So after our quick, but very fun, family session with Ryan’s parents and sisters, we took Anette & Ryan off for a little alone time. Besides being ridiculously beautiful, these two really are two of the nicest people you could hope to meet. After spending even just a few minutes with them, it’s obvious that they adore each other. Getting to be around love like that on a regular basis really is good for the soul!

Here are a few of our favorites from our time with this lovely pair:

I LOOOOVE this next one. I love the composition, the light, the colors, the ring, but mostly I love the expression of complete contentment on Anette’s gorgeous face! It’s all about the love…and being enveloped in it when you’re in the arms of your sweetie….there just is nothing better!

I love this next one too…so fun, and this expression…it’s on Anette’s face more often than not! She seriously is one of the happiest, most joyful people….we (heart) Anette! You too Ryan!!!

Having some fun…

Seashell Bling

It’s an ad for something….some yacht club maybe? Too freaking cute!

There they go again….don’t you just love the scrunched nose giggles…they’re the best!!!

Love is….THIS!

And this….

Peek-a-boo we see you!

Behind every great man is an equally great woman!!!

A lifelong dancer (pro dancer until very recently…you should see her Thriller moves…sweeeeet!!!) Anette can get some serious height on those tippy toes of hers!!!

Another perspective….love all the white space! So chic!

Are they a perfect match or what?!!!

LOVE this one!!!

We were playing with some off camera flash for this next one…trying to catch the sunset and the moon. Kind of typically Cape Cod, but cute, no? It kind of looks fake to me….almost like a theater set.

Ryan & Anette…you guys were soooo much fun to be around! The way you are together, so natural and fun. It really made our “job” a cinch! Thank you so much for giving us an inside glimpse into your inspiring relationship! We have had such fun getting to know you both over the past year and can’t to be there with you on your wedding day!! We just know it’s going to be incredible!

Big love & hugs to you both! Christine & Andy xo

PS…thanks for all the facebook help Ryan! You rock!!!

This was our second year photographing Terri and her wonderful family during their annual pilgrimage to the picturesque Wequassett Inn resort in Chatham. Last year, Terri initially reached out to us about possibly photographing the wedding of her son, Ryan. The twist was that Ryan hadn’t yet proposed. Gotta love a mom who’s on top of the situation!

The plan was that Ryan would pop the question to his girlfriend, Anette, while the family vacationed here on the Cape over the July 4th weekend. As expected, Anette happily said, “Yes!” And, Terri decided she wanted to celebrate the occasion with a family portrait session. So, Andy & I drove down and spent the afternoon with everyone.

We had a blast and instantly fell in love with Terri, her husband, Alan, and their kids, Leigh, Randi and Ryan….and the soon-to-be newest member of the family, Anette!

This year, we got together again, for an abbreviated, though equally fun, family session. We followed up the family photos with an engagement session featuring our happy couple.

Ryan & Anette will pledge their love & lives to one another, surrounded by their wonderful families & friends later this summer at Wequassett. It is sure to be a total love fest and we can’t wait!

Here are a few of our favorite photos from the family session, starting with the entire gang:

Terri & Alan cozy up….

Last year, we did a really fun shot with the family, where we had everyone jump down the side of a small hill. It was an awesome photo and the family used it for their holiday card. So, the pressure was on to do something as as silly, fun and spirited as these wonderful people. Not sure we hit the mark with this next one, but we all had fun trying…

Siblings…do Terri & Alan make them good lookin’ or what? Seriously!!! Oh, and they’re also all incredibly smart and talented…it’s kind of ridiculous!! Ryan owns his own business and is a techy genius! Leigh is going to MIT for her MBA and Randi just graduated college and is already an uber talented fashion designer…keep an eye out for her!

Giving the happy couple some family squeeze time.

They really are ALL STARS!!

Are those some gorgeous smiles or what?

