Fame, fortune, fancy cars, and big houses…it’s all just stuff. Stuff we may have one day and not have the next. Family, however is forever. It is where we come from. And, the skills and lessons we are taught by our family help define who we are and who we will become.

When everything else around you is falling apart, family is who you count on. And, no matter how messy life can get….and we saw just how messy this weekend as Hurricane Irene stormed up the East Coast….family is that safe place, where love comes easily and acceptance flows freely.

This is not to say that family is always easy, let’s face it…we’ve all got some crazy in our family closets. But, if you’re lucky, your family, and the time you spend with them, is what makes life worth celebrating!

Being wedding photographers, we see and document the start to new families all the time. Two individuals from different families are drawn together by love and often their love combines to create new life….simultaneously a new family is born and two existing families grow as love multiplies in the most beautiful of ways.

As wonderful as it is for us to get to photograph the start to these new families, it is equally as wonderful when our couples come back to us to photograph their growing families. Such was the case when Jenna & Aaron, whose wedding we photographed back in 2004, recently came back to us to photograph them and their deliciously sweet little boys, Brady & Sam.

Jenna & Aaron have held a special place in our hearts for a long time. They were one of our first wedding couples and a special bond was formed. We’d kept in touch over the years through e-mail, but we hadn’t seen them in a very long time. So, we were super excited when they called to schedule a family session.

Although it felt like a lifetime ago since their wedding, seeing them again, it was as if we never missed a beat. We had such a fun afternoon with them & their boys and are super excited to share with you some of our favorite moments from their family time with us…

Brady gets a smooch from his beautiful momma, while he & his little brother show off their super fly shades.

Aaron and his boys explore the water’s edge…Life really is about these seemingly insignificant moments when we take the time to just be together. It truly doesn’t get any better than that!

A family that plays together, stays together! Love all of their expressions in this full-on moment of fun! And, can we talk for a second about the way sweet Brady is cradling his dad’s head in his hand. Seriously?! Be still my heart!

Family is….everything!

Sweet Brady and his absolutely stunning momma! I don’t know what it is about this photo of Jenna on the right, but I just love it. She is one seriously sexy momma!

Summer afternoons are meant for family time. Love the light in this next one, right down to the way it’s reflecting off the swarm of little bugs in the field. It just screams, “Summer!” to me.

Holding hands is such a simple gesture, yet, there is so much love to be found in this gentle way we connect with the people we care about…sigh…..

Beautiful boys…

I just love this next one. It’s something about Sam’s expression as he races his big brother between the grape vines that gets me. It’s like he’s saying, “This race is mineeeee!” Too darned cute!

And the warmth in this next one….both in the light and in Jenna & Aaron’s expressions as they carry their boys through this field…is just heavenly to me!

As it is in this next one….and can we talk about Mr. Mischievous’s expression for a second?

We headed to the beach for the final moments of sunset and I just love the feeling of complete joy and freedom in this next one of Sam & Brady sitting atop a lifeguard chair. It represents everything that is wonderful about childhood to me…

A little marshy exploration…

I remember going to the beach as a kid with my parents and there was something about getting wet that was just irresistible to me and my sisters. My parents would say, “Don’t go past your ankles, I don’t want you wet for the ride home.” And, as hard as we’d try, inevitably we’d get a little wet, and then a little wetter. And, before we, or they, knew it…we were soaked. I can’t help but thinking of those moments when I see this next photo of Sam, who is giddy with excitement over wading in deeper than he knows he probably should. Lucky for him, his gorgeous parents are a lot more understanding than mine were!

Watching the sun set over the horizon….Ahhhhh, a perfect family moment!

Jenna & Aaron, you two are as beautiful and full of love & joy as you were on the day you said, “I do!” Thank you sooooo much for coming back to us and sharing your beautiful family with us! You have been in our thoughts often over the past 7 years and it was so wonderful to meet Brady & Sam and to spend time with you all! We hope these photos serve as wonderful reminders of how very fortunate you are to have so much love & goodness in your lives. Thank you for sharing that with us and for bringing a little love & goodness to our lives! With lots of love & big hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo PS…We’d like to send a special shout out to Dolly for thinking of us at Christmas time! We miss you Dolly! xoxo

College is a time for learning, exploring interests and sometimes for finding love. Such was the case for Carolyn & Andrew, who met while attending Williams College in beautiful Western Mass.

