New Orleans has touched my heart in a deeper way than I could have ever expected.
Last week I had the privilege to attend
Pictage's
PartnerCon in New Orleans, LA. The conference was held at the beautiful
Astor Crowne Plaza, right off Canal and Bourbon St.'s in the middle of the
French Quarter.
View more NOLA photographs here. 
I arrived Monday night, so tired from the early flight and drive to the airport. I was ready to crash by the time I checked in after dark around 6pm. The first chance I had to explore the Quarter wasn't until the following evening. I wandered Bourbon St. with my camera - taking in the sights and sounds, and smells. Honestly, at that moment I was ready to write off NOLA (New Orleans, LA). I'd had my taste, and my fill.
Wednesday, I was scheduled to go on a Shooting Workshop with the amazing photographer,
Chris A. Williams, who calls NOLA home. The session started out slow on the bus drive over. I was determined to practice "Walking amongst the fireflies," (as photographer
Will Jacks mentioned in a previous session the day before) with my 85mm f/1.2 rather than my workhorse, the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.
I wanted to see NOLA through different eyes. And I did.
Our wonderful bus driver gave us some cultural commentary as we drove into the
9th Ward district. He told us about how the levy broke because of a barge that was parked there just before Katrina hit. We heard how all the open grass lands in the district were once rows and rows of houses. We were told how many residents haven't yet returned home to NOLA. We saw the
Make It Right development and
Musician's Village.
I also heard from people like Jerry, Oscar and Danny. Jeremiah, my taxi driver on the way to the airport, told me how no one asks anymore. And he shared, with a quite bravery, how just after Katrina hit that he only worked in the daytime because it was too dangerous to go out after dark; he mentioned that for 12 days he was without power and running water.
As I walked the streets, up Cannal and over to
Mother's Restaurant off Magazine St. I met people - I saw people - some brave, some hardened, some hurting, some hiding, some living, some not doing so well. But all who were left are surviving. Most are moving forward a little more each day.
On my last night in the city of music I wandered over to another part of the French Quarter. I had the privilege of meeting artists, musicians and magicians. It was more magical than words can define.
I came home new. I came home with my heart softened to a city of people that still need to have their story heard. Their hearts are still breaking, but they are living.
Thank you for taking a few moments to read about the lives of those still affected by Katrina.
I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions and comments if you'd like to take a moment to share.View more NOLA photographs here. Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith
Labels: news, personal
