Ready to lock in your photographer?
I’m Chad Populis, an African-American New Orleans wedding photographer serving NOLA and all of Louisiana.
If you’re ready to hire, I’ll make this simple: clear packages, quick communication, and beautiful photographs that feel like your day—candid, editorial, and classic.
From second lines to candlelit courtyards, I’ll guide the process and deliver images your family will love for years.
Check
Your
Date!
Black Wedding Photographer in New Orleans
If you’re searching for black wedding photographers in New Orleans, you’re probably looking for someone who can photograph your day with care, accurate color, and lighting that looks great in every environment—from bright courtyards to dim receptions and second lines. My approach blends candid storytelling with guided portraits, and I edit for true-to-life skin tones so your gallery looks natural, consistent, and timeless.
My Wedding Day Process
What I Photograph
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Full wedding days, elopements, and micro-weddings
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Engagement sessions and “Just Married” portraits in the French Quarter, City Park, and the Garden District
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Welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, and second lines
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Destination weekends for couples traveling in to celebrate in New Orleans
How I Work
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Calm, prepared, present: Direction when you want it; documentary coverage when moments unfold.
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True-to-life color: Lighting and editing that honor every skin tone and New Orleans’ warm hues.
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Local expertise: Locations, timing, and rain plans—handled.
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Efficient timelines: Family photos that move quickly; steady, reliable coverage in any light.
Trusted for New Orleans Weddings
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Skin tone accuracy: true-to-life color across mixed lighting and indoor venues
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Calm direction: structure when you want it, documentary coverage when moments unfold
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Reliable workflow: dual cameras, low-light gear, backups, insured (COI available)
REAL REVIEWS
Great value, amazing photos!
"We worked with Chad for our October wedding at the Treme Market Branch in New Orleans. He was professional and supportive, we aren’t people who have professional photos taken. He was also so affordable and made everything so easy and smooth."
- Amy L. via Wedding Wire
Chad and his crew is simply amazing!
"Look no further for your wedding photographer! These guys work! You don’t even realize that they are capturing the most poignant moments. The shots that they captured were amazing. His professionalism was unmatched. He gives you the option to get as creative or take as many pictures as desired. He and his son have the best attitude! They do not get impatient, and the quality of the pictures were simply amazing. We have nearly 1,000 pictures and 5 highlight videos. His gallery is online so easily accessible. Our pictures are at our fingertips. He shot the bride and groom at each of their respective New Orleans locations. He was on time and hung around for the duration to get all of the perfect shots. I feel like he didn’t miss a thing. He captured every detail, every guest, every moment. I will cherish these pictures forever. Chad is no rookie! He knows how to get that perfect shot! We have been blown away by our pictures and how fast the turnaround was! We have already received our pictures, videos, and drive/DVD and our wedding was less than a week ago. Our experience was top notch with Chad Populis! You won’t regret his services. The kindest, most professional photographers. Makes you feel like family!"
- Monica M. via The Knot
"Was very professional was on time took his time to make sure all the pictures came out the way we want it to. Went out his way to make sure we had everything that we need pictures came out great."
- Jervis M via Google
Candid wedding photography styles: Real moments and honest emotion
Editorial wedding photography: Clean, modern portraits with creative light
Classic wedding photography: Timeless compositions and family formals
Black-and-white storytelling: for emotional highlights
Night portraits with off-camera flash: for moody, cinematic images
Wedding Photography Styles
Second Lines, Low Light, and Fast-Moving Celebrations
I photograph New Orleans weddings the way they actually happen—moving crowds, brass bands, and dim receptions. My workflow is built for action and low light so the story stays sharp, flattering, and real.
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Second line coverage (route + timing support)
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Low-light reception storytelling (flash used cleanly when needed)
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Fast portrait flow so you don’t miss cocktail hour
Wedding
Photography
Packages
(built for how you celebrate)
Ask for the full pricing guide. Most couples choose 8–10 hours of coverage with options to add a second photographer, rehearsal dinner coverage, and an album.
Classic Day
Signature wedding-day coverage with a balanced mix of candid, editorial, and classic images. Timeline planning, online gallery, and sneak peeks within days.
Editorial Portraits
Extra time for creative portraits, multiple locations, and an album credit. Ideal if you love a fashion-forward, editorial look.
Documentary Micro
Intentional coverage for elopements and intimate weddings. Minimal posing, big on feeling.
Destination in New Orleans
Designed for out-of-town couples. Venue and permit guidance, trusted vendor referrals, weekend coverage (welcome party, second line), and a day-after session. Your go-to New Orleans destination wedding photographer.
Recent New Orleans Weddings with Black Couples
Garden District Portraits + Courtyard Ceremony
Meija & Daryl @ The Sully Mansion
This wedding centered on relaxed portraits and clean, timeless backdrops—perfect for the Garden District. We planned a short portrait block in shaded areas first (to avoid harsh sun), then used golden hour for softer skin tones and more romantic contrast. The gallery balanced candid moments with guided portraits so nothing felt stiff, but every image still looked polished and intentional.
Best for: classic New Orleans elegance, greenery, quiet streets
Planning note: build in 20–30 minutes for portraits + a 10-minute buffer for walking between spots
Indoor Reception + Mixed Lighting (Window Light + Evening Coverage)
Michael & Evangeline @ NOLA Skyline Event Center
This wedding included bright window light early, then transitioned into indoor tungsten lighting and a darker reception environment. I planned coverage to keep skin tones consistent across lighting changes—using clean supplemental light only when needed and maintaining a natural look in post. The result is a cohesive gallery that feels like one story, not separate “lighting situations.”
