I'VE MOVED!

I'VE MOVED!  You can find me at:

www.amyrizzutoblog.com

www.amyrizzutophotography.com

Looking forward to seeing you there :)

A NEW HOME : WWW.AMYRIZZUTOBLOG.COM

Six months ago, I set up a blogger account, opened up a new post, and started typing.   As I tried to find the words to explain the journey I was about to embark on, I couldn't help but wonder, what would people think?  Would they care about what I had to say?   I was scared!  I will never forget hitting the post to Facebook button and then immediately pulling up the stats page.  I watched the visitors start to come in, wondering who was viewing my post.  My heart swelled with joy and appreciation as a few likes and encouraging comments popped up on the notifications tab.  People were being supportive!  For that, I was so grateful.

For the last six months, my blog has been my voice, a way to share my photographs, my daily ramblings, and my small triumphs.  I am so excited to introduce you to my new home: www.amyrizzutoblog.com.  I have wanted to find a way to better integrate my website and my blog for a long time now.  Thanks to a recently booked wedding, I was finally able to make the jump!  Click here to check it out!  I look forward to seeing you there!

Much love,

Amy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Twenty-five.  How you view this age really depends on where you are on your life journey.  As a senior in college you might be ready to reach 25, itching to have a job and live on your own, fully independent.  As a soon to be retiree, you might look back on 25 with fondness, remembering how the whole world sat in front of you, just waiting for you to choose your path.  To a kid on the playground, 25 might make you want to crinkle up your nose and exclaim, “Ewwwww…that’s old!”  No matter what your age, we can all agree that 25 is a noteworthy age.  It is a quarter of a century old…OLD being the key word in that sentence!

Last Saturday, January 14, I turned 25 years old.  (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!)  To tell you the truth, this age brings on mixed feelings.  On one hand I feel like I am leaving my younger years behind.  I have hit my mid twenties and I am on a train rushing full speed towards 30!  At this point, I am looking back and wishing I had asked God what he had in store for my life earlier.  Imagine if I had started my photography business three years ago.  Where would I be now?  On the other hand, I am thankful to be where I am.   At 25, I know what I want to do with the rest of my life.  I have a loving husband and family, a roof over my head, and friends that care about me.  For all of these things, I am truly grateful.  

Every year introduces a whole new set of adventures and challenges.  I am sure this one will be no different. Whether you think I am an old fart or a young chicklet, I can honestly say I am happy at 25!  2012...BRING IT ON! 

DEPARTURES

"It's 9:07...do you think I can make it?"  I shoved the last bite of crepe in my mouth as I brushed the powdered sugar off my fluffy black coat. I had just finished ice skating with Mekina in Bryant Park. We had been to Rockefeller and Central Park before so this was something we could check off our  list for 2012!  To make things even better, it was snowing.  Talk about magical.

Anyways..it was getting late and I wanted to get home in time to watch a little of The Bachelor.  I looked up the train times and mentally screamed when I saw the next one left at 9:11.  If I missed that one, I would have to wait another hour for the following train.  "It's 9:07...do you think I can make it?" I asked Mekina. She looked at me like I was a little crazy but nodded a quick yes.  We both like the thrill that comes from cutting it just a little too close. She flagged down a taxi right before it sped by.  With a quick hug, I was on my way. "Penn Station please, and step on it."   So cliche, I know, but I really wanted to make that train. We pulled up at 9:10 and I full out sprinted down the steps and into NJ Transit corridor.  Where is it, where is it.  I searched the board for my track number...not finding it anywhere.  Gone. It was gone. My mental scream threatened to make itself heard. Ugh.  Disappointment rushed over me as I walked aimlessly around the station.  I finally settled for a seat on the floor, right in front of the departures sign.

So often there is a train, a dream, a new experience just waiting for us to take it.  If we put it off again and again, it is possible that we will miss it entirely. Life is constantly moving forward. If there is something you are passionate about, something you want to do. Find a way to actualize it now!  The last thing you want is for that train to depart without you.

CITY LOVE (TOKYO) : SHIBUYA STARBUCKS

I walked up to the cash register.  "One apple cider please", asked the 15-year old me.  I was at Starbucks on a Friday night again.  It was basically where I spent every Friday.  As a teenager living in Tokyo, I was constantly grounded for something and Starbucks was my escape.

