Month: September 2011

Categories
Engagements

Chris & Leslie :: Engagement

I photographed Chris and Leslie this past Monday in City Park. I am cruising right on through busy season and making sure my clients stay TOP priority!! It amazes me the clients that tell me they’ve gone to someone prior to me and waited 3 months to get photos back. That’s cray cray! I really pride myself in getting photos back within 7-10 days, sometimes sooner! I am always so afraid of getting behind that I really try to shoot, edit and post in the order it was taken. I guess you can say I am little bit addicted to my job – I can’t get enough :)

I went to school with Leslie and it was great to see her again! She was a bridesmaid in a past Wedding that I photographed, so I was excited when she contacted me about shooting her Engagements. Chris and Leslie live on the Northshore, but they wanted some photos here in City Park. They didn’t want it to look like they were there though. We stayed away from all the traditional areas and searched more for the run down, rustic, tall grass areas. I had lots of fun with these guys – I am always like a kid in a candy store when we get that gorgeous evening sun! Loved this session, these two are adorable together!

Here are some of my favs:

Categories
Newborns

Griffin & Cecilia :: Newborn Twins

He comes a whole lot of CUTE x 2!! I was so incredibly happy when Erin emailed me about photographing her twins, and to top it off – a boy and girl! I feel like lately I’ve been given some pretty cool and unique experiences with clients. After lots and lots of newborn shoots, I can honestly say I’ve never had the pleasure of photographing twins. I was a bit nervous before this shoot. I dreamt the night before that I just went the shoot and played with the babies the whole time. By the time I realized I needed to start the shooting, it was dark outside and I had no window light. HAHA! Who dreams about this random stuff? I woke up relieved!

Anyway, so Griffin and Cecilia were so sweet and well behaved! They slept for me almost the entire time, so we were able to move them around a good bit. I’ve been anxiously waiting to share this session with you guys, I just finished up with the photos :) Thanks again Erin and Donnie for giving me the opportunity to photograph your little peanuts, they are too adorable for words! The twins were just around 5 lbs each, so we stayed inside for this shoot. A little different than the typical newborn stuff I usually post, but I am so thankful for this. It PUSHED me to think harder, to study, to practice my lighting, to get creative and find new props and ideas! LOVE LOVE!

I mean…. seriously??

Wittle smile!Sweet as pie!!I think I need this really big on my wall!!Melts my heart!Cecilia gave us a ton of smiles :)They love each other!!Christmas gifts came early for Erin and Donnie! :)

Categories
Maternity

Danny & Ashley :: Maternity

I was so excited when Danny & Ashley contacted me about a Maternity session! It’s funny, I can remember meeting these two several years back at Copeland’s one night when Randy and I were eating, haha! Randy went to school with Ashley & Danny and we have a good bit of mutual friends. We took these last week in City Park. We started out in Storyland which always makes for a cute, colorful atmosphere! Then we headed over to the other part of the park near the bridges and water. The weather looked fine when we started but then about midway through it began to drizzle a little bit. Towards the end, we finished our session because we heard a HUGE POW!!! Lightening had stuck the tree right by us! That was it, we were done! It started pouring raining and we walked back to the car drenched, haha! Thankfully, we were all okay, but I swear driving home I thought my hair was still standing up!

Here are my favs from their session, this was before mother nature ran us off :)

Categories
Weddings

Matt & Anna :: Wedding

Matthew and Anna married on Saturday, September 17, 2011! Preparation was held at The Bourbon Orleans, the Ceremony was at St. Mary’s Church on Chartres and the Reception was back at the Bourbon Orleans. This was a great group and we had a blast capturing their special day! The weather was nice and the guests really enjoyed the 2nd line from the church to the reception. Matt and Anna, you two are so cute together – we had so much fun celebrating with you guys! Here are some of my favs from the day!

Categories
Maternity

Lindsey :: Maternity

I photographed Lindsey and her adorable family last week in City Park! They were all so cute and I loved their outfits. We went to more of the rustic areas of the park to get that pretty natural setting. It’s been a bit hot lately, but I think we have a cool front coming soon which I am looking forward to! I loved the way these came out, Lindsey is just such beauty! She doesn’t have too much longer to go! :) Loving all these Maternity and newborn shoots lately!

 

Categories
Children

Noah :: 2 Years

How adorable is Noah? He was so full of life and energy, gave us lots of smiles and funny faces! Loved the serious ones he would give me every now and then, too :) Photographing a 2 year old means lots of running around to get photos, haha! His mom really loved my photos from Rivertown Heritage park, so we went there for his session. I am obsessed with his long blonde hair and brown eyes- I seriously could have taken him home with me!

Here are some of my favs!!

