Typically, the guys are gently persuaded by their sweeties that the experience will be fun and they’ll get some great photos together. “Come on,” she says, “We don’t have any great photos of us. It will be fun. You’ll see.” Reluctantly, the guy goes along with it. After all…if she’s happy, he’s happy.

I think it would be safe to say that this later scenario was more likely the case with our NYC hotties Ivy & Ben. Ivy is one of those sweet, adorable, infectiously bubbly people who instantly charms all she meets. She is fun, beautiful, and very comfortable when thrown into the spotlight. And Ben, despite his striking resemblance to one of my teenage heartthrobs, Jack Wagner, aka Frisco Jones of the daytime soap General Hospital, (oh, how I used to swoon over Frisco), Ben, was a bit shy about being photographed…at first. I think he would have been much happier hanging out, talking and getting to know each other over a drink, without the involvement of cameras.

But, oh, how things changed….as they so often do by the time we finish our couple shoots. By the end of our 2+ hours together, Ben was throwing out ideas and giving Ivy direction on how to drape herself on him or where to stand, saying things like, “How does this look?” and setting up a pretty cool shot! It was priceless!! Seeing that transition is the highest praise we can get, because if that’s where we end up, particularly with our guys, we know we’ve succeeded. Our couples now trust us, they feel comfortable with us and we’ve all had fun along the way. What more can we ask for as photographers?

We seriously have the best job ever!!!

We always start our sessions slowly, letting our couples find their comfort level with us. We don’t like to give a lot of specific direction. Usually, we just put out couples together in a cool setting and say, “Have a moment,” “Just play,” or the ridiculously impossible, “Pretend we’re not here.” Although, it’s a tougher sell at the start, by the end, we’re all laughing and having a fabulous time.

Ivy & Ben’s session typified the kind of experience we hope all of our couples have with us. The fear and inhibitions are shed and a bond is formed. The results are often exciting and confirming for us that we are doing exactly what we are meant to do.

See for yourself….

Sometimes it’s best to start somewhere with a little privacy. It’s hard to mack up on your honey with the world watching. An alley is often a great place to start!

I love this one….it’s like Ivy is coyly coaxing Ben to come out of his shell and go for it.

Our favorite photos always seem to be ones where we get real expressions of joy from our couples. This is a perfect example of what we LOVE to capture….

Our Little Miss Thang is working her strut in her oh so sexy six-inch Louboutins. Love it!!!! Seriously, could she be any cuter? I don’t think so!!

Another wonderful joyous shot…I love Ben’s big “Frisco” smile and the way Ivy is looking at him with such adoration! Getting to photograph people in this way is such a wonderful reminder to keep life simple and hold tightly to the things that matter most….namely the people we love!

This was a fun one…there’s a little Italian Restaurant on Main Street in Falmouth we like to go, La Cucina Sul Mare, and although they hadn’t yet opened, the manager was kind enough to let us pop in for a few moody shots. One of Ivy & Ben’s favorite things to do together is try new restaurants, so we thought this would be a fun setting for them. They knew how to work it!

Amore….

With those killer shoes, we just couldn’t resist this shot, especially with Ivy’s incredible legs! So fun!

When she was young, Ivy was picked to live in NYC and study dance at the School of American Ballet. (soooo cool!) We wanted to see her moves, so she showed us a couple and even had Ben join her in with his own plie’. We love you Ben!!

Seeing double…taking advantage of the late day sun and falling shadows Ben & Ivy share a kiss…or two.

After we thought we were done in town, we were driving out of the boatyard, heading for the beach, as we noticed this collection of colorful, rusted boat stands stored together in a corner of the parking lot and thought, “Hmmm…this could be cool.” And it was!!! We had such fun using the lines and colors of the stands and, of course, by this point Ivy & Ben were totally into anything and just had a blast with it! So fun!!!

I like the old time photo feel of this next one. It compliments the rusty background.

It was pretty cold and windy on the beach, so Ivy & Ben decided to run to keep warm! What a fun way to end our incredible session with these two wonderful people!!!

Ivy & Ben…you guys rocked it!!! We had SOOO much fun with you both and wished the sun hadn’t set so we could have kept shooting! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for trusting us so quickly and so completely! We loved being around you both and are so excited to be a part of this exciting time in your lives. We have no doubt that your wedding will be a joyous celebration of your beautiful love! Thank you for allowing us to bear witness to that!!! We love you guys!!! xoxoxo Christine & Andy

We met up with Victoria and Mike recently at Bourne Farm in Falmouth, which coincidentally is where Andy & I said, “I do!” seven blissful years ago.

It was one of those perfect fall days when the air was crisp and the colors vibrant. Although they were a little nervous at the start, Victoria and Mike seemed to fall right into the swing of things and enjoy each other and our session as much as Andy & I enjoyed photographing them! Check it out…

Can we talk for a second about how cute Mike is sitting there with his hands folded? Seriously….adorable!!! Big serious softie!!! Love it!

I know this feeling well….the comfort that comes from reaching out and touching the person you love most. Just holding and examining each others hands and thinking….I’m holding onto this person until our hands are old and wrinkled and tell a thousand stories of our life together.

I love this one….it’s the expressions on their faces. We have the advantage of knowing them a little, but I still think this photo tells you a lot about who they are and how they are with each other. And it always excites me, the thought that a single image, a frozen moment in time, can instantly tell a story. I just love that! The gorgeous fall colors in the background are pretty nice too!

Are they sweet or what??

Another one that I think really tells a story about who they are. I just love their very natural, genuine smiles! I can’t help but smile looking at this one.

