Jen Amato Photography Blog

Year: 2011

  • Our Wedding!

    Last Wednesday night was a memory that I will hold close to my heart forever. We watched the videos from our Wedding for the first time. The Wedding came to life again, it was as if I was seeing it with a whole new pair of eyes. All 15 of us in our itty bitty house made for quite a cozy night, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was a celebration, it was a time to slow down and remember that this is what life is about. My Mother in Law suggested I cook every Wednesday night. Ya’ll, if my schedule allowed for it and I knew I wasn’t going to get backed up, I would do it every single week for all of us. I would do and it and love every minute of it. I don’t really know what it means to do anything quick and easy though because I am my mother’s daughter. Flowers, table clothes, tea light candles, were put out that night. What I made? 40 handmade meatballs and Red Gravy from scratch. “If you’re going to make the effort, at least do it right.” These are words I heard often while growing up. I always have backup everything too- because I hate running out of anything. HAHA! It starts to become second nature when I’m at the grocery. Gotta get backup! I enjoy going to the grocery, have fun cooking, and love spending time with my family.

    In 2012, a few things will be changing with my schedule and bookings so I look forward to slowing down a bit. Until then, 2011 is my year, our year! I am working my booty off and going to challenge and push myself more and more each day. I swear there are some weeks I wonder how I got through it. I am excited about this year, I look at my calendar over the next few months and it’s almost completely booked. Between the weddings, E-sessions, Bridals and the Grow With Me kids- yall keep me busy ;) Thank you x 100!

    Work was put on hold last Wednesday. It was fine. Life goes on. I cooked. Cleaned house. Laughed and cried watching our video. Enjoyed every minute of my family being over. Prayed that I’ll have many more days like that night.

    So guys, I guess it’s time to share my wedding, a view into my world for a minute. Me on the other side.

    I owe a million thank you’s to everyone involved!!

    Preparation: My parents house & Randy’s parents house

    Ceremony: Our Lady of the Rosary Church on Esplanade Ave.

    Reception: Pavilion of the Two Sisters – New Orleans City Park

    Photographers: Studio Tran – Beebe Tran, Corine Tran, Leslie Pendleton, Eric Bordelon, & Jason Cohen

    Videographers: Blink Video – Melanie Talley & Wendy Saucier

    Florist: Erin Steen

    Makeup: Suzette Stuprich with UpSa Daisy Salon

    Hair: Shannon Diaz with UpSa Daisy Salon

    Church Vocals: Aria Mason

    Church Organist: Tommy Zanca

    Church Trumpeter: Gary Hotard

    Reception Band: The BoogieMen

    Reception Coordinator: April Laughlin

    Girls & Girls Chuck Taylors: Famous Footwear

    Girls Button Down Shirts: Men’s section @ TJ Maxx & Marhshalls

    Girls Monogram Totes: The Knot

    My Dress: Romona Keveza – Town & Country

    My Shoes: Badgley Mischka – “Randall Pump”

    My Custom made Hair Flower: Etsy – Byrdferth

    My Veil: Same one my Mom wore when she married my Dad 34 years ago :)

    Bridesmaids Dresses: Jcrew

    Wedding Cake: Haydels

    Grooms Cake: Holly Bratton with Couture Cakes

    Reception Photobooth: Squareface Photobooths

    Candy Buffet Jars: Walmart & Michael’s Crafts

    Chinese Takeout Boxes: Uline

    Sticker’s on Boxes: Zazzle

    2nd Line Handkerchiefs: Augie Leopold Advertising

    Koozies: Inman Promotional Team

    Vintage Signs: Etsy – The Back Porch Shoppe

    Old Time Camera’s for Guest Sign In: Ebay

    2nd Line Umbrella’s: Luna Bazaar

    Guy’s Tuxs : John’s Tuxedo

    Guy’s Avitor Sunglasses: Amazon

    Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Ramsey’s

    Randy’s Bass Guitar Wedding Gift: Marcus Miller Fender Jazz Bass – Musician’s Friend

