Every year for the past three years, we have had the pleasure of photographing our former bride & groom-turned-friends, Michelle & Dan, as their family has grown & changed. The first year after their wedding, we got to photograph them with their new daughter, Mackenzie. The following year, Mackenzie brought her baby sister, Cameron. And this year, this sweet family of four was a year older, and though we didn’t think it was possible, they were also a year cuter.

To add to the fun this year, Dan’s parents and three siblings also came along. Last year, Michelle’s family joined the portrait party, so it was only fair that Dan’s family’s had a turn.

It was so great to see everyone again, as we hadn’t seen them since Dan & Michelle said, “I do” at the Langham Hotel in Boston in April of 2007.

Like in years past, we met at our favorite beach, where we first photographed Dan & Michelle for their engagement session back in 2006.

We really love it when we get to continue on with our couples after the vows have been said. Getting to photograph new milestones, particularly the addition of children, is both a joy and a privilege. It’s a beautiful reminder of where love can take us and a heart-warming affirmation of the circle of life.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from our evening together. Enjoy!

Dan with baby Cameron…

Dan’s brother-in-law, Dann, with his son Eamon.

Dan & Eamon share a tender moment….

Mackenzie and her cousin, Lilly, dig out hermit crab holes in their too-cute-for-words matching Lilly Pulitzer dresses.

Sweet, cheeky little Eamon….

Mackenzie & Lilly with their grandfather, Bill, who they affectionately (and much to our delight) call “Old Fella.” That has to be the cutest name for a Grandpa! Hearing their sweet little voices shouting out, “Hey old fella,” as they ran to him had us in stitches!

Lilly looks on timidly as Old Fella shows her a hermit crab. She might have been afraid of the crab at first, but man was she warm & welcoming when we first met. I got a very unexpected, but SUPER sweet, hug from Lilly that, I admit, I didn’t want to end. There is something about getting hugged by a child that warms the heart in a way nothing else can!! I think it’s because children are made of pure love!

Sweet, sweet Cameron in her momma’s arms looks as happy as a clam!

Lovely Lilly…

How about a little Eamon sandwich….Mmmmm, delicious!

This is one of my favorite family photos ever! The sheer joy on everyone’s face (save maybe Eamon, who was hungry and ready for a nap) just melts me! We’re huge fans of photographing people in a way that really highlights who they are and that which makes them uniquely them. And, I think this photo does this perfectly!

Mackenzie has changed a lot since we first met her, but in that sweet face, I can still recall her baby face, complete with her little snaggle teeth and I can’t help but smile. Oh, and, can we talk about sweet, pensive little Miss Cameron for a second? Seriously?!

Oh to be a child again….loved and safe and perfectly content!

Dan’s handsome brother, Mike and his gorgeous wife, Christina! Hi hotties….

Yeaaaay for siblings!!!!

And the proud parents to those super sweet siblings, Bill & Ginny!

The whole gang….(front left to right) Eamon, Dann, Lilly, Megan, Ginny, Bill, Kerry, Christina, Mike, Cameron, Michelle, Mackenzie & Dan.

Dan & Mackenzie…

Michelle gets a love bite from baby Cameron…too cute!

Seriously…are those munchable cheeks or what?

Megan gets a big smooch from Lilly!

As a reward for being so patient & cooperative for photos, the kids got some Twizzlers strawberry licorice. Mackenzie couldn’t wait to dig in…

Lilly digs in too…

Our time together was over, but not before Lilly gets in some sunset puddle splashing. Oh, the joy….

Mackenzie watches on, though slightly more interested in her licorice. Seriously? Does it get much cuter?

Thank you Michelle, Dan and the whole gang for coming down to spend the evening with us and allowing us to once again capture your beautiful family and all of the love & joy you so obviously share! You all are wonderful and we feel so lucky to get to capture these family moments that will hopefully become part of your fondest memories! Looking forward to hopefully seeing you all again next summer!!! With love & big hugs, Christine & Andy xoxoxo

I admit, I have never been a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. I’m just not a red hearts & pink carnations kind of girl. Andy is even less into Valentine’s Day than I am. But, were you to ask, “Are you hopeless romantics with insatiable appetites for chocolate and kisses?” The answer would be a resounding, “YES!”

I think it’s the expectation of Valentine’s Day that has always bothered me…particularly when I was single. I remember when February 14th  would roll around and I was without a sweetheart. I somehow felt less than. I hated feeling that way, and for a while, I grew to resent Valentine’s Day.

