After several months of hard work, the Bello blog is finally up and running. Its launch coincided with our new Bello Photography website and we are excited to introduce you guys to our new look. We will be posting super-sized images of our fabulous Bello couples, from their engagement session to their wedding day. We might even add a slide show or two! Through our blog, we will also introduce you to some of our personal projects and provide a glimpse of what makes us tick. So browse through the posts, check the archives, leave comments, and SPREAD THE LOVE!

Chris & Andy

We had the nicest time the other day with Meaghan & Sean. Our engagement session began at Meaghan & Sean’s gorgeous new home in Scituate. We had planned to head over to the Boston Golf Club, where Sean is the resident golf pro, but it was one of those perfect summer afternoons and the course was a little too crowded…or so Sean said. We’re thinking he just didn’t want the guys at the club to see him smoochin’ up to his honey with the Bello paparazzi following their every move.

So, plan B began with a few shots on their back deck, then we headed into Scituate Center and the nearby lighthouse. It was a perfect day, ending with a really lovely dinner at Sean & Meaghan’s favorite restaurant, Riva. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit! The food was Mmmmmm good, the atmosphere totally relaxing and the company couldn’t have been better!

Here are a few of our favorite shots from the day…

Getting up close and personal…

Here’s as little collage from a sweet moment they shared….Love it!!!

They didn’t necessarily love this pizza place or have any real connection to it, but we thought it was a cool sign! And who doesn’t love pizza?

Just a stone’s throw from the pizza place was this great little field and a tiny brook. The funny thing is it was right off a main street and you probably wouldn’t give it a second look, but it made for a great backdrop for some sweet portraits of the happy couple!

Love the sun flare in this one. And the fact that Meaghan is just cracking up!

Across the street from Riva was this really cute liquor store. I can’t say I’ve ever described a liquor store that way before, but this one had adorable tables out front, flower boxes and really nice elegant looking window displays. Definitely not your typical corner “packy.”

If we’ve ever taken your photo before you know we love beat up old buildings. I can’t say why we love them exactly. I think it’s just the idea of putting two beautiful people, dressed really nicely, in front of something dilapidated and the juxtaposition created by having such opposites in one scene that we’re drawn to. That and I just like cool old stuff. So, there was this closed-up, run-down looking building on Main Street and we snapped a few photos there…of course! Here’s one of my favorites. I love the way Meaghan is looking at Sean and the security you can feel they find in each other just by the way they move together. We love these guys!!!! They are just such warm, loving, totally down to Earth people.

And to wrap up the session, we ended with a few shots by the lighthouse at sunset.

It was a perfect day!!! We’d like to send out a big THANK YOU to Meaghan & Sean for being so much fun, for trusting us so completely…even when we asked you to hike down into the swampy brook…and for just being such an absolute pleasure to be around! And, of course, thank you for dinner! We could have sat there for a few more hours just talking the night away!!! You guys are awesome and we can’t wait to be there with you later this summer when you say, “I do!!” Big hugs and lots of love, Chris & Andy xoxo

Finally, after about 5 weeks, the cacophony of the cicadas has finally subsided. We have endured many days where the air hung thick with the loud raucous mating calls of these strange looking red eyed bugs, whose life cycle seems almost pointless. Check out our earlier post to see what I mean! Now, life, and the sweet sound of summer, is finally back to normal! We can once again drive around town with the windows rolled down and hang out in the backyard with packing a tennis racket for protection. Oh, and Chris no longer squeals and runs for cover as she legs it for the car!

It seems the cicadas have had their fun, laid their eggs, and have recycled themselves back into the circle of life. Peace is restored!

Its amazing to watch them emerge from the nymph stage

 

What are you looking at?

However, it doesn’t work out for all of them. Image this, you spend 17 years underground in total darkness just waiting waiting for this 5 week period that your whole life depends upon. Where you crawl out of the ground, sing, fly, mate, and lay eggs to find out you stumble at the first hurdle and your wings won’t grow! Now that’s a Bummer!

And these nymph shells are still hanging around over a month later!

But when it does work out. Bow-chica-bow-wow! More cicadas in 17 years.

Until then …

There is an essay I found several years ago that I have taped to the wall in our office. It’s a good reminder to live in the present. It ends with this thought for the day…

“Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. And, dance like no one is watching.”

I couldn’t help but think of this when I saw this awesome video by Matt Harding, a CT native who not only dances like no one is watching, but then asks the world to join him! What an inspiration!