There aren't many Starbucks where I would spend my Friday night.  This one was special.  Located in the heart of Shibuya, this particular Starbucks overlooked Shibuya Crossing.  Recognized as one of the busiest intersections in the world, Shibuya Crossing is known to see over 3 million people each day!  I used to sit by the window on the second level and watch all the people cross by.  Every few minutes a crowd of hundreds would gather on each side of the road.   As soon as the walking man would flash green, both sides would rush together, creating a swarm of people headed in different directions.  It was fascinating to watch.  Where were they all going?  What was their story?  I was constantly picking out interesting people in the crowd and imagining what their life was like.  It became one of my favorite pastimes, maybe the one I missed the most when I moved back to the states in 2003. Next time you are in Toyko, grab a cup of coffee (or an apple cider) here for me.  I guarantee you will find this crossing just as fascinating as I did.

I snapped this picture of Shibuya Crossing when I was a Sophomore in high school.  If you look closely, you can see the Starbucks in the top right hand corner.  HAPPY FRIDAY!

BE YOURSELF

JUST. BE. YOURSELF.  This is one of the most common pieces of advice we give to others. It sounds so easy but growing up, it was such a foreign concept to me.  How was I supposed to be myself when I didn't know who I was?  The one thing I did know was that I wanted to fit in.  Be a part of the cool crowd.  Be accepted.  More often than not, I found myself conforming into the person I thought my friends wanted me to be.

It wasn't until the summer before my senior year of college that I truly started to discover who I was, and feel comfortable with it!  It took moving away from everyone I knew to do this.  That summer I was given the opportunity to teach tennis in the Hamptons.  I couldn't have been more excited!  Two months...living in a house full of people I had never met before, minutes from the beach, and only a train ride away from NYC.  As dumb as this sounds, I felt like I was going on the Real World, only without the cameras.  I felt like I was going to find myself.

I spent the majority of that summer relaxing on my personal floating dock in the ocean and exploring the streets of New York City.  For the first time in my life, I was doing things solely because I wanted to do them.  Choosing to do things because they made me happy.  I began feeling confident in my own skin, comfortable being me.

That summer I made a list.  A list of things I learned about myself, along with things that really make me happy. Over the years I have slowly added to it.  Here is what the list looks like today.

1.  I love candles, bubble baths, and reading a good book, preferably all at once.
2.  I hate jumping on the bandwagon.
3.  I love showers but hate post shower primping.
4.  Fame and fortune isn't as important as having someone to love and people to love you back.
5.  I will always be scared of dark windows at night.
6.  Leaving my camera at home makes me feel incomplete.  I like to document everything.
7.  I LOVE chocolate.  I don't think I could go a day without it...nor would I want to.
8.  The happiest people feel they have power over their time.
9.  Big cities make me feel at home.  I love the energy they bring.  NYC and Tokyo are two of my favorites.
10. New Girl makes me laugh harder than any show I have seen in a long time.
11. Some people find an art in cooking and cleaning.  I am not one of them.
12. As much as I like my alone time, I like spending time around people more.
13. Made up songs has become my way of communication to those closest to me.  Why talk when you can sing?!
14. It is okay to let yourself SHINE!

I still have a long way to go on the path of self discovery.  I think this is true for most people.  At least now when I hear people say "be yourself" I know what that means.  I finally feel confident being me, and that is a great feeling.

THE BOOKSHELF : TEN

Six months ago, I read a book that completely changed my life.  Not in a way that transformed my view for a week or two after I finished reading it.  No.  This book totally altered the path I was on, putting me on a journey that I never dreamed could be possible for me.  Let me start from the beginning...

I was sitting in on the 9 a.m. service at The Life Christian Church when my Pastor, Terry Smith, announced he had written a book!  The title of the book is TEN and it asks this simple question: "On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate your life?"  The number 7 quickly popped into my head.  Maybe because 7 is my favorite number, maybe it's how I really felt.  Either way, I thought that was pretty good until I heard what Pastor Terry had to say.  He boldly questioned, "What if I told you living a TEN was possible?  Would you go for it?  Would you risk doing things differently and looking at life differently in order to achieve it?"  Wellllll....that sounded like a challenge if I ever heard one!  Not just a challenge from my Pastor, a challenge from God.  If you know me at all, you know I love a challenge.

Pastor Terry went on to explain that God has a more and better life planned for us, one more incredible than we could ever imagine.  By taking a closer look at our God-given passions and trying to use them in a way to honor Him, we could live the future that God dreamed for us.

As you can probably guess, this book is what gave me the courage to start Amy Rizzuto Photography.  I can honestly say, I have never been happier.

