Last month, we were contacted by Donna Garlough, editor of Boston Weddings. She told us that she had been browsing our blog and loved the photos we captured at Kirsten & Dennis’s fabulous Nauticus Marina wedding. And she asked, could she feature it in the magazine’s Summer issue?  Umm…yes, please!

I’m not sure which flattered us more, the fact that Donna was browsing our blog unsolicited or that with all of the talented photographers in New England, she liked our photos enough to have them be one of only four featured weddings. To say we were flattered would be an under statement.

Since her call, we’d been excitedly awaiting the magazine’s arrival. The other day, we opened our mailbox to find several copies. Magazines hit news stands today, and if you haven’t had a chance to see it, it’s another gorgeous issue. Here’s a sneak peek at the cover…

And, the opening page of the “Real New England Weddings” features section…..with our photo of Kirsten & Dennis. Wowza!

In addition to the opening page of the features section, Kirsten & Dennis’s wedding got two more full pages. We’re so happy that Kirsten & Dennis get to have their wedding commemorated in this way!

And, as if all of that wasn’t exciting enough…this incredible exchange between Dennis’ mom and a close family friend, as captured by Andy, outside the church, after the ceremony, was highlighted in the “One Last Shot” section, on the last page of the magazine….Pure Joy!

Huge thanks to Donna & her wonderful staff for seeing something special in our work and for recognizing the inspiring beauty & love that surrounded Kirsten & Dennis on their unforgettable wedding day. And, of course, special thanks to Kirsten & Dennis! Thank you both again for inviting us to be a part of such an important time in your lives and for welcoming us with such open arms & open hearts! You two are wonderful and your love is truly inspiring! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo

Andy & I say it all the time, but we really do have the best couples. Sweet, fun, loving people who open their lives to us and generously welcome us into their inner circle.

Because of the nature of our job, we’re privy to some personal moments, catching glimpses of the special magic our couples share. And, if we’re really lucky, our couples let down their guard so much so that they forget we’re there. And, it is then, in those tender moments of uninhibited love that we capture the magic and forever record it in our photos.

Oh, how I live for those moments.

Two weekends ago, we had the pleasure of getting together with Lauren & T.L. for their e-session. These sessions, sometimes referred to as love sessions or getting to know you sessions, have quickly become our favorite thing to do. And, Lauren & T.L.’s session ranks among our all time favorite sessions. Maybe it’s because we already have a history with Lauren’s family. A few years ago we photographed Lauren’s sister, Kim. And, right away we hit it off with the family. They just welcomed us instantly and made us feel so good about what we do. And, well, who doesn’t like feeling good about what they do?

But, if I’m being really honest about it, I think that what really made the session special was the way T.L. completely let himself go and was just in the moment. I admit, I hate being on the other side of the camera. I am far more comfortable behind the lens than in front of it. So, I understand how intimidating these sessions can be, especially for the guys, who are often just going along with it for their soon-to-be wife.

But, T.L. was different. He was totally in it because he wanted to be. It was obvious he was having fun and equally as obvious was how much he adores Lauren. He wasn’t embarrassed about cuddling in front of us. He didn’t roll his eyes when we asked him to work his sexy or “have a moment.” He just got lost with Lauren and he let us see exactly who he is and what Lauren means to him. Oh, and how the magic it did fly.

See for yourself…

In our conversations with Lauren & T.L., we learned that they love wine tasting, so we decided to meet at the Cape Cod Winery in Falmouth. Andy & I have driven past a hundred times and had talked about how fun it would be to do a session there. So, we called the owner, Kristina Lazzari, and asked if it would be okay to come by and take some photos. She was wonderful and said, “Yes.”

Lauren & T.L. started out with some tasting….Hmmmm, thinking about it now, maybe this is why our session was so fun. Maybe we should ask all of our couples to have a glass or two of wine before we start shooting! Just kidding, guys!

The grapes are still a month or so away from picking, but with the rain we’d had in the days leading up to the session, everything was lush and beautiful…

Are they cute or what?

Even this chicken seemed interested…

Oh the joy…

I think the winery’s chickens get fed pretty well by visitors who swipe a couple of extra crackers to share because these guys were all over Lauren & T.L. when they busted out a cracker.

The look of love…

Playful, sweet….love it!

The way these two are with each other is so lovely. And, getting to be around them instantly makes you feel good!

As much as they enjoy wine, Lauren & T.L. also love country music. So, they brought along some of their favorite country duds, which fit in PERFECTLY with the winery’s setting. I absolutely love these photos!

The sun even peeked out for us for a bit and I just love the way the light is hitting Lauren’s face as she gives T.L. a cheeky little smile.

Hello cowgirl! It doesn’t get much sexier than this!

The way they were together for this part of the shoot, I actually got butterflies a couple of times…now that’s saying something! I swear, Andy & I disappeared for them and they really were just so into each other. It was a beautiful thing!

Completely unprompted, T.L. gave Lauren a kiss then used his hat for a little privacy….oh, how Andy & I went crazy for that, especially watching how chuffed he was with himself. So cute!

