Thanks for '09!

Dear family, friends, clients:

I just wanted to send out a HUGE ... H.U.G.E.!!! thanks to all the folks that help make RitzyPics successful this year.

I had a great year meeting new people, finding new places, trying different and fun, new things.  Learning more and more each time I photograph, edit, imagine, research, explore and try new things.

I started my business in Michigan back in 2007 and looking back on how far I have come and where I have gone with my photography the last two and a half years I can honestly say that I have amazed and surprised myself ... turning something I love to do, a hobby, into a small business.  So cool.  I love it!!   I am looking forward to exploring more of Rhode Island, meeting new people and capturing those fantastic moments that you will treasure and share.

It will be an exciting year coming up ... I have big plans.  :)

Stay tuned - give me a call, send me a message and allow me to click away to capture your memories and sweet moments with your loved ones, furry ones, your family, your friends ... those extraordinary moments in an ordinary day.

Happy New Year!

:) Amy

Jessica, Mike & Baby H

Jessica, Mike and Baby H.
Madison, NH
December 19, 2009

Baby Love.

I met with Jessica and Mike this past weekend in NH
for a mini photo shoot.

Jessica is due in March with her first baby and
I was honored to take Baby H's first photos.

Jessica is beautiful and just glowing with love for her
sweet little one, ready and waiting for her to arrive.

Thank you for allowing me to photograph you -
good luck, Jessica and Mike!

Can't wait to meet Baby H next year!

Picture of the Week

Impromptu.
Classic.
Candid.
Sweet.
Precious.
Photographs can show what is inside your heart.

Sample Slideshow DVD

Please take a few minutes to check out an example of a DVD / Photoshoot slideshow that is available from RitzyPics. Thank you, Kichefski Family for allowing me to share your show!

Kichefski Family from Amy Ritz on Vimeo.

Three Cousins

3 Cousins
Warwick, RI
December 5, 2009

I met with Malissa at her home, along with her sister-in-law Melanie in Warwick, Rhode Island on Saturday. We set up a mini-studio right in Malissa's kitchen/dining area and got to work. Tyler, above, was first for his photo session while we waited for the younger ones to warm up and get used to me being there. Tyler was great and it didn't take long for him to get used to the camera and the attention of myself, his mom, aunt, and his grandmother! :) He was a trooper and got right into the "Cheese!" picture taking rhythm.

Allegra and Ryden were up next as were candid and semi-posed shots of all three cousins. It was a challenging shoot to get them all together for the "perfect" shots. We got a few but definitely got some gems of solo shots of each cousin.

Kristen & Todd

Kristen, Todd, Joshua, Ryan & Adam
Rhode Island
December 2, 2009

I met up with the K. family again the other night for a mini session for some holiday pictures. With my portable make-shift backdrop we had a great shoot right in their formal dining area! With my clips, a couple of chairs up on the table for height and our imagination we transformed the room into a mini studio. It worked out perfectly and was perfect for them to have photos taken right in their home instead of getting out and finding a studio.

These three little boys have to be just about the most photogenic boys I have met in a long time. Their smiles ate super but Kristen and I worked hard together getting them to all smile and look at me at the same time. Believe me, bribes sure work wonders sometimes when you are waiting and snapping away for that "money shot"!

In addition to some family shots I made sure to snap a few of Kristen & Todd together as well as solo shots with each of the boys. I am sure Kristen will have a fun time choosing which photos to use for their holiday card!

Thanks for having me, Kristen & Todd.
Enjoy your photos and memories!!

Jodi & Chris

Jodi, Chris, Ava & Aiden
Middletown, RI
November 29, 2009

It was a beautiful day for a drive over the Jamestown and Newport bridges to Middletown, Rhode Island this morning to do a photo shoot at Jodi and Chris's home.


With the gorgeous late fall sunshine we only needed the windows to shed light into their living room for my portable, make-shift studio. Ava and Aiden were ready to go and after setting up we got right down to pictures and poses :)

There were SO many amazing shots that I know you are going to love Jodi & Chris ... here are just a few I just had to share now.

Taking pictures of kids is always a blast and Ava and Aiden were ready for my camera and flashes. Only a few smile bribes were needed -- thanks to their Mom and Dad for being prepared!! They looked so darn cute in their Christmas colors -- and Ava's shoes are every girl's dream. How cute are these kiddos?!

Aiden did great in his first photo shoot ;)

And I love this last one. It's not perfect but it is beautiful.
Thank you for having me in your home this morning.
Can't wait for you to see the rest! :)

Photo Of The Week

Candids capture so much -- the real smiles and laughs -- telling the story of who we really are.

Susanne & Brendan

Susanne & Brendan
Roger Williams Zoo Park
November 8, 2009

What luck -- another gorgeous day for photographs.

I met with Susanne and her sweet and smiley two year old Brendan this morning at the Roger Williams Zoo Park boat house. Susanne came to me from a referral from her sister, Jessica, who had her pictures done back in August - you can read about her shoot here. You can see how great the sister's smiles are and how adorable (!) the little cousins are!!

With Susanne & Brendan, we had a whirlwind hour long shoot and Brendan did exceptionally well for a busy little toddler! He was full of smiles and giggles and loves watching all the ducks and geese in the water.

Who couldn't resist that sweet smile?

We took advantage of the fallen leaves to snap a series of photos with Brendan listening to his favorite song (which has been stuck in my head all afternoon ... "Walking on Sunshine"!) and enjoying the best part of fall - playing in the leaves!

