Jen Amato Photography Blog

Year: 2011

  • Dominic & Misty :: Couples Shoot

    I had a great time with Dominic and Misty! Two young love birds who wanted to document being together for 2 years! We strolled in and out of the French Quarter streets on a busy Sunday afternoon. It’s been really hot out there but I can tell you that my clients are real troopers! Lately, I’ve been getting my workout while shooting that’s for sure! As hot as its been – I would take this 10x more than being cold, I can’t stand to be cold!!

    So here are some I loved from Dominic and Misty’s 2 year session! They were super sweet and fun to hang out with! Misty has the prettiest eyes!!

  • The new JENAMATO.COM!

    Some of you may have noticed that now when you type in WWW.JENAMATO.COM it sends you straight to my blog :) This is something I’ve been contemplating for months now, realizing that barely any of you visit the main website. I would say most of you come to the blog to see whats fresh and new. For almost 3 years I have been updating the blog several times per week. The blog is a direct reflection of me as an artist to the date. I update after every single Wedding and Portrait Session. Here is were you will find me in the current. I don’t think I had updated the “main” website it about a year. It just became hard to manage both.

    So please if you are someone inquiring, feel free to search around and stay for a while! If you are looking for particular sessions, then click the CATEGORIES section, that should take you right to where you want to go :) If you’d like more detail, then feel free to use the “SEARCH” bar at the top right hand side of my blog. You can type in more specific searches. For example: ‘6 month sessions’, ‘Beverly’s Wedding’, or ‘Pavilion of the Two Sisters’. Those detailed words will pull up the exact posts you are looking for or it will give you samples of sessions I’ve photographed at 6 months or weddings I’ve photographed at that venue. What ever it is that you are looking for.

    I swear guys, sometimes its hard for me to wrap my head around it all. For the month of May, I have shot 3 Weddings and 19 portrait Sessions. I wonder how all of this went from zero to sixty in just a few years. I try so hard for each of you. I try to get better on a daily basis, to think of creative ideas, and to stay on top of my editing so that I have something to share here regularly. I kind of have a system down pat now so I know how to manage the work flow. I never thought a girl who grew up in River Ridge and starting up this photography business would turn into this. I shoot, edit, design all my albums, fill all photo orders, update the blog, answer all the emails and phone calls, mail out orders and CD’s…. all by myself. I don’t have a team working under me, I somehow have managed to find the time to get it all done. This does mean turning a good bit of work away so that I am able to still have a life. For Weddings however- I have 3 wonderful alternating second shooters that give me a huge hand during the 8 hour Wedding days! Couldn’t do it without them!

    Randy asked me the other day how many people did I think were viewing the website? I told him I had no idea. I pay for this thing called “Website Traffic” from my hosting company which breaks down lots of areas of where people are viewing from, for how long, which city, etc. I never even think to check it. I don’t really have the time to sit there an analyze it all. However- what I did see is that I was averaging around 15,000 hits per month. THANK YOU! That means you guys are coming back regularly to see whats new. I just wish more of you left comments ;) I would love to learn more about you guys and where you are from. It takes alot of work to keep this little ole’ blog FRESH!

    There are several photo blogs that I follow and I often leave comments, it’s a great way to say hello and tell them that you enjoy their work. I’ve met some wonderful people through my blog. People sometimes email to tell me thank you for inspiring them to go after their dream of photography. That makes me feel really good inside. Like I said- I never thought I would get to this place. I think it’s weird that people know my name sometimes. Who am I? I just like to take pictures and I am so thankful to those people who have allowed me to document their lives. There is still SO MUCH MORE I want to do, and share and explore! The world is so big, our opportunities are endless and I will continue to push myself to be more creative in every aspect of my life. It’s who I am. I hope to be able to show a lot of it here on my site. Each day is a journey!

    Just wanted to say thanks again for all the support- I am happy that this blog is a place where some of you check in to see whats new. To take a break from work, or unwind after a long day. I appreciate each one of you who continues to visit, you have helped me become who I am today.

    Much Love on this Memorial Day Weekend!

  • Adam & Heather :: Maternity

    I photographed Adam and Heather’s Maternity Session this past weekend. We headed to City Park for the first half of their shoot and then the French Quarter for the rest. These two were adorable together! I can just look at them and tell how great they are going to be as parents. I know they are anxiously awaiting Baby Latson’s arrival. It was fun walking and talking with them, hearing how they met, how long they had been together, when they knew they were ready for babies, etc! Great people!! We passed an ice cream shop in the Quarter so we thought it would be cute to incorporate a cone in a few pictures. I had a great morning with these guys last Sunday! Here are some of my favs :)

    Isn’t Heather just radiant?! Soo pretty!LOVE his name!

  • Ryan & Jenna :: Engagement

    So here is Ryan and Jenna! Friends from wayyyy back when :) I met Jenna in High School at Dominican, we were in the same circle of friends, ran Cross Country together, and lived with each other the first 2 years of college! It feels like yesterday we were going to themed dances at Dominican all dressed up in goofy costumes! It doesn’t matter if I haven’t seen these two in ages, we still pick up right where we left off. Ryan and Jenna bought a house in my neighborhood, so I often bump into them on the levee while riding bikes.

    I can’t tell you how much I loved this shoot! They nailed it with the outfits, too! They wanted a place that was calm and natural with no one around. I feel like secret little places like this allow people to completely be themselves. It was a beautiful afternoon, a tad bit hot- but still pretty! Thank you soo much Ryan and Jenna for allowing me to capture such a special time in your life! Mwah!

    Here are some of my favs from their Engagement session!

  • Beau & Beverly :: Wedding

    I posted Beverly’s Bridals yesterday and now it’s time to show you her Wedding!! Beau and Beverly married on May 14, 2011. Preparation began at The Ritz Carlton on Canal Street, the Ceremony was at St. Mary’s Assumption and the Reception was at Gallier Hall. Beverly’s family reminded me a lot of my own- very big Italian family! I remember meeting with Beverly and her parents over a year ago when we sat for coffee to go over Wedding packages. It was as if I had known them forever.

    I’m not sure if it’s the time of year knowing that Randy and I’s 1 Year Anniversary is just a few weeks away, but….. this Wedding made me miss mine. I stood back a from a distance a few times and just looked at the love between Beau and Beverly. The way they look at each other would melt your heart. Needless to say, they brought back beautiful memories for me.

    I hope you all enjoy their photos, I think they truly represent Beau and Beverly. Their personality, love for each other and happiness on that very special day. Beau and Bev, I know you enjoyed your honeymoon, thanks for allowing us to capture your beautiful Wedding!