Friends….what would we do without our friends?

Our friends are the ones we go to when life calls for celebration. And, they are the ones we lean on when times are tough. They give us truthful answers to hard questions and build us up when we’re feeling down. Our friends know us and lovingly accept us, despite our imperfections. And, sometimes, they enrich our lives in unexpected ways.

Pam & Geoff owe much to their friends, including their upcoming wedding next spring. In the fall of 2006, Pam & Geoff’s friends set them up on a blind date. If it hadn’t been for that date, they might never have met….or fallen in love.

Yeaaaay for good friends!!!

As it happens, we also owe much to Pam & Geoff’s friends. In the summer of 2007, just a few months after their friends steered Pam & Geoff to each other, we were invited to photograph the amazing Cape Cod wedding of Allison & Greg.

Pam was Allison’s maid of honor. Right from the start, we immediately hit it off with Allison & Greg, with their families and their friends. They all welcomed us into their lives with incredibly warm, open hearts. We’re still in touch with Allison & Greg, their parents and a few of their friends. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen, but theirs was that kind of wedding and we feel truly grateful for the connections we formed.

So, of course, we were super stoked when Pam contacted us a couple of months ago to announce that she was getting married and wanted us to come to New York City to photograph her wedding. Budget, understandably, was a concern, since having us come to New York meant added expenses. But, Pam told us, she & Geoff REALLY wanted us there. I can’t really explain how amazing and humbling it is to hear couples tell us that. Knowing they make sacrifices and move budgets around because they feel so strongly about wanting us to be a part of their day is overwhelming in the best kind of way!

As Pam & Geoff worked their numbers, we got e-mails from Allison & her friend Rachel (also a friend of Pam’s) saying they planned to boycott the wedding if we weren’t there. I mean, come on…does it get any more flattering than that? I don’t think so! I’m sure they were kidding. But, still, it was nice to hear.

A couple of weeks ago, we met up with Pam & Geoff at the Cutler Park Reservation in Needham for their fabulous fall love session. The weather was amazing. The leaves were at their colorful peak and the park offered lots of great nooks for photos.

Here are just a few of our favorite moments from our time together.

The happy couple…

Pam & Geoff are so cute together. Pam’s laugh is infection, her smile contagious and Geoff just seems to instantly relax being near her. Gotta love that!

We actually hopped off the boardwalk into the marshy reeds for this cool perspective. Pam was such a trooper, even willing to get her super cute orange Tory Burch flats wet for the shot. Gotta love that dedication to art!

Normally, our sessions are later in the day, when the sun is lower, but I gotta say, the bright fall light really had such a cool quality about it, particularly with the fall colors in the background…

Knowing our penchant for cute butt shots, Pam admitted that she bought a new pair of Hudson jeans (my personal favorites) that she was hoping we would highlight with one of our classic shots. I love how she’s standing on her tippy toes to give Geoff a smooch.  Way to rock the butt shot guys!

I absolutely adore the perspective Andy was working for this shot. And, the way Pam is looking off taking in the scenery is so cute!

A little tickle time…

One of my personal favorites from the day…the tree colors are just gorgeous and their expressions…perfect!

Another lovely moment…

Something a bit more serious and serene…

We had to hike quite a way into the park to find this hidden tunnel that ran under the commuter rail. It looks like it is a popular spot with spray paint artists. I have to admit, I love me a little graffiti!

One of the tags on the tunnel wall included a heart that made a perfect backdrop for our love session…awww it’s like they knew we were coming!

More giggles and gorgeous fall foliage…love it!

The boardwalk that stretched through the reed-filled marsh was so cool and the reeds themselves were just beautiful. I really like the way the trees frame the shot as Pam & Geoff walk away.

And at the entrance to the park was this cool little rock structure. Not sure what it was once used for, but it made a cute backdrop for a few more shots of our lovebirds…

I really like this next one of Geoff…he looks so comfortable in the arms of his sweetie!

Framed by the window…

Another favorite moment of the day. Geoff was being particularly patient with us, letting us grab a few more shots, even though the Pats game had started and he was eager to get back to his folk’s for the second half. Thanks Geoff!! We hope you love these last few as much as we do and feel they were worth missing part of the game.

