What I've Been Up To....

So I'm sure you have noticed the lack of work-related posts lately.... well don't worry, I'm actually busier than ever! This winter has brought more work than I could have hoped for, and I'm loving every minute of it. I am busy editing and designing albums, but besides that I haven't been able to post much because I've been shooting a TON of gorgeous ladies for some Beauty Behind Closed Doors sessions! These sessions are so much fun for me - I get to hang out and be girly, and get creative with lighting, posing, props, and styling all while making someone see how gorgeous they are. What's better than that? Though most women do these types of shoots as a gift for their husband or boyfriend, I honestly feel that these pictures are more for themselves. So many women today don't see how beautiful they are because they think "I'm not skinny enough" or "I need to get my hair done" or "I don't look like the models on magazines"....and this is just NOT TRUE. Not even close! REAL women are the most beautiful to me. We should love ourselves for the strength we posess, our fabulous smiles, our contagious laugh, our curvy figures, and the stories that shaped our lives to what they are today. Sometimes women need to be given permission to just feel beautiful - it's sad but so true! We need to be told sometimes that it's ok to feel confident and sexy and make no apologies for it. That is always my goal when I photograph women, whether they are a bride, a mother, or posing in their skivvies ;) I may be posting a few shots from my recent sessions but obviously only with my client's permission, so we shall see :) (Though if anyone is interested in seeing some of my work, I do have a password protected gallery so just send me an e-mail if you're interested! Jena@JAlviti.com) But besides my beautiful lady shoots, I do have the adorable baby Daniel and the vivacious Catala family to share with you :) Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Rambo Update!

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, I wanted to give you a quick Rambo update - His doctor called with the great news that the tumor was benign, and we couldn't be happier! We will bring him back in a few months to make sure it's not growing back, and then just keep an eye on it from there on out. Rambo is definitely feeling better and acting like his old crazy self - he was quite excited to get a visit from ALL FIVE of his cousins! :)

Snow Day!

Can't believe we're having our first REAL snow day in Connecticut on January 21st, but hey we'll take it! Jeff and I were so excited to take Max out to play in the snow and see what he would make of it all. After some smiles, some tears, and wearing ziploc baggies on his feet to keep them dry...I'd say it was a pretty great day! Here's a quick peek at our fun - hope everyone's safe and warm out there!
















...and then the tears!



but it's OK - Daddy to the rescue





attempted self-portrait :)



and no one loves the snow as much as this guy!















Love me some hat hair!





*Photo nerd note - these photos were processed with actions from TRA if you're interested!

High Five to Being Yourself

So anyone who has met me in person knows I have a sweet Madonna style gap in my front teeth. This used to bother me tremendously in high school to the point where I wouldn't smile.... and that's just no way to live life. By the time college came around I really learned to love myself just the way that I was borm. I understood that I shouldn't be embarassed by the things that make me different - I should celebrate them! Today I smile all of the time and don't even think about my gap. If it is the thing that makes people remember me, then so be it! I came across this picture of Michael Strahan from his recent 40th Birthday Party and I just had to share it (even though I'm a JETS fan through and through). He deserves a high five for celebrating what makes him unique and having friends and family who clearly do the same :)

Ringing in 2012 - The Roberge Family

I was so excited for my first 2012 family shoot this morning! Josh and Dannielle are old college friends of mine from WCSU and they've just added a new addition to their family - They adopted a beautiful baby boy! Colton is beyond cute and you can already tell how happy he is to be with his Mom and Dad. I think adoption is such an amazing thing and I think it's even more wonderful when two great people decide to selflessly become parents to a child in need. Josh leaves tomorrow for Virginia where he is currently stationed, and I'm so grateful they chose to spend some time with me before he left. Colton and Max had a great time playing after their photos were done, so hopefully there are many more play dates ahead! Congratulations, Josh and Dannielle - you are an inspiration.













Love this one....



Right after Colton smacked Josh in the face with a toy - boys will be boys!

New Year's Eve

This year I am spending New Year's Eve at home, in my PJ's, drinking champagne and watching movies with Jeff while Max sleeps soundly in the other room. Back in college, I always put so much pressure on this holiday every time it came around. I thought "This is the night my life changes"..."This is the night I meet my prince charming"... and then I'd get all dressed up and go out with my friends. Somehow, it always ended up being nothing like I'd planned. I'd be the designated driver and end up chasing down drunk friends all night. Or be the only one without someone to kiss at midnight. Or end up going home early because I wasn't having any fun. Oh, and don't forget the year I went to a party and had my camera stolen. Needless to say, I always ended up being disappointed by this holiday for not holding up the expectations I had put onto it.

Well, I am happy to say that this year, my expectations have far been exceeded - not exactly how I had pictured it all those years (though my sweatpants are super fashionable!) but I am happy, healthy, and with the men of my dreams :) 2011 was immeasurable - It is the year I gave birth. The year I found out what life is all about. The year my business took off full time. I'm a little sad to say "goodbye" to such an incredible year, but I have a feeling that 2012 is going to knock our socks off.

Happy New Year to everyone out there and be safe and happy!!!

It was so warm out today that we hung out on our deck and enjoyed the fresh air - and of course I had to bring my camera. Max seems to think that he is also a puppy just like Rambo and Blue who we always call his "brother and sister". So now he's taken to 'barking' whenever they bark. Lucky for us all, I caught it on video for your enjoyment :)

(I'm very new at taking video so I apologize for the fact that it's sideways (?) and the fact that it goes in and out of focus!)

Untitled from Jennifer Alviti on Vimeo.

OH and side note - Max was quite excited to see all of his cousins yesterday before they headed out to their big sleep over/UConn game weekend!



.....What, did you not know that Alviti's don't produce girls?!? Haha - they are crazy and full of energy and life, but they are GREAT kids and they each got in line and gave Max a kiss goodbye before they left. I honestly don't remember being that sweet when I was their age - we are lucky to have such wonderful people to call family.

Not to mention that it perked Rambo right up getting to run around and play with 5 more kids!

Office Make Over

So I'm kicking myself for not taking "before" photos, but Jeff and I recently decided enough was enough with the clutter and we got to work fixing up our office. This means that it is now a place for me to have meetings with clients and to get work done in an organized fashion instead of a chaotic room of storage :) The closet is actually painted a beautiful deep purple and soon the walls will be a nice light grey and the trim will be updated too. But for now it is clean and open and feels like a whole new place. 2012 is going to be HUGE! I can feel it!