They were both members of the college crew team, and although Andrew admitted to having feelings for Carolyn for some time, love didn’t float to the surface until Carolyn’s senior year. Andrew was a year older and had already graduated, but came back to Williams for an alumni rowing event.

“I had a crush on Carolyn, but since I didn’t think she was interested, I was able to act like myself around her rather than be nervously trying to impress…and I guess it worked out,” he told us.

It sure did…Carolyn & Andrew said, “I do!” a few weeks ago at the beautiful and historic Highfield Hall in Falmouth. We hadn’t seen the happy couple since their love session last September. Click HERE for a peek at that session.

Carolyn warned us prior to their love session that she really didn’t like being photographed. Happily, they were very excited about the photos we’d captured for them and so we were really looking forward to getting them back in front of our cameras at their wedding.

In the months before the wedding, we’d heard that Carolyn had been working out and getting super fit. Now, we thought she looked pretty fabulous before, but she looked absolutely radiant on her wedding day (If she didn’t live in NY, I’d hire her as my personal trainer so she could whip my butt in shape). More than just shedding a few pounds, Carolyn seemed to have completely shed her inhibitions about being photographed.

While I’d like to think it was because we earned their confidence with the photos we captured for them at their love session, really I think they just got carried away by all of the love and happy energy swirling around. Whatever the reason, Carolyn & Andrew gave us lots of love and goodness to capture and we’re so excited to share some of our favorite images from their picture-perfect day…

Carolyn got ready at her parents’ Falmouth home and I was drooling over the light in her parents’ bedroom…that and her mom’s vintage suitcases, which she’d inherited from her grandmother. They made for the perfect accompaniment to our stunning bride and her equally stunning La Reine dress…

Carolyn’s mom, Joanne, helps Carolyn’s gal pal, also Joanne, tie the bow on her sash, while one of the family pooches seems a little sad about not being included in the day’s festivities. Awww, poor guy!

Some special details…

Love these two photos of Carolyn’s parents each getting ready…Carolyn’s dad, Paul, is known for his signature bow ties.

Carolyn’s uncle had lovingly restored this 1937 Studebaker, and, it is stunning in every detail. He generously offered to let Carolyn & Andrew use it for the day, and he even played the role of chauffeur for the special occasion. Love this moment as Carolyn hops in for the drive to Highfield Hall.

Seriously, I am obsessed with these suitcases. And, can we talk about our happy groom?

Love the light and moodiness in this next one as Andrew watches his mom, Laurie, help put on the boutonniere of Andrew’s best man, Morgan.

Good fellas…

What a joyful greeting Andrew gets from some of his & Carolyn’s friends before the start of the ceremony. LOVE it!

Friends gather…

The joy was seriously contagious!

Carolyn’s dad, Paul, looks proud as punch as he gets ready to walk his baby girl down the aisle.

Love, family, friends + a big old tree = the perfect setting to say, “I do!”

The beaming bride…

Carolyn’s parents and grandparent react to the announcement of the new Mr. & Mrs.

Carolyn’s girls workin’ their sage green Ann Taylor dresses. Lovely!

The look of love…

Dreamy…

After a few photos on the porch, we headed inside to take advantage of Highfield’s crazy beautiful, floor to ceiling antique mirror….be still my heart!

This next one is definitely contender for favorite of the day…I love the way the light is spilling across them, i love the beautiful stained glass window, and i just love the way they are tenderly holding each others hands…love, love love!

Our happy couple…

Fun…

Time for a toast…

It was such a beautiful day…actually one of the hottest days of the summer….so guests were outside a lot. Here’s a fun moment during cocktail hour as some friends get their photo taken by another friend. Real smiles make my heart sing!

Some of the drool-inducing appetizers served by the fabulous Casual Gourmet.

More cocktail hour fun…

Carolyn & her crew team friends do a little rowing re-enactment.

