Happy Holidays!

A BIG thank you to all my clients and friends, new & old, who have made 2011 a great year for RitzyPics!!

I appreciate all your kind words, support, recommendations and wish you all a very Happy Holiday season all the best of luck & health for a great 2012!

Brightmans @ the Beach | Narragansett, Rhode Island Family & Children Beach Photographer

I met Jen & Steve, their three girls and their pup Buddy at the beach in Narragansett last month for my last beach session of the year.   The beach was ready for winter with fences along the dunes and an empty beach.  The sun was shining bright and it was a bit windy ... but Jen and Steve were up for the session - especially after it was already rescheduled due to weather a few weeks prior when the wind gusts were over 30mph! 

The first ten minutes of our session was GREAT!  The girls, who have known me for over 18 months now, were sweet & smiley and up for pictures.  However, after about 10-15 minutes the lure of the ocean, sand, rocks and shells grabbed their attention more so than looking at my camera and smiling on cue.

For the next hour Jen & Steve jumped, danced, sang and who knows what else behind me as we urged the girls to all look - just look! - at the camera at the same time.  

All in all it was a fun session and we definitely showcased the girls' personalities and the reality of life & family with three little ones ages 4, 3 and 1!  

I have said it before, both Jen and Steve are two of the most patient and go.with.the.flow parents I have met.  Photo sessions can be very stressful for parents -- and kiddos can sense that!  The pressure for the "perfect picture" is there.  Despite the list of poses and shot and ideas both Jen and I had for their beach session, it just did not happen as we both had envisioned, but it was nonetheless successful or fun. 

Here are a few images from their session -- ENJOY!

Belated Blogging & OpLOVE | Rhode Island Family Operatation Love Photographer

I will apologize for the next few posts coming up on the blog today ... they are all very much tardy. 

I LOVE that I have been so busy this fall season.  I have been good about my turn.around time for galleries -- anywhere from 5 days to my longest at 14 days during the height of editing last week.   As I have been getting galleries out to clients I have lapsed on my blogging of sessions.  FaceBook, it seems, is just that much easier & faster of a way to communicate and share with clients some of the sneak peeks.

I have a 60 minute window right now while my little monkeys are playing Wii  ... sit back and check back in as I bust out some blog posts from the last few weeks :)

~Amy

PS, if you are not on FaceBook, then you may have missed my big announcement from this week ....

I have been chosen as a photographer for Operation: Love Reunited.  It is a similar non.profit as the Littlest Heroes / Inspiration Through Art program I am a part of.  Instead of terminal and sick children and their families, I will be photographing active-service military men & women and their families, pre or post deployment and their homecomings after a deployment.

As a military wife I knew firsthand the heartache and honor of having a spouse on deployment.  I can clearly recall saying goodbye at the ship and watching my husband in full uniform walk aboard the ship while I remained on the dock.  And I remember the homecoming and the anticipation of his plane -- all of the emotions & excitement.

I am very proud to be able to give back to active military men and women who put their lives on the line for our country ... and for their families and children at home ... making the biggest sacrifice one can.  I want to be there to record their love of family & country and give them something to hold onto while their loved one is far away.

There are a few other photog's in our area .... hopefully I will be chosen for a military family sometime in 2012!

i .heart. shutterfly

I had to share our Holiday card for this year .....

I love Shutterfly and for the last 8 or 9 years have always created my holidays cards through them!

I guess our "blooper" picture really did make it into the Christmas card!
Sometimes it's the crazy images that we remember the most.


Cheers!

:) AMY

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

B Family Sneak Peeks! | Rhode Island Family and Child Photographer

It was an early, chilly morning but so beautiful with the sun pouring through the colorful trees when I met with Katie, Ryan and little Daniel ... and their pup Jackie.  Katie chose a perfect location that is meaningful to their family and a classic picturesque farm and field as a backdrop for their fall family photo session.

