THE KNOT : SPOTLIGHT ON AMY RIZZUTO PHOTOGRAPHY

It was midnight.  I was scrolling through The Knot, looking for inspiration from the other amazing photographers in my area for this weekend's wedding.  That's when I saw it.  On the top of my all time favorite wedding website read: The Knot Spotlight on...Amy Rizzuto Photography!  I sat there, stunned, heart racing.  Thoughts of jumping up and down on the bed and doing the happy dance crossed my mind but I tried to resist as my hubby was sound asleep beside me.  The Knot was spotlighting me as a photographer in the North Jersey area!  I couldn't believe it!  In that moment I felt completely blessed, quickly thanking God for having big dreams for me and encouraging me to go after them.

Click on the Spotlight below to see my profile on The Knot!

As if this wasn't exciting enough, I recently discovered Kleinfeld Bridal Salon in New York City has added me as a Kleinfeld Featured photographer!  This honor puts me on their top ten list of photographers in the North Jersey area.  If you would like to check it out, click on the Kleinfeld link below!

This feature was doubly exciting since I actually found my wedding dress at Kleinfeld's when I was a bride!  After watching 10,000 eposioide of Say Yes to the Dress, I just had to go!

A big thanks goes out to those who have supported me in these last few months.  I love you all!

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

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.  

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.

SECOND SHOOTING : A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

Second shooting.  It really can be such a valuable experience.  This weekend I had the pleasure of acting as Betsi Ewing's second shooter for Kerry and Mike's wedding at the Queens Country Farm Museum.  Betsi was absolutely AMAZING to work with.  Her calming demeanor and natural way of capturing the day as it unfolded served as a great example of how I always imagined a wedding photographer should approach the day.  As I reflect on the weekend, I want to talk about the top five things I learned as a second shooter.

1. As a second shooter, you are there to assist the main photographer. Period.  This can mean anything from gathering stray family members for portraits, to grabbing a glass of water for him/her when things heat up during the reception. You want to find opportunities to make their day run as smoothly as possible.

2.  Just because you are a second shooter, doesn't mean you have to become a mute on the wedding day.  If the photographer you are working for asks your opinion on shooting locations, detail shots, etc, GIVE IT!    Two heads are always better then one.  Together, you might come up with a totally unique idea that you might not have thought of separately.

3.  Push yourself to capture a completely different angle than the main shooter.  You are not there to stand over his/her shoulder and take the exact same shot twice.  Your time will be better spent thinking about how to shoot the same scene in an alternate, but equally beautiful way.  For example, if all the bridesmaids are in posing with the bride, it might be a good time to get a cool shot of the bouquets.

4.  Try to always be aware of the lens the main photographer has on their camera...and use a different one!  This goes back to finding a different way to capture the same shot.  The story created when both sets of photographers are put together will be much more interesting and will give the bride and groom a couple of different looks to choose from.

5.  Most importantly, you want to be a friend.  Weddings usually last anywhere from eight-ten hours and you want to spend that time with someone you like!  Having a friend you can talk and relate to will put you in a great mood, allowing you to capture the wedding day in a way that will put a huge smile on the bride and groom's face when they see their wedding photographs for the first time.

Betsi was wonderful to work with.  She was so kind and acted as a real friend throughout the day.

Thanks again for everything Betsi!  Your relaxed personality has a way of putting everyone at ease, making the day run effortlessly.  It is a quality that I hope to embody and bring to my future weddings.

GIVING BACK

Giving back.  There are some people that are constantly looking to help others.  To them, I am forever grateful.  Chris Holewski (with the constant support of his beautiful wife Nadine) is one of those people. 