A mother's love .... Susanne & Brendan,
thank you for allowing me to capture your story!

Thanks so much, Susanne!
There are more to come!

Crazy About Shutterfly!!

I just have to share how how happy I am with Shutterfly.

I partnered up with Shutterfly-Pro a few months ago to in order to offer my clients prints through their albums that I create using Shutterfly. For years all I used was Kodak Gallery, it used to be Ofoto when it started. I am still a Kodak fan, but in recent years I have stuck primarily with Shutterfly. I love their products and the variety of photo gifts and cards that are available. Shutterfly is super fast and reliable.

Just this week I was working on my holiday order for myself -- Christmas photo cards (a must every year for me!), 12 month photo calendars that I give to family for homemade, heartfelt gifts that last all year long, and prints and enlargements to update all the frames in my home. I finished up my order on Tuesday afternoon and by Friday I had all the calendars waiting for me on my doorstep. Talk about fast service!! I looked through each calendar and loved the quality of each page. And the cost is very affordable.... it is a no-brainer for me of where to get my photos printed and to create my photo gifts. I was able to get a coupon codes for free shipping, % off all my prints, and free photo cards. A great deal. I am one happy customer and it's the one reason why I partnered up with Shutterfly-Pro to offer you the opportunity to print through Shutterfly.

When ordering pictures through RitzyPics Shutterfly you know you will get quality products and quality service. You can order prints right from the album page as well as a variety of photo gifts. I am not yet set up to offer photo cards but you are able to purchase the digital prints and load them into your own Shutterfly account to create your own personalized gifts such as calendars, cards, collages and much more. Don't miss out on the sale right now! See side board for more details or contact me for any questions you might have.

Photo Of The Week

This is Aj, my oldest son -- soon to be a big five year old -- and one of my favorite people to photograph. I just love this picture of him. I love how his red vest pops out against the yellow back background. It's up close, personal and makes me happy whenever I see it.

It is not perfect but it is real. It's sweet. I can see his eyes smiling and it is 100% honest. It is this kind of picture that reaffirms my belief that candid photographs are sometimes the best to have -- not posed, not forced -- just real and true, bringing out your personality.

During your photo shoot I will do some posed shots as well as have my camera ready for the candid moments you might have missed. The combination of posed and candid truly make the photo shoot a memorable story for you to view over and over again long after our session.

:)

Korynne & Chris

Korynne, Chris, Liam & Tate
Providence, RI
October 31, 2009


It was a fabulously warm late fall morning for Korynne and Chris's photo shoot.

As the fall season gets cooler and winter moves upon us it is sometimes a little iffy about planning shoots and hopes for good weather. We sure lucked out this past Saturday morning at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

I met Korynne, Chris and their two young sons at the boat house to start off the shoot. The great big doors and boat house architecture made for a super background. We then moved over to the beautiful iron scroll bridge and the boys enjoyed the freedom to run around, up and down the bridge and to check out the water flowing below.


Liam and Tate are such cute little boys and were full of energy for the whole photo shoot! We got some great action shots, fun & sweet candids, portraits of the family and the happy mom & dad!


There are more to come, Korynne & Chris.
Thanks for allowing me to capture your family!

Photo Of The Week - Halloween

Happy Halloween!

These photos were taken at the Roger Williams Zoo's Jack O' Lantern Spectacular Event.

There were 1,000's of jack o' lanterns lit up for the night time viewing. It was pretty amazing and some of the pumpkins were so beautifully carved.

Even if you can't get a perfect shot, sometimes the ones 'shot in the dark' come out the coolest! Have your cameras ready this week for the all the little trick or treaters!

Photo Of The Week

*Rocco*
Now that is a face you can't help but smile for.

Shannon & Paul

Shannon, Paul & Brayden
Coventry, RI
October 17, 2009

It was a chilly afternoon for a photo shoot, but with colors still on the trees and no rain forcasted for the day, Shannon, Paul, Brayden and I were able to get some super cute family shots in their back yard in Coventry.

Their little black pug, Rocco, also got in on the shoot -- having the dog there helped Brayden have some fun and some sweet smiles for the camera. I am not sure I have ever seen a little guy with so many adorable expressions!

More to come, Paul & Shannon! Thanks for having me! :)

Photos Of The Week

While up north in NH last weekend I stopped several times along our scenic drives to capture the beautiful views and sights in the Mount Washington Valley.

Take time to enjoy the view...
and don't forget your camera to capture the moment!

Chris & Pete

Christine & Pete
Freedom, NH
October, 2009

With the colors in New Hampshire and northern New England at their peak this past weekend, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some portraits of my parents.

There are more to come, Mom and Dad!

Photo Of The Week

Apple picking and other fun family events make for great photo moments to capture!

Halloween is coming up soon - have your cameras ready!

Sarah & Eric

Sarah, Eric, Alexis & Makenna
Friday, October 2, 2009
Roger Williams Park & Zoo



I met with Sarah, Eric and their sweet little girls on a Friday evening at Roger Williams Park & Zoo. It was a warm night and even with the clouds above we were able to have a fun time in the Chinese Garden!

Sarah has such an infectious laugh and smile she kept us all having fun during the shoot. Alexis was not shy for the camera and was totally into the the shoot and did such a wonderful job! Little Makenna took a few moments to warm up to the flashes but after a few games of chase and peek-a-boo and she was ready to roll and smile for the camera. :)

Thanks Sarah and Eric -- your girls are too darn cute.
Thank you for allowing me to photograph your family!
There are more to come!