My favorite pictures from 2009

A pair of young Mardi Gras Indians prepare to march in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans on Mardi Gras morning.

I wanted to photograph Mardi Gras Indians, a New Orleans African-American tradition and an aspect of Mardi Gras that is seen far less often than Bourbon Street.

I found a house full of family members dressing up their children in handmade outfits. It was hot out but the kids were good sports.