How cool are these faded grape vines? Love them and the frame they provide for these next two images!! So fun!

It wouldn’t be a Bello session without a butt shot! I LOVE this one!

Cozying up with some hay bails! Seriously, are they adorable or what???

This is one of my favorites from the session. I just love the way the eye is immediately drawn down the rock bridge to Victoria & Mike snuggling as if there is no one else in the world in that moment. But what I love most about it is that when I look at it, I can still hear the sound of Mike’s infectious giggle traveling down to the other end of the bridge as we were taking this shot. Love it!!

It was kind of an overcast afternoon, but the light on the top of this hill was amazing! It just seemed to light up their faces as they goofed around! So fun!

Victoria & Mike, thank you both so much for letting down your guard and trusting us to capture your wonderful relationship in this way! We had such a nice time with you both and are so excited to be there with you, your families and friends, when you formally commit your lives to one another. It is obvious that you two care deeply for one another and that you were meant to be together! We feel honored that you want us to be there with you during this exciting time!!! With big hugs, Christine & Andy

We met this wonderful couple a couples of weeks ago at Nauticus Marina, where they will be having their wedding next September. It was one of those first bitterly cold days of the fall season, but these two love birds braved the chilly temps and the overcast sky opened up for some amazing photos. Here are a few of our favorites:

Justin & Stef snuggled up as the sun took a moment to peek through the clouds. Great light! Love it!!!

Jumping for joy….

Justin has a knack for making Stef laugh and when she does, her whole face lights up! So sweet!!

I love this shot of these two cuddled up for warmth by Nauticus’s little dock. Again, the sun poked through the clouds for some amazing late day light!!!

S-E-X-Y!

Time for a little snuggle in the boat yard’s truck!

Can’t you just feel the love in her eyes? LOVE IT!!!

Hey handsome!!! Love this shot of Justin with the ropes by the marina’s flagpole. Such a nautical shot, no?

I think it’s safe to say these two have firmly planted their anchors at Love’s Harbor! Hee Hee! I couldn’t resist that little pun since Justin & Stef are cozying up by Naticus’s anchor statute.

I just love this next shot….I love the composition and the light, but mostly I love the way Stef & Justin are looking at each other and the way their body language just screams, “There is no one else I’d rather have by my side than you!” LOVE IT!!!!

A great big heart-felt thank you to Stefania & Justin for braving the cold, for being such fun to photograph and just be around and most especially for trusting us to capture for you such a special time in your lives. We had such a blast hanging out that chilly afternoon and are so excited to get you both in front of our cameras again next September! You guys rocked it!!! Big hugs, Christine & Andy

Being married to a foreigner, I’m more aware of how we, as Americans, are viewed in other parts of the world and not everyone thinks we’re as great as we seem to. These last several years, in particular, have taken a toll on our reputation in the international community.

Is it really so hard for everyone to just find a way to exist together harmoniously, embrace our differences and move beyond the walls we have created around ourselves?

I am not generally someone who follows politics or is moved by politicians….they all seem much the same to me…with self interests being at the forefront of their lofty ambitions. But, this year, I am hopeful that our new leader will be able to mend the broken fences and create a time of peace, prosperity and return our seemingly lost sensibilities. I am hopeful that we as a nation will learn to live within our means, to treat others as we wish to be treated, to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves and to rise above our fears.

Today, I cast my vote in this direction and I urge you to cast yours in a direction that makes you feel as hopeful. Let your voice be heard!

Thinking about the future, I couldn’t help but notice these little munchkins at my local polling point. Ally, 3, and Cooper, 18 mos., welcomed voters to the Quashnet School this morning. They were there with their dad, Daniel, and grandparents, Ron & Sue. Waving flags and wearing stickers that said, “I voted today,” they served as a wonderful reminder that the future we shape today is one they must live with tomorrow.

If you haven’t done so already….get out there and vote!!!

Many of you probably won’t have a clue what the heck I’m rambling on about, but those are some of the lyrics from the popular TV series The Love Boat, which aired in the late 70s to mid 80s. I admit, as a kid I used to watch it somewhat regularly. I thought, how cool to be Vicki Stubing, the Captain’s daughter - living on a cruise ship, getting to explore new places and all the while meeting cute new boys every week.

Well, enough of that little flash back, the title for this post was inspired by the AMAZING boat built by one of our very talented grooms, Kurt. Taught by his father, Kurt recently finished building his first boat and we used it as the backdrop for our engagement session with Kurt and his fiance MaryHelen. We met the adorable duo at MaryHelen’s mom’s gorgeous Osterville home, which provided a stunning setting for our session.

Check it out:

Hey Cuties…

Love this one…

Some lovin’ in MaryHelen’s mom’s yard

I love this next shot….MaryHelen’s giggles, the light, the way it looks like we’ve stumbled across a private moment behind the pool shed. Love it!

Some more snuggle time…

We love our butt shots…don’t know why, but we do!!! I particularly like the perspective on this one…

One last smooch before we call it a day…We asked Kurt to kiss MaryHelen’s nose, which made them both crack up–our ultimate goal–but he did it, and the kiss itself was pretty cute too!

Thank you MaryHelen & Kurt for being so much fun to be around…and special thanks to Kurt for sharing his labor of love with us…the boat, not MaryHelen! She’s beautiful!!! MaryHelen AND the boat! Actually, just realized we forgot to ask what you named her. If you want our vote, we’re thinking, “Love Boat.” Thanks again guys for being so much fun! We had a blast and can’t wait to be there with you next fall when you say, “I do!” Big hugs, Christine & Andy xo

Joanne’s studio is located in Dover, just outside of Portsmouth, NH where she is currently gearing up for a couple of bridal shows in Natick, Portmouth, and the uber-stylish Grace Ormonde Bridal Show, where Joanne will be the make up artist for Grace’s runway models!