Sisters…

Hanging out…

The whole gang…

Thank you Terri, Alan, Leigh, Randi, Ryan & Anette for once again making us feel like part of the family! You really do have an incredible family and we hope to get to see all of you every year!!! We’re already thinking about what our “fun” pose will be next year!  See you all later this summer! Can’t wait!

Big love, Christine & Andy xoxo

Back in April, we had the pleasure of photographing Kirsten & Dennis’s love session in Cotuit, near Kristen’s family’s summer home. We instantly hit it off these two international sweethearts! They’re fun, smart, generous, sweet, loving, and like so many of our couples….BEAUTIFUL people. And, all of those wonderful characteristics came shining through in our session together. We got some really great photos (if I do say so myself) that seemed to perfectly capture their individual spirits and the relaxed easiness of their amazing relationship.

We often tell our couples that the complimentary engagement session we include in all of our album packages is a great way for us to all get to know each other better before their wedding. And, if our couples are at all nervous about being photographed, the sessions help work those kinks out and hopefully get them really excited about what we’ll be able to do for them on their big day. Our sessions are also really great for us! Not only are they they a super fun time out with our couples, but when everything falls into place perfectly….as our session did with Kirsten & Dennis…we get giddy with excitement about the upcoming wedding.

So, when Kirsten & Dennis’s big day had finally arrived, the anticipation had built to record levels! Knowing how good they are together, how important their friends & families are to them and how much effort they put into their special day, we had no doubt that Kirsten & Dennis’s wedding would be an incredible celebration of love, with lots of wonderful moments waiting to be photographed.

And, as predicted, they didn’t disappoint! The ceremony, which was held at the grand Christ the King parish  in Mashpee, was followed by a fabulous party at the waterside Nauticus Marina in Osterville. Family & friends from all over this country, Dennis’s home country of Holland, and the couple’s current home in Spain, came out to join in the celebration. Here are a few of our favorite moments from their incredible day:

A very relaxed and happy Kirsten shares a laugh with friends while riding on the trolley to the church!

Dennis & his groomsmen share a toast. Awesome perspective, no? I love this shot…nice one honey! (I generally go with the bride for getting ready photos and Andy goes with the groom…we’re a well oiled shooting machine!)

Kirsten & Dennis had all of the children closest to them (at least those who could walk) participate in the ceremony. It was slightly chaotic getting them all down the aisle…but seriously precious!!! I just love how the oldest, Aidan, Kirsten’s nephew, is helping lead the little ones! So sweet!

Here comes the bride (the benefits of having two photographers…two fun, but different perspectives.)

There is that moment, when you stand before those who love you most, pledging your life to the one you love most, and all is right with the world. Ahhh!

Adding to the joy and significance of the ceremony, Kirsten’s very sweet dad, David, sang a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria (the hard version!). I love Kirsten’s face as she watches her dad…almost as much as I love how he looks to the heavens for help in keeping his emotions together (at least that’s what I like to think…I’m not sure why he was looking up, but it was a very cool moment.). So sweet!

I like this little exchange between Kirsten & Dennis and then as they look out to the congregation and take it all in. These are the moments to savor!

The happy Mr. & Mrs. surrounded by love & bubbles!

Stealing a minute alone before family photos! Can’t you just feel the joy?

Dennis’ very sweet and incredibly chic mom, Sylvia (right), exchanges an excited, “He did it!” with a friend after the ceremony.

Kirsten’s adorable niece, Carys, looks like she wants in on the big girls’ photo!

Are they a sexy, happy couple, or what? And I just love Dennis’s traditional tux and tails! Very dapper!

Sealed with a kiss…

Kirsten & Dennis used a lot of green & blue in their wedding details…right down to Dennis’s argyle socks and Kirsten’s fabulous Stuart Weitzman shoes….So fun!!!

Some more blue & green…

Dennis works for Heineken International, so it was fitting that their wedding colors involved green and that the Dutch beer was a featured beverage during their weekend festivities. Andy calls this one “sweethearts.” So cute…and clever!

