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!

Stella :: Newborn

Friday, August 26, 2011 Posted in Grow With Me, Newborns

I photographed Stella last week and she did great! It’s been nice and warm outside and the little ones love that :) This seems to be what works best for me: photographing the babies outdoors in natural light. Even during the winter I’ve had moms swaddle their babies in blankets and put heating pads in the baskets in order to get these types of shots! I’m starting to realize over the past several month… people are booking me because they want a certain look and style in their photos. It’s funny the more I’m given the opportunity to shoot, the more I’m able to see my photography go in a certain direction. I’m always on the hunt for new props and new blankets in order to continue this direction. I have literally outgrown our shed with the baskets, rockers, chairs, stools, barrels and props I have. I think I need more space!

Thank you to Randy and Lindsey for allowing me to photograph your sweet little STELLA! Love her name! I can’t wait to watch her grow up and I am so happy to have another cutie join the “Grow With Me” club! I had fun with you guys, bearing the heat and all!

Here are some of my favs from the day. I love that fabulous leopard beanie!

I see a little tiny smile :)Look at those LIPS! Too cute!

Posted in Grow With Me, Newborns

Back in the Office

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Posted in Personal

Just returning home from my future sister-in-laws Bachlorette trip in Florida. Enjoyed a nice little 4 day trip with all the girls. I am finally back in the office, so I’m sorry if you sent me an email and didn’t hear back yet. I’m working on sifting through them right now :) We had a great time in Destin just relaxing, soaking in some sun, riding on the boat we rented, eating dinner, having girl talk, etc! My upcoming October/November Wedding season is going to be pretty intense so I am really trying to relax and take it all in right now while I have some down time. I have shoots to edit from last week and I have several shoots coming up this week.

This time around to Florida I can honestly say I only took a couple of photos on my phone. I think I was just ready to take a little break from the camera. Sometimes its hard when I take my good camera to the beach because I constantly have to keep my eye on it – making sure its safe from sand and water. However, here are some of the photos I took while there. I am obsessed with instagram now! If you have an account, come find me! My user name is: jenamatogreff

When we first arrived to our rental house, there was a Wedding happening right outside on the beach. It was so cute!

Me, my friend Chrissy (college roommate BFF) and Mindy (grew up with her in River Ridge!) We rode up there together and roomed together, lots of fun! This is when we were headed to dinner.

We had dinner at Harbor Docks! My favorite restaurant in Florida!!

We went to this danceclub which was pretty random but the music was awesome!!!

The following afternoon we rented a pontoon boat and enjoyed the water – headed to Crab Island!

Pretty sailboat!

The original Jen Amato and the soon-to-be Jen Amato! Yes, my brother is marrying his longtime girlfriend named Jennifer!

Posted in Personal

Florida Beach Trip!

Thursday, August 18, 2011 Posted in Personal

Every year all of our friends get together to go the beach. Most of us have been friends for over 10 years! We typically go to Destin or the Fort Walton area, but this year we went to Pensacola. Last year, you may remember our Bahamas trip? Instead of Florida, all of our friends saved up for the Bahamas to see our friends Tim and Dana get married!

Although my website it typically for adventures in my photograph business- I like to share a piece of me every now and then. At 26, I am happy where I am in life. A business that I am proud of, newly married, a house that we are slowly turning into a home, a wonderful family and a group of friends that remind me how important it is to just relax and be a kid again. Sometimes it takes going on vacation soak this all in. Time away from the weekly hustle and bustle to just reflect and pray.

I look at these photos and realize how much we’ve grown up over the past several years – all of us have big boy/big girl jobs that were waiting for us back home. But when we go to the beach, we cut up and have fun! This was an awesome vacation and I hope we continue to do this. Marriage, babies, you name it — I just pray that we all stay close and never forget about our yearly summer vacation!

Here’s a few from our trip :)

Morning #1 at around 6:30am, I woke up and just relaxed on the balconyÂ – – soaking in the sunrise.

Ready for the beach!Randy’s candid shots he always takes in between!Going to dinner!Cobalt was amazing! If you are visiting Pensacola, FL area- check it out! The sunset dinner was fabbbbulous!Me and the love of my life ;)Being 10 years old again and writing our names in the sand!Crazy looking storm that passed right over us!!

Posted in Personal

Tyler :: 9 Months

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Tyler is now 9 months and sweeter than ever! He did great last week for his session. We hit up Rivertown Heritage Park this time! He looked so handsome dressed in his polo outfits. That blue shirt really brought out his eyes. Next go round he will be ready for some balloons and a cake- it’ll be his ONE year shoot! Always fun to get to see his mom and dad too!

Well that’s enough work for today, it’s almost 6pm. I am ready to eat some dinner and tackle our guest bedroom. We are so close to finishing, I can almooosttt see it! I can’t believe we’ve been married for over a year and this project has taken us this long, haha!! Living life gets in the way sometimes ;)

I hope to share some photos tomorrow from our Annual friends trip to Florida that we went on this past weekend!

Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Max :: 6 Months

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Posted in Children

You guys may remember when I photographed Max when he was just a newborn! I can’t believe he is already 6 months old! I am so thankful for the parents who continue to come back to me to capture their little ones throughout the first year! It’s such a treat to see them all again! Max did amazing for his session, he was ALL SMILES! His little hats were cute, too! Now that is Saint’s season again – his Saint’s outfit was fun!

Here are some of my favs!