In preparation for her upcoming shows, Joanne wanted to revamp her marketing materials and kindly asked if she could use one of our images of McCall. How cool is that?! Very!! We of course said, “Yes, please!!!” Here is the final design. Thanks Joanne for wanting to showcase the beautiful McCall and also our work! Rock the show!!!

We hadn’t seen Alyssa & Barry since we photographed their fabulous Chatham Bars Inn wedding four years ago and so were understandably shocked to learn that Alyssa had been diagnosed with the Parkinson’s in 2005, just a year after she & Barry said, “I do.” We were saddened by the news and eager to help in any way we could. We, of course, happily agreed to donate a session and crossed our fingers that it would bring in a respectable bid for the foundation.

They are once again back at the fundraising and hope to raise another $50,000 as they each prepare to run the November 2 New York City Marathon. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Team Fox website.

Two weeks ago, we finally got to meet the caring and generous family who bid on our engagement session at last summer’s auction - Kathy Pattison & Dave Strickler and their two adorable children, Hailey & Grayson. We met this gorgeous family just before sunset at their stunning ocean-side home in Orleans. It was one of those perfect fall afternoons here on the Cape, the sun was warm, the sky crystal clear and this particular part of the Cape feels as untouched as it gets. We even saw a couple of seals swim past. It was a perfect day and we had a fabulous time photographing and playing with this wonderful family. Here are a few of our favorites from our time together:

Here Grayson hitches a ride from his mom as the family heads to the beach. I just love this photo…the composition, the colors, Grayson’s adorable little sweater. To me it just screams love and family and all the best things of which our childhood memories are made!

Hailey leads little brother Grayson through the beach grass. Love the flare, love the feel, love their little blond heads! Love it!

I like to call this one…Run Free, for all the obvious reasons. Ah to be a child again!

Grayson has a little alone play time. Check out those rosy little lips. Too sweet!

Little Mr. Independent following his own path. The beach has 4WD access…not exactly sure how I feel about that, but it did make for some cool tracks in the sand for Grayson to play in.

We don’t usually say whose photos are whose (Mostly because we like to keep Matt guessing! One of our friends/grooms from this summer apparently makes a game out of trying to tell whose are whose. We loved hearing that! So fun!) but this one I REALLY wish I could say was mine! I love love love it!!! I think it’s just such an interesting and unique composition. Nice one Andy!!! You rock baby!

Hailey is such a great big sister. Here she gives her little brother some lovin’ which he seems to relish! So sweet!

And here is the happy family for a more traditional portrait…

We ended our time together with a fun family silhouette.

Thank you so much to the Pattison family, who thought enough of our work to bid on our session and donate to a very worthy cause. Kathy, Dave, Hailey & Grayson we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of you a little. We hope you enjoyed our time together too and that we were able to make some new family memories together! Thank you too to Alyssa & Barry for thinking of us and for allowing us to be a part of such an important cause. Alyssa, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to hearing how you do at next month’s marathon! You Go Girl!!! xox Chris & Andy

That’s right, today is Andy’s birthday. My baby turns….ohhhh, can’t tell, that would be rude! Let’s just say, he’s a few years less than the mean of being old enough to drive and old enough to collect social security. Andy is a bit of a math geek, so that little riddle is for him! Love you honey!

I wish I could say we did something really fun to celebrate such an important occasion, but sadly, it was all business today. We took half the day off yesterday to hang out and have lunch with my sister, Kimmy, and her two lovebugs and Bello Blog favorites, Calvin & Sadie, so today we had to buckle down and get serious.

Here is the birthday boy playing in the leaves with his best buddy Cal. Ahhh….life’s simple pleasures!

We took advantage of some of the Cape’s less expected nooks and crannies a couple of weeks ago for the super fun engagement session of our new friends Laura & Ben. Ben grew up on the Cape, but he & Laura now live in Miami. The pair first contacted us earlier this summer when they were home checking out places to hold their 2009 summer wedding. We instantly hit it off and are completely stoked that they want us to be there with them on their special day. Aside from being drop dead gorgeous, Ben & Laura are also super sweet, a ton of fun and totally down to Earth.

Generally, our engagement sessions are a way for us to make our couples feel comfortable being in front of the camera, but as you will soon see…these two didn’t need much help! Check out their sassy selves…

We started out walking around downtown Falmouth and found some great spots for photos. This alley being our favorite…Looks like a spread in Vogue, no? I admit, we took the photo, but the fabulousness of this shot is totally thanks to these two hotties!

G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!!

Sexy…

I just love the way these two are so relaxed together. They know how to have fun and look amazing doing it!

Next we took to the rooftops for a different perspective. I love the telephone and electric wires in the background…so fun!

One of the things I love about these two is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. As well as they can pull off the sexy & serious look (and they DO pull it off well), two seconds after we snap the shot they are cracking up.

I love this one!! We changed the color and reduced the saturation to give it an edgier look.

St. Barnabas Church in Falmouth is a stunning display of English village-style church construction. With it’s granite and red sandstone exterior and solid arch shaped wood doors, it provides a perfect backdrop for an old world feel. Love it!!! Laura with those incredible eyes and sassy haircut is seriously smokin’ in this photo!

I’ll say it again…hotties!!!

Kind of a funky perspective.

We’re thinking this would make a great ad for Maxwell’s (a very chic clothing boutique) don’t you?

