Two years ago today, we welcomed our niece, Sadie, into the world. My sister had been admitted to the hospital the week before Sadie’s birth due to complications with her pregnancy. We had hoped, with heavy hearts, that she would spend the remaining 13 weeks of her pregnancy in the hospital to give the baby time to grow & develop. But, as fate…or Sadie…would have it, we wouldn’t be waiting that long.

Despite her tiny stature, at just 2 pounds 8 ounces, Sadie made her presence known, forcing her way into the world….feet first. It was obvious right from the beginning that this little girl had some spunk. And, now two years later, that spunk has served her well. Amazingly, Sadie has survived her early arrival without any complications. It is truly a blessing, especially given that some of the other preemies she shared the NIC unit with did not survive.

This morning, I read back to the first post I wrote about Sadie, just days after she was born, and it’s amazing to me that we already had a sense of who she would be before she was even able to breath on her own. She is strong-willed, determined, fiercely independent, funny, sweet, completely lovable and a total snuggle monkey.

It has been a joy and a privilege to watch Sadie grow and blossom. She has brought so much to my and Andy’s lives that words just don’t do justice. Two years has gone by quickly and Sadie has grown by leaps and bounds. She is perfect in every sense and when I think of her (and her sweet fiercely-protective older brother, Calvin) my heart spills over with love.

So, Happy Birthday Sadie! May the next year be filled with as much happiness & joy as you have brought to our lives in these past two years! Auntie & Uncle love you to bits! xoxo

Here’s Sadie after just waking up from her nap on Saturday. My sister & brother-in-law had a little family party for her. It was a great day!

Our little princess…She’s definitely a fighter, but she’s also all girl….a slightly sleepy girl in this next photo.

We recently had the pleasure of meeting and photographing super sweet sisters, Madison & Grace. The girls’ mom, Jenn, had contacted us because she was hoping to get some great shots of her girls and being the proud momma that she is, she thought she might try and use the photos to get the girls into modeling.

Madison & Grace are gorgeous with personalities as sweet as their beautiful faces. We had a blast photographing them and have no doubt they will make amazing models!

We drove down to Truro for our session and started with some shots of Gracie in her super cute room. It didn’t take long for Grace to warm up to us and we were instantly smitten. Check out this little cherub….

I think she’s ready for her modeling debut….what do you think? I mean, really? Too freaking cute!

Grace has such a sweet, inquisitive disposition. She is curious and friendly and obviously a happy little soul. Deeee-licious!

It took some doing to get her to sit still in the chair for a minute…the piggy finger puppet helped and I just love those gorgeous blue eyes of hers….

Getting her to safely sit still on her changing table was even more challenging….but the result is delightful!!! This is my favorite photo of the day!

We traded her green & pink tutu for this orange sweater, which really complimented Grace’s peaches & cream coloring.

I LOOOVE the expression in her eyes in this next one….beautiful!

Madison is a fabulous big sister and let Grace crawl around on her bed for these next couple of shots…

Peek-a-boo Andy I see you!!!

Next, it was Madison’s turn in the spotlight. Madison loves to ride horses, so we thought it would be fun to get some photos of her in her riding gear. We brought a couple of changes of clothes and headed to Woodsong Farm in Brewster, where Madison takes lessons.

Madison is a really cool kid. She’s incredible self assured, smart, super sweet and really comfortable in front of the camera…a great combination! Andy & I had as much fun hanging out with Madison as we did photographing her. Here are a few of our favorites from our session together:

A classic portrait, Madison knows how to work the camera and smile with her eyes…

Is she too cute or what?

Madison borrowed her mom’s cowboy hat to change up her look….howdy cowgirl!

Madison really has gorgeous features and some seriously killer blue eyes…

I love this next one in black & white…it just screams Ralph Lauren to me!

A pensive pose…

Working it…big time…

Does she have some crazy beautiful cheekbones or what?

I love her playful expression in this next one…

I’m not sure who was having more fun…Madison or her horse.

