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!

Peace Within

Friday, March 18, 2011 Posted in Personal

You ever have one of those days where you are just all over the place? Your mind wonders in 10 different directions. Gotta to this. Gotta do that. You get worked up. Get emotional. Then you’re like bummed out, then you’re happy. It’s like the weirdest thing. Today is one of those days for me- when I can’t really pinpoint how I feel. Seriously, doesn’t it happen to all of us every now and then?

Well my future sis-in-law randomly emailed me this quote today and everything sorta just made sense after that.

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”

After reading that I thought about it. Why can’t I think about this quote each and every day. It summed it up completely. Thank you Lord for all the wonderful people you have surrounded me with. Through you all things are possible and faithfully I will follow were you lead me. There are things that change in life that sometimes test our strength. There are days where I feel really weak – it’s those days I ask for extra guidance. I put my trust in the Lord knowing everything will be fine.

And just because I love my dogs, here’s a photo of our oldest. An Aussie Mix. A rescue :) Her name is Shortee. She is a girl. Don’t ask- Randy named her. Her nickname is “Beans”. She likes when I call her “Beansy girl”. She is attached my hip at all times when I’m home working. (When I get a glass of water- she’s behind me. When I check the mail – behind me. When I get up to use the bathroom – behind me!) She is a big baby and the sweetest thing ever!

Whenever your feeling down, just think about that quote. It sure snapped me out of it today. Have a good weekend ya’ll!

Posted in Personal

Ross & Tallie :: Engagement

Thursday, March 17, 2011 Posted in Engagements

It’s so funny how my schedule is, one week I’ll have a ton of Engagement sessions, the next I’ll have all kids. No matter what… it still keeps me excited about capturing all different personalities. I’ve photographed 6 Engagement sessions in the past 2 weeks – each and every couple is unique and different. Each session tells their own story. I am just happy to be documenting such a special time in their lives.

I’ve known Tallie for a while now, I can remember the first day I met her at Dominican in 8th grade. We had lockers right next to each other… “Amato & Adra”. The A’s were all the way on the left side where the lockers started in the hallway. For some reason, I remember goofing off with her on a daily basis, we would make each other laugh by saying silly things or making random noises. She may remember better than I do- I have a bit of a bad memory, but I will always remember her laugh!

So fast forward over 10 years.. here we are today and I am photographing her Engagement session and soon to be Wedding. I really enjoyed meeting her fiance Ross for the first time. What a gorgeous couple, both so tall- too! We joked about how this session would maybe be a challenge because of Ross’ height! When you have love like this- nothing gets in the way! I am so excited to share Tallie & Ross’ Engagement session with you guys. After a couple of rain outs and reschedules… we finally were able to shoot on a BEAUTIFUL Friday afternoon in the French Quarter. Streets were packed, the Jazz music played and these two worked the Camera!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!
There’s the laugh ;)Sassy!Loved her heels!Goofing off!!Can I have your eyes please…. THANKS!!Really? So beautiful!Ross looking handsome!These are some of my favorites!

Posted in Engagements

Martin & Tiphanie :: Maternity

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Posted in Maternity

It’s been a wonderful Wednesday. I woke up and gave myself about 30 minutes of “me” time. Even if it’s just making the bed, eating my yogurt with granola or doing some dishes…. it still helps. I’ve been trying to give myself some time in the morning before diving into work. It usually leads to my brain being all over the place, if I don’t. I got alot of editing done this morning, had a nice little visit with my Ma-Maw who stopped by to say hello and then I headed out to my two shoots this afternoon. Which by the way – the sun and weather was gorgeous. I came home and Randy cooked us dinner. It’s been great, I wish I could have days like today more often.

I’ve been waiting to share Tiphanie and Martin’s Maternity Session for a week or so now. She took these and wanted to surprise her Mom! Now Mama has finally seen them, so we’re good to go! What can I say about these two? I’ve been knowing them since the first day we met for the Wedding appointment, then I shot their Engagement session, then the Wedding. Wow- time flies! I have LOVED photographing their journey, what an honor. This is such a fun process for me to capture.

We headed to the Audubon Zoo. We both pulled up- it was PACKED. Buses everywhere. Kids everywhere! It was field trip Friday to say the least. We were hesitant, but winded up giving it a shot! I’m glad we did because we found some beautiful spots once we walked inside. I am so happy to be able to share these photos with ya’ll!

Here is Tiph & Martin- I can’t wait to finally see their little bambino!

Love this one!! So pretty :)Tiph and her hats- soo cute!

Posted in Maternity

Juan & Tara :: Enagement

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Posted in Engagements

Juan & Tara are a fun-loving couple that I really enjoyed photographing! We headed to the French Quarter last week to take their Engagement photos, it was a beautiful day! This weather has been so pretty lately I can’t help but just want to be outside all day. I wish I could EDIT out there during the week, haha! Juan and Tara are my couple that booked 11-11-11! I can’t wait to capture the big day!

A random little update for blog readers: There are 3 spots left for the Easter Mini Session on Sunday, April 3rd. Email me if you’d like a spot. When they are gone, they are GONE.

Here are some that I LOOOOVED!

This one little cluster of pink was gorgeous!LOVE!!Love the reflection in the window glass…..So cute together!

Posted in Engagements

Matt & Alexis :: Engagment

Monday, March 14, 2011 Posted in Engagements

Happy Monday everyone! Wow it was really hard for me to get up this morning since we lost that hour of sleep! I went to bed late and woke up early. Yawwn.. I am very excited to share Matt & Alexis’ session with you all though! We took these just last week in the French Quarter and we had some fun! I love Alexis’ smile- you can see how happy she is in these photos. What an adorable couple! Alexis and I grew up River Ridge together, so it was nice to see a familiar face when we meet up for our Wedding appointment last year. Looking forward to photographing Matt & Alexis’ Wedding in 2012!

Here are some I loved:

We took a few in front of the Aquarium!

Then headed to some streets in the French Quarter…Love Alexis’ braid, too!So sweet…A little outfit change!Work it! :)l love the texture on the brick and the old newspaper in the windows in these shots.