And of course, we had to stop by the beach for a few classically Cape shots, a little loving and even some yoga!?!

A great big THANK YOU to Ben & Laura for being so much fun to spend time with and for being such AMAZING subjects to photograph. You two share something very special and you have a knack for making the people around you feel special too! We can’t wait to get to know you both even better over the coming year and look forward (with great excitement) to getting you both in front of our cameras again at your wedding! Seriously, we get giddy just thinking about it!!! Big hugs, Chris & Andy xo

Seriously though, in addition to being Columbus day, today is my dad’s birthday!!! Yeaaah for today!!! We thought we’d take this opportunity to say, “Happy Birthday Dad. We love you!!” Thanks for always being there supporting and loving us! You are an amazing dad, an amazing person and a true friend. The world is a better place because you’re in it and that makes today a day to celebrate! Wishing you much love & happiness today and always! Happy Birthday Dad!!

Love, Chris & Andy xoxo

Here are some photos we took of my dad and his girlfriend, Linda, when they came down for an afternoon earlier this summer. We went for a bike ride in Falmouth and watched the sun set. Ahh, the simple pleasures! Today, my dad & Linda are celebrating together, so it seemed appropriate that we feature a couple of photos of them enjoying time together! We love you guys!!

Dan & Michelle are such happy, loving, fun, warm, down-to-earth people and it’s obvious their sweet little apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

We met our friends a few weeks ago at one of our favorite Falmouth beaches, where we also happened to photograph their engagement session almost two years earlier. It was like coming full circle for us, only this time around was even better because Mackenzie was there too.

Here are some of our favorite photos from our time together:

Meet Mackenzie…is she sweet or what? We adore this little lovebug!

Getting snuggle time from daddy…oh the joy!

It’s funny…Mackenzie was very interactive throughout our session, but she took just a quick break to get some lovin’ and reassurance from her mom. I love this photo…I love how Michelle’s hair is blowing in the wind, how she has her hand on Mackenzie’s head, but mostly I love that you can see in Mackenzie’s eyes how safe and loved she feels and that there is no where she would rather be in that moment than right where she is. If you’re truly blessed, your life is an accumulation of moments just like these.

Meet the Family… Michelle, Dan & Mackenzie. Seriously, could they be any cuter? And I tell ya, it’s rare that you get a one year old sitting that comfortably and contently for a photo. Mackenzie was a photographer’s DREAM!!!

Couldn’t you just eat them up?

Laughing with mommy as daddy makes some funny faces off camera…

Check out these baby blues….Move over Gerber Baby, there’s a new cutie in town and her name is Mackenzie!

Getting a helping hand, Mackenzie practices her walk….What I love most about this photo is Mackenzie’s little pointy finger as she holds her mom’s hand. It’s just precious to me!! Ohhh, and that little whispy curl of hair on the back of Mackenzie’s sweet little neck! LOVE IT!!!

And here mommy helps her take a few steps toward daddy….check out the happy determination in her eyes and the serious drool on her chin. If only every moment of life could be filled with that much simple joy!!!

I see you….

Playing a little peek-a-boo…

Mackenzie seems to love the camera almost as much as it loves her. Here she turns around to see where Andy & I are as she heads to check out the other side of the beach with mommy & daddy in her new Birthday outfit. I call this one, “Are You coming?” Simply Precious!!!! Don’t you think?

I know we’ve put a lot of photos of Mackenzie’s blue eyes in this post, but I couldn’t resist one more…especially in her new birthday outfit.

And finally….The many faces of Mackenzie. Be prepared for some oohs and aaaahhhs…it doesn’t get much cuter than this!!! It’s tough to pick, but if I had to choose my favorite shot from the below collage it would be the pout face in the bottom left. Andy’s is the eyelash shot with the smile, right side, third down. Which is your favorite Mackenzie face?

Big thanks to Michelle & Dan for continuing to trust us to capture your most precious life moments. It was so great to see you both again and to finally meet Mackenzie. You two sure do make beautiful babies. Mackenzie is such a lovey!!!! We hope to do this with all of you again next summer, when Mackenzie is walking and talking and really showing off that sweet little personality of hers! Thanks again for a fabulous afternoon!!! We love you guys! xo Christine & Andy

Their ceremony was held at Holy Trinity Church in Harwich and their reception immediately followed at Clancy’s Fish n’ Chips in Dennis. They both spend a lot of time there and are good friends with the owners, so it only seemed fitting that this should be where they celebrate such a happy time in their lives.

It was obvious that a lot of time, energy and thought went into all of the little touches they put together to make their wedding day special and so it was!

One of the coolest things they did was to hold a raffle. They gave all of their guests raffle tickets and asked them to choose one of several possible prizes. The prizes involved activities that were among Emily & Larry’s favorite things…a summer Sox game, dinner and tickets to a show (featuring one of their favorite Country singers Pat Green) or the very creative Sunday Funday prize, which involved gift certificates to some of their favorite places to hang out on a Sunday evening on the Cape. And the best part of the prize was that the winners got to enjoy these activities with Larry & Emily. What a very cool and thoughtful idea. We loved it! (We actually considered slipping our names into the pot, but thought that might be a tad cheeky! Just a tad!)

It was an incredible day and everyone seemed to really have a blast. Here are a few of our favorite moments from the day:

In her gold Manolo Blahniks and stunning white silk gown, Emily looked like the perfect bride. It was at once elegant and still Capey.

Emily & her girls…I LOVE green for bridesmaids dresses. It’s been a popular color this year, but these dresses rank as some of my favorites of the year. I just love the neckline. So cute!

