Louisiana & Mississippi

7 days / Viking Mississippi
Roundtrip New Orleans

The Mississippi is Viking’s only American river itinerary—and presented a genuine creative challenge. Stock photography of the American South rarely met Viking’s visual standards or captured the river’s character beyond the familiar shorthand of New Orleans and Mardi Gras. The goal was to present the Mississippi on its own terms. This is the river of Mark Twain and BB King, of American history at its most layered—explored in Viking comfort.

Over seven days from New Orleans through Louisiana and Mississippi, we worked on board and on shore: the cypress swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin, plantation estates, historical sites, and the streets and music venues of New Orleans.

The itinerary engages with a complex American history, and it was important that the photography did too—without romanticizing the antebellum South or reducing it to a backdrop. The talent direction reflected that: present in the locations, not posed against them.

Art Direction: Geoff Burkert, Viking
Photography: Alastair Miller
Photography & Video: James Prismall, Viking
Architecture & Food photography: Eric Laignel
Production: White Rain Films
Producer: Bill Phillips, White Rain
Director & Editor: Brad Bolling, White Rain
Wardrobe: Stephanie Weissman, White Rain
Drone Op & 2nd Camera: Dennis Schmelz, White Rain
Onboard Liason: Michelle Crowe, Viking
Shoot Coordinator:Jessica Gamberg, Viking