Categories
Children Family Grow With Me

Abel :: 3 Months

Wow, what can I say about this cute little family? What an honor it’s been to photograph their Engagements, Wedding and now this… A NEW BABY! I was so excited when I found out Katy was pregnant, she’s always just had this glow about her. I knew she would make an unbelievable mother. Katy & Caleb are just so natural, their love for each other is seen in just the way they look at each other. It’s beautiful to be around. So along came Abel and he is adorable, such a combination of both of them! I asked how Abel had been doing…. “best baby ever!” Their secret is tight swaddling and white noise! It was unbelievable… Abel started to get fussy towards the end, so Caleb pulled up this White Noise App on his iphone, Abel was sound asleep in 5 seconds. So you hear that Momma’s out there… tight tight swaddling and white noise. Try it! We were able to get some precious photos of him sleeping! I am so excited that I’ll get the opportunity to photograph this sweet little man throughout his first year. Welcome to the Grow With Me Club, Abel!

This was a mix of Abel’s 3 month and a family session… LOVED IT! I was able to get some gorgeous 8am sunlight! :) A TON of favs… here they are:

 

Categories
Special Events

Casey & Rachel :: Rehearsal

I often get the opportunity to photograph Rehearsal Dinner’s at Mother’s Next Door. Being that my Uncle owns the restaurant, I’ve formed a great relationship with Ronnie – the special events coordinator for the party room! So nice to get the referrals, Mother’s is such a unique place to have an event. LOVE the way the room photographs, so warm with lots of character. Casey’s mom contacted me prior to the event, wanting a mix of candids and group shots. So this past Friday, I was there to document the night! I love the emotion that Rehearsal’s have. There’s lots of laughs and typically some tears during speeches and slideshows, too. Casey and Rachel, you guys are a beautiful couple! I enjoyed working with your whole family, everyone was so sweet!

Here are some of my favs from the evening:

Loved the table centerpieces. All different themes – Mardi Gras, LSU, Saints, Jazz Fest, Hunting & Fishing, LA Seafood… very cute!

Categories
Children Grow With Me

Ava :: 1 Year

Ava has just completed her “Grow With Me” Package! This makes me so happy and so sad all at the same time! I can’t believe they change so fast! However, when Momma’s say they’ll see me again for 18 months and then yearly pics – that puts smile on my face :) I kind of get attached to all these babies. They’ve given me my fair share of baby fever over the past year or so. I can’t get over that I have nearly 20 children who have become members of Grow With Me! Needless to say, they are all so special to me. Of course, their parents are too for trusting me and having me capture the first year in their baby’s life. Click the links below to see our journey :)

Newborn Ava                Ava @ 3 Months                  Ava @ 6 Months                  Ava @ 9 Months

Here she is today – ONE!!

SOOOO beautiful!!! Time for CAKE!!!

 

Categories
Children Grow With Me

Josie :: 9 Months

Josie Girl! I can’t believe how awesome she did this time around! As a “Grow With Me” babe, I can honestly say this was her best yet. I love seeing Josie and her mom, Nicole. Her mom is one of those people you feel like you’ve known your whole life! Always a breathe of fresh air and makes me laugh. Josie does this thing with her tongue where she sticks it out and smiles really big. While editing, all I could hear in my head was “lizzard, lizzzard, lizaard” – which is what Nicole says when she does that! It’s the cutest thing, haha!

These were taken at Audubon Park – I love the outfits! The first lemonade dress was adorable, ruffles like that always photograph so well. Saints dress was a must, too!

Here are my favs – can’t wait until her next shoot, the big ONE~

I couldn’t help but take this photo – look at those precious arm rolls!! I could eat her up! So beautiful! Who Dat, babyyyyy!!!!Lizarddd!!

Categories
Children

Riley :: 1 Year

Can’t believe Miss Riley is already ONE! Seems like yesterday I was photographing her newborn photos and 6 month photos! We headed out to City Park to take these and as always.. her mom, Donna has some adorable outfits and hats! She is such a beautiful little baby! We had the first dose of good weather rolling into town – loved it! Looking forward to their family Christmas shoot coming up, too!

Here are some of my favs from the day:

Happy happy!!!

Categories
Personal

Chris & Jennifer :: Rehearsal

Thank you to my wonderful assistant, Kacie for taking these photos for us at my brother’s Rehearsal Dinner. I really got to have fun and let Kace do all the work! It was at Mother’s Next Door and we had a great time! Erin Steen, the same florist who did the flowers for my Wedding, also did the flowers for their Rehearsal. Beautiful! I was so happy to be able to spend so much time with Chris and Jen during this special time. I took a whole week off of work! :) Thankfully they picked a Wedding date that was during my slow season, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was able to soak it all in. Now it’s back to the grind! I can honestly say though, I have loved every minute of my free weekends, vacations, time with family and friends, home cooked meals, etc.. The next 3 months are my busy season and I have never been so ready to go for it!! I am feeling refreshed and inspired since I had a little time off. Back on the saddle — here we goooo! I love my job and I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people!