Pam & Geoff, thank you soooo much for inviting us to be a part of this exciting time in your lives. We had such a blast hanging out with you at our love session. And, Pam, we know you’re not exactly a nature girl, so we appreciate you hiking through the woods and sacrificing your super cute flats for some great photos.

We’re so excited about coming to NYC for your wedding in the spring. We just know it’s going to be a total love fest and it’ll be so great to see Allison & Greg and Rachel & Glen again! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of our fun afternoon and get you just as excited as we are about seeing you again in May!!!! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

They say it’s good luck if a bird poops on you. Do you think that same good fortune also applies if you accidentally put your hand in wet bird poop? I’m thinking…No. So, it’s probably a good thing that Virginia-based sweeties Amy & Ryan don’t need any luck when it comes to their inspiring relationship.

You’ll soon see why I had bird poop on the brain when I started this post, but just so it all makes sense…Amy accidentally stuck her hand in some poop while climbing rocks during our love session with her & Ryan a couple of weeks ago in Cotuit, Amy’s old stomping ground.  Way to take one for the team, Amy!!!!

Amy & Ryan’s story began on a chilly March day in Washington DC. Amy was walking her dog with her sister when a tall, handsome man stopped to introduce himself. Amy was wearing one of her old Suffolk Law sweatshirts and Ryan, the friendly stranger, shared that he, too, went to Suffolk Law. In fact, they graduated in the same class, but had never met.

As they would soon discover, their lives shared many parallels. Although they were both living in Virginia when they met, they both grew up in Massachusetts. Both of their fathers are builders, both of their mothers are nurses and both have family houses on Cape Cod that they live for.

So, it seemed fitting that our love session with them would take place here on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, in one of Amy’s favorite secret spots.

Before our session began, Amy & Ryan let us know that they are a “schmoopy couple.” “We can’t help it. We’re madly in love,” Amy told us. As it happens, schmoopy, totally head-over-heels-in-love couples happen to be our specialty, so ours was a match made in heaven.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from our chilly, but super fun love session….

Amy & Ryan have a sweet easiness about them that makes getting great photos a cinch! It doesn’t hurt that they’re both totally adorable…in a sexy Ralph-Lauren-we’ve-got-your-models kind of way!

Love this next one…Ryan is probably one of the the nicest guys on the planet…totally down to Earth, kind, smart, confident, and humble. And in this next photo, he shows us he’s got a sexy side too! I also love Amy’s hottie stance and the way she’s looking at Ryan with a look that says, “I’m so proud of my honey.” Love Love Love it!

And then we see their goofier side….equally as delicious!

Here’s the moment that inspired my heading for this post. Amy was such a trooper and carried on without missing a beat…thank goodness the ocean was nearby for a quick rinse! You rock Amy!

Oh the joy…

Amy & Ryan are the kind of people who can just get lost in each other and forget anyone else is around. This next photo is a perfect example of that. Rockin’ the schmoopy!!!

I love this shot of Amy…few things in life are more beautiful than a women in love…

Another favorite moment of the day….

Watching 3 fishermen who also knew about the secret spot.

If the word contentment had a picture next to it in the dictionary, this might very well be it.

Da bling…

One of Ryan’s favorites from our session….we like to share shots we’re excited about during the session as it lets our couples see what we’re doing and hopefully helps them to relax a little more knowing we’re capturing some great moments.

Having a little fun….

Sexy & serious…..

Amy & her beautiful blue eyes radiate as she snuggles with her sweetie!

Peek-a-boo we see you!

cashmere + classic 501s + a crisp fall day in your favorite place with the one you love = HEAVEN!

I’ve said it before, but I really do love those in between moments, right before or right after a kiss. The joy & anticipation is just palpable! Love it!

Generally, we’re all about natural light, but sometimes it’s fun to play with a little off camera flash when the sun is on a fast decent toward the horizon…

Super sweet schmoopy moment…

And, after the sun (which was hiding throughout our session) called it a day, we did too, but not without one last off camera flash shot….

Amy & Ryan thank you so much for sharing your secret spot with us. Thank you for taking time out of your quick visit home to hang out with us. And thank you for being so much fun to photograph! But, most especially thank you for trusting us to capture this special time in your lives for you. You two are so great together and we just know that your wedding next July at CBI is going to be a total love fest! Looking forward to seeing you both again soon! Big love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo

It was quite a long time ago now, but I clearly remember the awkwardness of my early teenage years. Hormones were flying, my body wasn’t changing at quite the same pace of my friends/classmates, and all my friends & I could think about was boys and how much better life would be when we were older.