A great big thank you to Bette at Woodsong for giving us free range of the farm for our session. And, thanks to Jenn and Greg for producing and raising such beautiful little people for us to know & photograph. We hope you love these photos, and the others soon to follow, and find that they capture the wonderful spirits of your two beautiful girls! We’re so glad our paths have crossed and look forward to seeing you all again!! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Then comes Isabelle in a baby carriage!

Two years ago, we had the pleasure of photographing the super fun Willowbend wedding of Molly & Guy. Molly comes from a large Irish family & Guy from a large Italian family. Their wedding was a merging of two proud cultures that, among other things, shared one very important commonality…the importance of family. Their wedding was a celebration of the coming together of two incredible families, each of whom knows how to love and love BIG!

So, we were over-the-moon happy when Molly contacted us recently to ask us to photograph her & Guy’s  crazy-beautiful daughter, Isabelle. Getting to be there with our couples when they embark on the journey of marriage and then, following them through their lives as marriage turns to family is not only an honor and a privilege, but it is also a joyous celebration of the circle of life. And, the significance of that warms our hearts and leaves us feeling so grateful.

Because Isabelle is still such a peanut….just 4 months old…we decided to go to Molly & Guy’s lovely home for the session, so we could photograph Isabelle where she is most comfortable. We spent a couple of hours with our dear friends and we are super excited to share this collection of images with you. Isabelle is as sweet as she is beautiful. Meet baby Isabelle…

Our first shot of the session….Gotta love when the magic happens right away! I love Isabelle’s expression and those eyes…seriously?!!!

I could just eat her up…

Getting up close & personal with our little miss sunshine….

Who’s a happy girl…

Baby sessions are so fun because babies generally don’t have the apprehension about being photographed that adults sometimes have. And, it is soooooo fun to get in close and document all of those precious little bits, like Isabelle’s sweet curled little toes and her super delicious perfect little bubble-blowing lips!

I love this next one. The sun was pouring through the window acting almost like a spotlight and Isabelle seemed to be enjoying all of the attention. Is she the perfect little Gerber baby or what?

A moment later from a different perspective and with a slightly more curious expression…

These super cool Bumbo seats allow little ones to sit straight up without any help. And they also make a great prop for a portrait! Isabelle’s expression in this one totally reminds me of the talking Quizno baby. Doesn’t she look like she’s got a lot to say! So funny!

A couple of detail shots from Isabelle’s super cute bedroom and the little cupcake herself…

Dadda’s home…yeaaay!!

After over an hour of being photographed, our little model was exhausted and instantly fell asleep in her daddy’s big strong arms. Life is good!

Sleeping beauty…

I just love the contrast of Isabelle’s tiny little hands holding tightly to her mommy & daddy….

After waking from her quick catnap, Isabelle was ready to head outside for some fresh air and some pics with her mommy & daddy….

The leaves made a perfect background. And, I’m pretty sure expressions don’t get much cuter than this next one…

Our happy family…

Giggles with mommy…

Life’s simple pleasures…

Isabelle loves her Daddy…

After a little nap & some fresh air, it was time for a snack. I just LOVE the view of Isabelle’s eye lashes from this perspective.

She really does have the most incredible eyes!!! And how about those cheeks…I had to hold myself back from totally nibbling on them!

One of my favorite shots of the day…

Molly & Guy, thank you both soooo much for welcoming us into your lives 3 years ago with such open arms & open hearts. And, bigger thanks still for keeping us in your lives and for wanting us to document Isabelle’s first year of life. Things change so quickly when they’re little and we hope these photos help keep her little for a while longer! We love you guys and loved spending the afternoon with you and Isabelle! Thanks for the delicious Sicilian pizza…Guy you’re the best! Can’t wait to hang out with you all again…next time lunch is on us! With big love and hugs, Christine & Andy xoxoxo

Last month, Andy’s mom…or mum as they say in England…came over for a much-anticipated visit. Things have been so ridiculously busy for Andy & I that we haven’t managed to get back to England in nearly five years….crazy, I know. And, it’s been nearly four years since Andy’s mom was last here to visit us. So, we were very excited when the plans were arranged and we knew she was coming.

