Amanda Picone - Wedding, engagement, event and portrait photographer NYC NJ

Welcome & Farewell!

2009-09-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

It's official, my new site is up!!! This will be my last blog post here, as the blog on the new site will be up shortly. It's been fun, blogspot!!

Now dance your way over to the amazing new http://www.amandapicone.com

Hope you like it!!!!!

Well.........

2009-09-23T07:48:00.001-07:00

The site is THISCLOSE to being ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It will be up and running in the next few days!

The big announcement...

2009-08-03T20:12:00.001-07:00

Well ladies and gentlemen...I've been taunting you with it for a while now...I'm gearing up for the launch of my site and new blog! In preparation, I've decided to focus on getting through my last few weddings, while also finishing gathering photos for the site. I'm meeting with my amazing web designer Glen very soon! We're going to go over the design ideas and layout, and he's going to prepare a totally killer site and blog for me!

With that, this will be my second to last post on my original blog! As I gather material, I will be taking a brief vacation from blogging (not from working, I'm still very much doing that! haha). It's kind of bittersweet for me. I started on here a year and a few months ago with a hobby. It was growing into a passion. I wanted to take it further, so I posted an ad on Craigslist looking for couples who wanted free engagement sessions. Largely, it was because I wanted to learn. I was fortunate in that the girls who found me were amazing. They were patient, they listened to my requests...and they loved the results. So much so that they spread the word ALL over the place! So much so, that my little hobby grew into a business-one that I love beyond words. These girls (and their fiances/now hubbies) mean the world to me, as well as each subsequent bride and groom following. What they've done for me, and the joy they've brought me, they may never fully know, but I feel like I owe them all a huge THANK YOU! (and maybe a hug and some homemade cupcakes...)

That being said, I would also like to announce that I am almost completely booked for 2009!!! I am running out of dates FAST, so if you've been holding off, now is certainly the time to book! 2010 dates are starting to fly, too! This is all so exciting to me! As I close out the first chapter, I want to once again give a very sincere thank you. Thank you to everyone who has been standing by me, cheering me on and supporting me. Thank you to my amazing husband, who puts up with my crazy schedule and my "just one more email and I'm going to bed, I PROMISE!"-I love you. To my family and friends who have to hear about every blog I post and every couple I meet. To those who are reading right now, even if this is your first time here. And finally, to my amazing clients...my newfound friends...you are all incredible, and my words will simply never be enough to thank you.

Here's to the new blog and the new site, launching this September!! My next post will be one to announce the launch and link you directly there.

And finally....a sneak preview...

While you sit tight, make sure to check me out on Facebook!

Amanda Picone Photography on Facebook

Wait for it....

2009-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

BIG post coming tonight with some announcements!!! Heck, I may even throw in a photo or two! Check back :)

Cariann and Andy's Engagement Session!

2009-07-24T19:59:00.001-07:00

I wanted to post Cariann and Andy's photos tonight because...they're getting married tomorrow!!! We shot their engagement session on July 5th at Robert Moses Beach and the Fire Island Lighthouse. Every single amazing element that could have been present definitely was! You'll see for yourself, but during out shoot we encountered great weather, a stunning sunset, a couple of run ins with some deer, fireworks in the distance (not close enough to get them in the photos, but still awesome!), and an AMAZING moon! We kept shooting well into the night (my husband actually called to see where I was!) because the moon was casting such an amazing glow, and the building around the lighthouse provided us with even more amazing lighting.

Shooting with Cariann and Andy was like I was shooting with friends I've known for years! We have some common bonds and were talking and laughing the entire time. I had such a great time with this couple. I can't wait for tomorrow! See you two in a few hours to capture you exchanging your I dos!!!!!!!!

(don't forget--click to enlarge!)

Jen & Kevin's Engagement Session!

2009-07-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

Jen and Kevin were the lucky winners of my Valentine's Day free engagement session contest! They sent me a really sweet story about their relationship that was incredibly moving.

These two decided to have their shoot at Avalon Park & Preserve in Stony Brook, Long Island. I had never been there before, and was totally blown away! This park is absolutely gorgeous. It has beautiful paths, bridges, boardwalks, and even a labyrinth! There's also a big beautiful lake, which made a great backdrop. It was hard to find a spot that wasn't gorgeous!

Jen and Kevin were so much fun to shoot. They were one of those couples that listens to all of my crazy requests without staring at me as if to say "Seriously?" Their connection was undeniable, and I love the way Kevin kept Jen laughing throughout the shoot.

Here are some of my favorite shots. Enjoy!!!

This little guy ran into our path while we were heading to the lake...

Vivian & Victor's Wedding!

2009-07-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

Vivian and Victor definitely hold a special place in my heart. Exactly one year before their wedding, I had the pleasure of shooting their engagement session-my first ever!! Pretty much as soon as they got the photos, Vivian told me I would be her wedding photographer. When I decided to host a contest for a free wedding, these two entered almost immediately and won second place! I was so excited to shoot their wedding, and rightfully so! The wedding was on May 24th at Jericho Terrace in Long Island. It was a gorgeous day and I had a great time working with my second shooter, Andy Chin. The ceremony was so incredibly moving, and the reception was so much fun! The dance floor was packed the entire night!

As usual, don't forget to click the photos to see them larger (again--only a few more posts like this, promise!) Enjoy!!

I have an obsession with shoes! Vivian's reminded me of Cinderella's glass slippers. So pretty!

Pastor April was the officiant. She was absolutely amazing! I love the emotion in this photo. The ceremony brought pretty much everyone to tears, including the Pastor!

After a brief cake fight, Viv and Victor kissed and made up!

Love was definitely in the air at this wedding...I've heard that these two (one of Vivian's bridesmaids and one of Victor's groomsmen) are now engaged! Congrats!

I love a bridal party who listens when I tell them to give me a pose full of fun and excitement!

This is one of my absolute favorites of the night.

Congrats again to Vivian and Victor! I wish you both all the love and happiness in the world!

Le Ink Coquette!

2009-07-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

When Barbara (unless this is your first time visiting my blog, don't act like you don't know who she is!) told me I was going to be featured on Le Ink Coquette's blog, I was completely flattered and excited! First of all, Eve (the creator/author/owner/fashionista) is amazing! Her posts are filled with gorgeous wedding ideas, witty writing and a great sense of humor! On my first visit, I immediately bookmarked the site and made myself a "follower".

Next, I checked out her Etsy site. Let's just say that I wish I could rewind back about two years and hire her for all of my wedding paper needs!! I mean seriously...LOOK at this table number!!!! I want. I can put it on my dining room table. My husband might think I'm a bit nuts though...(as if he doesn't already?)

Her Etsy site can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7618009
Her work is custom, original and gorgeous! When you visit, you will be drooling over menus, table numbers and save the dates. Consider yourself warned. You may want to arm yourself with a credit card in case of emergency.

Her blog is here: http://leinkcoquette.blogspot.com/
You will definitely have a new daily read with this one! Eve posts the most amazing ideas, photographs (if I do say so myself!), stationery and fashion. She "swoons" over select items...She swooned my photos!! I feel so honored!!

Eve--thank you so much for featuring me on your blog! And keep on rockin' it! You definitely have a new loyal reader, and I can't wait to see your future swoons and Etsy items!

For those of you who want to check out Le Ink's feature on me (and Barbara & Michael!), head over this way: http://leinkcoquette.blogspot.com/2009/07/coquette-engagement-session.html

Catherine and Eirik's Engagement Session!

2009-07-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

For this shoot, I'm going to start at the end...After we *almost* finished up with the shoot, we were walking along the boardwalk to head back to our cars. Eirik and I were discussing his interest in photography, and he asked me what I liked about wedding photography. Though I knew the answer, it was the first time a client had ever asked me. The answer? It's simple. I love love. I love being around it, I love capturing it with my camera. I love being in love and being near love. Weddings are emotional for me, and I try to let that emotion come across in the photos I take. I feel the same way about engagement sessions. It's just me there, watching this couple so madly in love...preparing to exchange vows and declare their love for one another, and celebrating that excitement right in front of my very eyes (and lenses!). It's such an awesome feeling to be surrounded by so much love all the time. Every shoot I do reminds me of my husband and I, and there's an instant connection to the couple I'm shooting-a connection I want nothing more than to capture. And that's kind of the theme of this post.

I've selected a lot of images of Catherine and Eirik kissing, though I've got tons of shots of them smiling, looking at the camera, looking at the ocean, etc... But I thought the love and kissing theme was perfect for them. These two were so much fun to watch! They each got a little smirk on their faces each time I asked them to kiss, and in a lot of shots you can see that they're still smiling. Even though it was a bit chilly, and somehow I was the only one to get soaked(!), I had an absolute blast with these two! All my best to you both!!

Enjoy! And as always, don't forget to click to enlarge the images (I promise with my new blog, you won't have to!)

And here's what happened after our stroll on the boardwalk...As we were walking into the parking lot, I was struck by the lighting in this tunnel against the bright blue sky. These are the results:

Don's 80th Birthday

2009-07-07T21:02:00.000-07:00

Before even meeting Don, I knew he had to be someone special. After all, it's not every day that a man turns 80 and his family and friends come together for a concert in his honor! After having the pleasure of meeting him, it was obvious why all of these people had gathered in his honor. The concert consisted of some incredibly talented musicians, from opera singers to violinists and everything in between, performing some amazing pieces of music. A slide show at the intermission brought tears to the eyes and smiles to the faces of pretty much everyone in attendance. An intimate party followed, where toast after toast the theme stayed persistent...Don is an amazing man, who many love and admire.

