Keshia & Melvin’s Jean Lafitte Auditorium Wedding
Keshia and Melvin Matthews celebrated their wedding on August 21, 2021, at Jean Lafitte Auditorium, with personal details, a musical moment during the vows, and entertainment that brought New Orleans culture into the celebration.
I provided both photography and videography, covering the wedding solo while working around the COVID precautions of the time. Their day included a Punisher-themed groom’s cake, superhero socks worn by the groomsmen, and a bride who sang during her vows—details that gave the photographs and video their own story to tell.
Planning a wedding in New Orleans or South Louisiana? Visit my New Orleans wedding photography page → to explore coverage and find out how to book your date.
A Punisher Groom’s Cake and Superhero Socks
Melvin’s Punisher-themed groom’s cake was one of the distinctive details of the celebration. The superhero references continued with the groomsmen’s socks, bringing a playful connection between the wedding attire and the reception details.
These are the kinds of personal touches I want represented in a wedding gallery. Alongside the ceremony and portraits, they help tell the story of what the couple chose to include in their day.
For couples planning their own wedding, details connected to a favorite character, hobby or shared interest can be worth pointing out before photography begins.
Something as small as a pair of socks can be easy to overlook once everyone is dressed and the schedule starts moving.
Keshia Sings During the Wedding Vows
One of the most memorable parts of the ceremony came when Keshia sang during her vows.
That moment gave the ceremony a personal musical element and made having both photography and video particularly valuable. A photograph can hold an expression or gesture for someone to look at closely. Video preserves the voice, phrasing and progression of the moment as it happens.
Keshia’s singing is an example of why I encourage couples to mention any special ceremony plans when we discuss coverage. A song, personal reading or other meaningful contribution deserves attention in the photography and video plan.
Knowing about those moments helps us discuss where they fall in the ceremony and what needs to be preserved, including sound when video is part of the booking.
Wedding Entertainment with DJ A Twice and Summer 17
The celebration included entertainment by DJ A Twice and Zulu Tramp Summer 17.
Their involvement brought another part of the wedding story into focus: the music and performance that accompanied the celebration. Summer 17 also brought a connection to New Orleans culture to the Jean Lafitte Auditorium wedding.
When photographing wedding entertainment, I look for the performance itself and the activity around it. Wider photographs can establish the setting, while closer images give attention to expressions, interactions and individual moments. Video adds the movement and sound that connect those pieces.
Including that part of the day helps a wedding gallery carry the story beyond the ceremony and formal portraits.
Photographing a Wedding During COVID
Keshia and Melvin married during a period when COVID precautions were still affecting wedding celebrations. I worked in a mask and adapted my coverage around social distancing while handling photography and video on my own.
That added another consideration to the usual decisions about positioning, timing and what needed attention next. The ceremony and key reception events still needed to be documented, with awareness of the precautions surrounding the celebration.
For me, the goal remained to preserve the wedding they were having: the personal details they chose, the vows they exchanged and the entertainment they included.
The circumstances were part of the experience, while Keshia and Melvin remained the focus of the coverage.
Keshia & Melvin’s Wedding Photography and Video
Covering photography and videography solo required careful attention to how the two forms of coverage fit together.
The ceremony and key reception events required particular focus because they unfolded in real time. Decisions about where to stand and when to move had to account for both still photographs and motion. That experience helped shape how I approach combined wedding coverage today.
For couples considering both services, a useful starting point is identifying the moments that matter most to you. Personal vows, musical performances and reception entertainment can all influence the coverage plan. Discussing those priorities helps determine the approach and staffing appropriate for your wedding.
Visit my New Orleans wedding videography page → to see film options and discuss adding video to your photography coverage.
Wedding Venue and Vendor Credits
Couple: Keshia and Melvin Matthews
Wedding date: August 21, 2021
Venue: Jean Lafitte Auditorium
Photography and videography: Chad Populis Photography
DJ: DJ A Twice
Zulu Tramp: Summer 17
Explore More Real New Orleans Weddings
For more wedding stories, take a look at Ramonica and Kevin’s Treme Market Branch wedding and Dajasia and Treval’s Taravella Manor wedding.
You can also browse my featured real weddings → to explore different venues, traditions and approaches to wedding-day photography throughout the area.
Available for Publication — Online + Print
For editors interested in featuring Keshia and Melvin’s Jean Lafitte Auditorium wedding, please get in touch to discuss photographs, wedding details and photography or videography credits.
Send editorial inquiries and image-use requests through my photography contact page →.
Planning a Jean Lafitte Auditorium Wedding?
If you’re planning a wedding at Jean Lafitte Auditorium or elsewhere in South Louisiana, I’d be glad to hear about your celebration. Share your date, venue and the moments you want covered so we can discuss photography, video or a combination of both.
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