We were able to take a few days off to do some sightseeing and toured a good chunk of the mid-Cape and lower-Cape, including a stop at Pirate’s Cove in Yarmouth for a rather competitive 36-holes of mini golf, and trip to the Wellfleet Drive-In theater…something not to be missed during a trip to the Cape!

We didn’t take as many photos as we should have…something we’re quite guilty of when it comes to family, especially during the busy season when we and our cameras get worked overtime. But, here are a few photos on mum’s last day. We couldn’t let her leave without some photos of her and her oldest son…

Meet Pauline…aka Mum…Isn’t she beautiful!!?

I just love her blue eyes. They’re a slightly different color and shape than Andy’s, but I thought it would be fun to get a close up of their beautiful peepers!

Aww…momma & her boy! Love it!

And outside for a few more pics…

I LOVE this next one. Mum reached up to gently touch Andy’s face and it was kind of a cheesy moment, which caused them both to absolutely crack up! We kept laughing about that one all the one to the airport.

Mum….it was sooo great having you here! We’re sorry it took as long as it did and promise to come home soon! We love you & miss you and thank you for making the long trip to come be with us!!!

Big BIG love, Chris & Andy xoxoxo

Okay, so I’m waaay late on this post, mostly because it’s a personal post and a long one, which feels a little indulgent. But, I’m hoping you’ll humor me.

My grandfather, Ugly, as he is affectionately known by us grandkids, celebrated his….wait for it…..100th birthday on August 25. Yup, 1-0-0 years…talk about a milestone!

He has experienced much in his life and has seen incredible changes, inventions, discoveries, births and death. So much has happened in our world over the past 100 years and he was there to witness all of it.

I wrote him a little poem/tribute in honor of his birthday a couple of years ago that seems appropriate to share on this momentous occasion. But first, I’ll share some photos, since that’s probably what you come here to see.

The assisted living facility that Gramps now calls home threw a big party, complete with a giant cake, balloons, and some seriously giggle-inducing entertainment by a former Vegas lounge singer who seemed smitten with my aunt. At one point, they performed a duet that caused one of the residents sitting behind me to say, “I thought he was going to kiss her.” (I gotta be honest, I did too!) It was brilliant!

The cafeteria was packed, with all of the residents (and several family members) there to celebrate Gramp’s 100 years…or maybe they were just there for the free cake. Either way, it was a great afternoon! Here are a few of my favorite moments from the party…

The man of the hour….UGLY (aka Michael Ferullo)

The staff at the residence baked a huge strawberry shortcake for Ugly and the great grandkids helped him blow out the candles.

The Mayor of Revere even came to the party to present Gramps with a citation. My grandfather’s face when he saw the Mayor was priceless!

Look at him just beaming with pride. I just love him!!! After he left, Gramps said that he thought that the mayor had come to his party because he heard what a nice guy he was and how he never had a bad thing to say about anyone. If you know my grandfather, you’re laughing right now. Don’t get me wrong, I ADORE my grandfather and hold him on the highest of pedestals. But, he is by no means perfect and certainly isn’t the most accepting, open-minded person. He’s an old dog and very set in his ways. If you agree with him, you’re in good standing, but if you don’t…look out…he bites!

Ugly with my sister, Kimmy, and her delicious daughter, Sadie.

My aunts and the singer coaxed Gramps to get up and sing a Frank Sinatra number. I love his face…he’s like, “Will  someone get me the hell outta here!” Priceless!

My cousin’s son, Andrew, boogies on down! I love this little munchkin. (PS…his dad, my cousin, Andy, made it out of ICU this summer and is now home from the hospital, after receiving a bone marrow transplant. It’s been a long, hard battle and the fight marches on…please keep him in your prayers!)

