There really is nothing better than exploring new places with the one you love!  This past weekend, Matt and I had the opportunity to visit sunny California.  If you are on the east coast, you can imagine how incredible it was to escape the endless mounds of snow. 🙂  We started out by visited Matt’s brother Tony in San Francisco, and then headed down to Los Angeles to visit two of our friends from college, Ben and Liz.  I could tell you about our many adventures, but I would rather show you!  Check out a few of my favorite photographs from our vacation below.

When we arrived in San Francisco we headed straight down to Pier 39 for lunch.  Enjoying a sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder while watching the playful sea lions is one of my favorite memories from the entire trip!

It was so much fun watching Matt and his brother Tony catch up!

Lombard Street was next.  We walked down…we did not drive!

Day two we took a trip up to Napa!  Matt and I both agreed we could live here.  The rolling hills and old wineries were beautiful! We began our day at Artesa, then made our way to V. Sattui and Beaulieu Vineyard.

Thanks Tony for the pretty photographs!

Day three we enjoyed fish tacos and meandering in and out of the little shops in Sausalito.

Thank you Tony for showing us San Francisco!!!  You were an amazing host and we miss you already!

Next stop on our California vacation…Los Angeles!

Ben and Liz were our incredible hosts. 🙂  Matt and Ben played baseball together in college and I had the honor of capturing their beautiful wedding in Greenville, SC last year.

Our first night in LA we headed up to the Griffith Observatory for a gorgeous view of the city at sunset.

We had a little bit of fun while we were there. 🙂

The next day Ben and Liz surprised us with a tour of Dodger Stadium!  I loved the opportunity to sit in the dugout and walk on the field.

Best buds. 🙂

Hanging out on the warning track.

Our last day in LA we did a little hiking to enjoy a great view of the Hollywood sign!

Then, we headed to Venice Beach and took a bike ride up to the Santa Monica Pier.  It really was the perfect day!

I can’t even express how amazing it was to just relax and soak in the sun these past few days!  Thanks hubby for taking time off work to enjoy some down time together.  I always love exploring new places and making fun memories with you.  A huge thank you to Tony, Ben, and Liz for showing us an incredible time!  You guys are AWESOME and we hope to see you all again soon. 🙂

There are friends, and then there are people that come into your life and completely change your world.  I met Mekina Saylor in college, but it wasn’t until we both moved to the greater NYC area that we began to realize how much we had in common.  Two girls from the south that loved the city, adventure, and of course, weddings.

When I took a leap of faith and started my business three years ago, Mekina was one of my biggest cheerleaders.  When I photographed my first wedding, she was by my side as my supportive second shooter.  We have captured over 50 weddings together since 2011, and through all of the magical experiences, she has become one of my best friends.  We have laughed, cried, and challenged each other to be the best versions of ourselves.  These are memories I will treasure for a lifetime.

Today Mekina launched her very own website, Mekina Saylor Weddings!   As much as I wish I could work with Mekina every day for the rest of my life, I know the desire this girl has to photograph her own weddings.  To meet with couples in love, and tell their story through her eyes.  I am so excited to see the beautiful memories she will capture, and I hope to be there to support her every step of the way!  I couldn’t be any prouder of you Mekina!  Keep chasing your dreams.

Last week, I had the honor of photographing Mekina’s head shots for her new website.  I love the way her contagious personality practically jumps from the pictures!

Even though Mekina is launching her own business, we will still be photographing close to 30 weddings together this year!  I can’t wait to create and capture more incredible memories with my beautiful friend.

Congratulations again Mekina on launching your amazing new website!  I am so proud of you and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.  If you haven’t already, head over to www.mekinasaylorweddings.com and check it out today!

I woke up early today, feeling like a little girl on Christmas morning.  The day was finally here!  After months of dreaming, planning, and a lot of hard work, my promo video was FINISHED!!!  Let me start from the beginning…

It was a warm September day and I was editing some pretty photos in my office.  In the background played When Harry Met Sally, my favorite movie of ALL time.  I couldn’t help but pause and watch the interview sections.  There is just something about the old couples sharing the way they fell in love that gets me every time.  I was about to turn back to my computer when a tiny idea planted itself into my head.  An idea filled with so much sweetness and romance that I opened up my notepad and started jotting things down at a rapid pace.