We don’t know Matt, but we love him!!! He at least appears to be the kind of person we aspire to be and someone we would love to sit and talk with for hours. He epitomizes the idea that it’s okay to color outside of the lines, to follow your own unique path (no matter where it leads) and to live and love without boundaries or fear. He is evidence that if you do those things, you will surely find your bliss! And maybe, in the process, you might even help change the world! Go Matt Go!!!! You rock!!!

In 2005, Matt’s dancing captured the world’s attention and the sponsorship of Stride Gum. The idea for this video was first hatched in 2003, when he created a website to keep his family & friends abreast of his travel ventures. “A few months into his trip, a travel buddy gave Matt an idea. They were standing around taking pictures in Hanoi, and his friend said ‘Hey, why don’t you stand over there and do that dance. I’ll record it.’ He was referring to a particular dance Matt does. It’s actually the only dance Matt does. He does it badly. Anyway, this turned out to be a very good idea.”

A couple of years later, someone found the video online and passed it to someone else, who passed it to someone else, and so on. Thanks to the generous (and very smart) folks at Stride Gum, there have been two subsequent trips since that first video went viral. This is his latest. If you’d like to learn more about this inspirational guy go to his website www.wherethehellismatt.com.

Hey Matt, if you & Melissa ever tie the knot….we want in!!!! Please give us a call! We just know that you two would have no trouble loving with your hearts WIDE OPEN and we’d be honored to be there recording that for you! Not to mention your first dance!!! Yeeeeehaaawww!

Our nephew, Calvin, turned three last week. It’s hard to believe, since it feels like just yesterday that we were there with my sister, Kim, and brother-in-law, Eric, as Cal made his way into this world. It has been such a joy watching Cal become his own sweet little person. He warms my heart and fills my life with such joy. Sometimes when we are talking, I just get lost in his eyes. He’s only 3, but I swear he is an old soul and I have no doubt, the world is a better place because he’s in it!

Here he is at his birthday party. Happy Birthday Bubba! Auntie & Uncle love you to bits!!!!

Cal gets a little help from mommy as he takes a whack at his Buzz Lightyear pinata (look at the concentration)

Horsing around with Uncle Andy…(this photo is courtesy of my dad….nice one pappa!!)

Pile on Pappa in the rented bouncy house. Poor Cal thought it was his to keep and was apparently pretty upset the next morning when he went outside and discovered someone had taken his Bouncy House away. Awww…..

Baby sister Sadie wonders what all the commotion is about…

I love this shot of 3 generations of Ferullos. Sadie & I have a little chat while my dad looks on. I imagine he’s thinking it wasn’t that long ago that his girls were that size.

Cal & Sadie’s new cousin, Michael, hangs out with his favorite Auntie Chris. Does life get any better than this, really?

Second cousin Sebbie was not quite as keen to have his picture taken….but we stole this quick shot while he was devouring a cookie. Check out those eyes!!!! He looks just like his mommy! Gorgeous!

Cal’s best friend, Maggie, puts on a cheeky grin, while Cal tries to claim back his seat in the playhouse. Maggie is the toughest, sweetest little cupcake ever. Poor thing had a shiner on her eye after falling down earlier in the day. Being the little miss independent that she is, she was completely unphased by her injury. I love this little munchkin! She’s going to be president one day!

Happy Birthday to you…..

A little help from his friend…

And here are just a few from a few days later, on Cal’s actual birthday. He decided to wear his Super Calvin outfit to celebrate the occasion! Who could blame him! Birthday are meant to be celebrated super style!

Look Auntie…I’m flying…

It was Cal’s b-day, but I couldn’t resist capturing a few shots of Sadie’s tubby time with mommy. I just love the way the light is pouring through the window in these. Is she gorgeous or what? It’s been a long road, but she’s doing so good now!

Mommy you’re funny…

And my personal favorite to wrap it up…

We are lucky enough to be there at a pivotal time in the lives of many incredible couples, and the honor of that never escapes us. But, sometimes, we find ourselves so inspired by a couple and the love they share, both with each other, and with their families and friends that it’s hard to hold back the tears. I know…that sounds totally sappy and I’ve probably said this before…but it’s true. Such was the case at the incredible wedding of Lauren & Ed. Their first dance in particular was a beautiful thing to behold. There were no fancy dance steps, just two people holding each other tightly looking at each other with such love and devotion. I wanted to go running over to Andy, jump into his arms and tell him that even though I can be a total pain in the a** at times, that I love him more than I ever thought was possible to love another person…it was that good! Fortunately, I didn’t embarrass myself and do that, but I thought about it!