A few days later, our family got together again to celebrate Ugly’s birthday with a party at my aunt’s house. It was a great day and here are a few of my favorite moments from our afternoon together….

We made a special present for Gramps, a canvas wrap print featuring 100 reasons why we all love him. I read them outloud to Gramps, who seemed bored after the fifth reason. But, I kept torturing the grumpy old coot!

This is him before he got bored….

Sadie looks on curiously while shoving a chocolate cupcake in (and on) her face.

Mr. Popularity takes a call from my cousin, Jason, who recently moved to California and couldn’t make it home for the party. I love the shades over his glasses….classic Hollywood!

Sadie hangs out with her favorite Uncle Andy.

While her brother, Calvin, enjoys some good times on the slip & slide with his second cousins…

Time for cake…again…

Andy with his favorite girl, Sadie. Check out Andy rockin’ out Grandpa’s shades. Sexxxy….

In this next photo, I’m snuggling up with Sadie & my cousin, Carla’s little boy, Cole. I just love how Cole is giving Sadie a suspicious look. He & I bonded that day and I like to think he’s wondering how to push her out of the way so he can get snag all of my attention for himself.

Lovely Sadie…

With her best friend, Douglas the monkey.

Cole & his mommy share some snuggle time.

Uncle Andy is like the Pied Piper of little kids. They just LOVE him and he loves them. It’s one of the things that made me fall in love with him. How can you resist a man who children love? You just know he is good through and through.

Cal, relishes the attention and playtime with his favorite Uncle and is the first to jump on the pig pile.

Nap time for Sadie…I just love the light skimming off her crazy cute pigtails!

My cousin, Monica, and her super sweet son, Jan Williams, share a moment.

It was a great time with family. As we get older, we don’t all get together as much as we used to, so having the chance to get together and celebrate such a wonderful occasion was truly a blessing! We love you Ugly and treasure your presence in our lives! xoxo

And, if you’re interested in some sub-par poetry (actually, I’m not sure it qualifies as poetry per se, but I enjoyed writing it), here’s the tribute I wrote for my Gramps in celebration of his birthday. I actually wrote it a few years ago, but revised it slightly for this post. My grandfather was always THE BEST storyteller. He loved to tell a story almost as much as we grandkids loved hearing him talk about the good ole days. His memory isn’t quite what it used to be anymore, and today’s stories have more to do with who’s bugging him this week at the assisted living facility than they do with memories from his past. But, I will forever think of my grandfather as the man who loved big and lived to share the stories of his life.

1909

1909—what a marvelous year!
It was the year you came into this world.
I would not know you for almost 60 years,
But in that time you would experience many things,
Creating memories you would one day share with me.

Although I never knew what life was like growing up on a farm in Arlington,
Or what it was like to wake at 4 Am, drive a wind-up old pick up truck into Fanieul Hall,
And deliver the family’s produce.
Tho’ I know nothing of cutting glass or of making leather shoes.
And while I have never seen a Great Depression, a war of the world, or the birth of rock n’ roll,
I feel as though I have experienced all of these things (because of you).
I can smell the air as it was in 1909—thick with the promise of an industrial revolution,
Yet as pure and sweet as a garden tomato.

And woven with these stories of bygone days are memories of my own:
Summer afternoons spent frolicking in a flower-covered plastic pool,
Eating potato salad like only Grandma can make.
Christmases where children could drink red wine with ginger ale,
Where presents were abundant,
But none so precious as the love you lavished on us.

Yours was a place where nickels and quarters seemed to grow under a worn-out old recliner;
Where I learned to appreciate the joy of working with my hands,
And where I often marveled at how the skin on your still nimble hands held its shape
Long after I stopped pinching.

And though I left you after each visit, my arms packed full of leftovers,
Old lamps you re-wired, mismatched dish towels,
Or refinished treasures you saved for me,
Nothing could compare with the fullness of my heart.

Oh, how my cup runneth over with all you have given me.

