Local New Orleans Photographer Traven Stout's take on Mardi Gras

"Mardi Gras is a special time of the year for me. It's a time where the entire city of New Orleans shuts down and lets go. No matter who you are poor, rich, white, black, we take to the streets in the name of celebration. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. It's a time when people cut up and binge in all the desires before they give them up for lent. Some people drink, some people eat, I shoot photography. Mardi Gras is a time for me to test different equipment, different films, different techniques with street photography. I started this project in 2013, I wanted to tell the story of Mardi Gras through portraits of the people of Mardi Gras. I did this because it is the people (locals, tourists, krewe members, city workers) of Mardi Gras who make Mardi Gras happen. This project is still that, but also now it's of a show case for the progression of my work and styles. As long as I'm alive I'll be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras with a camera in my hand."

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