Today, TEN was officially released in book stores everywhere!  You can get your very own copy of TEN through Amazon here.  Also, it is conveniently available on your Kindle.  If you are looking for a good read, there is no better addition to your bookshelf than TEN.  Read it and let me know what you think!  I can't wait to hear how it changes your life.

Oh...and check out this pretty cool video about the book.  You might just see a familiar face :)

GOALS FOR A NEW YEAR : 2012

It is the first day of 2012 and the time has come for this year's personal goals and resolutions!  As I was jogging today (trying to work off the insane amount of holiday food I consumed), I began thinking about things I wanted to change/accomplish for 2012.   My list is short but I hope these small changes will make a big difference in the following year.  Here is what is in store for 2012:

1.  Start waking up earlier.  So frequently I find myself working into the wee hours of the night trying to squeeze every last hour out of the day.  In 2012, I want to start waking up before the sun.  That way, I will be able to complete all of my work before 7 p.m.  This will allow me to dedicate the entire evening to hanging out with my sweet husband.

2.  Say bye to sodas!  I am absolutely addicted to Diet Coke and I hate feeling that way about anything.  I quit before and I can quit again!

3.  Read through the Bible, start to finish.  I began this goal half way through 2011 and have made it through Numbers.  I still have a long way to go and I am hoping that the extra hours in the morning will give me more time with my heavenly father.  I find that when I start my day this way, it always seems a little sunnier!

What are your goals for 2012?  I want to hear them!  Please leave a comment below or on my Facebook page here.  I can't wait to see what you have in store!

THE WEBSITE : WWW.AMYRIZZUTOPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

My iPhone buzzed in my pocket and let out a loud da da ding.  Could this be the email I had been waiting for?  I quickly opened it up, my heart thumping in my chest.  There, in black and white, were six little words that made me want to jump up and down and cry with joy all at the same time.  SUCCESS.  YOUR SITE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.  It finally felt official as my dreams became a reality.   I smiled in disbelief, thanking God for how far I have come and praying for his continual guidance as I enter the next part of this amazing journey.  

I am so excited to invite you to the official website of Amy Rizzuto Photography!  Have fun exploring and make sure to leave a comment on it and let me know what you think.  As always, thank you for your constant love and support.  I couldn't do it with out you!

THE WEBSITE

www.amyrizzutophotography.com

SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEXT BIG STAR : SUZANNE ALEXANDER

You never know when you are going to make a new friend, or meet the next big star.  I met Suzanne Alexander at a Welcome to the Life event last spring for my church.  I was immediately drawn in by her warm smile and contagious laugh.  After a little investigating, I noticed she was sitting with her husband Michael (I simply checked to see if they were wearing rings...I'm WEIRD I KNOW!)  Since Matt and I were looking to connect with other young couples at our church, we went over to say hi.  Turns out, Suzanne and Michael are also 24 and had just gotten married on October 17, 2010, one day after Matt and I were married.  Well in my mind, this meant instant BFFness!  Suzanne must have felt the same way because we quickly joined the same life group and have basically seen each other every week since.  

Besides our almost shared wedding day, Suzanne and I both have a mutual love for Broadway .  I knew Suzanne had a passion and a gift for music but I didn't find out just how amazingly talented she was until this past Monday.  I received an email from Suzanne with her song attached and instructions to listen to it and provide honest feedback.  I immediately opened it up and started jamming out in my car to Suzanne's new song "Hold Love".  I also might have hit the replay button and listened to it again and again...seven times in a row.  I've posted her song below so you can listen for yourself!  WARNING: This song can be addicting.  

In the past few weeks, Suzanne has made it into some big name offices in New York.  Music has always been her true passion and she is trying to decide whether to take a leap and follow her dream.  You can help Suzanne by clicking on the YouTube button on the video above and leaving your honest feedback on her video there.  I hope Suzanne's song will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart, just as it has done for me :)

THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS

Traditions are a beautiful thing, especially around the holidays.  They give you something to look forward to each year.  In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, my husband Matt and I started discussing our holiday plans. Since I knew we were going to spend Christmas with his family this year, I told him I wanted to spend Thanksgiving with mine.  "But Amy, Tennessee is 9 hours away! That's 12 hours with traffic!  You really want to be in the car on the most traveled day of the year?" I had expected this type of response and I had my comeback ready.  "Yes Matt, Thanksgiving is a very important holiday for my family.  Everyone comes over, we have our turkey and ham, we play pool and watch football, we share what we are thankful for and then we pile our dessert plate high with chocolate cake and ..."  Matt stopped me right there.  "Whoa whoa whoa, cake?  No, on Thanksgiving, you eat pie."  I thought back to the entire table dedicated to pies at his Thanksgiving last year and shrugged, "We eat cake."