Like most things in life, you don’t realize how good you’ve got it until it’s gone. Perhaps this was lingering in the back of Laura & Brian’s minds when life…and love…gave them a second chance.

This super sweet pair first met in at Andover Academy, where they went to high school. While in the same freshman triad, they quickly became friends; running in similar circles and sharing common interests. But, their friendship never blossomed into anything more and after graduation, they went their separate ways.

After college, Brian went on to Boston University’s medical school and Laura ended up at rivaling Boston College for grad school. But, it wasn’t until a Christmas party thrown by a mutual friend that their paths crossed again. And, this time, they saw something different in each other….some spark that wasn’t there before, drawing them to one another.

“We instantly reconnected…I was hooked,” Laura told us. “I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought about him in that way before.  It was so easy and comfortable - there was just always this feeling that it was meant to be.”

Flash forward five years and Laura & Brian are now planning their wedding. They will say, “I do,” surrounded by family & friends next summer at the Wychmere Harbor Club.

We met up with Laura & Brian two weeks ago for their super fun love session. Here are a few of our favorite moments from our time together. Enjoy!

Right from the start of our session, Laura & Brian seemed completely comfortable in front of our cameras  and the love they share came shinning through!

Trying a new perspective on a classic shot…

I just love their expressions in this next one, especially framed by the changing leaf colors in the background.

Laura has the sweetest nervous giggle and I just love this series of her & Brian “having a moment.”

We’ve never eaten at Five Bays Bistro, but we hear it’s a great restaurant….we just love the facade.

You really can tell a lot about the way someone feels about you in the way they look at you…..Brian wears his feelings well!

Where to next?….

Awww….

The look of love…

Fall really is a great time for photography. I just love the fall colors and the crispness in the air….plus it seems to encourage more snuggling….

Laura is so beautiful and she knows how to smile with her eyes! Tara would be so proud!

If you follow this blog at all, you’re probably sick of hearing me say it, but here I go again….There truly is no better place in the world than in the arms of the one you love. And these next two photos just say it all!

I love their expressions in this next one…

Taking in the setting sun…

A late blooming rosa rugosa …

These next two are some of my favorites from our session. They both just look so relaxed and at peace…if only life could feel this way ALL the time!

Love is….this!

We were pretty much done with our session at this point, but Andy captured this photo and I just think it’s such a cool shot. I love the light and the perspective.

Laura & Brian thank you so much for being so much fun and for trusting us so completely! You guys did AMAZING and made us even more excited about getting to be there with you when you say, “I do!” next summer. We have no doubt it’s going to be a love-filled celebration and we’re excited to document all that love & laughter for you! Until then, we hope you enjoy these photos and that they serve as a happy reminder of all the fun still to come! Big hugs & love, Christine & Andy xo

I LOVE this time of year. The air has a freshness to it that makes me just want to snuggle in with Andy and watch the world go by. The changing leaves move me with their beauty, even though I’ve seen the same symphony year after year. I love the taste of freshly picked apples. I love carving pumpkins and getting my favorite sweaters out of winter storage. This is a time for sitting by the fire and reading a good book. Soon, we will gather with family & friends for a bountiful feast. And though the leaves will wither and die, love blossoms on as this is our busiest time of year for shooting love sessions for our fabulous couples getting married next summer.

Two weeks ago, we got together with college sweethearts Meg & Brian for their fall love session. We met them at Bourne Farm, one of our favorite local spots that just oozes so many of the things I love best about fall. It’s actually where Andy & I said “I do,” eight years ago…hard to believe it’s been that long already and yet, I can barely remember my life before him.

Meg & Brian are getting married next June at the Winslow Estate in Orleans. We haven’t shot a wedding there yet, but the property looks AMAZING, and Meg & Brian are super sweet, so we’re very excited!

Brian let us know right away that he is not a big fan of having his picture taken, which we found ironic, since he’s easy on the eyes. But, I get it. I admit, I am also camera shy. I am WAAAAY happier on this side of the lens.

One of the main reasons we offer complimentary engagement sessions with all of our album packages is exactly for people like Brian and me. Being photographed by someone you don’t really know can be intimidating and uncomfortable. For me, I become super aware of myself and feel self conscious. And, I’m sure I’m not alone. As photographers, Andy & I like to put those feelings on the table right away and work through them with our couples before their big day.