And because their reception was by the water, knots played a large roll in the details too, including the invitations, which featured a sketch by Kirsten’s very talented sister, Anik, a children’s book illustrator.

Kirsten put so much thought and effort into the details of her wedding, there was oodles of great stuff to photograph…here’s more of the special touches that peppered her & Dennis’s incredible wedding:

Their first dance was playfully fun and romantically sweet at the same time…just like Kirsten & Dennis!

I don’t know why, but I just love this photo…there’s so much going on and it really tells a story to me. I also love the way Kirsten’s niece, Dagny, with dolly & crayon in hand, looks suspiciously at Andy as he snaps the photo.

Taking a break from all of the excitement, Dennis & Kirsten steal a moment in Nauticus’ lighthouse. I grabbed this shot from inside the lighthouse, looking out at them…love the perspective through the window, no?

Friends of Kirsten & Dennis filmed their wedding weekend and quickly put a 5 minute video together that they showed on the tent ceiling at the end of the night. I love the expressions on Kirsten & Dennis’s faces as they watch the show! Dennis, like Andy, is a big softie! I just love that in a man!

The night ended with Kirsten & Dennis sailing off into the quickly fading sunset….the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Thanks, as always, to the incredibly talented, incredibly organized Olive Chase of The Casual Gourmet for making the day run so smoothly!!! You rock Olive! Thanks also go out to Ken Gault at Nauticus for providing such a gorgeous setting for photos, and to the talented folks at Flowersticks in Osterville for creating some beautiful centerpieces (love those peonies!), to Concetta and the First Class Band for rocking the party and to Meredith’s Bridal, for Kirsten’s STUNNING dress!

But, our biggest thanks go out to the families of Kirsten & Dennis and to the happy couple. THANK YOU, THANK YOU…for welcoming us into your lives with such open arms and open hearts! You made our job easy and we loved being a part of this special time in your lives! Kirsten & Dennis…you are wonderful and your love is inspiring…thank you for trusting us to capture that love for you in photos. We hope they serve as wonderful reminders of your perfect day!

With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

I’m not a huge sports fan. And, I certainly wouldn’t lose sleep if the Yankees pulled ahead of the Sox in the standings. But, I have to admit, my heart did skip a beat when I heard that Andy & I were going to get to shoot our engagement session with Red Sox super fans Laurie & Joe at an empty Fenway Park.

Built in 1912, Fenway is the country’s oldest baseball stadium and though generations have come and gone, the park remains much as it did when its doors first opened. Today, there is something magical about being in the middle of that empty stadium. It feels as if the dreams of countless young men linger in the dugout and the echos of legendary players loom like the great Green Monster itself.

I hadn’t been to Fenway Park in a very long time, probably since I was in high school or maybe it was college. It’s been a while, anyway!

My strongest memory of Fenway was an afternoon spent there with my sisters, my dad, and my grandfather. I was just a little girl, but, I’ll never forget the wide-eyed wonder I felt walking into Fenway for the first time or the thrill of seeing my dad & my grandfather stretching over the balcony to catch a foul ball. Oh, the excitement in their eyes when my dad pulled the white-stitched cowhide ball into his bare hands. They hugged, jumping up and down, happily accepting the pats on the back from nearby fans.

I’m not a big sports fan, but when a game can bring a father & a son together in a moment of such unbridled joy, it’s hard not to feel the magic.

The magic was there again during our love session with Laurie & Joe. Like so many of our couples, Laurie & Joe were a little nervous about being photographed. As we walked into the Fenway offices and were led into the stadium, nervousness was replaced by awe….at least for Laurie & Joe. For me, the awesomeness of Fenway was a little intimidating. How do we photograph this incredible place and these incredible people in a way that pays proper tribute to them both?

I hadn’t expected to feel nervous, but I did. This really was one of the coolest places we’ve ever got to shoot! And, I wanted so badly for it to be perfect, mostly for Laurie & Joe!

