Sugar Bowl: New Year’s EveJanuary 1, 2026; New Orleans, California, USA; Sugar Bowl: New Year’s Eve; (Photo credit: Kelley L Cox/KLC ƒotos)

For my New Year's Eve in New Orleans, I didn't feel like going out, but I also didn't want to just stay in my hotel room all night.

My plan was to grab a beer from the media work room, take it out on the street (that's legal in Louisiana) but ultimately the workroom was already closed. I still decided to do a quick loop along Canal street. I ultimately walked down to the intersection of Canal and Bourbon, took a moment to recognize the memorial for those who lost their lives. And took a deep, healing, breath and closed my eyes as the revelers counted down to the New Year. Then I walked back to the hotel.

Bourbon StreetDecember 30, 2025; New Orleans, California, USA; Bourbon Street; (Photo credit: Kelley L Cox/KLC ƒotos) Bourbon StreetDecember 30, 2025; New Orleans, California, USA; Bourbon Street; (Photo credit: Kelley L Cox/KLC ƒotos) Having gone out on Bourbon Street the night before, I can tell you Boubon is back. Or at least avoiding the barf on the block 😜 - Bourbon is back

Once back in the room, I enjoyed the show of fireworks that were popping off ALL over town and decided to take a Live Composite.

I used the OM-1 Mk II, 12-40mm lens in Live Composite. So that as each new light entered the scene, it was added to the image, without being in Bulb mode that would have blown out the highlights on Canal Street.

Sugar Bowl: New Year’s EveJanuary 1, 2026; New Orleans, California, USA; Sugar Bowl: New Year’s Eve; (Photo credit: Kelley L Cox/KLC ƒotos)

Happy New Year!