Our sessions are really low key and hopefully a lot of fun. Generally, by the end of our time together, everyone is feeling more relaxed and comfortable, both with Andy & me and with the idea of being photographed. And, if you’re feeling comfortable and trust the person (or in our case, persons) taking your picture, you’re going to be more relaxed and that always means better, more natural photos.

While Brian may have been a bit nervous about our session, Meg, was completely the opposite. A total ham and as the subject of much of her sister’s photography, she was instantly at ease in front of our lenses, which I, personally admire, and I think it also helped put Brian at ease.

I gotta say, photographing couples is really my favorite thing to do. I just love watching the dynamics between two people who really care about each other. At the start of the session, we watch as they hold tightly to one another and look to the other for comfort and support. And, if we’ve done our job well, by the end of the session, they are having fun and enjoying the experience.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from our afternoon with Meg & Brian….Enjoy!

We’re always looking for interesting ways of looking at a scene, finding a new perspective or angle that tells a new story. It keeps it fun for us and gives our couples something they may not have seen before.

But always, my favorite photos are ones like this next one, where you can just feel the bond between our subjects. To me, this next photo perfectly conveys the relationship Meg & Brian have and I love it!

Another fun perspective courtesy of my very talented and always-willing-to-lay-on-the-wet-ground-for-a-good-shot husband, Andy!

Love their expressions in this next one….happy & relaxed!

Taking advantage of local scenery…

In honor of the pumpkin festival being held at the farm the day after our session, a sad looking scarecrow guarded the pumpkin patch. We asked Meg & Brian to go hang out with the scarecrow for a bit and it seemed to make them crack up, which is always a good thing for us!

I love this perspective and the way the light seems to be spotlighting them.

Miles of rock walls surround Bourne Farm’s property and while Andy was getting some great photos of our happy couple, I thought it might be fun to shoot through the wall for an interesting composition. What do you think?

This is a pretty classic portrait shot, but I just love it! And something tells me their moms will too!

I got your back……

The town of Falmouth recently completed an extension of their Shining Sea Bike path, which initially was about 3.3 miles, but now extends over 10 miles into North Falmouth, crossing through a portion of Bourne Farm’s property. I wanted to try something different and have Meg & Brian lay down in the middle of the path and play with the lines of the path. It just so happened that a rollerblader came rushing past as we were preparing for the shot and well, the result was even better than my original idea. I LOVE when that happens!

The day of our session was very overcast and it ended up spitting rain a couple of times, but Meg & Brian were in town from Maryland very briefly so it was our only chance to get together. As it happens, it was a great session and the rough weather churned up this starfish at Woodneck Beach. I’ve never seen starfish at this beach before…so cool!

Lovely…

Fun fun fun!

It wouldn’t be a bello session without a butt shot! That’s not entirely true, but I do love my butt shots!

I really like this next one. I love how Meg’s hair is blowing in the wind, how they’re both looking in different directions and their happy expressions. So fun!

The look of love…

The best place to be….in the arms of the one you love!!!

Meg & Brian, you two were AWESOME!! We had such a great time hanging out with you both, dodging raindrops, hanging out with a scarecrow, and walking on seashells! We were already looking forward to your wedding next summer, and now, even more so! Thank you so much for letting down your guard and for giving us a personal glimpse into your lovely relationship. Thank you too for taking time out of your quick & busy visit home to be with us! We really appreciate it and hope these photos serve as a happy reminder of all the fun still to come! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Meghan & Mike have known each other since they were in junior high school, and have been dating for 12 years, so I suppose their path toward marriage has been more of a slow & steady crawl than an actual run. But, like their love for each other, running is a passion they both share!

“Meghan & I were both athletes in high school and college (track & lacrosse) so we definitely love getting outside for a run together,” Mike told us.

Two years ago, Meghan completed the NYC Marathon finishing with an impressive time. And, on November 1st, Mike will lace up his sneakers for his first-ever attempt at 26.2 miles through the Big Apple.

In fact, Mike is so serious about his training, he ran 16 miles the day of our session. Meghan ran 8 just for fun and to keep her honey company! Now that is love!!! Needless to say, Mike was a bit sore, but he pushed through and we all had a great time together!! Here are just a few of our favorite moments from Meghan & Mike’s super sweet love session.

