by Phillip Gould

One could say it's the climate that defines Louisiana. It's also the terrain, flat and lush, that gives its look. Perhaps it's the rich, vibrant history that shapes the state. The food and music also make Louisiana a treat for the senses.

Yet all of these elements are also what gives character to its people. And it is they who form the face ofthe state. Colorful, musical, industrious, playful, and yes, sometimes quirky, it is the Louisianians who can claim prestige as some of America's more unique folk. Most in Louisiana don't fully realize their exalted place in the American blend. They are well-steeped in the traditions that have been fermenting in the Bayou State for 300 years -- and molding them since birth.

Presented here is a portfolio of those faces by Philip Gould, an adoptive son of the Bayou State.

View the collection (14 images)

About Phillip Gould