Best for: modern venues, hotel weddings, and evening receptions
Planning note: identify 2–3 indoor portrait pockets near windows before the ceremony
French Quarter Celebration + Second Line Energy
Chazz & La'Toya @ The NOPSI Hotel
For this day, the priority was storytelling: the ceremony, the reaction moments, and the energy of a New Orleans-style celebration. We kept portraits quick and efficient, then shifted into documentary coverage for the second line—wide establishing shots, tight emotional frames, and clean movement coverage without interrupting the experience. Low-light reception work stayed true-to-life while keeping skin tones natural and flattering.
Best for: iconic New Orleans texture, culture-forward celebrations, second lines
Planning note: choose a short portrait route and let the celebration lead the timeline
Engagement sessions
Second line coverage
Heirloom albums and parent books
Extra hours of coverage
Payment plans
What’s included with every collection
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Pre-wedding planning call and timeline support
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Shot list guidance for family formals
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Next-day or quick sneak peeks
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Private, shareable online gallery with print options
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True-to-life color and natural skin tones across all lighting situations
Always Available
Add-ons
The 48-Hour Booking Process
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Check your date and get the packages + pricing.
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10-minute consult to confirm coverage and logistics.
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E-sign agreement + retainer to lock in your date.
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You’re booked! We’ll fine-tune the timeline closer to your day.
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Dual-camera setup and fast lenses for low light
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Off-camera flash for receptions and night portraits
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Redundant backups on the day and a secure post-production workflow
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Fully insured; venue certificates available
What couples say
“The second line photos feel like music—you can see the joy.”
“As a Black couple, skin tones mattered to us. Chad delivered beautifully.”
“Calm, kind, and organized. We were fully present, and our gallery feels like us.”
Popular NOLA backdrops and venues
Race & Religious, Il Mercato, The Chicory, Marigny Opera House, The Pharmacy Museum, Hotel Peter & Paul, Elms Mansion, Degas House, Longue Vue, Treme Market Branch, NOLA Skyline Event Center, Audubon Park and Clubhouse, City Park, and sunrise walks through the French Quarter, Bywater, Tremé, and the Garden District.
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For destination weddings in New Orleans
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Quick video consults and honest timeline advice
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Location scouting, permits, and backup plans
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Vendor recommendations I trust
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Travel-friendly schedules and easy gallery delivery
If you’re searching for a New Orleans destination wedding photographer who keeps it effortless, I’ve got you!
Professional Details You Can Count On
Lighting and Editing for True-to-Life Skin Tones
New Orleans lighting changes fast—harsh sun, shaded courtyards, tungsten indoor venues, and dark receptions. I use a clean lighting approach on the day and consistent color work in post so skin tones stay natural, warm, and accurate across the entire gallery.
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Natural light first, then simple supplemental light when needed
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Consistent color across mixed lighting (indoor + outdoor)
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Skin texture kept realistic—clean, not plastic
New Orleans Wedding Backdrops That Photograph Beautifully
I’ll help you choose locations based on timing, crowds, and the look you want—French Quarter texture, Garden District greenery, City Park variety, and CBD architecture. For celebrations with New Orleans culture—second lines, live bands, and candlelit courtyards—I’ll build a plan so portraits don’t interrupt the party
Common Questions Answered!
Q. Do you travel beyond New Orleans?
A. Yes—across Louisiana, & the Gulf Coast as well as international destinations.
Q. Film or digital?
A. Primarily digital with film-inspired edits.
Q. How many images do we receive?
A. Enough to tell the full story—quality over quantity.
Q. Turnaround?
A. Sneak peeks within a few days; full gallery follows and is easy to share and print.
Q. LGBTQ+ weddings?
A. Absolutely—every couple is welcome.
Q. Second line coverage?
A. Yes—route tips, timing, and mobile gear are covered.
Q. What if it rains?
A. Smart backup locations and creative rain-friendly portraits.
Q: Do you have experience photographing Black couples and diverse skin tones?
A: Yes. I photograph weddings across New Orleans and prioritize lighting and editing that keeps skin tones natural and consistent—outdoors, indoors, and in low-light receptions.
Q: How do you handle harsh sun in New Orleans?
A: I use shade-first location choices, clean backdrops, and quick portrait direction—then finish with golden hour when possible.
Q: Can you handle second lines and fast-moving celebrations?
A: Yes. I’ll help with timing and route flow, and I photograph it documentary-style so it feels like the day—not staged.
About Chad Populis
I’m Chad Populis, a New Orleans wedding photographer serving couples across the city and South Louisiana. My work blends candid storytelling with calm direction—so you get real emotion and polished portraits without feeling posed all day. I’m especially intentional about photographing Black couples and diverse skin tones with clean lighting and true-to-life color, so your gallery stays consistent from bright outdoor portraits to dim receptions and second lines.
What you can expect
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Guidance on timing, locations, and portrait flow
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A relaxed, confident experience on camera
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Consistent editing and natural skin tone work
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A gallery designed for sharing and printing
Let’s Work Together
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Check your date (fast reply)
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Request the wedding photography packages + pricing
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Book a 10-minute consult to finalize your collection
Gretna, LA 70056
Tel: 504-577-6410
Service areas:
Based in New Orleans and serving the French Quarter, Garden District, Warehouse District, Bywater, Marigny, Tremé, Metairie, Kenner, the Northshore, Baton Rouge, the Gulf Coast and all domestic and international destinations.