Still my favorite moments with our couples are when they’re just laughing together and enjoying each other, like in this next one.

Gorgeous…

Okay call me inappropriate, but Fuuuuuuaaaaaah!!!

Ronnie & Frank (mom & dad), close your eyes for this next one.

Love it!!!

Peek-a-boo, I see you.

Lauren is gorgeous, and she knows how to work her sexy….you go girl!

Apparently, T.L. knows how to work his sexy too! Helllllooo!!!

My favorite…..

Ain’t nothin’ better than chillin with your honey…

Are they great together, or what?

We both bought a bottle of Nobska White…it was delicious! A blend of Seyval & Vidal grapes, it is sweet and buttery. Mmmm good! Cape Cod wines make a great gift basket addition for your special wedding guests.

Big thanks to Kristina for opening her winery to us. We had a blast and will be coming back to buy more wine! Thanks too, to Frank, for patiently standing by during the session and for taking Lauren & T.L. to the airport. And, our biggest thanks go to Lauren & T.L. You guys were amazing! Thank you so much for trusting us so completely and for letting us in. Your love is a beautiful thing! Big hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Connecticut native, Hannah, and Canadian-born, Conrad, fell in love thanks to the efforts of a persistent co-worker, Meghna, who tried several times to bring them together. Because of Meghna’s multiple attempts to arrange a meeting, both Hannah & Conrad thought the other must have a pretty serious crush. Still, both agreed to an after work get together.

As luck would have it, their initial meeting over drinks proved somewhat awkward, with each of their bosses happening to tag along. Ouch! But, Meghna was right about the chemistry and a week later Hannah & Conrad had their first real date. “The rest,” the tell us, “is history,” and the pair is now planning their wedding.

Hannah & Conrad love to leave the heat of the city behind and escape to the Cape during the summer months. So, they thought, what better place to say, “I do,” than lovely Cape Cod. The pair will get married this fall at the elegant Wequassett Inn in Chatham.

Two weekends ago, we had the pleasure of getting together with Hannah & Conrad here on the Cape for their e-session.  Because one of Hannah’s passions is understanding where our food supply comes from and supporting local farmers, we thought it might be fun to do their session at Coonamessett Farm in Falmouth. We’re members of the farm and, like Hannah, love supporting local growers. So, it seemed a perfect fit.

Here are some of our favorite moments from our super fun, back to nature session with Hannah & Conrad. Enjoy!

The weather was a bit unpredictable the day we decided to meet. Happily, the sun decided to poke it’s head out from the thick cloud cover during the start of our session as we played among the blueberry bushes. FYI…picking won’t be ready till mid-late July.

Awwwww….

I really like this next one. Hannah is just glowing…

The look of love….

For this next one, we tried a different perspective. Fun, no?

A little snuggle time….my favorite time, anytime!

I’ve said it a million times, but here I go again…there truly is no better place in the world than in the arms of the one you love…and Conrad’s expression says it so well!

Although she loves local farms, Hannah is not so keen on petting farm animals, as we found out when two donkeys came up to say hello. I just love their expressions in this next one. Totally makes me smile.

We tried to find a heart shaped strawberry, but didn’t have much luck as picking season was pretty much nearing its end. Still, it was fun trying…

Hey lovebirds…

Berry field…

Ahhhhhh….

Love their expressions in this next one.

And, of course, my favorite….the moment before the kiss.

Fields of gold…

Love this perspective.

The weather got pretty feisty towards the end of our session. But, Hannah & Conrad braved the chilly wind for a couple of quick pics down at the beach. I love this next one…

Thank you Hannah & Conrad for taking time out of your weekend to come spend the afternoon with us. We loved hanging out with you both and getting to know you both better. We’re looking forward to getting together again for your big day in October. Until then, we hope these photos help get you even more excited for what’s to come! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo

You might remember Rachel and Paul from our e-session with them back in April. Click HERE to see photos and read more about them.

Last weekend, Paul & Rachel said, “I do,” surrounded by family & friends at the uber chic Wequassett Resort. Their ceremony was held poolside, with the reception following at the Outer Bar & Grille. Here are some of our favorite moments from their fabulous celebration:

Check out these gorgeous Navy patent leather & mother of pearl Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. Gorgeous!

Paul’s cousin’s daughter, Kaitlyn, looks on as Rachel gets ready to step into her dress.

I love how elegant Rachel looks in this next one, as her sister, Jessica (right) and Paul’s sister, Adrienne (left), help out.

Kaitlyn’s sister and fellow flower girl, Chloe, timidly peeks out from behind her mom. Love the eyes!!

Paul & his brother, Michael, get ready…

Paul works in production, so he was paying close attention to all of the last minute details the morning of the wedding…I love this perspective and he passes out boutonnieres to his groomsmen.

Wequassett’s pool….what a backdrop, eh?

Rachel’s sister, Amy, welcomes guests. Check out the programs….they had a Sudoko puzzle on the back…love it!

Rachel arrives, looking ready to see her hubby-to-be.

And, Paul, looks equally as happy to see his wife-to-be.

Rachel’s nephew and ring bearer, James, cuddles in with mom while he watches the ceremony. Sooo sweet!