It didn’t take long for my nerves to calm and for the excitement to take hold once again. It helped that Laurie & Joe are such warm, wonderful, totally fun, down-to-Earth people. They made it so easy! And, together, we all got to enjoy an incredible afternoon in a truly historic place! Below are a few of our favorite moments from their (and our) special day:

Vintage Red Sox….what better place to start than with this very cool old sign?

Heading to the green monster….can’t you just hear the roar of the crowd? Love it!!

Andy & I were totally obsessed with all the little elements that make Fenway so special and so unique…like this vintage-inspired Coca Cola sign above last year’s newly installed Coca Cola corner. I gotta be honest…these seats were a little scary if you have even the slightest fear of heights! But what a view!!!!

Pennant banners in the background serve as additional reminders of the history and charm that is this special park! Oh, and how about the two hotties in the foreground….cute right?!!!

I love the humor and appropriateness of this next one….Laurie & Joe….for life!

Sitting on top of the world!

We found a section of old wooden chairs in a section of number 19 seats and a little Photoshop helped make this next one extra fun. Laurie & Joe will say, “I do,” here on the Cape on September 19th.

This one makes me smile too, since it looks like they’re about to get a big hat on the head!

Our access was somewhat limited during our visit because Sox owner, John Henry, was having his wedding reception in the park outfield a few days after our session. The dugouts had recently been painted, which prevented us from getting up on them for some cool shots, but this next one worked out very nicely just the same! I know I say it a lot, but all the pretty or cool backdrops in the world can’t do to a photo what love and genuine affection can!

Do they look happy to be here or what??? So fun!

A Sox smooch!

It was so much fun photographing Laurie & Joe with so much going on around them…it really was hard to know where to go next…we were like kids in a candy store!

Another slightly unsettling vantage point….theses seats above the green monster had incredible views, but my stomach kept doing flips! It doesn’t seem to be bothering Laurie & Joe!!!

A vivid reminder of the greatness Ted Williams bestowed upon the Red Sox is this red seat that stands out amongst its many green counterparts in the right field bleachers. The seat is to commemorate Williams 1946 splintering blast off of Detroit pitcher, Fred Hutchinson, for the longest home run ever hit into the Fenway bleachers.

Joe & Laurie cozy up on the right field roof deck, near where the retired numbers of Sox legends, Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Johnny Pesky (6), Carl Yastrezemski (8), Ted Williams (9), Carlton Fisk (27), and Jackie Robinson (42) proudly take center stage.

Fenway’s food stalls certainly look a lot different with no one around, and make for a very cool backdrop for this next photo!

Leaving the Sox offices, we took one last photo in front of the “wall of fame,” a very cool display of all of the magazine covers of Red Sox Magazine, the official magazine of the Boston Red Sox.

A big thanks to the Red Sox for letting us take our time and really soak in all Fenway has to offer. And an even bigger thank you to Laurie & Joe for making it happen and for being so much fun!!! We had such a blast hanging out with you guys at Fenway! It really was such an incredible treat for us and we wouldn’t have wanted to share it with anyone else!! You guys rocked it out!! Can’t wait to be there with you, sharing an even more special day, on 9-19-09!! Big love, Christine & Andy xo

Ingrid has been waiting for months; waiting for the government to give its stamp of approval on her pending marriage to Simon, her bit o’ English stuff. I remember what it was like waiting for Andy to get his visa to come live & work here in the States. And, I can tell you, it can be a long, anxious, exciting, frustrating, thrilling, scary, nail-biting process.

Like Ingrid, we had been waiting too; waiting to hear when Simon would come back over so we could take photos of these two international love birds. Well, a couple of weeks ago, we got the call.

Heeee’s heeerrrre!

I swear, I was almost as excited as Ingrid. Their story sent memories of my own bubbling back up to the surface. (For those of you who don’t know, Andy…my better half…is English. We got married almost 8 years ago, after the government also gave our nuptials a shining stamp of approval.)