Katie and Ryan received their session as a present from Daniel's grandfather all the way from California.  I am honored to have been chosen to capture their family's special moments and Daniel's 2nd Birthday portrait.

Enjoy your sneak peek ... there are many more to come!  There are some more great family shots but I am going to hold back so that I do not spoil any Holiday Cards!  ;)

~Amy

Little Daniel is going to be TWO next week -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Previews Coming Soon!

Just touching base and checking in ....

I have been so busy the last few weeks with sessions and editing that I have neglected the blog!

THANK YOU to all of the clients I have seen through my camera this fall!

I LOVE IT!!

The Ritzy Special has proven to be a great deal and very popular so I will definitely be bringing that back in 2012.

I have oodles of posts & previews coming your way.

Thanks for being patient --- keep checking back :)

Waite Family | Little Compton, Rhode Island Family Beach Photographer

Ahhh, I *almost* forgot!
I have been so busy with editing, ordering, my own personal life stuff, not to mention soccer games, karate & swimming practice for 2 busy boys and training for a 1/2 marathon that I just realized that I did not blog about the Waite family!  Sincere apologies, Heather!!

I met with Heather and her family last month on a Sunday afternoon at their favorite family beach spot in Little Compton, RI.  It was typical New England day when it went from cool and windy to sunny and a little humid.   This afternoon was no exception and there was definitely some wind that we had to deal with.

I have known Heather since .... oh, um ... Junior High!!  Yes.  Heather and I grew up and went to school together all high school when we both lived up in the mountain valleys of New Hampshire.  We both ran track & played field hockey together ... and actually both went to the same university!  When I moved back East a few years ago we connected on FaceBook and realized we lived very close to one another and have kept in contact ever since.

I was very excited when Heather asked if I would capture her family's memories ..... here are a few from their session on that chilly & windy LC afternoon :)

THANK YOU, WAITE FAMILY!!

Parker Family | Smithfield, Rhode Island Family & Chilldren Photographer

I was so excited when Sara contacted me to take her family's photos the other month and when we scheduled her session at her family's farm in northern Rhode Island.

I first met Sara and her husband waaaaaay back in the summer of 2004 in Cape Cod, MA through my best friend/college roommate.  Since 2004 we have kept in contact via emails, and throughout the years,  reunited at other milestones in our mutual BFF's life.  And now I finally get to photograph her family, which has doubled since we met ... 2 sweet little boys with big, bright eyes round out this super-nice family.

~*~

The day we had scheduled for Sara's pictures was definitely a classic New England day --- one hour it was sunny & clear, the next it was foggy & pouring rain.  Then it cleared again.  Then sunny.  Clear.  Fog.  Clouds.  SUN!  We decided to go for it and in the end only had to wait out the  sprinkles for a little while before we headed out onto the family farm. Sara's boys - hubby included - was a trooper walking through the wet grass.

As the session progressed and A & B warmed up to me, the rain ceased and we had clear & brightening skies.  The greens popped at the farm and with fall color just starting in the trees surrounding the pond it ended up being a near-perfect session :) 

Here are a few of their pictures from their session:

THANK YOU, PARKER FAMILY!!!!

Perry Family - Beach Session | Rhode Island, Narragansett Family Beach Photographer

It couldn't have been a more perfect evening on the beach in Narragansett last weekend when I met up with the Perry family.  Krista was referred to me from a friend/client and I am very thankful for the recommendation and kind words from those of you who pass my name along to friends & family who are looking for a family photo session.

Our session on Sunday evening might have started a little rocky for the little guy -- he had just woken up from a late afternoon nap -- and it took a while for him to wake up and realize how much fun a photo session at the beach was!  :)  Big sister was right into pictures -- and finding sea shells!

The rock jetty's and the sand dunes made for gorgeous, natural backdrops for this beautiful family.

Thank you, again, Perry Family for having me capture your family's memories!
It was great to meet you after all of our email correspondence in planning your beach session.