A few weeks ago I attended a photography class led by Chris, free of charge.  Chris is a photographer, videographer, designer, and just an all around amazing artist.  On a Thursday evening, Chris took the time to share his gifts in a photography class offered through The Life Christian Church.  Since I am just starting my own business, this couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.  Through his presentation, Chris answered so many questions that were lingering in my mind on how to manage my manual settings.  After many hours of practice, I am feeling more confident than ever.  Thank you Chris for taking the time to educate others on how to capture the beauty of this world through photography.  It is truly appreciated by all. 

IT"S ALL IN THE DETAILS : WEDDING WEDNESDAY

Details, details, details.  I could shoot them all day, everyday.  As a recent bride, I know how much time and effort can go into every aspect of the wedding and I believe it is very important for a photographer to take the time to preserve these memories.  With limited time on a wedding day, how do you make sure you capture EVERYTHING?

First, you will want to obtain a copy of the wedding day timeline as early as possible.  Once you know the schedule, you can begin to plan your own.  I like to give myself at least 30 minutes while the bride is getting her hair and make-up done to shoot the dress, rings, shoes, garter, jewelry, gifts, invitations, hand written vows and anything else that might be special to the bride and groom.  

Second, it is a good idea to let your bride know before the wedding to gather any details that are important to her and have them grouped together in the bridal suite.  That way, you are sure not to leave anything out.  It is possible the bride will be too busy the day of her wedding to think about gathering everything beforehand.  If this is the case, enlist the help of one of the bridesmaids!

Lastly, make sure that you plan enough time to photograph the reception area BEFORE the guests arrive.  You will want to capture the overall look of the room, centerpieces, and place cards while the space is still untouched.  This can be tricky.  As reception spaces are usually completed only half an hour before the ceremony, you will want to utilize the time between the end of the ceremony and when the guests arrive.  You can have your second shooter gather the family for portraits while you grab the important shots of the reception site.  If there is no time, you can request your second shooter to go ahead and capture these details.   Either way, you will want to make sure you preserve these special memories. 

A favorite detail from my own wedding was our invitation.  Jordan Michael Thompson, a high school friend and incredible artist, actually painted the masterpiece you see below.  I sent him photos of the view from our reception site, along with the church where we would be married, and Jordan used his creativity to create a unique piece of art that truly represented the feel of our wedding on Lake Lure.   

Thank you Jordan!  You did an unbelievable job and I am so grateful for all the time you put into making every detail perfect.   

I love being able to display our wedding invitation as a piece of art in our new home. 

JASMINE STAR AND & 74 CARTONS OF S'MORES ICE CREAM

It’s a Sunday.  One of those rare Sunday evenings that I actually don’t have anything I have to do.  On nights like this, I try to figure out ways to better my business and to better myself as a photographer.  Tonight I chose to learn a little something from one of my favorite role models, Jasmine Star.   

A month ago, I purchased Jasmine Star’s creativelive course as a way to learn how one of the top photographers in the world goes about capturing a wedding day.  If you don’t know Jasmine Star, you should.  She is amazingly talented, a women of God, and just so much fun!  When it comes to the secrets of her success, she is an open book, willing to help anyone who will listen.  I have learned so much through this 5-day course.  One thing that has stood out tonight is how to brand yourself in a way that completely reflects who you are.  I want people to hire me because they like me, exactly the way I am. I believe if this is true, my couples will trust me to do an amazing job capturing their wedding day.

So I started thinking, who am I? Well, basically I am a happy person, I don’t see that there is anything wrong with that! That's for all those "When Harry Met Sally" lovers out there.  I cheerlead my way through life, looking for the good in every situation and encouraging others around me to do the same.  I couldn’t go a day without chocolate; I just enjoy it too much!  My personality is slightly addictive, meaning if I get into something, I am all about it…100%.   Right now I am obsessed with s'mores ice cream.  I have probably gone through at least 74 cartons of it this summer, no lie.  Thank goodness for my husband I am obsessed with my daily workouts too.  I love me some reality TV!  Favorites now include Bachelor Pad and The Real Housewives of New York.  I know, I know, but hey, that’s just me.  I go into NYC every chance I get.  There is nothing like the energy that continually flows through the streets in this wonderful city.  Most importantly, I am a child of God.  I love my heavenly father with all of my heart and I am so thankful for the goodness and mercy he pours into my life daily. 