It took a few more minutes of convincing, but eventually Matt agreed to make the drive down to Tennessee for Thanksgiving.  As a thank you, I baked him a Toll House Cookie Pie, his favorite.  My family loved it, but more importantly, they were excited to share in one of Matt's Thanksgiving traditions.  As the years go by, I hope Matt and I can merge our traditions together, creating a unique holiday experience that is all our own.

Dying to try the Toll House Cookie Pie?  Follow this easy recipe! Ingredients: 2 eggs, ½ cup all purpose flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup packed dark brown sugar, 1 cup (2 sticks) melted and slightly cooled, One 6oz package choc. chips, 1 cup chopped pecans, Pie crust.  Instructions: Preheat oven to 325.  Melt the butter separately on the stove or microwave and set aside.  In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, Add flour, sugar and brown sugar, mix until well blended. Blend in butter, mix really well, (it takes a few minutes to get it all blended really good).  Stir in the choc. chips and nuts. Pour into the pie crust and bake until it’s “set”.  (About 1 hour)  Enjoy!!

DECIDING

Deciding.  Making a decision and sticking to it.  That is the scary first step everyone has to take when it comes to following a dream.  For me, deciding was the hardest part.  Going after what you love means risking failure.  Will I be good enough?  Where do I even begin?  And the toughest part, what will others think?  It can be a vulnerable place.  However, I believe that big risks often offer BIG rewards.  By deciding to take that first step in the direction of your dream, you are allowing yourself the chance to SUCCEED.   A chance to go all out and to live a life filled with passion. Everyday.  Take that first step. Decide.  Choosing what you love to do and then doing it can feel like the greatest success in the world.

Photo by Mekina Saylor :)

MIDNIGHT COOKIES

Everybody needs that moment.  A time of the day to kick back, relax, and do the things that make you smile.  For me that moment comes at midnight.  While the rest of the world goes to sleep, I break out the milk and cookies and turn on an old episode of Friends.  Between cuddling with my hubby and catching up on my favorite wedding blogs, I can't imagine a more perfect way to end the day.  Make time each day for your moment. I guarantee if you do, your life will be filled with a little more joy.  

There are times when my cat Kylie tries to sneak a cookie.  She should know by now all the chocolate in the house belongs to me!

KEEPING IT REAL WITH JASMINE STAR

I walked into the conference room, giddy as a little girl on Christmas morning.  I was 45 minutes early and practically running up to the front of the room to get a seat in the first row.  It was finally time to meet Jasmine Star, Top 10 Wedding Photographer in the world and basically my idol ever since I got into this business.  I took a seat next to Janelle Rodriguez, an amazing photographer from upstate New York who looked just as excited as I did to hear Jasmine speak.

As Jasmine Star came on the stage, squeals of excitement could be heard throughout the room.  Jasmine told us she had flown from California to speak at WPPI NYC (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) and that she was here to KEEP IT REAL!  A loud applause and a couple of AMENS resounded in the room.  Throughout her presentation on "Untold Stories", Jasmine explained how she got started in the wedding photography business only five years ago.  She told us about important events and life realizations that make her who she is today.  One thing she said that really hit home was this. "You have to dare to succeed.  Everyone wants a success story, but without sacrifice, there isn't a story. You must figure out the story you want to tell, the life that you want to live, and then MAKE IT HAPPEN."  Whoa...talk about keeping it real!  Then, she showed us this video short by Ira Glass.  Check it out.

For me, this is so encouraging.  I know to get where I want to be, I am going to have to do a lot of work.  I don't want to be just another wedding photographer, I want to be the best I can be.  I want to use photography to capture the love of those around me and to tell their story in a way that makes them proud every time they look at their pictures.  Thank you Jasmine for inspiring me to put myself out there and be confident in being me.  I can't wait to see what this next year holds.

"Big results require big changes." -Jasmine Star

Oh just hanging out with the amazing Jasmine Star and her husband (and second shooter) JD.  Thank you for taking time to talk to me and answer my many questions.  You both have such beautiful hearts.  