Never will I forget the exuberant youthfulness of your face that day at Fenway,
When you and Dad fought over a foul ball.
Never will I forget the smell of mothballs on hand-knitted wool blankets,
Or the taste of fresh mint picked from your backyard.
All these precious gifts you have given me Grandpa are impossible to repay,
So today, on this day—August 25, 2009,
I give you only this…three words spoken with more feeling than they could ever express—
I love you.
I love you for all you are, for all you have ever been, and for all you have given to me!
I am truly a better person for having you in my life!

Forever yours,
Chrissy

After 7 years of photographing weddings, we’re starting to see a lot of our super sweet couples beginning families of their own. It’s such a joy to see that wonderful progression of life and even more joyful when we get to be included in marking the milestones with photographs.

Two years ago, we photographed the fabulous Boston wedding of super cuties Michelle and Dan. Last fall, we met up again with Michelle & Dan at one of our favorite beaches to photograph them with their crazy-beautiful little girl, Mackenzie. It was like coming full circle for us, since it was at that same beach that we first photographed their engagement session.

Well, the circle came around again a couple of weeks ago, when we met up with Michelle, Dan, Mackenzie and Mackenzie’s new little sister, Cameron…talk about yummy!! Michelle’s parents, John & Susan, and siblings, Holly & John, also joined the party this year….it was so great to see everyone again!

Here are just a few of our favorites from our little family reunion….Enjoy!

Michelle was trying to get Cameron dressed, but Mackenzie wanted to give her baby sister a little love first.

Snuggles with Daddy…

Although definitely more grown up since our last get together, Mackenzie still has those incredible eyes that really melt your heart! I just love this next photo of her in Dan’s arms, especially with Michelle & Cameron in the background…such a sweet family moment.

Playful, curious…lovely Mackenzie!

It was harder to get Mackenzie to sit still for this session…but we coaxed her down for a quick snap with the family.

Giggles & cuddles with Auntie Holly….

I love this next photo of Michelle’s dad, John. He looks so happy & relaxed….

Mackenzie discovered hermit crabs in the rising marsh water and was having such fun watching them crawl around…

Michelle’s gorgeous happy parents, John & Susan….are they a couple of hotties or what?!!! Way to work it you two!!!

The whole family (Holly, John, John, Susan, Mackenzie, Dan, Michelle & Cameron) Do they make them cute, or what?!

Siblings…Michelle ( with a bubble-blowing Cameron on her lap. LOL!), John and Holly.

I LOVE this next shot…Mackenzie is just too cute for words with her Nana & Papa!!!

The gang’s all here…

I love this perspective of Mackenzie clinging like a little monkey to her Nana’s hip….so sweet!!!

Baby Cameron (who was just weeks old) is checking us out….looks like she’s inherited those same incredible blue eyes her sister’s got!! Lucky girls!!!

Sunset on Cape Cod…

Great big thanks to Michelle & Dan for allowing us to document another wonderful year with your family. Thanks too to Susan, John, Holly & John for making the trip down to the Cape to join us this year!! It was so great seeing you all again and we hope to do it again soon!!! John & Susan, you should feel very proud of yourselves…you’ve done a wonderful job raising three amazing kids, who’ve all turned out to be equally amazing adults!!! You’ve got a wonderful, loving family and we thank you for trusting us to memorialize this happy time in your lives!!! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

It’s hard to believe it was over four years ago that we photographed the lovely backyard wedding of Rachel & Chris. Their Brewster wedding was an elegant, but casual, celebration of the love they share. They said, “I do,” under the family’s pear tree, with their closest friends & family members surrounding them. It was a beautiful day, filled with beautiful sentiment.

We’d kept in touch over the years and were thrilled to learn that last year they’d given birth to their daughter, Sabine. Earlier this summer, they contacted us about doing a Bello Life session, a candid documentary-style shoot to capture the love they share and the joy that Sabine has brought to their lives.