    Here are my pieces of advice for all my future couples: I totally hammed it up. I will be the first to admit. When I saw the camera in my face, I smiled, danced or grabbed whoever was next to me to take a picture. I know what it’s like to be the one taking the pictures and I love seeing my couples interact with each other. When they hold hands, kiss or just a simple smile. I was somewhat nervous in the beginning, which is seen on my face a bit during prep. During the ceremony Randy broke the golden rule and chomped gum the whole time, I twirled my hair way too much on the alter. During the Reception, I laughed, cried and danced my rear end off. I look at the pictures and I’m thankful I did bootcamp for 6 months before the wedding came. It really did relieve so much stress all while getting in shape! I wasn’t a twig for the Wedding, I’ll never be a twig. I’m a healthy girl. I’ve gained some lbs since then and I really don’t care ;) Well yes, actually I do. But I’m working on that! I’m happy, we like to cook and enjoy ourselves. It’s what you do when you’re from NOLA. However, I do still exercise and still go to bootcamp. My last words to say are just to soak it all in. I reminded myself a couple of times on the Wedding Day to just chill out, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. I will remember this day for the rest of my life, I am so happy I have these memories, both my photographs and videos. I can’t stress how important this is. Weddings are expensive, don’t skimp on two very important things. It’s what helps preserve that special day. Make the best of it ;) One last thing- no two weddings are ever the same, it’s all about what you make of them! Every couple has their own vision and their own plans of how they want the day to unfold. The cameras help to preserve that special day. Make the best of it ;) HAM IT UP, you’ll be glad you did!! haha.

    Love you guys, hope you enjoy! I had ALOT TO SAY and lot’s of Vendors to thank!! Now you can see what this post took me so long to get up!

    My Video Montages – THANK YOU Melanie & Wendy!

    Click the links below to view all 4 of our Montages.

    Prep Montage

    Pre-Ceremony Montage

    Reception Montage

    Ending Recap

    My Wedding Photos – THANK YOU Beebe, Corine, Leslie, Eric and Jason – the 5 of you worked your MAGIC!!! Here are just some of my favs, around 150 – I didn’t want to put too many up and jam up the blog.

  • Andy & Holly :: Engagement

    Been up since early this morning editing away. I had an engagement session scheduled for 10am but it needed to get rescheduled due to goofy weather! Right after I post this, I’m headed out the door for a little jog. Trying to turn over a new leaf this week. Eating real healthy, exercising more often and hopefully I’ll learn to make a bit more time for myself. I was chatting with my friend the other night and we got on the subject of work. She’s said she’s been trying to wake up about 15 min earlier just to get in some “me” time before her busy work day begins. Whether it’s meditating, a little yoga, praying or just drinking your cup of coffee outside on the porch. I am so guilty of waking up and going straight to my computer to respond to emails and begin editing. I can’t tell you how many meals I’ve eaten and how much coffee I’ve consumed in front of this here computer! About 2 months ago, I started mapping out my blogposts and editing schedule. This in turn allows me to blog more frequently and alleviates a good bit of stress. Instead of feeling like I just need to work work work until I can’t see straight- I’ve dedicated a certain amount of time to editing per day, certain blog posts on set days, etc.. I can’t tell you how much this has helped me not to get burnt out. This business will always be a learning process for me and I will continue to find ways to make things better. So back to my point- I’m going to try extra hard to get up earlier and start the day off on the right foot. I’m sure it will make a difference. I challenge you to do the same if you find yourself popping out of bed every morning and the first thing on your brain is ”what you need to do.” I often start my posts with random things I’m thinking about. If it affects just one person on how to view things differently- then I hope it was worth reading :)

    I photographed Holly and Andy last week in the French Quarter. It was another one of those mornings where I woke up and wondered if we were going to have to reschedule. It briefly rained in the early AM and there was huge amounts of fog. I was afraid their photos were coming to come out cloudy looking. Well as was fine and I LOVE the way their photos came out. You can see hints of water in the streets and and some interesting foggy looking backgrounds. Holly and Andy were a blast, they goofed off, laughed and gave each other the sweetest faces throughout their session. I can’t wait to photograph their Wedding next month.