The weather was a bit spotty on the day we had scheduled to meet, so we started our session inside Meghan’s parents’ house while the clouds squeezed out the last bit of rain for the day. Here’s our happy couple cuddling by the window.

With the showers having passed, we headed outside to their backyard beach for a few shots…

Shooting through the step’s railing, we caught a cute moment…

Andy loves to get down low for an interesting perspective…

Taking advantage of nature’s props to highlight our happy couple and Megan’s gorgeous bling!

I love how content Meghan looks in this next one…and how about Mike’s million dollar smile?! Sweet!

This next one is classic Bello…..LOVE IT!!!

We decided to switch things up a bit and headed to Kalmus Beach, just down the street. The beach was deserted, so we took advantage and had some fun with the lifeguard chair. Here’s my perspective…

And Andy’s of the same moment. Gotta love having two photographers!!! Like many things in life, two is often better than one!

A little runner’s challenge…the face off….

Poor Mike was hurting, but something tells me Meghan would have beat him anyway!

If you follow this blog, you’ve heard me say it before, and you’ll likely hear me say it again after this, but there truly is no better place in the world than in the arms of the one you love. Meghan’s eyes say it all!

Another classic Bello beach grass shot! We just can’t resist!!!

Thank you Meghan & Mike for being so sweet together, for inviting us to share in this special time in your lives and for making us feel instantly welcome!!! A special shout out to you both too for running and jumping and happily going along with our silly requests to get some great shots after having run so far! You guys rock!! (Good luck Mike on Nov. 1st!!!) We can’t wait to be there with you both next summer when you run down the aisle and say, “I do!!” Thank you too to Meghan’s parents, Linda & Dan, for inviting us to crash your pre-dinner party to share a drink and some lovely conversation! It was great chatting with you both (and your friends)!! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo

Our love sessions are a wonderful way to get to know our couples better, build trust, and establish more of a rapport with each other before the all important wedding day! It is especially helpful when our first meeting involves only one member of the pair. Such was the case with Kate & Ryan.

We first met Kate last year, as she was in the early stages of planning her wedding, and just a couple of months after she & Ryan had their little love-munchkin, Nicholas.  So, when it came time for our love session together, we thought it was important that the session not only involve Ryan, but also Nicholas, since the three of them will be celebrating Kate & Ryan’s love and their commitment to one another in just a couple of months.

Like so many of our couples at the start of our session, Kate & Ryan were a little nervous about being photographed, but Nicolas…he was all about it!! And, I think, he helped his mom & dad get comfortable with the idea too. Here are just a few of our favorites from our afternoon together…Enjoy!

Nicholas is excited to have some new playmates….Seriously, can we talk about his two little snaggle-teeth coming in? Love it!!!

This little munchkin was all smiles during our brief time together! It definitely helped that his Grandpa Ken was in the background making very silly faces! Thanks Ken!!!

We call this one a Nicholas sandwich. I just love how smooshed his face is getting and how he just doesn’t seem to know what the heck is going on!

Time for Nicholas to take off with Grandpa Ken, so mommy & daddy can have some alone time. I don’t think he wanted to go!

I just love the way these two are together….being in the unfamiliar territory of a photo shoot, they looked to each other for comfort and support…exactly how it should be in a relationship!!!

It’s obvious where Nicholas got his good looks from….

When Kate smiles, her whole face lights up….Love that!!!

We decided to start our session together at Armstrong-Kelley Park in Osterville and the park has this great little water pond that we used for some photos. The water lilies were in full bloom!

Love a little sun flare!

Snuggle time…

There’s something about that moment right before a kiss that says so much to me!

Come on now…does it get much cuter?

With their comfort level adjusted to the “Yeah, bring it on” level, we headed to the beach and these two rocked it out! I feel like this looks like an ad for Raybans or Top Gun the sequel.

I love these next few. The light was starting to come down and Kate & Ryan were having fun working the camera now…this definitely felt more like them. And getting to that point is always the goal of our love sessions!

You know how we love the blurry people in the background….This one is classic! Love it!

And real happy faces….well, that’s always our favorite kind of photo!

Happiness is…..a summer evening at the beach, watching the sun set in the arms of your honey!