Happy Birthday, Don!!!

I will blog...

2009-07-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight...and tomorrow :) Stay tuned!

Central Park on a Cool Spring Day

2009-06-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

A soft, misty rain set the stage as he led her into the park. She had never been here before, and he smiled excitedly as she took in her surroundings-completely unaware of what was about to occur.

They arrived at their mark, though she had no idea. He gazed into her eyes as they listened to "Come Alive" by the Foo Fighters on his iPod. He removed her headphones and then his own, as the soundtrack for their journey came to an end; A journey which had landed them just a few hundred feet from myself.

I could sense his excitement as he began to fidget, and readied myself. This was going to be it. He spoke to her and she began to grin. After he brushed the hair from her eyes, he reached his right hand into his pocket.

As he knelt down to the wet ground, she suddenly realized just why he had brought here there. Her hands raised to her cheeks as he asked her to be his bride, and she happily accepted.

He practically leapt to his feet as her jaw dropped upon closer inspection of her new ring.

He threw his arms (still clutching his umbrella) into the air in victory, before hugging his now bride-to-be.

A small crowd formed as they shared their first few moments as a newly engaged couple. A few polite young girls offered to take their photo, at this I giggled a bit.

He turned to give me a quick grin, she still blissfully unaware of my presence.

A few kisses before finally, they joined hands and walked off into the evening...ready to start a new chapter in their lives.

Another photographer walked by and grinned at me, "Did ya catch that?" he asked. "Yep!" I replied happily, "he hired me to."

Paul contacted me a few days before his big trip to NYC. He had decided it would be an awesome idea to document the proposal. I, being a fan of all things stealth and sneaky, happily agreed. I don't think I realized at the time just how much fun being so sneaky could be! I had been a bit worried about the rain, but I think it only added to the romance of the moment. Seeing their excitement and happiness literally brought tears to my eyes. This was truly one of my favorite shoots to date.

Congrats to the two of you!!!!

Barbara's Bridal Shower

2009-06-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

If you're like most people who read my blog, you remember Barbara from her gorgeous engagement party, and incredible (if I do say so myself!) sunset on the beach engagement photos! A few months ago, Barbara's maid of honor, Raquel, contacted me about shooting Barbara's shower. I was SO excited to document yet another great moment for Barbara and Michael! It was all top secret, but I started to get nervous when Barbara started to tell me how much she wanted me there to shoot her shower! Little did she know, it had all been arranged months beforehand! The party went off without a hitch, and Barbara's Mom and bridesmaids did an AMAZING job creating a Barbie pink themed shower. Enough of me blabbing...enjoy the photos! Barbara and Michael, I can NOT wait to shoot your wedding in August!!!

This amazing dress (and matching shoes) were there waiting for Barbara to change into.

This was when Barbara first spotted me. I *think* she was happy :)

Her bridesmaids were taking photos of the guests and printing them up to paste into this adorable guest book that they made. LOVE this idea!

You may see in front of Barbara a pink suitcase. Well, what you don't see as clearly is the card her mother gave her which revealed that she would soon be using that luggage on their mother-daughter trip to Vegas!!

The favor was lip gloss. These two couldn't wait to try it out!

Raquel also made Barbara a slideshow consisting of photos of her and Michael. It resulted in a ton of laughs, a few tears, and everyone in the room realizing that Barbara has some of the most awesome friends ever!

How amazing is her ribbon hat??

That's all for tonight! More blogs to come soon!

Stephanie & Dan's Wedding

2009-06-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of catching up with blogging, I present to you the wedding of Stephanie and Dan! These two were married on April 25th. It was an absolutely gorgeous day--sunny and warm--which was perfect for their intimate outdoor reception. They had a beautiful church ceremony, followed by a lovely reception at the home of a close friend. When you look through the photos, you will be able to see immediately why they close this location. It's gorgeous, and what a view! Stephanie and Dan were a ton of fun, as were their guests. And really, what better way to spend the day than at a gorgeous wedding with awesome people?

Stephanie and Dan, I wish you both much love and happiness. It was an honor to be there documenting your wedding day!

(don't forget to click the photos to enlarge!)

As nice as group formal shots can look...

...(as stated a couple of blogs ago) I always love photographing the moment AFTER the formal shots. Everyone relaxes, laughs, and runs away!

Ana & Chris, Part 2

2009-06-11T19:22:00.001-07:00

As I was uploading Chris and Ana's photos to their online gallery, I found a few more I wanted to share...Just some random shots!

I mentioned in my last blog that for the wedding, I had the pleasure of working with the lovely and talented Ananda Lima. This was Ananda's first wedding, and she did a GREAT job!! I chose Ananda as a second shooter because she has a really artistic eye, and her photos tend to have a dreamlike quality. Did I mention that she's also just an awesome person in general? I had SO much fun working with Ananda, and I can't wait to do it again! Make sure to check out her site at http://www.AnandaLima.com Some of my favorite shots by Ananda are below. Enjoy!!!

Pssst...Look in the mirror! A shot of me has made it onto my blog! Thanks for the cool action shot, Ananda!

It's been a while....

2009-06-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

...since I've blogged!! I've got a ton of new photos coming up soon. More from Ana and Chris, including some from my awesome second photographer Ananda Lima, a couple more weddings and events, a bridal shower and an engagement session! Lots of uploads happening soon so stay tuned!

While going through my current batch, I've realized that one of my favorite moments to photograph is the moment the formal shots are done and I excuse the group. I always continue to snap and I always love the results--Always filled with laughter, sometimes hugging, sometimes just general silliness. I'll have to post a couple in some of my upcoming blogs.....

I don't like to blog without a pic, so here's a teaser from one of my recent weddings. How awesome are her shoes? They reminded me of Cinderella's glass slippers. So pretty!

Chris & Ana's Wedding

2009-05-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

You may remember Chris and Ana from their Hoboken engagement session last year. These two were last year's free wedding contest winners. They got married on April 3rd at Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ. The venue was stunning! Jeanine La Macchia was the hairstylist, and Jeanine Mangan did the makeup--they both did an awesome job! Kelvin Gerald kept the music going all night long (and even gave the guests an encore when they started cheering for more!)

It was really difficult narrowing down my favorites...Despite a little rain in the morning, these two had the perfect day! The ceremony was gorgeous, and Ana's pink color scheme looked incredible. The ceremony was quite emotional, especially when Ana read Chris a poem by E.E. Cummings-I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. They left the ceremony to an instrumental version of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" which even got me crying! The party kicked off with some great entrances by the bridal party, and the dance floor was packed all night. We ended the evening with an impromptu photo shoot in the cocktail hour room. Now I'll stop telling you how amazing their big day was, and let you see for yourself!

Congrats Chris and Ana, I wish you two all the very best!!

Don't forget to click the images to see them larger. Enjoy!!

Family Portraits at the Cherry Blossom Festival

2009-05-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when Janet asked me to take her family portraits at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park. I had never been there, but I'm so glad we went! These four were SO much fun, and we had a great time at the festival! The park was packed, but we worked around it as best as we could, and even got to sneak in some shots of JUST Mom and Dad!

Enjoy!

Baby Jon-one week later!

2009-04-09T21:17:00.001-07:00

Isn't it amazing how quickly babies change?? Just one week after my first set of photos, I paid a visit to Jon Jr. at home. He's looking so much like Mommy now! Though he was absolutely wonderful for the entire shoot, he's just not digging the bunny outfit!!

Here are some of my favorites from our shoot-

And make sure to check back soon...I'll be making quite a few updates within the next few days, including the wedding of contest winners, Chris and Ana!!!

Welcome Baby Jon!!

2009-03-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

I woke up to the wonderful news today that little Jon Jr. was born early this morning! We made the hike out to Long Island to meet him, and of course I brought the camera. He's already modeling it up, but he doesn't really like having his picture taken while being burped (hey, can you really blame him??) I can't wait for our "formal" session next week!

Congrats to the new mommy and daddy, Lori and Jon! Here's a preview of his adorable-ness!

Remember how I said he doesn't like a camera in his face while being burped?? Well this is how I know:

After two weeks and 663 votes....

2009-03-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

The winner of the free session of their choice is...
Lauren & Brad!!
These two obviously worked really hard to get a TON of votes! They had 40% of the total!! Lauren and Brad will receive a $250 gift certificate which can be used for the session of their choice! They will also receive an 8x10" Gallery Wrap Canvas with their favorite photo from the session!

Second place goes to Barbara and Michael, who had the next highest amount of votes, with 27%! These two have won a $150 gift certificate and three 8x10 enlargements!

Third place goes to Jagoda and Danny, with 13% of the vote! They have won a $100 gift certificate and two 8x10 enlargements!

The runners up were Liz and Dewayne, Angela and Rudy, and Vivian and Victor! They will each receive a $75 gift certificate and one 8x10 enlargement!

Congrats to all of the couples, and once again THANK YOU to the couples and everyone who voted!!

Newest Contest!

2009-02-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

As you may know, most of my business comes by way of word of mouth. Last year I had the fortune of working with a bunch of amazing couples who spread the word about me in ways I could never imagine! I decided that I needed to thank these couples, which lead me to creating another contest! This one was open specifically to couples who booked engagement sessions with me for 2008, and are getting married in 2009. This contest is a little different, though; Not only does the winner get a free session, they also get to pick the kind of session! I had a total of 6 entries, and everyone will win something. Prizes include a free session, enlargement, gift certificates and a couple of surprises! Each contestant was asked to submit their favorite photo from our engagement session last year, and had to tell me why it was their favorite, as well as what kind of shoot they'd like. I've also selected MY favorite from each shoot. Your job? Read through the entries and click the poll below to vote for your favorite!

Jagoda and Danny
Jagoda's favorite shot was taken on the steps of a carousel in Brooklyn. She loves it because it captures her and Dan just hanging out enjoying one another's company, as if there wasn't even a camera there. She writes "We're not posing, we're not dancing, we're not aware of our surrounding, we're just enjoying the moment." This one is actually my favorite, too, so I've posted my second favorite :)
She'd like to have a post-wedding shoot because her country club wedding will result in photos of green gardens, and she'd like to capture some images of her and Dan in their wedding gear on the beach or in the city since her wedding day timeline doesn't allow for that. She has a really cool idea for what she'd like to do with the pictures, but I don't want to spoil any surprises in case she wins!

I picked the below shot because I love the model poses I got from them here! Would you believe this was taken within the first 5 shots? Their body language is great, and you can so feel the love between them. Plus, they've each got a little hint of a smile! This was one of the most serious shots we took, the rest were mostly smiley and fun (there are a few with tongues sticking out at each other!), so this one stands out to me. Plus, it nicely showcases how much style they both have!

Vivian and Victor
Vivian picked this photo because it shows the closeness and love her and Victor share. She tells me the photo is very emotional for her to look at, and says "It's hard for me to put into words but there's such a connected and belonging feeling between him and I. We can't wait to be husband and wife." She'd like to do a trash the dress session on the beach, because she thinks it would be fun. And with her wedding coming up soon, she doesn't want me to stop being her photographer (awwww!).

I chose this photo because I love the looks on their faces. They've both got these cute smiles on their faces, like they're really enjoying the moment. I love how Vivian is stealing a kiss, and Victor is just going with the flow! I didn't have to do much posing with these two, but when they got into a pose they took it and ran, turning it into something completely new.

Lauren and Brad
Lauren and Brad chose this photo because they feel it is symbolic of their relationship. With both of them working three (yes, three!) jobs, life can get very hectic. Throughout all the chaos, they manage to still make time for each other whenever they can to enjoy "those precious moments that only the two of us can share...even if we are surrounded by hundreds of strangers in Grand Central Station." Lauren and Brad are undecided as to what kind of shoot they would like, but reminds me that they are down for anything fun!

This photo is one of my favorites not just because of how it looks, but also because it reminds me of how much fun these two are! Just a few moments later, this dramatic just-about-to-kiss photo turned into Lauren kicking over the escalator (in some seriously amazing red heels) and Brad doing crazy karate moves in the air! They were so into each other, they barely even noticed anyone else was there. I'm still surprised we didn't get kicked out of Grand Central with all the stunts we were pulling!

Liz and Dewayne
Liz tells me that the contest was hard on her because each time the looks through them, she has a new favorite. She likes this picture because it's different. She writes that "out of 300 pictures of Dewayne and I hugging and kissing I feel this one really expresses our love." They've been together for 9 years, and she had never realized that they always hold hands like this, and that it makes her feel like they will always be there for one another. Dewayne has even agreed to do a post-wedding session if they win! They would like to take time together to take some nice relaxed portraits, and Liz has already picked out an awesome location!

Before we had the shoot, Liz had mentioned this photo she had of her grandparents on their wedding day. She wanted to incorporate it somehow, and wound up getting this awesome frame for it. I love how Liz chose to incorporate such a special photo into her own engagement session. Aside from that, I just adore how in love they look. The smile on Liz's face is so peaceful as Dewayne gives her a sweet kiss.

Barbara and Michael
Barbara had such a hard time picking a photo, she sent 7!! In all fairness, I can only post one...so she left me with the task! I picked the 7th photo she submitted, because when reading her reasoning, it seemed to be the one she was most excited about. She loves how the image captures their passion, and how no one would ever know they were freezing (in all fairness, so was I! When they went into the water, I went too! haha). She writes that "This is the picture people dream of...and I really can not thank you enough for making it ours." She loves that she will always be able to look back at these photos and remember the feelings they had on that very day. Barbara wants to do a trash the dress shoot, as she too is up for anything! She loves her dress and wants to get some non-traditional shots while getting to wear the dress again--What girl wouldn't want that??

Well before our engagement session, Barbara sent me a link to a music video that captured the mood she wanted for her photos. I studied it quite a bit and came up with a ton of ideas. One of them, we discussed via email. My favorite photo from the shoot came from the series of photos I took with that idea in mind (one of her 7 favorites was the exact photo I had described before the shoot). This isn't the exact photo, but as I was setting it up, Michael dove in for a kiss. I love how natural these two look in this one. It has so much passion and love behind it, and that smile on Barbara's face is worth 1,000 words.

Angela and Rudy
Unfortunately, this entry somehow wound up missing! I received an email from Angela this morning saying that she noticed her entry was left out. I literally jumped out of bed and ran to my computer. I took a look and sure enough, it was in with my Spam. UGH! Computers! Anyway, here is their entry!
Angela sent three photos, so I've picked my favorite of the bunch! For Angela, her engagement was bittersweet. She's never been one to like how she appears in photos, and knew that a wedding meant having a lot of them taken of her. She didn't think she would be happy with the end results, but Rudy "reassured me that it didn't matter because I am beautiful to him inside and out. And, the day of the pics he made sure that he had me smiling and not worrying so much." She likes this photo because during the shoot, he was whispering things to her that he knew would make her laugh and keep her mind off the photos (he, on the other hand, was totally into the shoot!). Angela also writes, "He told me, "Don't worry" "Stay close to me" and I will take care of you. And, that's exactly what he did." How sweet is that? And not only that, but I personally think Angela looked gorgeous in every single photo!
She didn't specify what kind of shoot she'd like, but I'll take that to mean she wants to leave me in suspense!

I chose this photo because it is alllll about Angela! These two were one of my first few engagement sessions and during the shoot we had a LOT of fun. Rudy kept us all laughing, especially Angela. At this moment, they both let their inner supermodels take over, and the result is stunning. We snuck onto someone's stoop for a few shots. I love the lighting here, and I think they both look amazing! I love how Rudy is sticking so close to Angela. Their love and closeness as a couple really shines through!

So now it's your turn. You've read the stories, you've seen the photos...now you tell me....

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*Voting will run through 11:59pm on March 7th. Winners announced March 8th.*

And the winners are...

2009-02-14T19:01:00.001-08:00

...That's right! It's time for me to announce the winners of the free engagement session! First off, let me wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day! It was way too hard for me to judge these on my own, so when my hubby and I got home from our V-day date, he went through all of the entries with me to pick the winners!

We had a lot of fun reading through your stories. We got to read stories of heartache turned to love, long distance romances enduring the tests of time, devoted parents, and a story of love lasting through some very difficult times which brought tears to my eyes. A lot of the stories were very personal, so I chose not to include them in full. I've summarized them below :)

There were 8 entries total, and we both agreed that everyone who entered should win something! Which means there are multiple winners in each category aside from the grand prize. Oh...and did I mention I've increased the prize values? Because I did! Which brings me to what you've been waiting for...

The Grand Prize, a 2 hour long engagement session goes to....
Kevin and Jennifer!!
These two had quite the story (the one that left me in tears). When my husband read it, he immediately handed it over and said "We have a winner!" These two were engaged on February 7th after knowing one another for 11 years! They have been through a lot over the past few years, but their strength both individually and as a couple has pulled them through. They have a ton of awesome hobbies that include hiking and sword fighting! Maybe they'll show me a few moves when we shoot?

First prize...which has been increased to a $125 gift certificate good toward an engagement session...goes to...
Amy and Jason
and
Janelly and Rolando!!
Amy and Jason are another recently engaged couple! These two spent 4 1/2 years commuting to each other between Boston and New York. One time Amy got stuck on a bus for two hours...NEXT TO Jason's apartment!! (The bus driver wouldn't let her off!) Her email to me outlined just how dedicated they are to one another throughout uncertainties (and those fun, silly and sometimes scary bus rides). The challenges they faced were nothing compared to their love for one another!

Janelly and Rolando are another couple who endured a long distance love...between Queens, NY and the Dominican Republic! Since they were 11!!! These two were nominated by their thoughtful coworker, Lisa (don't forget to thank her!). Lisa told me a story of how the relationship between Janelly and Rolando survived because of much dedication. They would write each other letters during the school year (all of which Janelly still has!), and Janelly would visit Rolando every summer. Janelly went for a visit over Christmas of 2007, when Rolando got down on one knee to propose! Last summer he packed his bags and movd to NYC to be with his childhood sweetheart! And they say long distance romances don't work? HA!

Second prize (increased to a $100 gift certificate toward an engagement session) goes to...

Shaquia and Peter,
Rashida and Vaughn,
and
Janice and Edward!!

Shaquia and Peter met at her son's school. It took 3 months to ask her on a date (after what sounds like some serious flirting!), where he took her out dancing all night! As she puts it "the man that sweeps me off my feet is my man"! After dating a while, they merged their two familys (they have two boys, who are now the best of friends!) moving to a town they love, and it has been all about the kids ever since! They both work hard both at their jobs and helping their sons with math (no easy task!) and are always on the run.

Rashida and Vaughn...happy 5 year anniversary (it's today)! These two are busy being parents to 1 year old twins while planning a 2010 wedding! They're hoping to enjoy some alone time to enjoy each other's company and create some lasting memories with their engagement session.

Janice and Edward met quite by chance through their friends (and coworkers) in June of 2006, when Janice's coworker invited her to dinner with her husband, where they ran into his coworkers (one being Edward). Edward tells Janice that he was in love as soon as he saw her smile! They hit a slight bump, but made it through...soon after, they took their friends out to dinner to thank them for their role in Janice and Edward's relationship. They went back to the same restaurant and even sat at the same table...where Edward proposed! Janice wrote that reading over her email made her realize just how lucky she is, and how she can't wait to be Edward's wife! (She also sent me pictures of her gorgeous bling!)

Finally, third prize (which is now a $75 gift certificate) goes to...

Cindy and John
and
Jennifer and Maximo!!

Cindy and John are college sweethearts. While it wasn't love at first sight, they started chatting online while working as teaching assistants. Cindy realized her feelings for John when he went to visit his family in China for three weeks. She confessed when he returned, and he revealed that he felt the same! The rest was history!

Jennifer and Maximo have been together for 9 years and have 3 children! Sadly, Jennifer's grandmother passed right before Christmas of 2007, but had expressed her desire for them to get married several times beforehand. Max proposed soon after and they set a date! They spend every day together, and Jennifer tells me that Max is an amazing dad to their children and also works hard to keep her smiling.

Congrats to all of the couples! I can't wait to work with you! Your gift certificates will be in the mail soon, but please contact me at any time to set up your session!

How's that for Valentine's Day romance? I hope you all had a great day, and that everyone reading enjoys these stories of love!

For more love...check out my next blog with yesterday's Friday the 13th wedding (my first wedding of 2009!)

Another blog will be posted tomorrow ;)

Congratulations Ania and Vincent!!

2009-02-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

Earlier today I had the honor of photographing the Friday the 13th wedding of Ania and Vincent! Friday the 13th has always been my lucky day, and today wasn't any different! Though a bit chilly, the sun was shining and yesterday's intense winds had disappeared.

There's just something so romantic about a city hall wedding. These two decided to share their day with a bunch of friends and family (I think they had the biggest entourage there) and it was a blast! This crew definitely knows how to have a good time! The NYC marriage bureau recently underwent a massive overhaul and the result is stunning. Ania and Vincent got the East Chapel, which was sooo pretty. The ceremony was short and sweet, and there were so many cameras...I felt like part of the paparazzi! After the ceremony, we got some group shots and then headed out for a post-wedding session with the newlyweds. I had such a hard time choosing favorites, so I've posted quite a few. Enjoy!! And congrats Ania and Vincent!!!! I wish you both the very best!

(don't forget to click on the photo to see it larger!)

Only 2 more days...

2009-02-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder....2 days left to enter the contest for a FREE engagement session!

Good luck to all that entered, and to everyone else...send them in!

Contest Reminder!!

2009-01-31T13:31:00.000-08:00

First I just wanted to remind everyone that my contest for FREE engagement photography ends in 2 weeks!! Make sure to skip down a few posts or click here for the details and enter as soon as possible! Spread the word!

Just a few favorites from recent shoots (click to enlarge):

New blog layout...website teaser!

2009-01-25T13:22:00.000-08:00

2009 is such an exciting year for me...I've got weddings, engagements, random events, boudoir marathon, contests and surprises lined up! To celebrate what promises to be a great year, I'm working with my amazing web designer on a massive website update! In the mean time, I came up with this new blog layout...what do you think?

Below are a couple of teasers that will give you an idea of what to expect from my new site. I'm so excited and can not wait to see how it comes out!!

And just a reminder...Don't forget to skip down a few posts for info on my engagement session contest! One lucky winner will receive a FREE engagement photo session!! Runners up will win prizes as well!!! This is one contest where everyone who enters will win something!!! Enter by 11:59pm on February 13th...winners will be announced on Valentine's Day. Good Luck!!!!!

Wow...I am impressed!

2009-01-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's not very often that I blog about things other than photography, but I found this tonight and couldn't not post it. While browsing Perez Hilton (guilty pleasure!) I came across a video of some of the most amazing, talented children. I was immediately addicted and proceeded to watch all of their videos! MAN can these kids sing! Their teacher is obviously someone who loves his job and you can tell he really cares for these kids. And the coolest part? They're from NYC :) If you do nothing else today, watch these videos. They are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and maybe even some tears in your eyes.

A couple of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tcE4rWovI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIuqHd4qJyg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ubAh9TLko&feature=channel_page <--this one gives me chills
Their blog:
http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!!!

2008 Wedding...a bit delayed!

2009-01-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

I've been super busy lately...between meeting with 2009/2010 brides, working on a massive website update, and prepping for the first few weddings of 2009, I've been going non-stop!

It's been a while since I posted some photos, and I came across these while working on my site updates and thought I would share. These are from my brother's wedding. I was a bridesmaid, so I couldn't get TOO many shots...but I was able to convince my husband to bring my camera along so I could take some shots at the reception. I'm so glad he did, because I really love these! Enjoy!!

(ps-Don't forget to check out the post following this one for my newest contest!)

I just love cake shots!

Can't make up my mind if I like this better in color...

Or black and white!

Time for a New Contest!

2009-01-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

I know it's hard to believe, but Valentine's day is less than a month away! With it being my favorite holiday, I figured I'd celebrate with a contest! The grand prize? A FREE engagement session with yours truly!

The details:

Do you know someone deserving of a free engagement session? Do you think YOU deserve one? Tell me why! Send me an email at PiconePictures@gmail.com nominating a couple (and yes, the couple can be you and your fiance!). Let me know why this couple deserves the shoot, what the ideal location would be for the shoot, any creative ideas you may have, or whatever you think is best! Feel free to tell me about the couple, what they like to do, how they met, when the wedding is...anything goes! There is no limit to what you can include. Make it fun and be creative! You don't have to include a photo, but feel free if you want to. Also, make sure to include your address (or the couple's address if nominating someone else) in case you win! My favorite stories may just end up on the blog!

Judging:

I will be judging this one all on my own! Location for shoot will be discussed with winner, some restrictions do apply. Winners of past contests, as well as anyone who has received a free shoot from me in the past, are not eligible. But don't worry, there will be more contests in the future!

Prizes:

The prizes will be announced on Valentine's Day! The winning couples will be sent gift certificates via USPS for their prizes!

Grand Prize:
-One 2-hour long engagement session with Amanda Picone, and a DVD of all images (edited as needed)

First Prize:
-One $100 gift certificate good toward an engagement session with Amanda Picone

Second Prize:
-One $75 gift certificate good toward an engagement session with Amanda Picone

Third Prize:
-One $50 gift certificate good toward an engagement session with Amanda Picone

And one final note..............

I am now taking bookings for Spring and Summer 2009 engagement sessions!!! And I'm feeling rather generous today...SO...

For all sessions booked before March 1st, 2009 (session can occur ANY TIME in 2009, you just need to reserve a date by 3/1/09), I am offering special pricing!!

2 hour session with DVD of all images: $200
4 hour session with DVD of all images: $350
-Add on a 20 page custom hardcover photo book for an additional $100
-Inquire about special pricing on all add-ons (save the dates, sign in posters, guest books, table numbers, etc...)

Effective March 1st the price of these sessions will be:
2 hour session with DVD of all images: $250
4 hour session with DVD of all images: $400

So book early for the best deals, and to secure the best dates!!

GOOD LUCK to everyone entering! Can't wait to read your stories!

Happy 2009!!!

2008-12-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a minute to say a big giant THANK YOU to those of you who helped make 2008 such an awesome year for me! What began as a simple ad on Craigslist turned into more than I could ever have imagined!

So thank you to those of you who had shoots with me, and to those who have already booked me for 2009!! I'm looking forward to a year filled with engagements, weddings, boudoir sessions, sweet 16s...and that's just what I've got planned so far! There will be more contests in 09, so keep an eye out! I'm looking forward to an exciting year and can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for me! My first event is just about 2 weeks away, a sweet 16. The weddings start shortly after!

Thank you to all of those who have spread the word about me!! Words cannot express how thankful I am to all of you. The word of mouth has been absolutely phenomenal, and I owe that to all of you! (Especially to my LI Weddings girls, who seem to constantly be sending others my way!) I'm really looking forward to 2009 (which is about 17 minutes away!). For those who don't already know, I've got a new website in the works that I cannot wait to share with you! AmandaPicone.com hasn't been updated in a while, so it doesn't really feature my best work anymore. The update will be pretty huge, and of course I will let all of you know once it's up. I must also thank my wonderful web designer, Glen, for doing such an amazing job!!

My best wishes to all of you for a happy, healthy, and safe New Year! And congrats to the 2009 couples..this is YOUR year!! Enjoy every minute of it! For those of you that have already booked me for your weddings, I can not wait!! Here's to an amazing year for all!!! Cheers!

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-25T01:14:00.001-08:00

In keeping with tradition, I knew I had to use Matthew as my holiday blog once again! Isn't he so handsome? I love this little guy!! We had so much fun shooting his first Christmas photos, and he was (as usual) the perfect model!

Happy and safe holidays to all!!!

Holiday Party!

2008-12-21T16:10:00.001-08:00

I was recently asked to take a few photos at a holiday party at The Plaza hotel. Now, if you know me at all, I never just take a FEW photos! Here are some favorites of the 400 I wound up shooting! On a side note, the party was great and The Plaza looks beautiful! I hadn't been there since before the renovations, but they did a wonderful job. The holiday decor (as you'll see below) was stunning! Enjoy!

She thought she could hide...

But I got her later on :)

How gorgeous are these tables?? Winter brides, take note!

My First Boudoir Session!

2008-12-20T13:05:00.001-08:00

*Allow me first to preface that I was given permission to post these images. Due to the nature of boudoir images, I give all of my clients the option to choose whether or not they want photos displayed in my blog, along with any restrictions they have (including the option to choose the photos themselves).*

I had my very first boudoir session a few weeks ago with Vivian! We did the shoot at a great little Bed and Breakfast on Staten Island. I was glad to have Vivian as my first boudoir model because we have worked together before, and I will be shooting her wedding in May!

We had a lot of fun shooting, and I can't wait for my next session! I learned quite a bit and have a ton of new ideas to try. Vivian looks amazing, and Victor is going to love the photos! Here are just a few teasers...the rest are for her future hubby :)

Dolly & Kevin

2008-12-18T19:56:00.001-08:00

When Dolly and Kevin told me they wanted to start off their shoot at the LOVE statue, I was really excited. We then moved up to a few spots in Central Park. No matter how many times I shoot there, I always love it! It was a bit chilly, but Dolly and Kevin were good sports!! These two are getting married in just a couple of weeks in India, so this was kind of a last minute shoot. I had a great time with them, and wish them all the best for their upcoming wedding!

Finally got to get some photos at the LOVE statue!

My favorite bridge in the park...look at that reflection!

Dolly wanted to get some photos in a tunnel, and this one has the greatest shape!

I love the way the arch frames them on the step...so romantic!

The jump was Kevin's idea. Turned out great!

Stop! In the name of love....Okay, fine, I'll stop with the cheesy jokes!

I couldn't pick a favorite of these three, so I'll show you all of them :)

How cute are they?

One more shot on the steps by Bethesda Fountain...

More photos to come soon!

I'm back!

2008-12-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I never really left...I just haven't blogged in a while! With the holidays so close (yay!) I've just been super busy. I do have quite a few new shoots to show you, so I'll be posting them up soon. I also have a vendor review on the way. I'll be posting updates VERY soon, so make sure to check back!

Kim and Eric

2008-11-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

And bringing a close to my weekend of awesome couples (okay, so all of the couples I work with are awesome!) is Kim and Eric! These two braved the cold, windy air for our sunset shoot at Liberty State Park. I personally think the results are well worth it :) The lighting from sunset always increases the romance factor, and the way Eric kept Kim smiling the entire time increased it even more! These two were great sports in light of the fact that we were so cold, and we had a ton of fun because of it.

Liberty State Park is still one of my favorite places to shoot. We found a ton of cool places there, and Kim and Eric were happy to stop and shoot at every single one of my suggested locations!

Enjoy! (and click the pics to see them larger!)

What is Eric looking at here? Nothing, we didn't put any quarters in :)

I love the sun hitting the buildings in the background here!

This shot is one of my absolute favorites from the day!

We were inside of the old train station here. I stopped them to pose for a kiss because the lighting was coming in through the windows so perfectly...

A little voyeuristic, but I love the result here. I had them out on a balcony, while I stayed warm inside for an extra two minutes.

I love this wall, and the contrast with the sidewalk makes it even more awesome. And check out the reflection in the right window!

Ana and Chris

2008-11-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Ana and Chris are my wedding contest winners! Included in their prize was an engagement shoot. This was my first shoot in Hoboken and I love it there! These two were a lot of fun to shoot because they could not keep their eyes off one another! They were one of those couples who listen to all of my silly ideas, which is always fun. They are such a sweet couple, and I can't wait to shoot their wedding in April! It was a bit cold for our shoot, but we kept moving to keep ourselves warm. The sky was perfect (as you can see in the photos) which allowed me to get some awesome backdrops, and Ana and Chris were great models!!

How cool is this mural? I thought it was a perfect chance to get some ring photos, but I love how the two decided to hold hands. It made the photo so much more romantic.

I just love this Hoboken mural! There were so many fun parts, and this shot makes it look like they just jumped right into a postcard.

Chris decided to teach Ana how to play baseball :)

I adore the lighting here! This photo is completely untouched, this is how it came out of the camera.

Lauren and Brad

2008-11-10T16:57:00.001-08:00

When a rainy day threatened our shoot in Dumbo this past weekend, I suggested switching to Grand Central Station. I hadn't shot there before, but I've seen so many great photos from there. Lauren and Brad loved the idea, so our rainy day shoot was on! These two were seriously up for anything, and kept each other (and me!) laughing the entire time! They followed all of my off-the-wall suggestions, and came up with some great ones on their own.

Apparently, when it rains, all photographers go to Grand Central. We saw a bunch of wedding parties taking their photos inside (and even crashed a few photo sessions). These two got into all kinds of shenanigans, from sitting on the "do not sit" stairs, to doing assorted tricks on escalators! (Okay, so I might have urged them to do so...but by the end of the day, we were just happy that we didn't get arrested for breaking the rules!) It's always great to see a couple who can keep each other smiling non-stop, and these two have got it down! Enjoy some of my favorites from this session!

I LOVED Lauren's shoes! The splash of color was great on such a rainy, gray day!

The guy selling pretzels was confused as to why I was taking pictures of them, and was wondering why they weren't dressed up for their wedding.

One of the newlywed couples we ran into. Notice the Groom looking over? On a side note, I love the bride's dress!

LOVE this shot:

Florence and Iggy

2008-11-10T11:33:00.001-08:00

I knew I was going to have a great time with Florence and Iggy when Florence told me they'd like to do some photos at the Imagine mosaic in Central Park's Stawberry Fields. It's one of my favorite places in all of NYC, so I showed up a bit early to hang out for a few while I waited for them. We shot the day before the NYC marathon, so the park was full of people setting up for the big race.

We spent the next couple of hours bouncing around to some other great locations in the park. The foliage was amazing, and it was nice and warm out! These two were up for anything, and were so much fun to work with! They have so much energy! We had a very musical day...starting off at Strawberry Fields where a man playing acoustic guitar serenaded us all with some Beatles tunes, to a flute player at Bethesda Terrace, then the Sax player who hangs out in the same spot every Sunday, and finally we got to watch "Michael Jackson" and his dancers! Here are some shots from our day in the park. Enjoy!

Don't forget...click on the photos to see them larger!

I told you there were more leaf fights! This time, I had them throw the leaves at me :) I LOVE the color of the tree behind them!

Sal and Andrea

2008-11-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

Woah! Okay so, I am a tad bit behind on the blogging! I've been soooo busy lately (but that's a good thing!), so I finally sat myself down tonight and stayed up late to get the blog photos ready to go. The rest of the week will be spent tackling the images from my last few shoots, and posting up the rest of the blogs.

So here we go! Sal and Andrea were a ton of fun..PLUS they brought the super adorable Shea!! Shea is such a good pup, and was happy to pose for me. It was a lot of fun to watch Sal and Andrea in front of the camera. There is obviously a lot of love between the two, and you can see it every time they look at one another. We had a blast shooting, and I even got them to have a leaf fight (a new thing of mine...watch for future leaf fights in the next few blogs!). We couldn't have asked for better weather, or prettier fall colors!

Anyway, it's been a long day...two shoots and then home to do lots of editing/photo selecting. Lots more blogs coming over the next few days, so stay tuned! Sal and Andrea, your DVD will be in the mail SOON!!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-30T19:40:00.001-07:00

With the help of my favorite pirate, Matthew, I wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween! Now get off the computer and go get some candy!!!

Just some news...

2008-10-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hello blog-readers! Just wanted to update with the latest!

First, I am currently working on TWO boudoir marathons! One will be just me, and for the other, I will be teaming up with another awesome photographer! More details to follow about both, but email me if you're interested in more information for either. I'm expecting slots for both to fill up pretty quickly!

Second, I am now accepting bookings for all 2009 weddings and events. I am also booking engagement, trash the dress, day after, etc...sessions through the end of April. Reserve now for those first shoots of spring! Anyone reserving a spot now through November 15th will receive the 2008 rates.

That's about it for now! Tomorrow I'll be spending the day at the PDN expo checking out some new vendors, and attending a Wedding Photographer seminar that I'm really excited about. Then it's off to this weekend's shoots!

Hope everyone has a great day! And again--a HUGE thank you to my clients who have been spreading the word :)

This week's tip....

2008-10-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I took a little time off from the tips, but last week was my first anniversary, so I took some time off in general!

For this week, it's a simple one: Check your spelling and grammar! You'll have to pick out lots of things like programs, invitations, etc... where you'll need to specify wording and spelling. Make sure you're wide awake when you do this, and that you double check everything!

How do I know this? Well, we decided on "Just Married" Hershey Kisses, and personalized M&Ms for our wedding favors. Simple enough, right? But when one grammar nut decided to order the M&Ms at 3am...she received several bags full of M&Ms labeled "The Picone's". No, not "The Picones", as it should have been. She decided to throw in a stray apostrophe, thus making the M&Ms possessive. Possessive of what, exactly, we're still not sure.

Luckily, I don't think too many people noticed what was a tragic grammatical error to me...er....said grammar nut. However, the grammar nut's equally as nutty coworker decided it would be fun to tape the M&Ms to signs and decorate the grammar nut's office with them. When the grammar nut came back from her honeymoon, she found the signs which read "The Picone's Office", "The Picone's Computer", etc...

Fortunately, the grammar nut has a good sense of humor. But don't get yourself into the same mess...just make sure to proof read :)

Barbara and Michael

2008-10-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

You may remember Barbara and Michael from their amazing engagement party a few months ago (and if not, check out my August blogs!). We had originally planned to shoot in September, but the weather just wasn't cooperating. We finally got to shoot yesterday, and we could not have asked for a better day! The weather was amazing, and the sunset was spectacular! We had a great time taking photos and hanging out (for almost 3 hours!) at Jones Beach. I'm probably the only New Yorker who had never been there before! These two are a blast, and were up for anything! I'm not exaggerating when I say that by the end of the day, we were all soaked and covered in sand (not only did they get into the water, but I followed! Hey, you do what you have to for awesome shots!). I think our hard work was well worth it, don't you? (click the photos to enlarge!)

Julie & Matt

2008-10-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

Julie and Matt picked an awesome location for their engagement shoot! I had never been to Rutgers Gardens before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out, there is a really cool mix of locations, from a fish pond to a bamboo forest! I had a lot of fun with these two checking out all of the cool spots...and of course, got some great photos in the mean time! Here are some that really stood out to me. Enjoy! (and as always, click the photos to see them larger!)

I usually don't do photos with selective coloring, but I really liked it here!

This is the fish pond...loved the reflection!

This one was taken in the bamboo forest! With Halloween coming up, I'm seriously loving all of these shadows! It almost looks like Julie is wearing lace.

Julie and Matt, hope you like your preview! The rest will be on the way soon :)

PUPS!

2008-09-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting the PUPS Reunion in Randolph, NJ. If you haven't heard of it yet, this is an awesome group of people working together for a great cause. Being someone who knows the joys of owning a rescue dog (see earlier photos of Brodie...and don't worry, I'll post more of her soon!), I also know what an important cause this is. There are far too many dogs without a home, for various reasons. The people from PUPS help get these wonderful puppies to caring and loving families by rescuing them from dangerous situations. Check them out here for more info: www.pups.petfinder.org/ Click on "Happy Endings" to saw awwww! and "About Us" to see how serious and important the cause really is.

And don't forget...October is Dog Adoption Month! If you're looking for a new family member, please consider adopting. You will save a life, and I promise your pup will be eternally grateful.

Here are some of my favorite shots (it was SO hard to pick!):

And the winners are..........................

2008-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

The votes have been tallied, and WOW did a lot of people vote! I received hundreds of emails! Hundreds! The grand prize winner lead by about 15 votes, and the second place winners were SO close, I had to pick three!

So...the moment everyone has been waiting for...

BUT FIRST! I've also decided to throw in a FREE engagement or post-wedding session for ALL 6 couples! AND...all couples should check their emails, because I'm adding in even MORE goodies for all of them! What can I say, I'm feeling generous!

Now, the winners of the free photography package are.......

ANA & CHRISTOPHER!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!! You two will receive all day coverage of your wedding, a DVD of 4x6 digital proofs, a YouTube slideshow, online photo hosting/ordering, and discounts on albums, prints, etc...

Second prize is the same package for $600, and includes a $100 print credit! Second place goes to:
Vivian & Victor!
Jamie and Anthony!
and
Heather and Tim!
Congrats to all three couples!!!

Third prize winners receive 40% off my normal rates, as well as a $300 print credit!
Congrats to:
Ben and Kim!
and
Cindy and Ted!

Congrats to all of the couples! I can't wait to work with you! A big thank you to ALL who entered, and ALL who voted! Your participation means a lot not only to me, but to these couples as well!

And the fun's not over...stay tuned for additional contests coming soon. And don't forget to add me as a friend on Myspace and Facebook to get discounts of your very own. Have a great night!

The votes are flying in! (and some new deals!)

2008-09-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

All I can say is...I am having a hard time keeping up with all of these votes! These couples have got some dedicated friends and family! I haven't even been able to respond to all of the votes, but I'm trying! I won't give any hints as to who's in the lead...BUT....I will say that it is a very close race for the top 3! Keep the votes coming in!

In other news.............

If you know someone (or you are someone) who is getting married in 2008 and still has not booked a photographer...I am slashing 2008 wedding rates for last minute bookings! Please contact me for more information...all I will say is that I'm offering some really great deals :)

Those who have been putting off booking your engagement/portrait sessions...do it soon! I am almost completely booked for October at this point...I have a few dates left and some in November. Contact me today to book your session! I will be throwing in a special gift for all October and November bookings for what I am calling my Fall In Love engagement session. Sessions are only $150 through the end of 2008, and anyone booking (or who has already booked) will receive a free gift with their photos!

Have a great night :)

Matthew!

2008-09-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

Went to visit my little buddy Matthew (and his parents!) recently. I simply can not go visit without bringing my camera! (Look at that face, you wouldn't be able to resist, either!)

These two are actually a few months old...but I found them while looking through some photos and I fell in love with them:

These are from my recent visit:

New favorite!!

And this photo proves that sometimes making a mistake winds up much cuter than the picture you had originally planned:

How about some new photos??

2008-09-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

The contest votes have been pouring in!!! (see next post for info...and vote!) It's really heartwarming to see how supportive and caring the friends and families of these couples are! I hope you all know that your friends and family are really pushing for you (and happy for you!!)). It's really amazing to read all of the wonderful things they have to say.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I told you about my back to back shoots...well, in between I had some time to kill. I was walking toward the subway to start heading to Brooklyn (to hang out by the water while I waited) but was drawn in to Washington Square Park by some Beatles tunes (if you don't know about my love of the Beatles, skip down a few posts to my Wedding Tip!). I liked what I heard, so I decided to stick around and listen. I was SO happy I did! I unfortunately can't remember the band's name or their website, but I've asked the lead vocalist/bass player, Tate, to fill me in. These guys drew a crowd of both young and old alike, and kept everyone rocking with their variety of great songs. Toward the end, a young lady who was auditioning for American Idol hopped on stage and belted out some Aretha. She was awesome! What a great way to kill some time between shoots :)

**ETA: The name of the band is The NY Streets. If you ever get a chance to give them a listen, do it! You'll be glad you did!**

It may not be November yet, but is IS time to vote!!!

2008-09-14T15:27:00.001-07:00

The entries are in and I've picked the top 6!! (6, because last night at 4am I selected 5...but apparently can't count at 4am and actually picked 6! And due to my error, an additional 3rd prize will be awarded!) Now these couples need your help! And, it'll take just a minute! Look over the couples stories and photos below. Pick your favorite, and send an email to PiconeVote@gmail.com with your choice. That's it! (Isn't that simple?) Only ONE vote per email address will be counted, so please only send your vote once :)

Once the votes have been tallied, I'll be sitting down with Jennifer Long of BeyondBeautyBasics.com to look over the top 3 vote-getters and determine the Grand Prize Winner. (Award will be based on a combination of total votes and the original contest entry email). Don't forget, all of these lucky couples will be walking away with a prize! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Now, onto the couples...

Jamie & Anthony
These two have been together 3 1/2 years and will be getting married on June 20th, 2009 in Great Neck, Long Island. They heard about me through some brides on LIWeddings.com, and had such sweet things to say about my work!
They write: "We would really like you to be our photographer because we love your work. I have seen some of the work you have done on some of the girls profiles on LIWeddings...I actually loved it so much that I showed it to my fiance. I have heard that you are a lot of fun to work with also. I believe that that a photographer is very important part of your special day, pictures capture all of those amazing moments you never want to forget."

Heather & Timothy
Heather and Timothy met on a blind date 5 years ago. Their wedding will be on 11/6/2009 in East Patchogue, NY. Both are working really hard right now to pay for their wedding, and Heather is also working on her Masters in Education (while planning a wedding? Woah!).
Heather writes: "We're fun loving, kind and generous people and that refllects in pictures of us. We want a beautiful, classic wedding but it is hard finding vendors, especially photographers, who will work with our budget. We're not getting help from anyone else in paying for the wedding, so it would be a blessing if for once, we could get some help and win our photography package...It would truly be a miracle to not stress over money!"

Ana & Christopher
Ana and Christopher will be getting married on 4/3/09 (less than 7 months away!) in Livingston, NJ. They picked a location that is both unique and gorgeous (she sent me a link)! Ana's description really gave me a great feel for it before I even looked at the photos: "The moment we stepped in my fiance and I felt like home. And thats exactly what we want our quests to be...not just one party, but a party where they can have fun and feel like they are among people who cares to each other. I simply loved the fact that they have just one party at a time - I have seen pictures of wedding there which were very personal. Some couples decided to put picture frames along the cocktail area, such as by the fireplace and the library. Your pictures bring me exactly this sensation....of a natural work, the natural beauty of people who love each other. I found the place of my dreams for my wedding and you would be the photographer of my dreams too. I really wish this dream comes true!"

Vivian & Victor
This couple is planning a wedding for May 24th, 2009 in Mineola, NY. I met these two a while back for my free engagement shoot session (look waaaaay back to some of my first posts :) ) And the picture they sent me is one from our session. I was originally unavailable on the date of their wedding, but due to a postponement, I'm now available! These two are working to pay for their wedding despite some bumps along the way and keeping a very positive attitude throughout. They were excited to learn that I am now available on their date (and were also excited to enter the contest!) They write: "Victor and I want you as our photographer because you are a wonderful person to work with, you care about the details of each photo and most importantly you are always on time as you promised. We met you during your free engagement shoot and our family and friends and especially us love our engagement photos. Your photos are amazing. They are very detailed and beautiful. You pay attention to everything that we say during our engagement shoot. You did not force us in doing anything or posing in any way that we don't like. Most importantly, you make us feel comfortable and at home when taking pictures. We want to win because from the bottom of our heart we really want you as our wedding photographer for our wedding day!"

Cindy & Ted
Ciny and Ted will be getting married on October 3rd, 2009 in Sparta, NJ. They picked a great time of year-my 2 year anniversary is just 3 days later ;) These two sent a bunch of really cute photos, so I had a hard time picking one! (how is it that everyone who entered this contest is gorgeous?!?) In an excerpt from her short but sweet entry, Cindy writes: "I'd love to win the contest because like every wedding budget, a free photographer is a dream:) And your pictures are great, they are artistic and edgy, but still about the couple."

Ben & Kim
These two will be getting married on October 10th, 2009 in Wall, NJ. They met at Rutgers, and have been dating 5 years. They were engaged this past June. These two were actually entered into the contest by Kim's sister-in-law, Jasmine (who has had her own anniversary shoot rescheduled far too many times due to rain, but I digress...). From what Jasmine writes, Kim's family is a very tight-knit one, but also very welcoming. Her in-laws have always made her feel like a part of their family. Regarding Kim and Ben, Jasmine writes: "...from my own experience I know wedding planning is something that is stressful for all brides as they try to satisfy everyone else's wishes while trying to preserve not only their own ideas and stay within budget (always the hardest) I thought entering Kim and Ben in this contest would be a way to thank my "new" family for welcoming me like they did 5 years ago without reservation and let them know how appreciate I was of that."

So that's it! These are the couples! I hope you've enjoyed reading the shortened versions of their stories (I'm keeping the full versions to myself, sorry!). I definitely loved reading through them all, and these 6 really jumped out at me due to their stories, and the photos in which you can just see the love they share. I can't wait until I can write a blog with each of their wedding photos :) Good luck to everyone! Voting begins NOW and will be over at 10pm eastern time on 9/26/08. Winners will be notified on or before 10/1/08. Send your pick to PiconeVote@gmail.com

THANKS!

Well, the submissions are in!

2008-09-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

I'm having SO much fun reading through these entries for FREE wedding photography! GREAT job by everyone!

Now for the judging portion...The first part of the judging will consist of a poll. I'll be uploading the photos, and writing a little blurb about each couple. I'll also announce an email address where everyone can send their vote to.

For round two, I've teamed up with Jennifer Long, Senior Editor of beyondbeautybasics.com (which is an awesome site, if you haven't checked it out yet). Jennifer and I will be reviewing the top 3 vote-getters to decide who will win the top prizes!

Best of luck to everyone who entered! More details will be up tomorrow!!

In memory...

2008-09-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Take a minute to hug those you love extra tight today. Thank you to all of the brave men and women who help us stay safe everyday.

Tip of the week...Weddings

2008-09-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

As those of you who have added me on Myspace and Facebook might already know, I've decided to add advice and tips to my blog. These will cover all kinds of topics...weddings, photo shoots, etc...With so many of my readers getting married soon, and with my 1 year anniversary just a few weeks away, I decided it would be appropriate if my first tip had to do with weddings.

I got married last October, and I have to say I followed my own advice with this one and it was the best move ever.

Make sure your wedding reflects both of you. It sounds so silly, but some people just skip right over that part. Even if you just do one "you" thing, make sure it's there! A wedding is such a personal event, so showing a bit (or a lot!) of your personality makes a big difference, and people notice! For example: my husband and I are really into music. Neither of us wanted organs playing in the church, so we decided to hire an acoustic guitar player to play music we like to listen to. Our guests came in and were seated to classic (and current) rock and roll love songs. We then switched to The Beatles for the ceremony. The bridal party came in to "And I Love Her", my father and I walked to "Here, There, and Everywhere" and we left the church to "Til There Was You" (the lyrics of which had been printed on the invites to all of our pre-wedding festivities). We also had quite a few good laughs during the ceremony (okay, so we're not the most serious of people!).

Other "us" things we did? I wore pink shoes, he wore sunglasses for our introduction into the reception hall, and our cocktail hour food consisted of things like pigs in a blanket and wings. Our photos were decidely goofy and unposed (mainly because we're a bit goofy ourselves!). I could go on, but I won't bore you!

My point is-Your wedding day is exactly that...YOUR day. Do what you want, and don't worry about what others may think. If you're happy with the way your day reflects you, that's what really matters. Oh, and make sure to take a few moments to stop and soak it all in. It really does go by as quickly as they say!

Site Updates and Holiday Photos

2008-09-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

I'm having such a great time reading the contest entries, keep them coming! (To see what I'm talking about, read the next blog).

I'm busy working on some updates for my website now. The goal is to make it more simple to find what you're looking for. I'll also be adding a bunch of newer photos. I'm really excited!

Also, I'm now booking holiday photo shoots! These packages are for kids, adults, families, pets, or anyone else you can think of! Packages start at $125 and include holiday greeting cards! Shoots can be booked now through November 15th, so that cards and any additional photos can be delivered well in advance of the holidays. Shoots can take place at your home, in a park, or wherever you'd like!

Also available: calendars, enlargements, canvas wraps, assorted gifts, etc...

Shoot me an email for more information and availability! PiconePictures@gmail.com

Getting married soon? No photographer? How does FREE sound?

2008-08-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

***edited: please note eligible dates have changed***

Well, I warned you....my wedding photography contest is here!! And no, the title isn't a joke! I am giving away free wedding photography to one lucky couple AND some other great deals!

If you are getting married between November 1st, 2008 and November 15, 2009, and haven't booked a photographer yet, this contest is for you!

What you win:
Grand Prize (one)
-A full day of shooting. From the bride (or groom!) getting ready until the party is over, I'll be there!
-In-person pre-wedding and album design consultations
-DVD of 4x6 digital proofs of your images (edited as needed)
-Online hosting and ordering capabilities for all of your images
-A YouTube slideshow set to the song of your choice
-Discounted album, prints, and canvas prints, with free editing and design
-Discounts on all add-on options (2nd shooter, engagement, post-wedding, and boudoir photo shoots, etc...)

Second Prize (two)
-The same package as above at the much discounted rate of $600
-$100 print credit toward your album and/or prints and enlargements

Third Prize(two)
-Discounted rate on the photo package of your choice (details available upon request)
-$300 print credit toward your album and/or prints and enlargements

Additional prizes will be awarded to all runners up, including print credits and/or discounts. Prizes and judging will vary based on total number of entries.

Eligibility and How To Enter

To be eligible, you must be getting married in New York or New Jersey between 11/1/2008 and 11/15/2009. Travel fees may apply for locations in excess of 40 miles from Staten Island, NY. You must not have booked a wedding photographer yet.

To enter, simply send an email to me at PiconePictures@gmail.com containing the following:
-A photo of you two together
-Some info about your wedding, including when, where, and the number of guests expected.
-Tell me why you want to win, and why you want me as your photographer.

All entries must be received by 12:00pm on 9/12/2008. All winners will be notified on or before October 1st, 2008.

Best of luck!!!

Note to all: it has come to my attention that a few brides who wanted to enter the contest would be missing the cut off by a couple of days...in light of this I have decided to extend the deadline through to the end of the popular wedding season! If you look, you'll see that I've also upped the number of second and third prize awards. Keep the entries coming!

Jagoda & Danny

2008-08-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

It was back to Brooklyn for my second shoot of the day! (well, technically third, but I'll post about that tomorrow). For anyone who doesn't know, I am a HUGE fan of Mustangs. So, when Jagoda told me her fiance had a 1966 fastback, I was really excited to get a few shots with it. You'll notice below a bit of a vintage vibe to the pictures with the 'Stang...I love how they turned out! I was able to scout out some cool locations while I was waiting for them (I had my shoot with Liz and Dewayne earlier, therefore, time to kill in between), which worked out perfectly! I loved the carousel, so of course I had to grab some shots there! It was so much fun working with these two. Again, they were up for anything and had quite a few laughs, which really makes for great photos...see the proof below! (As always, click the pictures to enlarge)

I saw this writing on the pavement and knew it would make a great photo op!

Liz & Dewayne

2008-08-24T19:15:00.001-07:00

When Liz told me she'd like to take her engagement photos in the Village, I was thrilled! I hadn't done a shoot there yet, but all I could think of was this cool little vintage shop called "Love Saves The Day". I figured it would be a cool backdrop, and I am definitely happy we gave it a try! These two were a lot of fun, and willing to try anything. Liz also brought around her "assistant" who helped talk us into some cool and unique photos!-Check out the one on the bus, and one very cool lady was nice enough to even let us borrow her adorable puppies!! (Thanks, again!) We had a blast and got some really unique shots. It was a great shot to a loooong day. Stay tuned for more photos! They'll all be up by Monday night :) Enjoy!!!

New logo!

2008-08-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago, I decided it was time to get myself a logo...My wonderful web designer Glen was on vacation so I decided to play around a bit on my own. A good friend sent me some font ideas, and I started messing around with them. Before I knew it, I had designed my very own logo (which I declared just hours earlier I could never do!). Sooo...let me know what you think! I was aiming for simplicity, but also something a bit fun that reflects my personality. You may have noticed the new banner, and starting with Audrey and Chris' photos, you'll see that the logo has replaced the copyright at the bottom of my photos.

Along with the new logo, I'm working on more material for my main site, and a bit of a redesign. I have a few new specials lined up, and I am working really hard to promote and get new business. I'm also on my way to a new camera, which I'm REALLY excited about!

I just want to take a moment to give a HUGE thank you to those clients of mine who continue to give me awesome reviews and referrals...I appreciate it SO much! Word of mouth is really my only form of advertising at the moment, and it's those of you that keep sending people my way that are really helping me keep my calendar full. So THANK YOU again!! I've said it before and I'll say it again...I am seriously lucky to be able to work with such awesome people.

I'll be back with more updates tomorrow. Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend :)

Audrey & Chris

2008-08-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

Audrey, Chris and I had to reschedule our shoot a few times, but on August 10th we FINALLY got the nice weather we had been waiting for! The three of us had a beautiful day in Central Park, and hit up some great places. The tunnel was the first place we took photos, and I'm really happy with the way they turned out! When I heard the saxophone player, I knew we had to find him and get some shots of Audrey and Chris dancing! It was a gorgeous and fun day, and I'm really pleased with the results. Enjoy!!