We met back where it all began for us…under the family’s pear tree. Sabine is a total lovebug, with a curious, happy spirit. It was nice to reconnect with our old friends and make a new one. Here are our favorite moments from our time together…

Seriously? LOVE this!! To me this photo just screams childhood and all the innocent joys that come along with that…like catching drops of water with your tongue….priceless!

Getting a push from mommy…

I really like this next moment with Sabine & her mommy, as they check out the coy in the fish pond…these were some seriously happy koi. You could actually pet them as you fed them…never seen anything like it.

The best moments in life are often the simplest ones…like this next one. Can’t you just feel the joy?!!!

These next few are some of my favorites…a naked baby on a hot summer day….just delicious!!

Does it get much cuter than this? I think not!

Okay, maybe it does….marching to her own tune! Love it!!!!!

Sabine gets a kiss from Daddy as she tries to figure out what to wear next….

When you love a child, you want to shower them with gifts, give them plenty of toys to play with. But, really, sometimes it’s the little things, like opening and closing a gate….dozens of times…that really captures their interest.

Little miss goofball decided it might be fun to put her skirt on her head. Hysterical!!!

I love this series of Sabine with her favorite mousy & lamby.

She had such fun smelling the roses…again, simple pleasures.

Is she munchable or what?

So sweet….

A quiet moment with mommy…

After 3 hours together, Sabine was starting to get a little tired of all of the attention and needed a snuggle from mommy.

Lovely….

I really liked this next one when I first saw it. Andy captured this really sweet moment of Rachel handing Sabine an apple she’d picked from the apple tree. I love the position of both of their hands. It feels very biblical to me, very Michelangelo and sistine chapel. There is just such a sweet innocence about it that I really like.

Getting Sabine to sit still wasn’t easy, but counting apples seemed to do the trick.

Our happy family under the family pear tree, where it all began…

Big thanks to Rachel, Chris and Sabine for being so much fun to be around and photograph. You guys did GREAT!!! And it was so wonderful to see you again and to finally meet your little lovebug! Thanks too to Susan (Rachel’s mom) for being a perfect hostess!!! It was so great to see you again too and we’re sending healing wishes your way!!! We hope you all have a fabulous end to your summer and that we get to do this again soon!!! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

This past weekend, we enjoyed a summer rarity…..a wedding-free weekend. Can I get a, “Whooo hooo?!!” Don’t get me wrong, we have great jobs and feel really fortunate to not only get to do what we love, but to get to do it together. Still, come August, we’re feeling pretty burned out after working 7 days a week, often with 12+ hour days. The summer months go by in a frenzied pace and being able to have a weekend off to stop and just breath feels AMAZING!

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend our 2 days off than hanging out in New York City with my sister, Deb, and her wonderful hubby, Ritchie, and super DEEEE-LICIOUS son, Michael.

Michael’s story began in the early morning hours of June 2, 2008. Unfortunately, I haven’t spent much time with Michael over the past year. Deb & Ritchie live in Los Angeles and we only see each other a couple of times a year. But, this summer, Deb’s work took her to NYC for a couple of months.

Andy & I got up early on Saturday morning and drove to the big city. We hadn’t seen Michael since Christmas and couldn’t wait to get reacquainted. Deb had warned us that Michael was a little clingy and might not warm up to us right away. Slightly worried, though not deterred, we planned to make our presence known and shower our nephew with oodles of love.

As soon as we saw each other, Michael greeted us with a big, and now toothy, smile! A lot had changed in the months since our last visit. Our monkey face went from being just a wee baby to a little man with a big personality. Happily, he didn’t seem the least bit shy or intimidated by our unfamiliar faces. I like to think that somewhere in our genetic makeup we recognize our peeps.

After dropping off our bags, we headed out for a trip to one of Mikey’s favorite city water parks. Visiting NYC in the throws of a heat wave really made us appreciate why so many New Yorkers make the 4-hour trip every weekend to our sandy Cape shores. When it’s hot in the city, there’s nothing to do but stay inside where there’s AC or plant your butt under one of the many fountain parks that dot the city and provide a cool respite from the sweltering heat.