Now I just have to figure out a way to brand myself in a way that totally reflects who I am.  I guess I will keep watching.  Happy Sunday!

BEING PREPARED

Preparing.  Depending on the type of person you are, this word could make you feel a few different ways.  For some, it brings on a feeling of comfort, like snuggling under your softest, fuzzy blanket.  Preparing helps you relax and know that you are ready for whatever lies ahead.  For others, it produces feelings of anxiety.  The stress of setting aside a moment in your busy day to plan...who has the time?!  Whether you get warm fuzzies or knots in your stomach at the thought of planning, I believe that preparing for your engagement session will ensure that your photos are everything you want them to be and more.

So why prepare?  There are so many good reasons.  Number one, these photos will probably be the first professional photos you take with your fiancé.  You want to show all of your family and friends (and friends of friends on Facebook) how happy you are in a way that totally represents YOU as a couple.  While you know all the quirky details of your relationship, your photographer may just be getting to know you.  Help them capture your personality and passions by telling them a little more about yourself before the shoot.  Do you love playing tennis together? Going on long bike rides? Do you like to paint?  Whatever it is, mention it to your photographers before your engagement session so they can suggest a cool location or props to showcase what you both love.   

This brings me to my second point.  How can you prepare for your engagement shoot?  Start by checking out other couples' engagement photos.  In other words, STALK!  Just kidding.  But you do want to search for ideas.  Potential locations, props, and cute outfits are all good things to look for.   More importantly, is the overall feel of the photograph.  Is the lighting soft and romantic, or does it have a more dramatic look?  When you see a picture you like, shoot it over to your photographer so they can get an idea of your style.

Which brings me to my last suggestion...VISUALS!  There is no better way to communicate to your photographer than to show them.  Print out or email your favorite looks to your photographer so they know exactly what you’re going for.  This will help them capture your unique love effectively, giving you that warm fuzzy feeling every time you look at your engagement photos.       

Check out the AWESOME page of inspiration Ali and Nathan put together before their NYC engagement session.

Happy Tuesday!

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!

I was sitting on the couch in my living room, staring at the front door. It was silent and all the windows were open, giving me a great view of anyone approaching the house.  My cat Kylie was sitting up on the windowsill, watching and waiting as well, as if she knew something exciting was about to arrive. 

Let’s back up a bit.  Last week, I got a phone call from my parents saying they wanted to invest in my photography business.  I think part of it had to do with the fact that I was constantly “borrowing” my dad’s new Nikon D7000 to go on photo shoots, but they swore it was because they believed in me. 

For weeks I had been talking about my DREAM CAMERA.  I had told everyone in my family and my sweet husband Matt’s family, no Christmas presents this year, I was starting a fund for the Canon 5D Mark II.

For those of you who don’t know, the Canon 5D Mark II is a 21.1 megapixel, full frame digital camera.  It is famous among wedding photographers for its ability to shoot in low light situations due to its amazing ISO capabilities (100-6,400).

Back to the story.  After what felt like an ETERNITY, the doorbell rang three quick times, DING, DING, DING.  I jumped off the couch and flung open the door, finding a UPS man holding a large, brown, B&H photo box, just for me.  I brought the box inside and tore it open as fast as I could, revealing the camera of my dreams, the Canon 5D Mark II.

Mom and Dad, thank you for believing in me.  Your endless love and support is a true blessing and I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

My new love, the Canon 5D Mark II

50 mm 1.4  Canon Lens

24-105mm Canon L Series Lens

580 EX II Speedlite Flash

Tenba Mini Messenger

I wanted to end the post with a picture of my sweet cat Kylie.  Here she is helping me watch for the UPS man, isn't she the best?!