THE MOTIONS

I am one of those people.  You know, who cranks up the radio and sings loud enough for people three cars away to hear.  I get it, I'm a little weird. This week the song that I am continually jamming out to is "The Motions" by Matthew West.  The chorus goes like this:
          
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"   
                                                                                                 
It got me thinking about what these words mean to me.  Only a few months ago, I was just "going through the motions" when it came to acting on my God given passions.  I had a great job; I just didn't feel like it was where I was supposed to be anymore.  I have always known that God has given me a strong desire for photography, especially the type that captures love and a genuine joy for life.  Through a lot of prayer and encouragement from friends and family, I was given the courage to start Amy Rizzuto Photography.  I truly believe this is part of God's plan for my life and I want to give it my all.  I am so in love with photography and I feel extremely blessed that I have the opportunity to do it for my career.  I hope you have the chance to do what you love too.

Thanks to Melissa De Jong of Stay Forever Photography for taking these fun pictures!

A PERFECT EVENING : CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF LOVE

The night was warm, bearing a striking resemblance to the night on October 16th, exactly one year before.  As Matt and I boarded the World Yacht Duchess, we smiled at each other,  remembering that it was on this exact ship that we got engaged.  As the sun slipped below the city skyline, Matt and I set sail on our dinner cruise around New York City, celebrating one year of marriage, filled with love.  

After dinner was served, we ventured to the lounge on the upper deck to take in the beauty of the bright city lights.  This being a momentous occasion in the journey of our lives, we began reflecting on the past year together.  How the time flew by!!  In this short year we: 

-Moved into a new townhouse, filling it with things of our own  

-Explored the beauty and the splendor of five countries we had never visited together before (Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Turkey)

-Adopted our first daughter (cat) Kylie

-Ventured onto the golf course together, where Matt discovered just how stubborn I can really be

-And realized that the thing we are most thankful for in our marriage is the constant love and support we give one another every day 

As the night came to a close, Matt and I put the past behind us and started making new memories for our future. Dancing cheek to cheek to Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," I was filled with great happiness.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening, a night I will remember for years to come.

For one of my presents, Matt agreed to do a one year anniversary photo shoot in Central Park!  I was excited about the photos but even more excited that my sister Ali Beavers and close friend (and second shooter) Mekina Saylor were going to be taking them! 

I LOVE this creative angle Ali captured through the trees along the Reservoir.  

Before starting the shoot, I gave Ali a quick lesson on how to shoot in manual.  I was so impressed with how quickly she learned how to adjust the ISO and the shutter speed for the changing light!  We left the aperture wide open at 1.4 for the majority of the shoot.

I am SO IN LOVE with this sweet shot.

We arrived on bow bridge, just as the city lights began to twinkle against the night sky.  Thanks to Mekina for capturing this beautiful photo.

One of my favorite parts of our one year anniversary was cutting into the top tier of our wedding cake!

I actually thought the cake still tasted good.  Matt...not so much!!

The views from our dinner cruise around New York City were amazing...

But not as amazing as the wonderful night I spent with my husband.  Happy one year anniversary Matt, I love you sweetheart.

ONE YEAR : FILLED WITH LOVE

One year ago today, I married my best friend.  Happy anniversary Matt.  My only hope is that each year will be filled with as much sunshine and love as this one was.  

Mr. and Mrs. Rizzuto!

A special thanks goes out to Alisha Silver for capturing our day so beautifully.  

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL

A feeling of pride and appreciation washed over me as I carefully opened the legal looking document that arrived in the mail, addressed to me.  I reflected back to how I felt a few months ago at the thought of owning my own business, hoping for the best but unsure of where to begin.  Thanks to God's grace and a lot of support from family and friends, it is now officially official.   I am legally the business owner of Amy Rizzuto Photography, LLC and I couldn't be more excited!  Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to go after my dream.  To you, I am forever grateful.

KINDNESS

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.  Thursday night I came home to this beautiful bouquet of flowers from my sweet husband.  Even sweeter than the smell of the yellow roses was the note nestled on top.  It read, "I love you!  Congrats on your recent success my little photographer!!  Love, Matthew"

As I took in the words, an overwhelming feeling of love and appreciation came over me as I realized how truly blessed I am to have such a supportive husband.  I love you Matt.  Thank you for constantly encouraging me on this exciting adventure!
  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING

One year ago today, my sweet baby girl Kylie was born!  My husband Matt and I started out her celebration with a can of gourmet cat food and a few rounds of the ever so famous happy birthday song, probably sung off tune. After Kylie's belly was full, we presented her with a birthday present.  It was a scratching post with a perch on top for her to sleep.  As you can see, she LOVED it!

Kylie getting ready to blow out her candle.  

Playing with her birthday present.  She is a wild one!

Kisses from my baby girl.

After a long day of play, Kylie curled up in her perch for a little cat nap.  Happy birthday sweetheart!