Like Andy & I, Ingrid & Simon met in another country. Unlike us (we met in Spain, doing nothing terribly good or productive), Ingrid & Simon met in Fiji, where they were doing some volunteer work, namely surveying coral reefs, for Coral Cay Conservation.

“We lived on a desert island and when I first saw her, I looked at her, walked past the window she was in and then turned around and did the same thing another 2 times,” Simon told us. “I tried to be Mr. Cool, and after about three weeks of seeing each other, I told her I was going to New Zealand and would she like to come.  I had no intention of going there until I met Ingrid…just could not leave her, I guess, and now look!  It was the most amazing few months.  I think I fell in love with her in a couple of minutes, literally.”

“When I first saw Simon he was so cute, all tan and bleached blond from the Fiji sun,” Ingrid remembered. “When I first got there, all the new people had to stay in the room that no one wanted to be in. It was dark, hot, cramped. There was one bed left in the nice room, his room. He made sure I got that bed. He really knows how to get what he wants….including me.”

After Fiji, and then New Zealand, Ingrid & Simon spent two years together in London. But, eventually, Ingrid moved back to the states and the relationship ended….at least temporarily.

They kept in touch and about a year ago, Simon invited Ingrid to come over and join him at the Royal Air Force Summer Ball.

We had not seen each other in two years, but I figured…(it’s) now or never,” Ingrid said. “When I got there, we had a great time. It was like we had never separated. That was the weekend that we got engaged. The rest is history.”

Because Simon was in the Royal Air Force and he & Ingrid love to travel, we thought it might be fun to shoot their engagement session at a tiny, and totally adorable, airport not far from us. This was our first meeting with Simon, and he pretty quickly told us he didn’t like having his photo taken. We were skeptical, especially when after 2 minutes of shooting he confessed that he thought it would be cool to be a model and seemed pretty keen on taking off his shirt. (Sorry, Simon, but the truth hurts!….I only feel comfortable poking fun at Simon because he has that classic British sense of humor, which I love SO much! Oh, and just for the record Simon…you could totally be a model!)

Thunder clouds loomed overhead the entire shoot and eventually the skies cast down buckets of rain. But, we had an absolute blast and got some amazing photos. Check out a few of our faves! Enjoy!

We thought we’d loosen them up with a little jumping. It doesn’t seem right, but Ingrid even looks gorgeous jumping…what’s up with that? And, Simon struck the classic Bruce Forsyth pose for his jump. Unless you’re British, this won’t mean anything to you, but it cracked Andy & Simon up.

I played around with Photoshop on this image to give it an old photo look….somehow it just seemed a cool contradiction for such an informal “pose.” What do you think?

Flying high on love….awww!

Seriously, are they cute or what?

Snuggle time…

I just love the colorful planes in the background.

But, it’s Ingrid’s sweet, heart-felt expression that make this next one a fave!

Sasssssy!

A pilot at the air field needed to log in some practice time, so he did a couple of fly overs for us….very fun!

Andy has a wonderful way of using layering in his photos…I just love this next one…peeking through the wings of a plane!

And, I’m a big fan of the blurry stuff in the foreground…tall grass is a favorite of mine! But, again, real…joyful expressions always make a photo sing!

totally sweet…

Something tells me these two will live long, happy lives laughing as much as they do!

This could be my favorite of the day….the contentment in their faces makes my heart smile! And, as I often say…there is no place better in the world to be than in the arms of the one who loves you. Perfection!

Playing Mr. Cool again!

Is this an ad for Ralph Lauren or what?

Simon had us cracking up the whole session…..this was just a completely candid moment walking away at the end of the session and I just love it. To me, it sums up Ingrid & Simon’s relationship and our afternoon with them!

Big thanks Ingrid & Simon for taking time out of your brief visit together to spend a couple of hours with us. We had such a blast with you two and can’t wait to be there with you when you walk down the aisle next month. Something tell us it’s going to be a wonderful celebration of love, laughter and all things happy! Thank you again for choosing us to document this special time for you! Big hugs, Christine & Andy xo