of the French Quarter to develop, it is an area full of history and culture waiting to be explored.

Things to do in the Marigny

The world-famous Frenchman Street marks the end of the Quarter and the beginning of the Marigny, a great place to catch live music and some good eats! One of the top places to visit in New Orleans! 

Scenic Locations in the New Orleans Area

If you are looking for something less crowded, or less urban, for your perfect photo shoot, then you are in luck. New Orleans is full of hidden gems, scenic locations, and architectural wonders. Here are a few of our favorites for all types of photo shoots. 

City Park

Our absolute favorite place to shoot and our most photographed location. City Park sprawls out for over 1300 acres and is the 87th largest city park in the United States. This means plenty of great locations to shoot for any New Orleans photographer, amateur or professional. It's an easy ride on the Canal Streetcar to get here from downtown, making it an ideal shooting location. 

Photography Locations in City Park

• Cafe Du Monde
• The Bandstand
• The Botanical Gardens
• Langles Bridge
• Couterie Forest

Whatever the occasion may be—couples, weddings, maternity, or family— City Park is one the best photography locations in New Orleans. City Park is home to the largest collection of Live Oaks in the nation. Some even have their own special names such as The Dueling Oak, The Singing Oak, and the McDonogh Oak. The latter is over 600 years and its sprawling branches make a great seat or shade for fun photo opportunities! 

The park is free to enter, but just keep in mind the Botanical Gardens require a $6-$12 ticket for entry and a $75 photography permit. The gardens, home to 2,000 varieties and a statue garden, are a heavenly location to shoot, making it well worth the money! 

City Park Hours of Operation

City Park is a public space open 24 hours, 7 seven days. Certain attractions, such as the Botanical Gardens, have their own hours. Be sure to check ahead beforehand. 

Audubon Park

Audubon Park is City Park’s Uptown equivalent. Get a taste of Uptown life by hopping on the historic St. Charles Streetcar from downtown. It will take you to this alluring 340-acre park right across from two prestigious universities, Tulane and Loyola. 

Looking for photos of your recently graduated loved one? We offer graduate shoots as well! 

Audubon Park is full of great views and interesting locations for all types of photo shoots. Got a golf fanatic in your life, maybe two, that are in love? Audubon Park is home to a gorgeously designed golf course. 

The best locations for photographs in New Orleans are waiting between bridges, lakes, and lagoons in Audubon Park! 

Audubon Park Hours of Operation

Audubon Park is open to the public seven days a week from 5 a.m to 10 p.m

Fontainebleau State Park 

Across the lake, over the Pontchartrain Expressway, the largest continuous bridge over a still body of water in the world, you’ll find Fontainebleau State Park. The serene setting of this park, dodding on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, makes it a favorite for residents of the north shore and the New Orleans area. 

While the 30-minute journey from the city may seem daunting, it is well worth the effort. After all, there is no journey too far for the perfect moment. Capture your special day or the joy of being with your family as the sun sets over the lake. Rays of light dance through the branches of the natural swamp fauna, creating breathtaking wedding photography. 

With over 2,800 acres of parkland to explore we guarantee that you will find the perfect shot for your New Orleans photography. Whether you shooting on the sandy beaches, near a murky bayou, or beside a majestic cypress, you will find pure bliss in your photography here. 

The really fun thing about Fontainebleau is that you can bring larger props for shoot such as couches. However, a special permit is required ahead of time. Talk to us for more details and we’ll create your dream shoot! 

Fontainebleau State Park Hours of Operation

Fontainebleau State Park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A $3 fee is required for entry. Children (3 and under) and seniors (62 and up) are admitted for free. 

Lafreniere Park

Lafreniere Park in Metairie is a simple hop, skip, and jump down I-10 from New Orleans. This 155-acre park is much smaller than the other parks mentioned here but, it remains one of our favorites.

Lesser known to the general out-of-towner, Lafreniere Park is a great place for fun and playful family photo shoots in New Orleans. The children’s spray park, while being a great place to cool the kids down in the hot summer months can also create unique backdrops for your family's portraits. 

Various rock and water formations dot the park's landscape in between a tranquility created by its natural beauty. Our favorite place to shoot is a picturesque bridge that takes you to an idyllic gazebo. Ready-made for any family's perfect moments. 

Lafreniere Park Hours of Operation

Lafreniere Park is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. 

Destrehan Plantation

The closest plantation to New Orleans can make the perfect backdrop for your engagement, wedding, or couple photo session. Destrehan Plantation is ideal for those looking to embed local Louisiana history and the iconic southern charm the area is known for into their memories.

Weddings are held on the plantation grounds with all proceeds going to the restoration of the plantation.

The historic plantation, built in 1790, offers a respectful and historically accurate tour of the home. Respect is properly paid to the enslaved people who built it and the story of the French slave owners who lived there is told in great detail.

If you simply want to capture the essence of this time long past you can pay the price of the tour and meander the grounds searching for the right beam of light between the live oaks. 

Destrehan Plantation Hours of Operation

Entry ranges from $15 for children to $26 for adults. The grounds are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.