They say life is in the details, and Carolyn & Andrew’s details were beautiful….something tells me that may be a metaphor for their life!

The beautiful floral arrangements were courtesy of the talented Joan Doyle of N. Falmouth.

If ever there was a perfect setting for one of Casual Gourmet’s beautiful wedding cakes, this was surely it!

Get down on it, girl!

Andrew & his mom share a dance, while Carolyn gets a big smooch from her Grandpa following their special dance….having lost my Grandpa recently, and my mom before my own wedding, these moments really tug at my heartstrings!

Carolyn’s too-cool cousins strike a pose….hey now!

Carolyn gets jiggy with her former roommates, one of whom (far right) flew all the way from India for the wedding.

A great big thank you to all of the fabulous vendors who made our jobs not only easy, but super fun. Thank you too to Carolyn & Andrew’s family and friends for welcoming us with open hearts. But, our biggest thanks go to Carolyn & Andrew! Thank you both so much for trusting us to document a day as important as your wedding. Thank you for giving pieces of yourselves to us in every photo. We hope these serve as happy reminders of your incredible wedding day for many, many years to come! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

It was the spring of 2006 and Sara, an East Coast girl living in the Windy City, was introduced to Mike, a Mid West native who was rooming with her friend and fellow BC alum.  Following introductions, Mike & Sara would occasionally see each other out at social gatherings with friends. Numbers were exchanged, but it wasn’t until the fall that they had their first official date. And before too long, Sara & Mike were smitten.

“She had a smile that I could not get out of my head,” Mike told us. “Getting Sara to smile quickly became a major motivator for me in life – that had never happened to me before with anybody and that is when I knew I was meant to be with her.”

In the years that followed, Sara experienced some family hardships, and through it all, Mike was there.

“Being in Chicago during those times and away from family was certainly a trying experience,” she told us. “In each of these instances, Mike has been my rock. I have never met anyone that does more to make friends & family alike feel special and loved. Mike is the calm to my storm.”

Next spring, these two lovebirds will say, “I do!” here on picturesque Cape Cod, a place that has always held a special spot in Sara’s heart.

We first met Sara & Mike in April, when they came to talk with us about photographing their wedding. And, like they were soon after their first date, we too, were smitten. There is just such an easiness about them…as individuals and as a couple and we were so excited when they asked us to document their wedding.

I know I’ve said this before, but relationships really are at the cornerstone of everything we do. Our photography is very much about trying to capture that something special couples and families share that make them unique. Equally as important to us is building relationships with our couples and families, because when there is trust and familiarity, getting great photos just gets a whole lot easier. To this end, we include a complimentary love session in all of our album packages. And although we do this more for our benefit than anything, we hope at the end of the session our couples walk away having had a whole lot of fun.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from Sara & Mike’s recent love session in and around some of their favorite spots in Dennis.

I don’t know what it is about this one that I like so much… but I really like it. It just feels very dreamy to me…what do you think?

The look of love…

Sara & Mike ended up wearing the expressions they have in this next photo quite a lot during our session.  Makes my heart smile. While I don’t have too many years experience, I think that being able to laugh together and not take life or yourselves too seriously is definitely an important ingredient in a long, happy marriage.

Is there any greater comfort than being wrapped in the arms of the one you love? I think not!

love, love, love….oh, glorious love!

There she goes again….We love our little Sara and her larger than life smile.

These next photos are for you Midge….Midge is Sara’s mom and she told us about this really nice stretch of landscaping along the edge of property not far from their home. We were all a bit skeptical about taking photos in front of someone’s property, but Sara & Mike agreed to jump on the wall for a quick photo.

This next photo is just after Mike & Sara jumped off the wall and high tailed it out of there….

Next we headed to one of their favorite beaches for some photos before sunset. The light at the beach was sooo sweet…really diffused, which made the beach colors just sing.

Since we were already feeling like rebels….Lifeguards only, you say? I think not…

Hiya cuties…

When I look at this photo, I can’t help but hear Stevie Wonder softly playing in my head, “Isn’t she lovely….”