Does Kate look like Alicia Silverstone or what? She’s gorgeous and ridiculously so when she’s beaming, like in this next one!!!

Thank you Kate & Ryan for being so much fun! We know that being photographed can feel really awkward, especially at first, and most especially when you’ve got two relative strangers pointing cameras with huge lenses in your face. But, you guys were awesome and hopefully you had as much fun as we did!!! Thank you too for bringing Nicholas! It was great to meet him, and your dad, Ryan! We look forward to seeing all of you and meeting the rest of your families and friends in September!!! Big hugs, Christine & Andy xo

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!!!

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

Kara & Jamie first met in the Physician Assistant Program at Northeastern University. Jamie remembers Kara from their very first interview at the school. “(She) was the only one to bring her mother with her,” he told us.

On first glance, Kara didn’t know what to make of Jamie. “He had frosted tips and really bizarre facial hair, sideburns that he called his ‘chops’,” she said.  But, after two years in a class of just 30 students, they formed a friendship that, while on a trip to Vegas, eventually blossomed into something more. “What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas,” they joked.

From our first meeting with Kara & Jamie, it instantly felt like we had known them for ages. We all seemed to just click. They truly are two of THE sweetest people you could hope to meet. They’re fun and funny, caring and kind, and just genuinely good people. Oh, and they’re crazy beautiful to boot! So, it came as quite a surprise when they told us how nervous they were about their love session.

“We trust your opinion, because each and every photo shoot you guys have done is absolutely unbelievable…We are just nervous we are not going to look as perfect as all those people do,” Kara said in an e-mail before our session on Saturday.

WHAAAAT?!!! I mean seriously you two!!

They were a little nervous in the beginning, but they quickly found their groove and mainly just had fun together, which really is the key ingredient to fabulous photos.

I admit, I may have inadvertently added to their stress about the session by providing a really obscure description of one of the spots we suggested might be a fun stop for photos. In an e-mail, I called it a “wooden structure,” which, now in hindsight, I can see why it would have created quite the little mystery. Apparently, they had more than a few conversations about what the wooden structure could possibly be….a statue, a big billboard, a boat, a wall of wood, Trojan horse…what?

Andy suggested I should have called them wood sheds, which is probably a more accurate description. Basically, they’re old, stable-like open outdoor garages connected in a small row. But, at the time, I thought that saying we wanted to go to a garage to take some photos might give them the wrong idea, since they were hoping for something classically Cape Cod. Saying that, we are not opposed to photographing in garages…it’s actually somewhere we’ve been wanting to go shoot for a while. We’ve even spied one out in Boston that would be perfect! Any takers?

Anyway, here are a few of our favorite moments from our evening with the lovely Kara & Jamie:

Here they are in the wooden structure! LOL!

It’s cool right? We love the wooden structure….almost as much as we love Kara & Jamie. I mean really, does it get much cuter than these two?

I love their expressions in this next one!

Inside the wooden structure…oooooh, it gets better? Yes, it does!!! The wooden structure is a magical place.

Love this perspective! Nice bling!!!!

I can’t help smiling when I look at this next photo and think that these two were nervous about not looking perfect! Really?

Playing with lines….

Hopefully, by now your love for the wooden structure runs as deep as ours….hee hee!!! But, really, it’s a cute spot for photos of two cuties, right?

Moving on…we moved around a little and found this next cute spot, where Kara & Jamie continued to share their adorableness with us!

Love how their hands are just barely touching each other in this next one….awwww!

As the sun was getting lower, we wanted to play with light a little and found this great field of wild grass. At this point, Kara & Jamie were totally relaxed and having a lot of fun together. We just love watching that progression happen with our nervous couples. It really does signal to us that we’re going to have an absolute blast together at the wedding!

I LOVE this one!

And this one!!!

One of the things Kara & Jamie said they thought would be fun for their session together is to incorporate a lighthouse into the photos. They love all things beachy, so we took them to Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth for sunset! It’s an incredibly quaint and picturesque lighthouse.

Kara & Jamie….we don’t know what the heck you were worried about!! You guys were incredible! The way you were together was so sweet and natural and the perfect inspiration for a fabulous session!!! Thanks for a great night!! We can’t wait to be there with you when you say, “I do!” later this fall!!! You think we’ll be able to find another wooden structure in NH? Big love, Chris & Andy xo