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!

Patrick :: 9 Month

Friday, August 12, 2011 Posted in Children, Grow With Me

I think Patrick has the most beautiful blue eyes! They just pop against his dark brown hair. We photographed his 9 month session in Rivertown, which is quickly turning into one of my favorite spots for this age! This is when you can really start to notice the backgrounds and scenery. They are able to move around more, stand up while holding on to things and almostttt beginning to walk. Patrick did awesome, even with the heat! What a trooper! I canâ€™t wait to see how much Patrick will have grown for our next shoot â€“ the big ONE!

Also, I want to comment on Patrick’s outfits – those types of colors LOVE the camera, they just POP in all the photos. It’s awesome when I finish up editing a gallery and flip through the photos only to see all the rich, bright tones in the photos. Anyway, just a thought for my upcoming clients who are searching for their session outfits! :)

Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Trouard’s & Danton’s :: Family

Thursday, August 11, 2011 Posted in Family

Last week I photographed the Trouardâ€™s and the Dantonâ€™s! Sabrina and her sister-in-law, Marguerite combined a session so that they could get updated photos of the kids and some of all the little cousins together! When I first saw Marguerite, I knew she looked familiar from growing up in River Ridge. I love getting the chance to see people I remember from way back when, and now we are all grown up! It really is such a small world. The kids did awesome for this shoot! I loved seeing all of their little personalities come through! It was a beautiful morning and we were able to get some pretty sweet light :) This time of year, I try and shoot in the early morning hours between 8-10am!

Here are a few of my favs from their session:

Posted in Family

Mallory :: 6 Months

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Mallory is growing up so fast! It feels like yesterday when I was taking her newborn photos. Now she has a great big smile and is starting to look more like her older sister, Madison. I love this age because they are finally starting to sit up on their own â€“ itâ€™s when you really can start to see them changing into a toddler rather than a little baby. We photographed this session at one of my favorite little greenery locations in River Ridge. Iâ€™m always trying to find new spots that are easy to access for the little ones! I will be on the hunt for some new props soon, too! I am slowly outgrowing storage space in the house… my chairs, rockers and baskets are out of control. Iâ€™ve already decided my next car will be in SVU just so I can haul it all around easier! Well hereâ€™s sweet Mallory, looking forward to the next go round!

TOES!!Always fun to add sister Madison in there for a few :)Mallory’s dad is a police officer – so the next few photos are only fitting :)Check out the little police cars on her dress, too cute!!Now for a few with mom holding her!

Posted in Children, Grow With Me

Gardner Joseph :: 1st Birthday Party

Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Posted in Special Events

Wow!! This 1st Birthday Party was INCREDIBLE!!!! Every now and then I get asked to photograph parties and special events. This one in particular was a real treat! I drove to Baton Rouge a week or so ago to document Gardner’s 1st birthday party. You may remember that little cutie from when I took this 8 month photos at the Rural Life Museum.

I was excited when his mom, Rachel contacted me about his birthday party. I knew it was going to be fabulous and I sure was right! I walked up to the house and it was like as if I was flipping the pages in a magazine. The party was a Circus theme and there were so many beautiful details. There was a magician, a caricature artist, a clown who made balloons and painted faces, pony rides, a popcorn machine, cotton candy, chefs in the kitchen cooking gourmet food, party favors, a gorgeous birthday cake…. the list goes on and on!

Gardner will have so many photos to help remember his special day!! It was so much fun! Thank you Gardner & Rachel for giving me the opportunity to capture your little one’s 1st Birthday!

Posted in Special Events

Happy Birthday Mom!

Monday, August 8, 2011 Posted in Personal

Yesterday my family went to Sunday mass at Immaculate Conception on Barrone and brunch at Jackson on Magazine to celebrate my Momâ€™s birthday. We missed Randy though, he had signed up for an RC Race a month or so ago and didn’t realize it would fall on the same day. So, my mom…. I canâ€™t imagine my life without her, she has motivated me to be the person I am today. Itâ€™s funny how as I get older I find myself becoming more and more like her. She loves to entertain, enjoys the simple things in life and strives to be a better person day in and day out. She has given so much of herself to us four kids that I wonder where she found and still finds the strength to do it all. It doesnâ€™t matter if its midnight and we need something â€“ sheâ€™s right there. I can remember getting really really sick about 6 months ago. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like death. I got hit with a 24 hour flu bug and it really knocked me out. Ya know those times when all you need is your mom? I called her up and she was over in 5 minutes. She is so selfless, loving and kind. Anyone who meets her loves her. Sheâ€™s sweet to everyone, just one of those plain out genuine souls. Just donâ€™t mess with her kids! She jokes about that all the time and would put up a fight for us.

No matter how old we get, we still need her. Everyday. Sheâ€™s someone I look up to and who I can trust. When the day comes, I only hope to be half the mom she is. I always dream about having a little girl â€“ she looks like me and sounds like me when I was young. I hope that one day I can have a daughter, so Iâ€™ll know what it feels like to have one of my own. So I’ll finally understand the connection my mom has with me.

Mom, thank you for being you. For loving me and understanding me. Youâ€™ve always let us four kids be us. Never judging us, never pushing us to be someone weâ€™re not. You let our gifts lead us to where God wanted us in our lives. Thank you for remembering that even though my job gets busy some weeks and I donâ€™t get to see you that much- that Iâ€™m still right here loving you guys. Iâ€™m just trying to chase my dreams and make you, Dad and Randy proud. Thanks for the motivation and for being such a great role model. Youâ€™ve made me a better person, I love you!

Enjoyed our Sunday outing yesterday and another home cooked meal tonight at my parents to celebrate my Mom! I love getting the chance to spend quality time with my family :)