Lauren & Ed said, “I do,” at the breathtaking, almost European-like, Gate of Heaven Parish in South Boston, then headed to the Hyatt Harborside for their reception. The hotel has a permanent tent on the back of the property, with sides that come off, so guests feel like their outside. And the views…well let’s just say the hotel lays claim to some of the most incredible views of the city.

The day itself was picture perfect, complete with summer temperatures, the most incredible sunset and crazy love! Guests spent most of the afternoon milling around outside, dancing underneath a moon-lit sky. It was the kind of wedding day we women fantasize about! Here are a few of our favorite images from the day…

The dress…like the puffy clouds that blanketed the sky through much of the day…

The hotel rooms were really nicely decorated with a mid century feel to them. A sofa in the suite made a funky backdrop for Lauren’s killer shoes. (It’s funny, I’m not someone who tends to buy a lot of shoes or at least not very swanky ones…I usually just find one pair per season that I love and wear the heck out of them. But, I love photographing beautiful shoes. They are like pieces of art to me.)

Here’s a little collage of Lauren getting ready….she is just stunning! The shot of her putting on her shoe is my favorite! I just love the lines of her body…

A little pre-ceremony toast by the guys. Ed’s dad was his best man. How much do we love that? LOVE IT!!!

Here comes the bride… (Check out all of the digital cameras…wouldn’t it be fun to see each person’s unique perspective!?)

Seriously, is that an incredible cathedral ceiling or what?

Dad provides the rings. He was so nervous for the better part of the day, up until he gave his speech, then he seemed to relax. So sweet!!!

Hey girls…

Does this look like a model shot or what? She is just ridiculously gorgeous!

A quick kiss before heading off to the reception…

On the drive between the church and the hotel, we had Lauren & Ed’s limo driver stop at this old abandoned building. With its corrugated steel siding, it has such great character. Not exactly what you think of when you think of wedding photography, but that’s how we roll! The limo driver thought we were crazy for stopping there, but Ed & Lauren were totally up for it! You guys rock!!!!

How awesome was the light coming through the hotel reception area…pretty awesome! Add a little sepia toning, a fabulously-reflective marble floor, and an amazing couple and voila…a scene that oozes romance!

Lauren’s adorable niece gets a little game of chase from her auntie. Check out her bib…”I (heart) my auntie”….Awww…

Love at it’s finest…

And here’s just a few details from their incredible day…

We’d like to give a shout out to the very accommodating staff at the Hyatt. Thank you for taking such good care of us. Thank you to Father Robert Casey for allowing us to get some up close shots from behind the altar. We appreciate your flexibility and Lauren & Ed will no doubt be very grateful when they see the images we were able to get for them! A big heart-felt thank you to Lauren & Ed’s families - Dan & Jeanne, Mike & Jeff, Jim, Jeanne and Amy - you all made us feel so welcomed on such an important day in your families’ lives. We almost didn’t get to be there with you and we appreciate the sacrifices you made to have us there! Truly!!! We had so much fun getting to know all of you and consider you part of our Bello family!

And, our biggest thanks go out to Lauren & Ed, who inspire us to love with hearts wide open. You two are incredible and we feel truly honored to call you friends! Thank you for having such unwaivering faith in us and for reminding us, so completely, why we love what we do! We love you guys! xoxoxo Chris & Andy

If it hadn’t been for Dr. Wilson and his poetry analysis class freshman year at Holy Cross, Emily & Larry might have never met. They credit that class, and the fun, flirtatious exchange they quickly developed that semester, for brining them together.

This sweet, funny, lovable pair will tie the knot later this summer here on Cape Cod. But, they thought it might be fun to shoot their engagement session where their story began. So, we left the sandy shores of Cape Cod for an afternoon in Worcester. Not known for being the prettiest town in Massachusetts, but the Holy Cross campus is a beautiful oasis of ivy, brick and fabulous architecture.

We had such a blast photographing these two and can’t wait to hang out again! Here are a few of our favorites from our time together…

Being photographed can be an intimidating thing for some people, but Larry and Emily quickly found their groove in front of the camera. Being in a familiar setting certainly helps, but all that practicing we heard Larry did in preparation for our session didn’t hurt either…..I mean seriously…does he look like a movie star or what? And “happy eyes” Emily…well, she’s just a natural!