I can’t help but thinking that Carolyn & Brian were likely feeling significantly more optimistic about Valentine’s Day when, on February 14th, they decided to share a few drinks with friends after work. It was 2004, and both Carolyn & Brian were single. Carolyn’s new roommate insisted she join her at a Boston bar, where she was planning to meet some of her co-workers. Brian was among the group and he & Carolyn instantly hit it off.

Cupid’s arrow had hit it’s mark. Score one for Valentine’s Day!

The group had so much fun they all went out again the following night and Carolyn & Brian were once again drawn to one another. They talked about their shared love of the beach and Brian got up the nerve to ask the pretty Cape Cod native out on a date. One date led to another and two weeks ago, nearly 6 1/2 years after that chance Valentine’s Day meeting, this sweet, kind, smart, loving duo pledged their hearts to one another….for keeps!

The wedding took place at Carolyn’s mom’s gorgeous Harwich lavender farm. There were lots of sweet homemade touches, like lavender bouquets and family photos strung along the tent. Carolyn’s friends & fellow musicians/singers performed a beautiful song during the ceremony. All in all it was a wonderful celebration of a beautiful love. And much to my & Andy’s delight, there was an abundance of both chocolate and kisses!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from Carolyn & Brian’s picture perfect wedding…starting with some personalized chocolate bars that served as seating cards. So cute!

These bouquets, made with lavender picked from the farm, smelled soooo good!

Carolyn’s mom, Cynthia, puts a necklace made from Carolyn’s grandmother’s pendant on her seriously happy daughter.

This is one of my favorite moments of the day as Carolyn and her super sweet sister, Anna, share a moment before the ceremony begins.

Brian shares Andy’s taste for good scotch and gave his groomsmen each a bottle of his favorite label.

Purple & brown such a great combo…

Brian with his groomsmen sharing a laugh…including Brian’s brother, Michael (far left).

Carolyn & Brian decided to do some of their family photos before the ceremony, so we helped arrange a first look….

This way to a good time…

Carolyn’s adorable, big teddy bear of a dad, Rocky, walks his oldest daughter down the aisle to her awaiting hubby-to-be as friends and family look on. I just love this photo!

Brian looks pretty excited to say, “I do!” while Carolyn’s Uncle F.T. (Rocky’s twin brother and the officiant for the ceremony) looks proud as punch! So sweet!

Carolyn’s mom looks on with joy & pride…

I love this shot of Anna…she looks so serene and so beautiful.

We did it….always one of my favorite moments of the day!

Let the kisses begin…

Carolyn’s siblings, Anna, Tim & Keith, react to all the smooching….

Time for some photos in the lavender…

While I was catching this perspective….

Andy was catching this one…

Off to Merkel Beach for some alone time…and some more kisses!

My favorite photo of the day…

Sand, sea grass, a warm breeze and a couple in love….I can’t think of better combination

Carolyn’s bouquet…

Some details back at the farm…

Carolyn & Brian wanted to do a large group photo of all of their guests. While I went up to the second floor of the house to get the shot, Andy got this great shot. I just love how you can see Carolyn’s mom smiling brightly as she watches her daughter and new son-in-law make their way to the group.

First dance as hubby & wife…

Carolyn & Brian, Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us into your lives with such open arms & open hearts. Watching you two together and with your family & friends was both an honor and a joy! The note you sent after your wedding was so warm & full of love…just like you! And, we feel so grateful that our paths have crossed! Wishing you both a lifetime of love and laughter and an endless supply of chocolate and kisses! With love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxoxo

It started off one of those steamy summer days, when the air is thick, thunder rumbles in the distance, and you can almost see the rain dancing in the clouds. The rain did make an appearance that morning and again later in the evening; and, somewhere between the rain and the rainbows, Amy & Ryan said, “I do!”

You might remember Amy & Ryan from our super fun love session with them last fall. The rain threatened then too, but again, it held off and left us with some perfect soft overcast lighting. Click HERE to see the session.

Like their love session, Amy & Ryan’s wedding was super fun and filled with lots of happy moments that left both Andy & I smiling as we watched and documented. Here are a few of our favorite moments from their amazing wedding day! Enjoy!

Amy takes a moment to play with her nephew, Daniel, before slipping into her gorgeous Vera Wang gown.

Amy’s sweet pooch watches as she gets buttoned into her dress.

Beautiful Amy…

Ryan gets a hand putting on his boutonniere from big brother, Jason.

Amy & Ryan, who live in Virginia, recently bought this super cute Captain’s house here on the Cape, not far from where Amy’s parents live. Can’t you tell how you chuffed Ryan is with their sweet summer pad!?