Larry & his boys…The guys wore very hip gray wool suits…loved them!

Larry is the biggest goofball ever…in the best kind of way…but check out how hot he is here! Hottie!!!

It’s one of those epic life moments…just before you walk down the aisle when every emotion rushes through you in a flash. Do I cry? Do I laugh? It all happens so fast, but the feelings linger and eventually become treasured memories of a moment in time. I live for those moments…

Lovely Holy Trinity. It’s definitely got a 70s vibe…and we like that!!

The symbolism of the wedding bands always seem to strike a chord with newly married couples. You’ve been planning your wedding for over a year. You likely know the person you’re marrying for many years and yet, it’s not until that metal band is snuggly on your finger that the realization hits you, “We did it. We’re married and we’re a team forever.” It is such a cool feeling!

One of the best parts of Holy Trinity is the tiny stone chapel out back. With it’s large wooden doors and colorful garden…it’s an awesome spot for photos.

The happy couple…

The question of whether to do a receiving line often comes up when planning a church wedding. We say, if you have the time (and plan on at least 40 minutes for 120 people) a receiving line can be a great opportunity for some nice candid portraits. People are generally catching up with old friends and sometimes you can catch some really genuine moments. Here are a couple of sweet shots from Emily & Larry’s receiving line.

Larry’s sister Liz. Is she adorable or what?

Friends of Emily & Larry share a little love when they think no one is looking….Gotcha Cuties!!!

Larry kicks back with his friends and enjoys a good cigar at the end of a fabulous day…

And here are a few of the fabulous little touches Emily & Larry put together for their friends and families:

Emily & Larry…thank you both so much for inviting us to share in special time in your lives. It is obvious that you two love each other very much and that you place great value on the time you spend with each other and with your friends and family doing the things you love. You two are wonderful and inspire us to take more time for each other. It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives, but there is nothing more important than making the most of our time with the ones we love.

You guys rock and we can’t wait to see you both again! And if you ever need company on one of your Sunday Fundays….you know where to find us!

Love & hugs, Chris & Andy xo

If you haven’t guessed already, the wedding of the fabulous duo, Meaghan & Sean, had a golf theme…of sorts. Sean is the resident golf pro at the Boston Golf Club. He & Meg enjoy an occasional game of golf, and so what better spot for their wedding reception than at the lovely Scituate Country Club.

We were holding our collective breath leading up to the wedding as weather forecasts were calling for tropical storm conditions. We absolutely adore Meaghan & Sean and didn’t want to see their special day washed out. So, we kept our fingers crossed and planned to make the best of whatever Mother Nature threw our way. Somebody upstairs must have been looking out for them. As it turned out, the rain held off so Meaghan & Sean could get all of their photos outside, taking advantage of the beautiful views. And, overall, the wedding itself was a huge success. YEAAAAHHH!!!!

These two love birds were so much fun and were absolutely two of the happiest people we have ever seen at their own wedding. They danced, celebrated, and smiled ear-to-ear late into the night with friends and family seeming to have the time of their lives. We couldn’t have wished for anything more for these two incredibly warm, loving, genuine, sweetie pies. Okay, a little sun would have been nice. But, we’re not complaining.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from the day:

The bling and the invite…

Meg takes a moment to take it all in before heading to the ceremony to say, “I do.” Doesn’t she look beautiful? Love it!

Meg heads to the chapel in style in an old Ford. A classic car and a classic beauty!!

I love this photo of Sean before the ceremony. I think he looks very handsome and serene. He’s a lot funnier than this photo lets on to, but I still love it!

It wouldn’t be a photo of Sean and his buddies if golf clubs weren’t involved.

Meg chats with the driver as she waits to be called into the church for the start of the ceremony. I just love these stolen moments. She looks so happy and ready to begin.

Sean and his groomsmen share a giggle right before the start of the ceremony. It’s such an exciting time those moments before you say, “I do.”

St. Mary’s in Scituate provided a stunning setting for the ceremony with it’s ornate ceiling and stately columns.

Meg & Sean share a private moment during the service. Like little kids joking during mass. Love it!

Sealed with a kiss… I love that the little altar boy is clapping. Seriously, how cute is that? And check out his sister’s face to the left…wonder what she’s thinking?

Off to the Scituate Country Club for a few photos of the happy couple. Check out those storm clouds! Yikes! It did pour later that evening, but Mother Nature was kind enough to hold off long enough to get some shots outside.

Meg & her girls apparently found it very funny when we asked them to give us their best catwalk walk. Sometimes it’s not what we’re asking our subjects to do that gets us the photo we want, so much as their reaction to our question. This is a perfect example of that.

Meg & Sean’s faces during their first dance pretty much tell the story of their wedding day! These two could not stop smiling, dancing and laughing all night long!

Just a few details from their fabulous day! One of Meg’s friends made a CD for guests featuring the couple’s favorite songs. We got a copy and there’s some great music on there, including one of my favorite songs by Brett Dennen, a talented young artist with some very cool things to say. Check him out if you haven’t already. And, another cute detail Meg put together were these monogrammed bags she had made for her bridesmaids. So sweet! I’m dating myself here, but with those bamboo handles they remind me a little of the classic Bermuda bags we girls couldn’t live without back in 1980. I think I was in about 6th grade when they first came on the scene with the reversible cotton covers and the hinged wooden handles. I had one with a purple corduroy cover. I can’t remember what was on the other side, but I loved it!!!