This was the first time they had returned to their college in 4 years, and the stories Larry had about his days as an RA were brilliant!! We’d never been to Holy Cross before, but had such a good time…there was so much to photograph. And, the ivy! It was everywhere and was the most gorgeous color green! Such a fabulous backdrop for photos!

And how gorgeous do these two look here?

Does it get any cuter than this?

Ain’t love grand!

A little smoochin’ …

And snugglin’…

Bling, bling!

And I just love Emily’s body language in this one. Carefree and sassy at the same time!

Larry and Emily have personalities that just make you smile when you are around them. I can’t help but smile every time I look at this image.

Thanks Larry and Emily for being such fabulous models, for showing us around your college and sharing old stories, and especially for just being you! You guys are such warm, sweet, fun people! We had a great day with you and can’t wait to be there with you on your wedding day!!! We already know it’s going to be a fun-filled love fest! You guys are awesome! Chris & Andy

We recently found out that we have been nominated by WBZ Radio as the Best Wedding Photographers on Cape Cod. Can I hear a “Whaaaaaa Whoooooo!!”? Needless to say, we were blown away by this. We’re not generally the kind of people who get too wrapped up in titles or awards. But, maybe that’s just because we don’t have fancy titles and we’ve never won an award!

I have to admit, the feelings stirred by this nomination, and more importantly the support we’ve received as a result, are something we could never have predicted when we first started Bello five years ago.

After sending out a global e-mail last night to as many of our Bello family and friends whose e-mail addresses we could gather, we were shocked and humbled by the immediate response! Within just a few seconds of sending out the e-mail there were already a few comments posted on the site. And, the things that you said…what can we say to that?

Reading the comments of love and support has just been amazing! We LOVE what we do and for Andy & me to be able to share our passion together is reward enough. But, seeing how our work touches others…it’s just the coolest thing ever!!!

So a great big THANK YOU to all of you who have already voted and for those of you who are hearing this for the first time, if you like our work and have had positive experiences with us, we shamelessly ask you to spread the love and give us your vote….We hear there is a swanky party for the winners! Can I hear another “Whaaaaaa Whooooo!!”?

To check out the contest, click the A-List link and once on the site, hit the yellow VOTE button underneath Bello Photography. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on the results. Voting ends July 4th, so spread the word!

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! It doesn’t quite seem enough those two simple words, but they are packed with more feeling that you can know.

We’d like to give a big, heart-felt shout out to our dads this Father’s Day!!

To my dad….Thank you for always being there for me. From as far back as my little league days, when you used to stand behind home plate, cheering me on and urging me to, “Just Swing Chrissy! Just swing! You can do it, honey,” you have always been there for me, believing in me and encouraging me to spread my wings and fly! Your faith and support means more to me than you could ever know! I love you dad and hope today and all of your tomorrows find you lavished with oodles of love and happiness! I can think of no one more deserving!

You’re the best!!! And I love you to pieces!!!

xoxo Chris

Meet Mike…

Unfortunately, we haven’t been back to England to see Andy’s family in 3 years…crazy, I know!!! We’re hoping to head over later this summer for a long-overdue visit. But, because we haven’t been back since before we went digital (crazy to imagine that) we don’t have any really great pictures of Andy’s dad, Bob, or Daddy B, as I affectionately like to call him. But, we dug this old one out of the photo albums. Happy Father’s Day Daddy B. We love you! You are in our thoughts today and always and we look forward to seeing you and the rest of the Beet gang very soon! With much love, xoxo

Everything was saying rain for Kate & Patrick’s wedding two weekends ago in Hyannisport, but the day turned out to be perfect. We got a little sprinkling right before we were about to do the family portraits, but it lasted only a few seconds…just long enough to get the sweet elderly bagpiper a bit soggy…poor guy! It seemed that good fortune was already shining down on these two love birds and we have no doubt that many more perfect days await them.

Kate & Patrick’s ceremony was held at the lovely St. Mary’s in Barnstable Village. We hadn’t done a wedding there before, but are looking forward to working there again. What a sweet church and the garden out back was fabulous for photos. The party continued at the fabulous Hyannisport Club.

Here are a few of our favorite images from the day:

How cute is Kate’s sister’s dog? Even she has wedding attire! Love it!

 

Here Kate looks fierce in her killer dress from L’Elite in Boston…Stunning!

