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