Big BIG thanks to Meaghan & Sean (and to both of your families) for being such incredibly warm, genuine, lovely people!!! You guys have made us feel so very welcome in your lives since day one and we feel really fortunate not only to have been there with you on such a special day, but now, after almost a year of knowing you both…to be able to call you our friends! The love you share is everything love should be and we hope it continues to grow and blossom and bring you much MUCH happiness! We love you guys!!! xoxo C&A

Preparing and packing for an out-of-state wedding was a little different for us, since we’re usually just a short drive away. But, what a fun treat!!! Like the Cape, New Hampshire has miles of shoreline, but with a slightly more rocky coast.

We first caught up with McCall & Matt at their ceremony run-through at St. Theresa’s Church in Rye, then headed to their poolside rehearsal dinner at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel & Spa, an elegant cliff-side hotel overlooking Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. It was a perfect way to spend a summer evening. There were lots of laughter and happy tears…mostly from Matt. The dam opened during his dinner speech and didn’t close until the dancing ended the following night. (Although I suspect there may have been more the following morning as they rehashed the fun-filled and incredibly emotional days before.) Have I mentioned yet how much we love the softies?! LOVE THEM!

Here are some favorite moments from their special day:

Poolside at the Wentworth….pretty nice, eh?

McCall’s adorable Kate Spade shoes and her gorgeous gown from L’Elite in Boston.

Can’t you just get lost her her beautiful blue eyes? Gorgeous!!!

Matt & his mates….

Matt gets a little comforting from his brother Chris as their cousin, the Reverend Albert Tremblay talks about how wonderful Matt is. He might be biased, but he certainly isn’t wrong.

The happy Mr. & Mrs….

McCall gets kisses from one of the adorable flower girls. How sweet is that? Seriously, look at those little lips. Love it!!!

The bridal party. These guys were so much fun and such great friends to McCall & Matt. Thanks guys for being such troopers and clambering out onto the rocks!!! You all ROCK!!!

The happy couple…

And my personal favorite from the day…Can’t you just feel the love and contentment!?

McCall shares a special moment with her dad. Like me, she’s totally a Daddy’s girl!

A great big, heart-felt, love-filled thank you to McCall & Matt for being so wonderful. You guys have put your trust in us from the beginning, since we led you to that rusty wall at your engagement session. Thank you for letting us bear witness to such an intimate time in your lives. Knowing you trust us to capture all of those wonderful moments and memories means so much!! We wish you much love and continued happiness!! You guys are the best!!! With love & hugs, Chris & Andy

Pam & Erik met in 2002, during their freshman year while cheering at Vanderbilt University. They are both incredibly warm, loving, family-oriented people who love life and each other with great exuberance.

We got to be there with Pam & Erik at their rehearsal dinner, which was held at the Belfry Inn in Sandwich. The inn is a converted church and provided a really elegant backdrop to the start of their fabulous wedding weekend! Here’s a collage featuring some highlights from the evening.

Their intimate, informal, yet incredibly elegant wedding was held the following day at Pam’s family’s summer home in Sandwich. The ceremony took place just before sunset, overlooking the backyard pond. It was an idyllic setting for these two Nashville-based lovebirds. Erik is in his third year of medical school at Vanderbilt, so Pam (who happens to be studying for her doctorate in physical therapy) and her mom, Wendy, did most of the planning, working closely with wedding planner Allison Liset to put together the most stunning garden party-themed reception.

The flowers, by Karen of Lilac Florals, were mostly white orchids (my personal favorite, right up there with gardenias and lilacs, which I love for their smells.) The colors for the wedding were navy blue and shades of brown and all of the details these stylish ladies selected were just gorgeous! A photographer’s dream for sure!

But, what really made this wedding beautiful was all of the love floating in between and around Pam & Erik. Here are some of our favorite shots and moments from their wonderful day!

Pam gets help putting on her G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S Monique Lhuillier gown. Stunning!!!

Keeping tradition, she puts on a sexy little garter! Fierce!

Taking a moment to reflect. Okay, I admit, we asked her to stand in front of the window and reflect, but does she look amazing or what?

Pam and some of her girls give it some serious sexy attitude. The girls’ hair and make up was done by the talented ladies at Wedding Tresses. Nice one ladies!

Pam & her folks share a little giggle before the ceremony.

Erik looking very dapper!

I love this stolen moment as Pam’s sister, Emily, and friend, Carla, check out whose arriving as the guests pour into the backyard for the start of the ceremony.

The ceremony…

I LOVE Pam’s face in this shot, right after she & Erik kiss and are announced hubby & wife…Can’t you just feel the joy!?!

And here are a few portraits of our new Mr. & Mrs….

We played around with some layering in this next one….using Photoshop we were able to create a pretty cool texture to the image that I think gives is a really romantic feel. What do you think?

And here’s one of my favorites. I just love how tenderly Erik is touching Pam’s face, and the way their fingers are intertwined. You can just tell their love runs deep!

And here’s our favorite shot from the day of Pam & Erik inside their fabulous tent before the start of the reception. Love it!! The tent is by Undercover Tent and Crazy Chefs did the delicious catering and the gorgeous cake was by the Queen of Sweet - Lisa Raffael at Delicious Desserts. Mmmm good!

We’d like to extend a great big thank you to all of the wonderfully talented and incredibly professional vendors who helped make our job once again, a cinch!

But, our biggest thanks go to Pam & Erik (and to their families) for inviting us into their lives with such open arms and open hearts! We have had such a great time getting to know you two over the past year. You compliment each other so well and the way you love each other is both beautiful and at the same time inspiring! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a special time in your lives. We hope these and the other photos to come serve as a wonderful reminder of all that is good in your lives. And Erik, we have no doubt that your parents were there with you & Pam, in spirit, beaming with pride at the man you have become and all of the wonderful choices you have made in your life. We love you guys!! Chris & Andy xo

He often tells the story of how he used to ride in the back of his father’s old wind up pick up truck to deliver vegetables from the family farm in Arlington to Fanueil Hall, when Haymarket was a hub for farmers looking to sell their goods.

