Jen Amato Photography Blog »

Hi, my name is Jen and I am a Natural Light Photographer based out of New Orleans! Welcome! I specialize in Engagement, Maternity, Family, Children, and Birth Photography. As a wife and mom of 5, I understand how important capturing those fleeting moments are. Making my clients feel comfortable in front of the lens, photographing priceless memories and building relationships with people in the process are my main goals. There's always lots of fun couples, sweet families and precious babies gracing the presence of my site! Be sure to check back, I'm always posting new sessions! Click the "Information" tab above to email me if you're interested in scheduling a shoot :) I can't wait to hear from you!

Ava :: 1 Year

Friday, September 16, 2011 Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Ava has just completed her “Grow With Me” Package! This makes me so happy and so sad all at the same time! I can’t believe they change so fast! However, when Momma’s say they’ll see me again for 18 months and then yearly pics – that puts smile on my face :) I kind of get attached to all these babies. They’ve given me my fair share of baby fever over the past year or so. I can’t get over that I have nearly 20 children who have become members of Grow With Me! Needless to say, they are all so special to me. Of course, their parents are too for trusting me and having me capture the first year in their baby’s life. Click the links below to see our journey :)

Newborn Ava Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ava @ 3 MonthsÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ava @ 6 Months Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ava @ 9 Months

Here she is today – ONE!!

SOOOO beautiful!!!Time for CAKE!!!

Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Josie :: 9 Months

Thursday, September 15, 2011 Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Josie Girl! I can’t believe how awesome she did this time around! As a “Grow With Me” babe, I can honestly say this was her best yet. I love seeing Josie and her mom, Nicole. Her mom is one of those people you feel like you’ve known your whole life! Always a breathe of fresh air and makes me laugh. Josie does this thing with her tongue where she sticks it out and smiles really big. While editing, all I could hear in my head was “lizzard, lizzzard, lizaard” – which is what Nicole says when she does that! It’s the cutest thing, haha!

These were taken at Audubon Park – I love the outfits! The first lemonade dress was adorable, ruffles like that always photograph so well. Saints dress was a must, too!

Here are my favs – can’t wait until her next shoot, the big ONE~

I couldn’t help but take this photo – look at those precious arm rolls!! I could eat her up!So beautiful!Who Dat, babyyyyy!!!!Lizarddd!!

Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Riley :: 1 Year

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Posted in Children

Can’t believe Miss Riley is already ONE! Seems like yesterday I was photographing her newborn photos and 6 month photos! We headed out to City Park to take these and as always.. her mom, Donna has some adorable outfits and hats! She is such a beautiful little baby! We had the first dose of good weather rolling into town – loved it! Looking forward to their family Christmas shoot coming up, too!

Here are some of my favs from the day:

Happy happy!!!

Posted in Children

Chris & Jennifer :: Rehearsal

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Posted in Personal

Thank you to my wonderful assistant, Kacie for taking these photos for us at my brother’s Rehearsal Dinner. I really got to have fun and let Kace do all the work! It was at Mother’s Next Door and we had a great time! Erin Steen, the same florist who did the flowers for my Wedding, also did the flowers for their Rehearsal. Beautiful! I was so happy to be able to spend so much time with Chris and Jen during this special time. I took a whole week off of work! :) Thankfully they picked a Wedding date that was during my slow season, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was able to soak it all in. Now it’s back to the grind! I can honestly say though, I have loved every minute of my free weekends, vacations, time with family and friends, home cooked meals, etc.. The next 3 months are my busy season and I have never been so ready to go for it!! I am feeling refreshed and inspired since I had a little time off. Back on the saddle — here we goooo! I love my job and I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people!

The favors we made: little bundles of Hubig pies, Zapps, Crystal Hot Sauce & Barq’s Root Beer – NOLA Favs!We draped their Engagement photos across the favors table. Loved this idea!Beautiful flowers by Erin SteenAll the Bridesmaids!Me and My Momma!!My brother Chris… his sister Jen Amato to the left, his wife Jen Amato to the right!Beautiful couple! Love them!They gave us these adorable painted wine and beer glasses that looked like us!Me and my brother! Can’t believe he’s married now!My family, love them to death!Here comes the waterworks! Speeches!This picture makes me tear up…LOVE LOVE!Chris, Jen, My cousin Erin (my godson Reed is in her belly) & Justin!

Posted in Personal

The Scairono’s :: Family

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Posted in Family

You guys may remember my cousin Kelly’s family from the last time I photographed them? We did their session in Mississippi last year, but this time we decided to head to some rustic areas in City Park. I’ve been trying to get some inspiration lately for my shoots – whether it be from antique shops, magazines, or my new favorite obsession Pinterest.com! New poses, new props, new locations – whatever I can find that’ll push me to be a better photographer. I’ve noticed my style of editing and shooting has changed a bit over the past year and I’m happy with the direction I am going in. Being a photographer, I am faced with constantly having to motivate and push myself. When clients are along for the ride – it helps a great deal! :)

Weeks before our shoot, I was emailing my cousin Kelly ideas on color schemes and outfits. She then later did her shopping and texted me photos of things she was finding. I’m always happy to help! She did a wonderful job pairing outfits for her crew! While editing these, I just kept thinking how big her kids have gotten! They aren’t little babies anymore! They have personalities, smiles and laughs that light up a room. A couple of times they would give me these serious faces and it was adorable. Although very different, you can tell from Ben and Madeline’s expressions how much they look alike!

Thanks again Kris, Kelly, Ben and Mads for having me photograph this time in your life. Each year is a new chapter, each year your love grows for each other! Love you all!