Ryan’s best friend and co-best man, John, does a good job of calming Ryan’s pre-wedding jitters as the two wait for the ceremony to start at Our Lady of Assumption in Osterville.

Ryan’s groomsman, Mike, peeks out the church’s side door to check for Amy’s arrival.

And, here she is…

Amy & her dad, Paul, share a snuggle before the ceremony starts. As a Reverend Deacon, Paul was doing double duty, walking his daughter down the aisle and performing the ceremony. I can’t think of anything more meaningful.

Here comes the bride….love Ryan’s expression as he watches Amy make her way to him.

The (cheeky) look of love….

After being pronounced hubby & wife, Amy gets a congratulatory hug from her dad…

A bagpiper led the newly pronounced Mr. & Mrs. down the aisle and out of the church…

Happiness is…..this!

After the ceremony, Amy & Ryan, along with their friends & family headed to the Chatham Bars Inn for the reception. The afternoon skies opened up and the sun was amazing! Although storm clouds gathered ominously over the water, on land it was a perfect summer afternoon.  Friends & family stood in support of Amy & Ryan…such a fun group!! Thanks guys, you rocked it!

A little drink to celebrate….

After family & bridal party photos were done, we took Amy & Ryan off for some quite time….nothing like starting off with a quick smooch!

I love their expressions of complete contentment in this next one…

This one very much reminds me of how Amy & Ryan were together the first time we photographed them. They really do have a gentleness about their love that is beautiful to see and super fun to photograph.

Heading to the dock for some photos….

Some individual portraits…

Looooove this perspective! This dock is beautiful and was soooo fun to photograph on.

Taking a little creative license…

Another fave…

Classic Cape Cod…

Cocktail hour fun…

It’s all in the details! Amy’s parents, neighbors and friends all donated these gorgeous hydrangeas for the girl’s flowers and the table centerpieces.

Friends & family captured Amy & Ryan’s super sweet first dance…

I think this next one is my favorite from the day…Amy & her dad get down! They were having so much fun. It was so great to watch!

Amy’s mom, Jean (right), and Ryan’s mom, Beth, look on with pride as Amy dances with her dad.

It rained during the reception, but clouds left as quickly as they came, leaving Amy & Ryan with this beautiful rainbow to cap off a picture perfect day!!!

We’d like to thank Kate Lewantowicz and the rest of the staff at Chatham Bars Inn for making our jobs not only easy, but thoroughly enjoyable! Thank you too to Amy & Ryan’s family and friends for being so wonderful and so much fun to work with!

And, of course, our biggest thanks go to Amy & Ryan. Thank you both for inviting us to document this special time in your lives and for being so sweet and so welcoming! We’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve spent with you and hope these photos serve as love-filled reminders of your picture-perfect wedding for many, MANY happy years to come! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoox

A few weeks ago, we heard from Jenn & Pete, who reached out to let us know that the month of May was full of blessings, as they welcomed the arrival of their baby girl, Julianna. And, they asked, could we come photographer her at their family’s new house in Harwich Port. Uhmmm, yes please!

We love, love, love it when our past brides & grooms invite us to document new milestones in their lives. It’s like coming full circle for us….it all starts with our love session (that’s Bello-speak for engagement session). Then, of course, there’s the wedding. And, well you know how the song goes, “First come love, then comes marriage, then comes….Julianna….in a baby carriage.”

Here are some sweet moments with Jenn, Pete, baby Julianna and the first “baby,” the couple’s English bulldog, Winston. Enjoy!

Meet Julianna….

Is there really anything cuter than a smiling baby? I think not!

Julianna loves her mobile. Would love to know what she’s thinking when she watches it….so sweet!

Okay, perhaps the only thing cuter than a smiling baby are a smiling baby’s itsy bitsy parts…..swoon!

Perhaps my favorite from the session!!!! LOOOOVEEE everything about this next one.

And this cute perspective is also a fave! So fun!

So serious….

Oh mommy!!!

Love Julianna’s dimple and her super cute expression in this next one.

And, now for the first baby in the family….meet Winston!

Hey Mr. Underbite lookin’ good representin’ the family!

Apparently, bulldogs don’t generally like the water because their bodies make it difficult to swim. Winston was an enthusiastic exception to the rule…

I love this one…

And laughed my butt off when I saw this series Andy captured…I’m not sure which is flying farther, Winston’s face or his drool. Priceless!

It is unquestionably a lot of work being new parents. There’s so much to adjust to, but moments like this next one somehow make you forget how hard it can be….