Facebook, anyone?

2008-08-11T20:54:00.001-07:00

And finally...(yes, I have been blogging all night, why do you ask?? ) I have set up a page for Picone Pictures on Facebook!!

To add me as a friend, just search by my name (Amanda Picone) or email address (PiconePictures@gmail.com). The page is still fairly new, so there isn't much there just yet...but I thought it would be a fun new way to stay in touch with clients, and maybe even get some new ones! (And I will be making updates very soon!)

Why add me as a friend on Facebook? Well...In addition to my blog discounts, I will be offering contests and discounts exclusively to my Facebook friends starting very soon!! Contests will include free shoots, prints of art photography, and prints from your session or event! I have a page on Myspace, too...and if Facebook goes over well, I will be adding the same contests and discounts to Myspace as well.

Hope to see some new friend requests soon!!! :D

Matthew!

2008-08-11T20:50:00.001-07:00

Got to see my buddy Matthew this weekend and decided to have a spur of the moment mini-shoot with him. I can't believe how quickly he's growing! He's such a handsome little guy (and SO good), that I can't help but take photos of him every time I see him! The good news is...he doesn't mind one bit! In fact, he was smiling for the camera, and giggling a bit after each shot! He eventually started reaching for the camera (hmm...future photographer? model?? ). I'm going to have an actual (non-mini/spur of the moment) with him one weekend soon...can't wait!

Some more engagement photos...

2008-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

I knew Angela and Rudy were going to be fun within the first 10 seconds of meeting them. They had so much energy and just did not stop! Again, I had such a hard time choosing my favorites! They kept each other (and me!) smiling for the entire shoot, and it made for some seriously amazing results! I always tell my couples to let go and have fun to get the best photos possible...these two are my proof!! Also, I think Dumbo is one of my new favorite places to shoot!

Party Time!!

2008-08-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me just say that Barbara and Michael certainly know how to have a good time!! These two celebrated their engagement with a fantastic party that was elegant, classy and FUN! I took close to 1000 photos at the event (this was after working a car show in the morning!), and had a hard time choosing my favorites! Barbara and Michael are both so sweet, and so great to work with. I can't wait to work with them again when we do their engagement photos!!

Family Portrait

2008-08-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

Working with Laisha and her family was so much fun! This is one absolutely beautiful family, and I'm not only talking about their appearances! It became obvious to me almost immediately how much the members of this family truly love and care for each other. They all worked together so nicely, and seemed to be having a lot of fun doing so. It was such a pleasure working with such a nice, fun family!

Sisters

2008-08-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

Val contacted me to shoot a portrait of her and her sister to give to her parents as an anniversary gift. We met up at Liberty State Park in New Jersey, and the girls brought their boyfriends. We found some really great sites for photos, from a view of Manhattan, to train tracks and even an old train car. We even managed to get their boyfriends in on the fun! Enjoy!

The First of Many...

2008-08-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

...updates, that is! Here are some photos from a pre-wedding shoot I did back in May. Meninder booked me just a few days before his wedding, when he realized that there would be no photographer to document him getting ready. I shot for about 1 1/2 hours while he and his family and friends participated in the ceremony preparing him to be wed. It is always really amazing to see how different cultures celebrate events, and this was definitely a beautiful site to see. The garments being worn created such a beautiful scene of so many vivid colors, but my words do them no justice.

Basically, during the ceremony, guests would come up to the groom and give him their best wishes. The photo of Meninder with his head in his hand was taken after we had been taking photos with each guest for a while. His head began to hurt, and he was waiting for someone to get him aspirin. Everyone else had cleared the room, and when I spotted him sitting there, I had to take the shot. The result was even better than I had anticipated.

Engagement Photo Offer Ending Soon!!

2008-08-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to let you know that my engagement photo special offer will be ending on August 15th! To take advantage of the $75 session price, you will need to book your engagement session by next Friday! After this date, my prices will be going up to the normal rate.

I'm also working on a lot of website updates that will make my site a bit easier to use, and give a lot more information about my services.

Finally, a TON of blog updates will be happening over the next couple of days...so make sure to keep checking back!

Some New Photos

2008-07-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend I did a family shoot at the Central Park Conservatory Gardens. I had never been there before, and I can't believe how many gorgeous sites I missed! This part of the park is so quiet and peaceful, and there's plenty to look at. I was able to get some shots that I consider some of my best so far. Photos from the actual shoot, and shoots from the past couple of weeks, will be up soon.

I have a LOT more photos on the way...Just have to find the time to upload them all! I'll be updating all week, so check back often :) I also have some new special promotions to announce within the next couple of days, so look for that as well. I'll be bringing prints of the below photos into Hidden Talent Art Gallery for sale, so please let me know if you'd like more information. I also accept custom orders.

Ashley, Brian & Aidan

2008-06-22T00:00:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful day for a photo shoot! Today (well, okay, at this point it would be yesterday) I had the pleasure of working with Ashley and Brian, who are getting married in just five weeks, and their adorable son, Aidan. We had a great day down at Point Pleasant Beach in New Jersey. They're a beautiful family and were a lot of fun to work with. Aidan wasn't really loving the sand, but I managed to get some great shots anyway!

Some of my favorites are below. Enjoy!

Busy! And a reminder...

2008-06-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

The busy season has officially begun! I had a great pre-wedding shoot a couple of weeks ago, and I've got a ton of shoots and events scheduled over the next few weeks. When I'm not out with the camera, I'm sorting, editing and burning DVDs! And next Friday, I'll be 1/4 century old! Exciting stuff :)

Just a reminder...I'm still offering engagement sessions for $75. This includes the shoot and a DVD of all images. I will be booking under this pricing for all bookings made through the end of June, at which point I will be offering a different special.

I'll be putting up some new pictures soon, and making some updates to the site. Stay tuned!

Engagement shoot with Vivian and Victor

2008-05-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Some seriously gorgeous weather today for the first of my free engagement shoots! Vivian and Victor are getting married exactly one year from today, so what better way to commemorate that date than with an engagement photo session?? This couple was so much fun, and I could seriously feel the love radiating off of them.

We had originally planned to shoot on the Brooklyn Bridge, but the combination of amazing weather and the 125th anniversary of the bridge brought out some serious crowds. We decided to stick to City Hall Park and its surrounding areas, finishing up with a couple of shots at the entryway to the pedestrian path on the bridge.

The lighting was absolutely perfect, and the three of us had a lot of fun. It was a fairly quick shoot (about an hour), but we got a lot of great shots. Some of my favorites are below. Enjoy!

After our shoot, I decided to brave the crowds and walked about 1/3 of the way over the bridge to get some more shots...

Before today's shoot, I snapped a couple of photos which very quickly became favorites. I think they really show the diversity of NYC very nicely. That's about it for tonight!

Shoot With Tini

2008-05-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was lucky enough to shoot with the lovely and talented Tini. We had a ton of fun shooting in Central Park, despite the count down to rain. We're hoping to collaborate again in the future, and I can't wait!

Below you'll find a few of my favorites from the day:

We took a lot of photos in front of the bridge in the next shot...I'm thinking it would make a great background for an engagement shoot...hmmmm...

What I've been up to...

2008-05-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

Within the past few weeks I've had some GREAT photo shoots! First was Matthew's Christening, then I got to shoot Tini in Central Park, and today was an engagement shoot with Vivian and Victor in City Hall Park.

I've got some sorting to do, but I'll have some shots and more info up soon!

Engagement Picture Offer

2008-05-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the time has come for my free engagement/portrait/family photo offer to end. I'm booked for most weekend days through July!!

The good news is...if you missed the offer, I'm still offering these types of shoots at a great discount. $75 gets you a shoot that will last about 2-3 hours, and all of your images in high resolution on a DVD. Please contact me for more info!

I was honored to shoot the Christening of the son of my very good friends, Glen and Celina. Some photos will be up on the site soon, but here's one to hold you over:

How gorgeous is he?!?! He was so good all day, this moment was snapped while he was getting ready. More to come soon!

Back again!

2008-05-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Due to some unforseen circumstances, I was away for a couple of weeks...But I'm back now!

My free offer has expired (and my calendar for May and June are pretty full!), but I am offering some great deals on portrait and event photography, so be sure to ask!

5 of my photos are now on display, and for sale, at Hidden Talent Art Gallery on Staten Island. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by! www.hiddentalentartandframing.com. They've got some great work in there by some very talented artists.

Recently, I had the honor of shooting the Christening of Matthew, who is the son of my good friends Glen and Celina. The day was perfect and Matthew was so good! I'll post some proof soon :) This weekend I'm working (weather permitting) with a lovely model in Central Park. Can't wait!

It's going to be a busy couple of months for me, but I'm excited for the challenges to come! Looking forward to bringing you some new photos soon!

Some news...

2008-04-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

Since I finally remembered to start blogging again...why not two in one night!

I'll start off with some exciting news...My website is 100% up and running!!

Check it out: http://www.amandapicone.com

Special thanks to Glen for making it happen! You put together an awesome site--thank you! (Check him out, too, click on the link for Lucid Paradigm at the bottom of my page.) I hope to be adding a lot more photos within the coming months.

In other news...

I'm currently offering FREE engagement/family/couple shots within the NY/NJ area. Contact me if you're interested. This will include a shoot (around 1-2 hours), and a DVD of all images in full size format. Hope to hear from you! Feel free to pass this along if you know anyone who might be interested :)