I imagined my couples cozied up to one another, telling the story of how they fell in love.  I dreamed of them talking about the important moments of their wedding…getting into the dress, seeing each other for the first time, the ceremony and the reception.  Then I imagined them reliving these moments, talking about the emotion they felt when they saw each moment captured in their wedding photographs.  I hadn’t seen anything like it before, and I knew future brides and grooms would be able to relate to the unique and special emotion of these newly married couple’s wedding days.

When it came time to make my vision a reality, I knew exactly who to call.  I had just worked with John of JMA Visuals (for Erin and Matt’s wedding) and he had done an incredible job on their video.  With a strong work ethic, creative eye, and great sense of humor, I knew he would be perfect for the job.  Once John and his team were in place, I reached out to four of my super sweet couples, sharing my vision for the film and asking if they would like to be involved.  To my delight, they all said yes!  We rented out a roof top space in NYC and  conducted the When Harry Met Sally style interviews there.  John even accompanied me on a real wedding day, capturing Theresa and Anthony’s special memories to layer into the video as well.   Over the next few months John worked his magic (and graciously put up with my many revisions).  🙂  He sent me the final product on Friday night, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.  Without further ado…my new promo video!

Tara + Kris, Alyssa + Michael, Kristen + Will, and Theresa + Anthony, thank you SO much for your incredibly kind words and willingness to help make my dream a reality.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture your beautiful weddings.  Your trust and support has allowed me to live out my dream, and for that I will be forever grateful.

John…you are AMAZING!  Thank you for your creative vision, the long hours of work, and for really listening to my ideas and then taking them one step further to make them greater than I  imagined.  To my couples who are still looking for a videographer, I would HIGHLY recommend reaching out to him here.  🙂  Finally, if you would like to check out my new video on my official website, you can do so here: www.amyrizzutophotography.com.  ENJOY!

Last week I turned twenty-seven.  TWENTY-SEVEN!  I can’t believe it.  Thirty seems to be right around the corner and it is crazy to think I am officially in my late twenties. I feel like I need to start using anti-wriknle face cream.  Haha just kidding! (Sorta…if you know a good one let me know). 🙂

To celebrate my birthday I went out to dinner at the Bowery Hotel with some of my closest friends, Mekina, Grant, Caroline, and Alex.  And my hubby of course.  Love you Matt!  Gemma’s food was DELICIOUS and I even got to blow out a candle on my yummy vanilla gelato/expresso combination.  After coming off such a busy and amazing wedding season, it was nice to relax and catch up with friends.

That weekend consisted of a morning matinee showing of Frozen (which is INCREDIBLE) and a coffee date with Matt.  My new favorite drink…an Orange Mocha Latte.

After over indulging throughout my birthday week, I needed something to get me back on track and feeling healthy!  Enter the Cooler Cleanse.  I am not usually one to follow these kind of diet fads, but Mekina and Caroline both tried it last year and said it was amazing!  I am on day three of five and I would have to agree.  Who knew drinking six juices a day could leave you feeling so energized and happy!  If you are looking for a powerful kick-start to heathy eating, the Cooler Cleanse might be for you.

I would love to hear how the start of your 2014 has been!  Favorite movies, workout goals, yummy indulgences…feel free to leave them all in the comment box below.  I look forward to hearing them.  HAPPY THURSDAY!

There are those moments in life.  Those special moments that make you smile from ear to ear, moments that stand out, moments you know you will always remember.  On January 1, 2014 I opened my inbox to find an email that made my heart beat faster, racing with the joy and excitement of good news! “CONGRATULATIONS!  YOU ARE A 2014 THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS WINNER!”  A tiny squeal escaped my lips as I explained to my husband Matt what this meant.  You see, The Knot bases the best of wedding winners on the reviews from real brides and grooms in the area.  Thanks to the incredible reviews from all my sweet couples, I was voted #1 in BOTH the New York, Manhattan and New Jersey market!

As I sit here sipping my carmel almond amaretti tea and watching the snow fall gently from my window, I couldn’t feel more thankful.  Thankful for each and every couple who has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of their gorgeous wedding day.  Thankful for their super sweet reviews.  Thankful for the constant, unwavering support from friends and  family.  Most importantly, thankful to my incredible Creator for blessing me beyond my wildest dreams.  None of this would be possible without you.

If you would like to check out my pretty new badges in person, feel free to visit my Knot features here and here.  🙂  HAPPY FRIDAY!!!