I’ve been waiting to share these images with you guys for a while now. Since before they were even taken. This is a post that is very special to me and it makes me extremely happy to be able to document this time in my brother’s life. It feels like yesterday when I was getting pinned down on the floor in my parents living room with my brother doing everything he could to aggravate me. Enough to make me scream and cry. It’s hilarious to think back on because it only reminds me of the wonderful childhood I had growing up with 3 brothers and parents that loved us unconditionally. I wouldn’t want to change a thing. I could go on and on about my relationship with my brother Chris, from annoying each other as kids, to going on countless snowboard and beach vacations together as adults, all the car shows, all the times he’s fixed my car back to new from the million wrecks I’ve gotten in, protecting me, fighting for me, and just all around being my big brother. He is someone who I look up to very much, someone that has a huge heart and is constantly giving. Giving of his time, his patience and his expertiece. He has helped us make our house a home by giving Randy a hand putting up molding, trim, texture- whatever we needed. He is very special to me!
Then there’s JEN….  Jen Russo. Jen #2. Jen R. Babooski. Creole. Jen Squared. The soon to be other Jen Amato. She is going to become my sister in law in September. Over the years she has been there for me through thick and thin. She’s been the sister that I never had. For just about the past 9 years…… I’ve called her when I needed a shoulder to cry on, someone to vent to, someone who I knew could be there like a sister would. She is so much like my brother in alot of ways and also very different. She too, is very giving and thoughtful. We always say that Jen needs to be a professional shopper because she is the worlds best gift giver. Always thought out and somehow she knows just want to get people. It’s funny because I remember the night before my Engagement session going over to Jen’s house at midnight frantically trying to put outfits together, trying stuff on, and asking for her help and opinion. Now just the following year, here I am taking their Engagement photos.
So wow, where do I begin with these pictures? We went ALL OVER THE PLACE. We started at about 2 in the afternoon out in City Park. The overgrown, rustic looking areas of the park where no one really goes. We took my brothers old Chevrolet Antique truck out there for the first part of the shoot. My brother Chris owns a Body Shop where he fixes cars, so the love for cars and trucks is in his blood. He keeps this little beauty in his garage along with his other “show truck” that made the cover of “Truckin” magazine a few years back. His Gold Chevy was actually used in a Chevrolet commercial not too long ago. So anyway- after we did those photos, we headed to the old Jazz Land and found some amazzzing locations. Our goal was to photograph at entirely NEW places that hadn’t been used before. After that, we headed to Mississippi in search of that beautiful golden sunlight. WE FOUND IT! We drove up to my Aunt and Uncle’s property in Mississippi and photographed in fun little trails and patches of overgrown grass. It was unbelievable. I was so happy to have captured the sunlight as it was going down from the hours of 5-7pm.
It was after 7 when we wrapped up, we then headed out for sushi and some sake margaritas! It was a Friday I’ll never forget. It’s where our thoughts finally became a reality through photographs. I wish Chris and Jen my blessing as they enjoy their last few months of being engaged. I can’t wait for their Wedding this upcoming September! Thank you both for trusting me and loving me enough to photograph this special time for you. I look at your pictures and see the two of you in love, happy, playful and sweet. I love you both very much!
After taking these, it made me realize the different photos you can capture when you just think outside the box. I challenge each one of my couples to really think hard about what you want your photos to portray. What do you like? Where do you like to go? What makes you happy? Take a little afternoon stroll around the City and jot down some ideas. I would love to go to an entirely new place for my next Engagement shoot. It’s honestly where I feel most creative and free. I hope you all enjoy these series of photographs. This is my heart poured out in these images below.
So I present to you my brother Chris and his fiance Jen………..
(I took over 600 photos that afternoon…….. but here are my most favorite)
We started off at City Park under the old Oak trees, in the overgrown areas.
A few shots of inside the truck, love the vintage feel…
Of course we needed to do some serious ones…. I love this one!
We are now at Jazz Land. Totally run down, deserted, overgrown, creepy … just how we like it!
Old carousel
A random patch of water that we were able to sneak their reflection into…..
The black and white one below is so them. Always goofing off. I think I had a million shots of them making funny faces and being crazy! :) LOVE!
Let’s Get Married! Perfect Graffiti.
One of my favs of all time……
Another perfect graffiti spot. CHRIS with an arrow! haha!
And now we are in Mississippi…. a quest for the perfect sunlight!
We got it!
Love these next 2!!
Another fav!
These next few in the grass give me chills, Jen’s eyes are so beautiful its crazy!
This old shack where they are standing is called the “honeymoon suite” in Mississippi. An old run down house in the middle of nowhere!
We caught the last moments of the orange golden sun by the white fences sounding my Aunt & Uncle’s property.
(P.S. I was tempted to let Chris & Jen scroll through my camera on the way home so they could see all the photos from the day. But then that would just ruin the surprise of seeing them all when they were completed. Was it worth the wait?)
by Jen Amato
13 comments