Ahhhhh….a peaceful summer afternoon on Cape Cod where all that matters is….this moment! Looove!

Thank you Jenn and Pete for thinking of us during this special time in your lives. It was so great to see you both (and your family, Jenn!) again and wonderful to meet Julianna. She’s a total doll and was a very patient, not to mention super delicious, model. We hope you guys love these photos as much as we loved spending the afternoon with you! Can’t wait to share the slideshow we’re putting together for you…I admit, even I’m getting a bit teary as we put the finishing touches on it. Be in touch soon! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Years before Bello was born, I used to work a corporate job in downtown Boston…..gasp! I know. Crazy, right? One of the few things I liked about working in Boston was my daily commute on the T. After a short walk and a 10  minute bus ride, I’d get on at the Oak Grove orange line station and off I’d go. That train ride used to afford me about 30 minutes each morning to either catch up on sleep or read a book.

One of my favorite reads from those days was Erma Bombeck’s “Family, The ties that bind…and gag.” Ms. Bombeck was a wonderful columnist who found humor in the everyday experiences of being a wife & mother and brilliantly shared it with her readers.

I remember catching myself laughing aloud as I read about her family and noticed parallels to my own.

She once wrote about family, “We’re a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.”

The older I get the more deeply I value my family and the more fortunate I feel to have such an amazing little band of characters with me on this journey.

An unexpected blessing that has resulted from the birth of Bello is the creation of our Bello Family. Although some of the couples and families we photograph come and go without a lasting relationship, there are many more who stay connected with us. We often get e-mails announcing the birth of a new baby, the death of a loved one or the engagement of a sibling. And, we are incredibly grateful for this wonderful extended family of ours. Although there is no locking each other out of rooms, there is love and loyalty the likes of which we never imagined.

For the past three years, Andy & I have been invited to document a very special little band of characters, who have become a cherished part of our Bello family. Terri, the matriarch of this wonderful, loving group, is a talented photographer in her own right. And, knowing she entrusts us to document some of the important milestones in the life of her family is not only super flattering, but it’s a huge honor and one we accept with happy hearts.

Last summer, we had the pleasure of photographing Terri’s son’s wedding. Click HERE to see Ryan & Anette’s gorgeous Wequassett wedding. And, this July 4th weekend, like the two before it, we had a reunion of sorts and once again captured some happy moments with Terri & her family. Our first session with the family was in celebration of Anette & Ryan’s engagement. And, for this latest one we celebrated the anticipated October arrival of Anette & Ryan’s first baby…..whooo hooo!

I admit, it’s challenging coming up with FUN & unique “poses” for the same family year after year. But, I think we were once again able to do so with a casual style that is befitting this sweet, loving, fun, silly, incredibly warm family. We hope you agree.

Meet Terri, Alan and their fabulous kids (from left to right) Leigh, Randi, Ryan & Anette. Randi, a budding fashion designer with ridiculous amounts of raw talent, styled the family’s session. Although we loved their look, apparently, they got more than a few stares (and comments) while out to dinner and ice cream following our session. Someone actually said they looked like an advertisement for picnic blankets. I admit, I cracked up when Terri told us that!

The kids….

I love the feel of this next one…like an album cover for the modern day Partridge Family.

Anette showing off her barely visible bump.

sweet, silly and full of love….

Hard to believe she’s due in October, right? Gorgeous!!!

I love this next one because of what they were talking about when the photo was taken. It’s an inside family joke, but let’s just say it involves….a camel. Say, what?

This was one of those in between moments, when we weren’t asking the family to do anything in particular and no one realized Andy was taking the photo, and I absolutely LOVE it!

Alan & Teri…..we adore you!

more silliness…

snuggle time…

This family laughs together…a lot! Wonderful!

We took a little break from shooting to wait for the sun to get a little lower in the sky and while we waited Alan took a moment to himself….so cool.

Then his merry clan joined him. Awww….

Love that blue sky….

Doesn’t Terri have such a warm smile? It’s hard not to feel happy just being around her!

Hello handsome papa-to-be!

I love this photo of Leigh…she has such gorgeous green eyes, just like her momma!

Ryan being a goofball and Anette reacting…so cute!

Love is…..a big bear hug from your mom!

….or the company of the people you love most.

Love is….family!

Thank you Terri, Alan, Leigh, Randi, Ryan & Anette for once again inviting us into your inner circle. We love spending time with you and photographing you all together. The love you share is beautiful and seeing how much you all care for, respect and enjoy each other is truly inspiring! You always bring out the best in us and in our photography and for that…and for another wonderful afternoon…we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo