New Orleans

Words and Images by Photographer Ben Carver. Images available for purchase. www.benjamincarver.art

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Jackson Square in the Mist

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Mannequin in the Marigny

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Flower House in the Marigny

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Mule Manure

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Tour Mule, April 2018

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Performer on Royal Street, April 2018. 

I haven’t posted on this tumblr in a couple years. I had not been back to the city since I had my New Orleans photography show in Washington DC (two summers ago). My family lives in Acadiana (New Iberia/Lafayette) but I’ve needed some time away from Louisiana, particularly after such an intensely personal project (I spent three months photographing the city 10 years after Hurricane Katrina) led to some personal realizations about my relationship to home. 

I came back for a week to enjoy the city with a big group of friends, and it felt good to be there. I also took a few photos, which I will post soon. 

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Good Friends

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Green Thumb 

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Pink House on Rampart

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The Backsteppers Social & Pleasure Club

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Ursulines and Treme

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Sidewalk in Treme

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Drummer Boy on Decatur

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Bourbon Pub during Gay Pride 2016

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Gay Pride 2016 on Bourbon Street

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Gay Pride 2016 on Bourbon Street

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Gay Pride 2016 on Bourbon Street

The lead float had no riders. Behind it, 49 people marched, each carrying the name of a person who died at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. This was the most emotional and vibrant gay pride in New Orleans that I’ve experienced. 

The bars changed their names to “Pulse” in solidarity with the city and the broader gay community, and their staff members wore shirts that reflected this change. 

Someone told me that a record number of people volunteered to march this year within days of the event. It was heartening to see our community come together over this tragedy.