I just love the story of anticipation and new beginnings this next one tells.

And how adorable is Patrick in this shot with his Vineyard Vines Dicky Bow? Too cute!

Pat & his guys…

Pat and his girls…

Kate gives her make up a quick check as she waits for the ceremony to start.

We love this church…inside and out..it’s so quaint and the organ pipes make for a beautiful backdrop.

And then it hits you….that moment when you realize you and your best friend are partners for life…

I swear there is something that changes in the eyes of people who are just married. As corny as it may sound, there really is a feeling of peace, love and joy that is just so visible. Getting to see that on a regular basis is truly an honor and a wonderful reminder to hold onto those feelings and live every day with the passion of newlyweds.

And here are just a few details from the day.

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Scott, Rose Ann, and the rest of the crew over at the Hyannisport Club for once again making our job such a pleasure and for always taking care of us! You all Rock!! Thanks to Lisa at Delicious Desserts for giving us lots to drool over, to Karen at Lilacs for giving us plenty of gorgeous flowers to photograph and to Reverend Steve Smith for letting us sneak behind the altar to get some fabulous shots! We couldn’t do what we do without all of you!

But, the biggest thanks goes out to Patrick & Kate for inviting us into your lives and letting us be a part of such a special day! You two are such sweet, loving people and a perfect match! We hope you enjoy this little taste of what’s yet to come! xo Christine & Andy

After a 17-year hiatus, the cicadas are back and more are coming - by the thousands.

A few weeks ago, we started noticing these strange nickel-size holes all over our front lawn. Some friends told us it was likely the Cape cicadas, otherwise known as Brood XIV Magicicada septendecim.

Large, ugly creatures with big beady red eyes and clear inch-long wings, cicadas look somewhat like locust or grasshoppers, but are taxonomically closer to shrimp, spiders and millipedes. The Cape cicadas last came out in swarms 17 years ago, before we moved here. Covering houses, cars and buildings for a few weeks during the month of June, they mated, laid their eggs and died off, while their offspring hatched from the trees where they were laid and promptly headed back underground.

I had hoped this was all just some kind of urban myth, that Andy was actually making the holes to freak me out and there was no such thing as swarming cicadas here on the Cape. Then the noise started. About a week ago, we noticed this loud humming sort of buzzing sound that reminded us of our vacation last year in the Nicaraguan jungle. And it hit us, the cicada are really coming!

This morning, I went outside to check the mail, and resting on our front porch in the shade, while its new adult shell hardened, was an adult cicada covered in fine powdery pollen. I hate bugs, so this was a big deal for me. I grabbed my 105mm macro lens, got down close and took a few quick pictures, before scurrying off like a scared dog.

Meet the cicada:

I very cowardly slid a quarter in next to it to give you perspective on how big they are.

Keep your veils handy ladies as they could be useful in the next couple of weeks if these buggars really swarm like they say they do. I’m still holding on to hope that it won’t be as bad as some are predicting.

In Massachusetts, cicada typically don’t emerge any further north than the Cape. For some reason, Mashpee and Sandwich have been local hot spots for cicada citings….our house in particular has loads of holes strewn across the lawn. For the record, they’re reportedly harmless. They don’t bite or sting and really just live to love!

The cicada life cycle is a true wonder of nature. For 17 years the immature cicada live underground, sucking on tree roots. Then, towards the end of their life, when the ground warms up to about 64 degrees, the light brown colored nymphs emerge from the depths of darkness, shed their shells (and inhibitions) and go out in search of a mate or two…or two thousand.

Cicadas only live as adults for about three weeks, during which time they sing and shag like crazy. They lay hundreds of eggs on trees - proud markings of their zealous love-making. And when they can’t shag anymore, the adults die off, littering the ground with their spent corpses. And several weeks later, the fruits of their labor hatch from their eggs and a new generation makes its way back underground for a long hibernation.

Kind of a crazy life, but definitely something worth celebrating, since it’s unique to this area and happens only a handful of times in our lifetime.

Stay tuned for more cicada updates as I have a feeling this is just the beginning of their emergence. We’ll try and record their buzzing noise too. It really is quite loud. Andy is definitely the nature freak in our family, but I have to admit, even I think this is pretty cool! Creepy, but cool!

If you spot any cicadas in the next couple of weeks and can muster the courage to get close enough for a photo, please feel free to e-mail us your pics and we will happily put them on our blog to share.

Viva La Cicada!