The joy on Michael’s face as he played in the fountains filled our hearts with such love and happiness. It was too hard to just pick a few to share, so here’s a little slideshow we put together highlighting our time together. Meet Mikey and all his sweet yumminess!

Thanks Deb & Ritchie for letting us crash at your place and invade your space for the weekend. Thanks too for letting us hijack Mikey while we were there. It was sooooo good to spend that time with all of you! We love you guys more than words could ever say and can’t wait to see you all again! Big love, C&A xoxoxo

Last Monday, we had a little reunion with our friends Nora & Jonny. We first met Nora & Jonny two years ago at the Cape Cod wedding of Jonny’s brother, Simon. Simon & Jonny, like Andy, are two Brits who married American girls. Ironically, they also happened to marry best friends. Confused yet?

Basically, best friends, Megan & Nora married brothers, Jonny & Simon. We photographed Megan & Simon’s lovely Willowbend wedding in 2007 and instantly hit it off with the whole family. Maybe it was the American/British connection that drew us to them. But, really, I think it is the fact that they’re super sweet, incredibly warm people and it was impossible not to like them!

Earlier this year, Nora contacted us to ask if we would photograph her family as they gathered from across the country for a reunion here on the Cape. We, of course, said, “Yes!!! Please!!” We love working with lovely people and after having met Nora, we knew her clan would be one we’d have some fun with!

We caught up with Nora & her family at the lovely oceanside Hawthorne Inn in Chatham, where they were all staying. The group included Nora, Jonny, their too-cute-for-words son, Jack (Nora & Megan each had their first child within two weeks of each other….too funny, right?!); Nora’s parents-Cheryl & Garry; Nora’s sister-Karen and her two also too-cute-for-words kids, Nicole & James; Nora’s brother, Greg, and Cheryl’s siblings and their spouses-Cathey & Hugh and John & Chris.

We had such a nice evening with everyone and hope our paths cross again on their next visit to Cape Cod! Thank you all for welcoming us with such open arms & open hearts! You have a lovely family and we feel truly honored to have been able to record your time together and hopefully to have captured the spirit of your wonderful reunion! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy!

Enjoy….

Nora gives Jack a playful toss in the air as Jonny looks on.

Karen, James & Nicole make their own kind of starfish in the sand.

The head of the pack….Cheryl & Garry.

James get a little cuddle from his Uncle Greg. I have to admit…I would LOVE a photo like this with my nephew Calvin. The joy on the faces of these two just lights up my heart!

The whole gang….from left to right: Hugh, Cathey, Greg, Chris, John, Cheryl, Gary, Nicole, Nora, James, Karen, Jonny & a sleeping Jack (between the time change and all the excitement, our little guy decided to take a cat nap halfway through our session…bless him!)

Here’s our sleeping beauty!

Talk about beauties…..

James & Nicole are such a sweet pair and I love this shot…Nicole is holding a bird’s feather and James is looking up at his big sister with such love and adoration….life is all about these moments!!!

Lovely Nicole with her sweet eyes and gorgeous face!!!

Tender little James with eyes as blue as the ocean. I love this photo of him because like most kids his age, he tended to give that big “Cheese” smile, which I admit…I secretly love…but I wanted something more natural so I asked him to just smile with his eyes…and this is what he did. LOVE IT!!!

Jackie wakes up to rejoin the party! Yaaay!!! (I soooo don’t look that happy when I first wake up!)

Our happy family gets together for one last group shot in the warm evening light.

A boy and the beach….love it!!!

Exhausted from all the fun…Jack gets a lift from his dad…bye bye Jack!!!

Big thanks again to Nora and her wonderful family for a really fun evening together!!! Hope you all had a safe trip back home and that we get to see you again on your next trip back to our sandy shores of Cape Cod!!! xoxox

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