Year: 2011

  • Mi Familia.

    It’s been a really busy week with wrapping up last minute details for Chris and Jen’s Wedding festivities. As most of you know, my brother is marrying his long time love, Jennifer tomorrow! We had the rehearsal last night at Mother’s and everything was wonderful. I just wanted to share a quick photo of my family. I’ve done a little editing this morning and about to head about the door to get a manicure with mom. I really want to bake Jen some cupcakes for tomorrow, too! She loves funfetti! Enjoying this time with my family and soaking it all in!

  • Lately

    It feels weird to not be blogging every single weekday. I can usually plan out my blogs up to 2-3 weeks in advance and I know exactly what will be posted. Right now, I made sure to give myself some time off to enjoy my brother’s Wedding festivities. We had the Bridesmaids Luncheon this past Sunday at Metairie Country Club, the Rehearsal is this Thursday and the Wedding is this upcoming Saturday. I’ve been helping my mom plan the Rehearsal, which tonight we are making all the favors. Looking forward to sipping some wine and relaxing with the girls.

    I woke up the other morning with a really bad backache that had been lingering since last week. Well after running some tests and 2 hours at the doctor’s yesterday, I got no news but ‘Oh, you must have pulled a muscle!” AWESOME! So, I put a medicated back strip on last night and that seemed to work a little bit. I can only sit at my desk and edit/do work for about 2-3 hours at a time without needing to go walk around and stretch my back. I am really hoping this passes by the weekend. I need to go take some more Advil!

    I am excited about the new props that my mother in law bought me for my newborn shoots. It’s 3 adorable animal crocheted outfits to swaddle them in with matching beanies. My godson, Reed will be born in about 2 months- so I’ve been trying to think of some new ideas. I joined Pinterest a few days ago and my creative juices are flowing. I wish I would have joined earlier. That site is amazing!!! I am also on the lookout for some thin fabric in assorted colors to swaddle the babies in. Lot’s of new ideas in my head!

    Well we finally have our guest room complete, it just needs something to hang over the bed. I found this idea on Pinterest that is an old picture frame with yarn draped across the center. You clothespin old black and white photos across it. I thought this would be an awesome idea for that bedroom. It’s amazing how finishing that bedroom has seemed to make our house a little cozier. I can look around our house now and see all of my and Randy’s hard work. He built our wooden headboard with his own hands. I am so proud of the way it came out. I did the distressing and I’m really pleased! I need to take some some photos of it soon. I wish I could have documented the whole process- but I got busy and blew it off. He said he wanted to make another one, so hopefully I snap away for the next one. There’s so many little areas in our house that make me smile – things that we’ve created together. That’s worth more than buying pre-made art or furniture any day.

    I can’t wait to share my sister in laws Bridals with your guys, I had so much fun! She looks amazing in the photos! Another one of my brides, Sylvia had her session a couple of weeks ago, too! She’s another one… I was like OMGoodness while editing, breathetaking! I can’t wait to shareeeeee!

    So I’ve taken over Randy’s little shed/workroom outside. My props were EVERYWHERE! So he went and bought ceiling hanger hooks from Home Depot. You walk in now and all of my props are hanging from the ceiling.. looks kind of crazy! But at least you can walk in there now and find things easily.

    Okay enough typing for now, my back is starting to ache. Sometimes it feels good to just talk and get things out in my head. There are some many hours a day when I’m not shooting… that I’m sitting here alone in my home office. Often my blog is my platform and speaking space. Even though I have no clue who most of you are that read this, my blog is my voice and storefront. Thanks for stopping by! More posts to come soon :)

    Here’s a peek at my cousins shoot from last week!

  • Jude :: Newborn

    Last week I had the pleasure of photographing little Mr. Jude! He did great for us :) We took some outside and also got a few inside using some natural light coming through the door and windows. I loved the little crocheted beanie hat and diaper cover that his mom, Brittani had for him! Here are some of my favs from our morning:

  • Stella :: Newborn

    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!

  • Back in the Office

    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!