Your gallery will be live SOON!

:) Amy

Here is the sneak peek of this gorgeous family!

Sweet Sugar Princesses | Providence, Rhode Island Family & Children Photographer

Fairy Princesses ... Lollipops .... Balloons .... Cupcakes ... Wands & Tiaras

What could possibly be better?

I had such a fun time with three sisters and their cousin last weekend at their home & garden in Providence.  (The wee little sister was still napping when I got there -- I will showcase lil' Sammi soon!)

These little girls received a gift certificate at Christmas from their Aunt.  Jen and I came up with the idea to throw a tea party for the girls and dress them up for a fun afternoon.  I can say with 99% certainty that they had a pretty great afternoon and we got some pretty unforgettable and magical photos!

I probably helps that I have been photographing these girls and family for the last 18 months and the girls have definitely gotten to know me and my camera, how I work & laugh with them,  and what I mean when I say, "Give me your eyes!"

We had a whole lot of fun in backyard garden - it was a perfect spot for our session and was great for the kids to be comfortable, to have all our the accessories, outfits and wash clothes handy!  Not to mention the stuffed animals for reassurance and a swing set to take a break ;)

There are oodles and oodles of images to look through and edit -- enjoy your sneak peek :)

Thank you, once again, Jen & Steve -- and Auntie -- for having me capture this sweetness!!

A. Family @ the beach :) | Rhode Island Family Beach & Child Photographer

One night last week I traveled to Bonnet Shores Beach Club in Narragansett to photograph the A. Family -- it was a perfect night for a beach session!  Sunset, clear skies ... empty beach!  Perfect Perfect Perfect!

And despite lil' B. having a minor meltdown, we were able to get some great shots!

Here are a few:

Published!! | EBCAP Newport, Rhode Island Event Photographer

Yay!
Some of the photos I took at the EBCAP's 8th Annual Seaside Gala last month in Newport were published in "Newport This Week" magazine.

Here is the page:

B+B Wedding | Rhode Island Wedding Photographer

Bethany & Ben were married in the White Mountains of NH on June 11, 2011.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Ben since I was 12 years old as I have been best friends with his sister for all those years.

Kat's little brother Ben is all grown up and married now and I was honored to be the one to photograph their magical day. 

I am still editing their full gallery, but here is a sneak peek at their creative, brightly decorated, funky & fun wedding that they designed and decorated themselves.  It was unique, simple, festive and more importantly, perfectly-Bethany-and-Ben ... right down to their matching Converse sneakers, yellow for the bride and green for the groom.

Enjoy the preview :)

EBCAP - East Bay Community Action Program | Newport, Rhode Island Event Photographer

On June 9, 2011 I had the pleasure of photographing the EBCAP Awards Gala and Fundraiser at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI.

East Bay Community Action Program is based in Newport & East Providence.   The mission of EBCAP "is to provide high quality, comprehensive, and accessible health and human services to assist people to achieve their fullest potential." 

Their 8th Annual Seaside Gala was held at beautiful & picturesque Castle Hill Inn along the coast & Ocean Road, facing the Newport Bridge.  It was a very hot & humid day  -- the breeze along the ocean cooled off the temperature for the evening ... and then a crazy, semi-wild storm blew through and forced the cocktail hour indoors and the tent sides closed for the evening.

Without permissions to post individuals' images, I can share some of the photos from the evening to give you a look at the event.  I was definitely my pleasure to photograph the Gala and to be a part of creating memories of the evening.

Enjoy!

 Honorary Event Chairpersons

Paul Gaines, former Mayor Of Newport
Jo Eva Gaines, Newport School Committeewoman

James Vincent, Board of Directors EBCAP President
Rhode Island Lt. Govenor Elizabeth Roberts

 Dennis Roy, EBCAP CEO

James Vincent, Board of Directors EBCAP President
Dennis Roy, EBCAP CEO