Despite all his years, my grandfather still acts and looks much as he has my entire life. He definitely moves slower now than when I was a kid, and you have to shout when you talk to him. But, he is still the feisty, lovable, funny Ugly I have always known.

Here he is directing the family in song as we sing Happy Birthday at his party a couple of weekend’s ago. He’s such a clown!

And here he is diving in to his strawberry shortcake birthday cake. I just love the cheeky child-like look in his eyes in the photo on the right. He had just finished sucking a big piece of cake off of the knife. Just goes to show, you’re never too old to enjoy good cake!

I get sad when I think about how little time I have left with this incredible, warm, generous, smart, funny man. Gramps has been a constant loving presence in my life since the day I was born. When my parents first married, they lived on the middle floor in a three-story apartment that Gramps owned in East Boston. My great-grandmother lived on the top floor and my second cousins lived on the first floor with their mother, my grandfather’s sister Viola. Even though we moved to a house in Melrose when I was 3, just after my sister Debbie was born, I can still remember my first home and the strong sense of family that was nurtured there.

Since that time, there have been many more memories created with my family and central to most of them is my grandfather. He and my grandmother, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 98, have always been the glue that holds our family together. Holiday dinners were spent around their kitchen table. Many summer days were spent playing in their backyard, picking Gramps’ fresh vegetables from his garden and eating…always eating!

Every year when I was young, my grandfather and his siblings organized their families for the annual Ferullo Family picnic at Kingston State Park. It was the best part of my summer. I got to reunite with all of my cousins for a fun day filled with oodles of hugs & kisses, laughter, swimming, family games and of course…eating! Lots of good eating!

I could never visit my grandparents’ house without Gramps and Grams trying to give us something - a rewired lamp, mismatched sheets, or delicious leftovers. Gramps has always given what he could to his family. Even today, he is still this way, taking extra fruit from the assisted living facility cafeteria to give to us when we visit.

Here he gives his sister, Mary, a blanket and makes sure she’s comfortable. I just love this man to pieces!

My grandfather has taught me many things–how to refinish furniture and pick a fresh carrot. He taught me to appreciate simple food made with love and showed me that a good marriage isn’t always perfect. He taught me how not to drive and how difficult getting old can be. But, the biggest thing I have learned from my grandfather has been the importance of family, that riches don’t come from money, but from the comfort you get in knowing you have people who love you and will always be there for you, no matter what!

It’s always been about family with my Gramps. Here my sisters and I share a little family time with Gramps. Again, always the jokester he pulls a funny face! Don’t let him fool you though….he really loves those moments when we all fawn over him!

Here he gets some lovin’ from Sadie. She knows a good man when she sees one. (I don’t know why, but Sadie goes in to all of her kisses with an open mouth….she’s hysterical! I just love this series, how you can tell she’s checking Gramps out, decides he’s good for kissin’ and goes in for it whole heartedly! Too funny!)

And here the three Michaels get together for a picture. Gramps, my dad and my nephew are all named Michael…but there’s only one Ugly!!! (I love the way my dad laughs. It’s hard not to laugh when he does….although little Michael just looks confused.)

In celebration of this legend of a man, my aunt hosted Gramp’s birthday party at her house. Our whole family came out to celebrate, my sisters and their families, my cousins and their families. Even three of my grandfather’s younger sisters and their families came out to honor the eldest Ferullo son. It was like the reunions of yesteryear. The memories came flooding back.

My cousin, Mayrlee, (seen in the below photo) gave my grandfather the coolest present. She collected old and not-so-old photos from everyone in the family and put together a wonderful book for Gramps. His memory isn’t what it used to be, but with a little help he remembered and you could see that he too was being flooded with memories of bygone days.

Here he looks at a photo of my grandmother with my two aunts. She was such a strong and beautiful woman my Grandma!!!

I can’t help thinking what a strange phase of life this must be for Gramps. All of his kids are grown. His wife of 63 years is gone. His friends are all gone as are most of his siblings. Even the grandkids he used to bounce on his knee not so long ago now have children of their own. Today, home for Ugly isn’t the humble ranch in which he spent so many years. Instead, it is a nearby assisted living facility shared with other elderly folks who are just waiting for their time to go.

As wonderful as his birthday was, it was also a bitter reminder that I don’t have much time left with him. I know none of us can live forever, but the thought of losing my Ugly breaks my heart and I just can’t imagine life without him. He isn’t just my grandfather - my Gramps, my Ugly. He is my very dear friend.

Gramps went into the hospital unexpectedly the other day with an irregular heartbeat and what they thought was an infection. It turns out he has gallstones. It’s been a bit of a scare, since any trips to the hospital at this age could mean the beginning of the end. We’re all really worried about him. Andy & I are off to visit him at the hospital today. If you think of it, say a prayer for Ugly and hold tightly to the ones you love!

Marriage certainly has its challenges, don’t get me wrong. But, there is no one I would rather have at my side than Andy. He is my best friend, my partner in crime…and photography, the first one I want to share happy news with and the one I always go to when I need a shoulder to lean on or a hug that reaches into my soul and makes everything better. He is my biggest cheerleader and the kindest, most sincere, generous person I have ever met. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. And, even though life has been stressful for us these last few years since starting Bello, he is everything that is good about my life.