Love this sequence…

Oh, if only we could bottle Mike & Sara’s contagious laughter and keep on a shelf in the office for those particularly long days of editing when we need some relief…

Mike apparently is very rarely without a baseball hat perched on his head, so he had to get a couple of shots with one of his faves, his Michigan State Spartans cap. I like this fun perspective Andy caught.

This is one of my faves that I captured…Sara & Mike just look so happy and I love all of the stuff going on in the background…the seagull flying and the departing beach goers.

Hey beautiful…

I’m telling you….nothing better than love….love this next one!

If the one with the beach goers in the background isn’t my fave, this one is. Again, it feels dreamy to me…

Sara & Mike thank you so much for making time for us during your brief and busy visit home. It was so great seeing you both again, getting to spend some really wonderful time together, and getting to meet more of your family, Sara. You all have already made us feel so welcomed into your lives and we can’t wait to be there with you when you say, “I do!” next year! Until then, we hope these photos serve as a fun teaser of the good things to come and also as happy reminders of this very exciting time in your lives and the lives of your families. Thank you again for making our jobs so much fun! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

One of the first people who really made us feel welcome when we first came on the wedding scene nine years ago was a soft-spoken man with kind eyes, an infectious smile, and a warm, generous way about him. It didn’t hurt that he also knew how to inspire some serious fun and could, with a spin of a record, move a crowded room to dance their faces off.

This man is none other than Cape Cod’s DJ extraordinaire DJ Danny Walsh.

A couple of weeks ago we photographed Danny with his fiance, Brandy, and her super sweet daughter, Samara. After attending hundreds of weddings himself, Danny will be the Man of the Hour this September as he & Brandy say, “I do!” at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth.

We are soooo excited to get to be guests at the wedding, but we wanted to let Danny know how much he means to us by doing a love session for him & Brandy…and of course, their love wouldn’t be complete without Samara. So, the five of us hit some of their favorite spots for an afternoon of fun. Here are some highlight from our time together…

Like me & Andy, Danny & Brandy have an affinity for Cupcake Charlie’s. If you haven’t tried these cupcakes, don’t start now….they’re addictive, truly! We started our session in the Mashpee Commons, with some kissing & cuddling and cupcakes…oh my!

Love this sequence as Brandy & Danny enjoy a little smooching, much to the embarrassment of Samara…so cute!

MMMMmmmmmm!

good cupcakes + even better company can only be a good thing!

The soon to be Mr. & Mrs.!

Samara is such a sweetie, and a very talented Anime artist. Love this photo of her and her beautiful smile as mom & Danny exchange a smooch.

The only thing more delicious than a Cupcake Charlie’s cupcake is a DJ Danny sandwich. Love Danny’s expression in the photo on the left, and the way his girls are loving him. Soooo sweet! And, can we talk about Brandy’s beautiful sea blue eyes…dreamy!

Hey handsome…

Love is….the comfort & joy found in the arms of the keeper of your heart!

The new happy family….

This next one makes my heart smile! Just love the look of love in Danny & Brandy’s eyes and how sweetly Samara leans on her soon-to-be stepdad’s shoulder. Swooooon!

Danny really is such a sweet guy. And, it obvious watching him with Brandy & Samara that he has brought much love, happiness & comfort to their lives. Yay! for love & new families!!!

Hey beautiful…

Samara really does have a special relationship with Danny and watching the three of them together is so wonderful! Can’t wait to see all the love & sparks fly at the wedding!

This next one is a bit edgier, but I just LOVE it!!!

Close ups…

Are they cute or what?

Hey cuties…

The look of love…

Home is wherever the heart is….

Brandy, Danny & Samara, thank you so much for sharing your special relationship with us in such a wonderful, open way! We had so much hanging out with all of you and hope these photos serve as love-filled reminders of this happy, exciting time in all of your lives!!! Thank you too for the wonderful dinner after our session! It really was such a great afternoon and we can’t wait to be there with all of you when you, Danny & Brandy, commit your love & lives to one another at the place where we first met you Danny. Lots to celebrate! Adore you guys!!! Big love & hugs, C&A xoxoxo