    I hope you enjoy their photos and try giving yourself a little time out in the morning tomorrow. I did and it really helped :)

    Tomorrow I’ll be posting my friends little girl Sophia and I’ll have lots to say. She is the cutest… well you’ll just have to see tomorrow.

  • Past Brides & Baby Bumps!

    This is definitely worth posting when I thought about it- thanks to facebook updates I’ve noticed lately that 4 of my past brides are all expecting their first child!! Congratulations to Katy, Tiphanie, Jessica & Bridget!! This makes me really happy, so I just felt like sharing ;)

    Maybe I can see if they will email me a photo of their bump? Then I can put it below their Wedding photo!!

    Bridget & Ryan – Married February 7, 2009

    Here’s a photo of Bridget and Ryan now- Brittany Reese took this while she was in town for Bridget’s Baby Shower last month.

    Jessica & Sean – Married November 14 ,2009

    Tiphanie & Martin – Married December 19, 2009

    Katy & Caleb – Married March 13, 2010

  • Austin & Elizabeth :: Wedding

    I first met Austin & Elizabeth when I photographed their Engagement Party a few months ago and they were just as sweet as I imagined they were going to be! Then shortly after I shot their Engagement Session at Audubon Park, it’s been so great getting to know them over the last few months. Austin & Elizabeth were married on January 8, 2011. Preparation began at The Ritz on Canal, the Ceremony was at Holy Rosary and the Reception was held at New Orleans Museum of Art. MoJeaux was so fun and everyone surely had a great time dancing! I remember saying how much I couldn’t wait to photograph at NOMA. I studied so many years of Art History at LSU, I’m a bit of an art nerd. I just love the feeling you get when you walk into an art museum :)

    Elizabeth wore her grandmother’s wedding gown- and after some tweaking, the dress fit her perfectly. She is absolutely stunning and made a gorgeous bride! I loved the light pink PJ sets she had for her bridesmaids. It’s the first time I’ve seen that and I thought it was super cute. Overall, the day was magical – I’m so lucky to have been there documenting their love story! Thank you Elizabeth and Austin, we had a great time- you guys are awesome!

  • Cork Board Project!

    Hey Ya’ll! I’m just taking a little break from editing today to share one of my recent craft projects with you! I started this tack board probably about 4 months ago, maybe even longer. It all started when I broke a mirror… BOOO I know! I was trying to hang it and I pushed too hard and there it went, a crack all the way down the center. So what was I going to do with it? I saved the broken mirror pieces which I am sure will find it’s home someday when I use them for another craft project. I was left with the mirror frame and didn’t want to throw it out…. I decided I wanted to make a tack cork board for my office so I can hang up all the cards that my clients mail me.

    So here is my process of turning a mishap into art. These are all taken on my iphone- so quality isn’t that good, but you get the gist!

    First Randy helped me cut the cork, so that it would fit right in the frame.

    What it looked like before I started laying newspaper – nice but just boring..

    Day One!! I’m outside enjoying the beautiful sun on the patio table. Started putting down the first few pieces. It’s easy… just cut paper into strips, then paint on the glue with a small paint brush, next just lay strips across.

    Day Two!! I’m inside now- about 3 months later, haha! The pieces will hang over, that’s okay- you can cut them off later.

    Lexie really enjoys laying on whatever project I have going on….. Laundry, Newspaper, Magazines, you name it!

    Day Three!! Another couple of months later.. I am now at my parents house working on this. It’s a Sunday, Mom was cooking, I took the day off, just enjoying the day, being lazy, etc…

    Complete! Now it just needs to be hung!

    What it looks like hanging in my office. I have some of my clients save the date, Christmas and thank you cards up there too ;)