Witch Inspired Photo Shoot in Bywater

The first time I saw Chloe Rose's headpieces was at the Mardi Gras market at the New Orleans Healing Center.They were elegant, classic, edgy and reminiscent of the colors and materials one would find in nature. I knew I had to work with her. A little while after Mardi Gras ended, we met for coffee at the Orange Couch in the Marigny. From there we discussed imagery, our favorite colors to work with, photographers that we like, etc. 

The shoot was canceled at least twice due to the weather but finally the right day came. It was overcast, the temperature was comfortable and with the makeup artist Radiator and Aryn (my wife) agreeing to model, we packed into my little yellow car and headed into the Bywater to pick up Chloe on the way to the levee. 

We hiked up the side of the levee to find that the small wooded area just above the water line had been engulfed by the river. I thought that maybe we were screwed at this location but we found the large end of a tree had fallen, creating a viable platform for Aryn to crouch into. I looked around, saw the clouds, the light and how it made the green grass and white little flowers pop. We started at our first setup, just under the top of the levee and went to work.

Photography: Carlos Detres
Headpiece: Chloe Rose
Makeup: Radiator
Model: Aryn Detres

Email: info@carlosdetres.com

Yes, Yes to the Levee!

"The End of the World?" I repeated as a question when Chloe Rose, a head piece designer, mentioned this area at the downriver end of Bywater. The name she had given this place was intriguing.

She and I met at the Orange Couch last week to discuss a photo shoot that we'll be doing together. Chloe designs extravagant head pieces with flowers, sometimes skulls and with a color palette reminiscent of the hues one would see at the end of Fall/beginning of winter -- in other words, the same color palette that's often used in photography. When I first saw her designs just a week or so before Mardi Gras, I knew that I wanted to work with her.

Yesterday morning, I put on my Nike long-hiking shoes and headed to the furthest end of Bywater where the levee rises from the land. The dark, puffy clouds overhead loomed, slowly drifting in the wind. It took about a half hour to get there but there it was, at the very end of Bywater.

Aside from a person or two walking on the levee, I was alone with my wife's small compact camera. I immediately started clicking at the scene, aiming, click and moving down the path toward the corner of the strip where the Industrial Canal and Mississippi River meet. There was remnants of a smoldering campfire and a few empty cans of beer. I remembered to keep my eyes down on the ground to avoid any other unseemly things left behind. 

To the left of me was a patch of dead trees and large stones that sloped down into the River. I picked up my phone and texted Chloe, "Yes!!" 

To see Chloe Rose's head pieces, go HERE. 

Email for more info: info@carlosdetres.com