It’s been a couple of years since we actually did anything on our anniversary. Two years ago, we completely forgot it was our anniversary and only remembered while on our way to photograph our friends’ Adriann & Matt’s fabulous Wequassett wedding. This year, we decided not to let another year pass without getting out of the office and spending some quality time together.

So, on Monday, we did a little work in the morning and then took a drive to Dennis to check out Clancy’s Beach Bar, where we’ll be photographing the wonderful wedding of Emily & Larry later this weekend. Afterwards, we stopped by a nearby beach and spent the afternoon just soaking in the warm late summer sun, sipping champagne and enjoying each other, basically doing a whole lot of nothing. It was my first swim in the ocean all summer and even though it was just an afternoon together…it felt like we were on vacation!

It was a wonderful day and a good reminder that the best times spent with Andy are when we’re doing nothing special, just enjoying each other’s company.

After the beach, we headed back to Clancy’s because we were craving fried clams and fish & chips - quintessential Cape Cod cuisine. Coincidentally, Larry & Emily were there for dinner too, so we spent a wonderful evening with them.

It was a great anniversary!!

I only got one photo off before the battery in our little point and shoot camera died. (We hadn’t planned on taking any photos, so I didn’t have our backup battery with us. Oh well!) I call it “Eyes Only for You.” Cheezy, I know, but I admit…I’m cheezy!

I love you honey! xoxo C

It was perfection!

It was the kind of day you imagine and hope your wedding will be, and so it should have been for these two special people.

Surrounded by their families and friends, Kristyn & Patrick said, “I do,” on the croquet lawn at the ever-elegant Wequassett Resort in Chatham. Overlooking the ocean at sunset, their ceremony, led by family friend Bernie Conlon, was peppered with laughter and tears of joy. We just love it when the guys get choked up during the ceremony, mostly because it reminds us of our own wedding. Sorry for that full disclosure Patrick…and Andy…but we women love a man with a soft side!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from Kristyn & Patrick’s Beautiful Day:

The dress….LOVE IT!!!! If I could have another wedding (and Kristyn’s killer bod), I would LOVE to wear this dress!

What a cute touch….Kristyn bedazzled her shoes with her and Patrick’s initials and their wedding date. She also had all of her bridesmaids sign the shoe bottoms. The superstition behind this tradition is that the bridesmaid whose name is the first to wear off will either be the next to get married, if she is single, or the next to have children if she is already hitched.

Looks like a couple of those names wore off pretty quick!!! Funny thing is two of the bridesmaids were already pregnant at the wedding.

The invitation and the bling…

Kristyn pins on her dad’s pledge pin on her dress, along with her own. Aww…so sweet! And how sexy does she look? S-E-X-Y!!!

I love these shutters in the new units at Wequassett and the contrast of all of the straight lines against Kristyn’s sexy curves. Perfect!

Heading to the ceremony….love the light in this shot!!!

We did it!!!

Some alone time for the happy couple…

Are they cute or what???

Love is the best feeling there is….don’t you think?

Getting down for a little bridal boogie…

A great big THANK YOU to Amy Walsh at Wequassett for being incredible to work with. You are a consummate professional! Thank you too to the uber talented gang at Nightshift, for playing exactly the right music. It was an honor to be there with all of you that night! You guys are a class act!!!

But, our biggest thanks go to Kristyn & Patrick (and to their families) for trusting us to capture such a special day for you, for welcoming us into your lives with such open arms and for just being such incredible people. Your strength and your love are inspirational!!! We knew from that first day at the beach last November, when you braved the cold and let your love keep you warm that your relationship was a special one! We love you guys!!! And you will forever hold a special place in our hearts!!!

We also want to send a special message of love to Kristi & Ella Stone. You are in our thoughts and our prayers!! Kristyn & Patrick have asked that we dedicate this post in loving memory to Gary Stone. We didn’t know you, Gary, but it is obvious that you left a lasting impression on the lives of many people and you will surely be missed.

Well, after almost six years of photographing amazing couples on an amazing day, many of our Bello family members are now returning, asking us to photograph the next amazing stage in their lives….babies. Or in the case of our dear friends Tracy & Will….that intimate, vulnerable stage right before babies….pregnancy.

If ever there was a poster child for what a perfect pregnant woman looks like, Tracy is it! Being an aerobics instructor certainly hasn’t hurt things, but Tracy is just one of those women men can’t help but look at and women wish they could be. She is gorgeous. And pregnant….well, she is like motherhood personified. With hottie Will at her side, these two are a smokin’ hot mommy- & daddy-to-be couple for sure!

With this being our first real pregnancy session, we decided it would be best to shoot Tracy & Will where they are most comfortable…in their home. So, we drove up to Boston with a trunk full of gear to set up a mini studio in their adorable Boston apartment. Our very good friend Sue Asaro (who does amazing portraits by the way) was kind enough to lend us a bunch of studio lighting so we could create some pretty fierce photos…our favorites are a bit more exposed than we felt comfortable sharing, but take our word for it, they are killer!!!

Oh, and just for the record…we did one pregnancy session several years back with our very FIRST wedding couple….Keira & Cory. They were our first…and you know what they say…you never forget your first. But, fast forward six years and we have a lot more experience to bring to such a sensitive session. (Keira & Cory now have 3 little lovebugs~Brogan, Jack and the newest edition to the family, baby James! We love you guys!!!)

So, without further ado….here are a few of our favorites from Tracy & Will’s session:

“Opportunity Knocks” - We thought this was kind of funny! The article was actually talking about the current housing market, but it works!

Snuggling up on the couch…is there a better way to spend a Sunday morning?