The favors we made: little bundles of Hubig pies, Zapps, Crystal Hot Sauce & Barq’s Root Beer – NOLA Favs!We draped their Engagement photos across the favors table. Loved this idea!Beautiful flowers by Erin SteenAll the Bridesmaids! Me and My Momma!!My brother Chris… his sister Jen Amato to the left, his wife Jen Amato to the right! Beautiful couple! Love them!They gave us these adorable painted wine and beer glasses that looked like us!Me and my brother! Can’t believe he’s married now!My family, love them to death!Here comes the waterworks! Speeches! This picture makes me tear up…LOVE LOVE!Chris, Jen, My cousin Erin (my godson Reed is in her belly) & Justin!

 

Categories
Family

The Scairono’s :: Family

You guys may remember my cousin Kelly’s family from the last time I photographed them? We did their session in Mississippi last year, but this time we decided to head to some rustic areas in City Park. I’ve been trying to get some inspiration lately for my shoots – whether it be from antique shops, magazines, or my new favorite obsession Pinterest.com! New poses, new props, new locations – whatever I can find that’ll push me to be a better photographer. I’ve noticed my style of editing and shooting has changed a bit over the past year and I’m happy with the direction I am going in. Being a photographer, I am faced with constantly having to motivate and push myself. When clients are along for the ride – it helps a great deal! :)

Weeks before our shoot, I was emailing my cousin Kelly ideas on color schemes and outfits. She then later did her shopping and texted me photos of things she was finding. I’m always happy to help! She did a wonderful job pairing outfits for her crew! While editing these, I just kept thinking how big her kids have gotten! They aren’t little babies anymore! They have personalities, smiles and laughs that light up a room. A couple of times they would give me these serious faces and it was adorable. Although very different, you can tell from Ben and Madeline’s expressions how much they look alike!

Thanks again Kris, Kelly, Ben and Mads for having me photograph this time in your life. Each year is a new chapter, each year your love grows for each other! Love you all!

Categories
Bridals

Jennifer :: Bridals

Sooo, there’s a new JEN AMATO in town! As of last night, I have a sister-in-law and yes she will share my maiden name! I told her it was all good unless she started up her own photography business, then we were going to run into some problems ;)

I can’t explain to you how much enjoyed myself yesterday being a part of their Wedding day. All week we could see that there was going to be some rain coming in for this weekend, but never figured it would turn into a tropical storm! Friday night, I can honestly say I started to get a bit nervous, but knew in the end it would all work out. They lined up some of the best vendors in the city – who only had one intention – which was to make this the best day ever! There was no canceling anything, despite a little rain! The news really does a good job at trying to freak people out! So aggravating! Saturday morning came and I had plans to get to the Roosevelt around 9am where all the girls were doing prep. Our street was flooded since it had rained all night, so we couldn’t get our low cars out the driveway. Well my dad came and picked me up in his big pick up truck. We first stopped off at Academy and I bought Jen some baby blue polka dot rain boots! I thought it would be cute for her to wear them in a few photos!

Well the prep at the Roosevelt was fun, it was nice to just primp with the girls, drink mimosa’s and hang out. There were times in the day where the sun came out and was shinning so bright through the windows, this is when you’d hear a bunch of “wooo hoo’s”!! Overall, we only ran into a little rain which was when we were heading to the reception. The rain didn’t stop a thing – we had soo much fun. I danced my booty off, I can’t wait to see the photos and videos. I had a blast with my friends from Studio Tran and Dyle Films – love them! Of course there were parts in the night when I stole their cameras or helped with holding up the detail lights. I couldn’t help myself, I felt like I just needed to be doing something. I am so used to shooting Weddings! However, I had an amazing time being on the other side :)

So on to Jen’s Bridal pictures. We took these a few weeks ago and I have been patiently waiting to share these with you guys! I really wanted to make an effort to try and “style” this shoot a little bit. Jen and I brought along alot of props to make her shoot really unique. I’ve been giving some thought to these types of shoots and I’m looking forward to changing some things up next year with my business. I am at my most comfortable and most creative when I have certain things play out. That being atmosphere, props, lighting, mood, etc… These things are all so important to getting that “look” in photos. 2011 has been my busiest year yet and I am soo incredibly happy to have been given the opportunity to photograph lots of beautiful and unique people. Sometimes it gets hard to style each and every single one of my sessions. I’ve been thinking about sending out a questionnaire and tip email to my clients before their sessions. I want them to get their creative wheels turning too, so that we can make some really special photos together! I’m trying to stay committed to only booking a certain amount of Weddings for next year. I may be going in a new direction soon with a couple of areas of my business, more on that later when the time comes and I’m ready to talk about.

I just want to say Congratulations again to my sweet brother Chris and my new sister Jen! I love you both so very much! Thank you for trusting me enough to capture this special time in your lives! Your Engagement Session and these Bridals will always be special to me. I’m here when you need me. I can’t wait for the next chapter in our lives. I’ll be right here ready to capture it all. I am so lucky to have you guys in my life!

Here are my favs from Jen’s Bridal Session. All of these were taken in some of my favorite little spots in City Park.

Categories
Personal

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!