I love this series as Rachel & Paul exchange their first kiss as husband & wife…

Taking a break from the excitement, we took our happy couple down to the dock for a little alone time…

Awww….

Love those dimples!

We really liked how they handled their cocktail hour. Rather than being introduced at the reception, Rachel & Paul, along with their bridal party & parents, were introduced at the end of the cocktail hour. I love this shot of Rachel looking back to see whose coming down next…

Paul’s dad also said a few words to guests around the pool. Here Rachel & Paul react…so cute.

Also during cocktail hour, Rachel & Paul dedicated a song to Rachel’s dad, who tragically passed away in October, the weekend they got engaged. They asked everyone to join them in a dance. And, as soon as the music started and folks started swaying, the dark overcast sky opened up and beams of sunlight shone down. I admit, I lost it, believing with all my heart, that this was a sign from Rachel’s dad that he was there, giving his blessing to the day. It was beautiful! Here, our happy couple reacts to the sun and all the love around them… Oh, love….what a beautiful thing, indeed!

Some details…

Rachel gets an embrace from Kaitlyn. So sweet…

I love Rachel’s expression in this next one….the happiness is just contagious!

And, this could be my favorite shot of the day! Love love love it!

Wequassett at night! Delightful!

Thank you Rachel & Paul for inviting us to share in this special time with you. It’s not often we see childhood romance lead to a storybook wedding. We had such fun with you and feel so honored to have been a part of such an incredible day. I will never forget your dedication dance and the parting clouds. Everything about your day was just perfect and so special! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders. With big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Generally, we have the pleasure of meeting our clients before they decide they want us to be there with them when they say, “I do.” But, sometimes, liking what they see in our online work and the chemistry we have in our e-mail exchanges and phone conversations is enough for them to want to move forward without a face-to-face meeting.

Such was the case with college sweethearts, Laura & Jonathan, who we didn’t get to meet until last weekend, when they both flew in separately from Miami & Washington, DC, to get together for their Love Session here on the Cape. Laura is enrolled in a doctoral program in Miami for clinical psychology, working with children with chronic illnesses, while Jonathan is living & working in DC. Their long distance relationship isn’t easy, but whatever they’re doing, it’s working for these two lovebirds.

We knew right from our initial conversations with them, that we were going to get along with Laura & Jonathan. Like us, they love to travel and like us, they enjoy an afternoon spent on the ocean, followed by cooking dinner together over a bottle of wine. Ahhhhh, life’s simple pleasures.

They are smart, sweet, silly, caring, passionate and crazy about their French bulldog, Maddie, who joined them for part of their session. We had a blast getting to know and photograph these two. They were completely relaxed with us and in front of our cameras, which we know isn’t always easy. They are so obviously enamored with each other and really used the session to just have fun together, which truly are the only two things you need for amazing photos!  We can’t wait to be there with them when they say, “I do! in August. If their love session is any indication of things to come, we are in for a treat! Take a look for yourself…

When this is the first shot out of the camera, we just know we’re in for a good time.

Meet Maddie…

Jonathan gets a little lovin’ from Maddie….love the change in expressions!

Love sessions are an excellent opportunity for Andy & I to get to know our couples better and see how they interact. While our style is more documentary than stiff, cookie-cutter poses, we do often make suggestions and do some directing with our couples. But, these two really didn’t need much prompting. Ahhh…..love!

Jonathan has a way of making Laura laugh that is just wonderful to watch.

And, ohhh, how it makes for wonderful photos!

The guys are often more nervous about being photographed, but Jonathan was wonderful. He put any inhibitions he may have felt aside and just focused on the love he feels for Laura…and that is all you need for magic moments like this….

lovely…

Fun & flirty…

These in the grass are my all time favorites…possibly ever! I love the sun flare, I love Jonathan’s expression and the way he’s leading Laura. I love Laura’s salmon colored shirt against the tall grass. I love it all!

serenity realized…

See what I mean about the way they laugh together. It’s almost like you can see them doing this 60 years from now. Oh, how I would love to photograph that!

Love is…tender.

As I mentioned earlier, Laura & Jonathan met in college. They were freshmen at Emory College in Atlanta and lived on the same hall. They told us they used to wear matching sweatshirts a lot in school, so they wanted a photo with them in their sweatshirts. Here’s our creative spin on that. Kind of fun in a creepy-Gap-Ad-gone-wrong sort of way. I don’t know why, but I really like it.

Love this!

And this…

And, definitely this!

Down to the beach for sunset, Laura & Jonathan got a little playful!

So fun!

I’ve said it before and will say it again…nothing is better than being in the arms of the one you love!

I heart this…

Laura & Jonathan, thank you both so much for making the time to come see us. We know it wasn’t an easy trip, so we really appreciate the effort! We had sooo much fun with you both. You’d never know we’d just met 3 hours earlier. The love sessions have become our favorite things to do and yours was exactly the reason why we love them so much. You two are so comfortable together, so obviously in love and up for anything. You made it so fun for us and we cannot wait to do it all again at your wedding! Thank you again and big hugs, Christine & Andy xo