You’d think that after more than two decades of photographing couples and families, I’d stop being nervous about whether I’ll be able to perform. But no….I still get nightmares! You know, the kind where you show up to high school naked, or in my case, to a wedding completely unprepared. Sometimes in those nightmares, although I’m not naked, I am in my pajamas…at a black tie wedding. Sometimes I forget my compact flash cards at home or my batteries are all dead and the ceremony is about to begin or I forget I had a wedding at all and by the time I realize it, they’re halfway through the reception and everyone hates me.

Thankfully, none of these things has actually happened. Instead, I think the nightmares are the result of me caring so much about what I do. It’s so important to me that the wonderful people who share with me their wedding, anniversary, babies etc. feel like they made the right decision. I always want to give the very best of myself to them and to the imagery I create. But, sometimes, my nervousness to produce beautiful, emotional, authentic images really gets ramped up. It’s often when I’m photographing a family I’ve photographed many times before and I worry I won’t be able to do something new and fresh for them. Or it happens when a couple I haven’t seen since their wedding reaches out after many years and I want them to feel like the investment they’re making to come back to Bello was worth it.

Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when I got together with Cara & Brendan and their adorable kiddos ~ Cooper, Lily & Beau. I hadn’t seen Cara & Brendan since 2014, when Andy & I photographed the wedding of Cara’s super sweet cousin, Kelly. We had photographed Cara & Brendan’s wedding the summer before. (Click HERE for a peek.) So, it had been a while since I connected face-to-face with these two lovely people and the first time I got to meet their lovely little boos, which was such a treat!

Cara is a huge fan of photography and she’s worked with some of the best. Besides being the sweetest person, she’s also incredibly stylish and detail-oriented and, like me, strives for perfection. Over the years, I’ve drooled over the absolutely stunning photos she’s shared of her and her family on social media, made by incredibly talented photographers, who produce seriously enviable imagery. I’m talking drop-dead gorgeous photos!

So, when she reached out me to say that she & Brendan were approaching their 10-year wedding anniversary and as a splurge, she wanted ME to photograph their family…those self-doubting nerves of mine kicked into high gear.

While I was suuuuper excited at the prospect of seeing Cara & Brendan again and getting to meet their beautiful babes, I was also feeling pretty nervous! Knowing how much she values beautiful photography, I really wanted to do a good job for her. And, if I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do what others before me had done soooo well!

I also had some challenges to overcome, namely that I was shooting in a new location ~ Rexhame Beach in Marshfield, which as it happens, is crazy beautiful and offers a ton of stunning backdrops. The lighting was at times super bright and hard to work with; it was SUPER hot & muggy, particularly for September, and the kids, being kids, were at times struggling with the heat and just generally being photographed, which let’s face it….isn’t always fun. Although I had a total blast with Cara, Brendan and their kiddos, who all gave me hugs before we parted ways….yaaay for me!…I left the session feeling worried.

Back in the studio, my first look at the images had me thinking I had totally bombed. I don’t know why I don’t trust myself more, but I’m working on it! Anyway, I was so stressed, I procrastinated with editing. I just couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing Cara. But, yesterday, as I finally finished editing and started picking my favorites to highlight here on the blog, I began to realize that I’d actually done a really good job.

In the end, it was a beautiful lesson for me ~ I need to believe in myself more and I need to start appreciating my gifts.

I am sooo incredibly grateful to Cara and Brendan for sharing their 10th Anniversary with me….Happy Anniversary love birds! And for sharing their beautiful family with me. I so appreciate Cara for pouring so much of herself into everything that went into the session, from the incredible clothing she choose, to the props and music she brought to the session! Girl…you know what you’re doing! And, boy did I appreciate Cooper, Lily & Beau for really being such amazing little troopers and for being so much fun to be around! Can’t wait to hang out with you all again soon…with Andy and sans cameras!

For now, here’s a peek at our time together. I hope you all love the images and this beautiful family as much as I do!

 

I love these next two….the moments in life we prepare for and the moments in between, both are beautiful in their own right.

Just love the childlike innocence and not-a-care-in-the-world feeling this next image of lovely Lily gives.

Sweet Beau showing me his rocks, which, like all kids, he loved chucking in the water to make fun splashing sounds.

Hugs for momma and some of that fun rock throwing….

Family togetherness and fun times at the beach…these are the days!

Love this little peanut and the way he joyfully walks through life! He’s had more than his fare share of health issues in his young life….yet despite that, he embraces life with such beautiful and inspiring gusto!

This next photo pulls at my heartstrings because it reminds me of my beloved nephews, who when they were this age, would also pull away from hugs, feigning disinterest in snuggles. Who do they think they’re kidding?!

Cara and her adorable mini-me….lovely Lily!

Shiny, happy people…oh how they make my heart sing!

While this next photo isn’t perfect in terms of photography rules of composition, I love it. I love the expressions on Cara & Beau’s faces and the pure love and light that shines through.

Love these people…

Kisses for Mommy and jumping into Daddy’s arms….what could be better?

 

These next two photos sum up what I imagine parenthood consists of….lots of love, laughter, joy and exhaustion, where kids are going a mile a minute and it’s all you can do to keep up.

Cheese….lol!

Love how utterly thrilled Cooper is to be snuggling with his Dad. Love!

 

Dad and his babes…

Mom and her babes….

Where it all began…..

I mean…..come on!! You two are so gorgeous and your love….as bright as the sun behind you!

Lily is much like her beautiful momma….they both enjoy being photographed and the camera absolutely LOVES both of them! FYI….So…does the photographer behind the camera!

Beau being adorable Beau!

This kid kills me….

I had so much fun at Rexhame Beach in Marshfield…there were almost too many gorgeous spots to pick from for photos! Lucky photographer problems, I guess!

Can we be done and go play on the beach now? Yup….

Sometimes I see a moment happening as I’m photographing and it kind of makes me gasp a little…this one did that for me.

One more group shot for good luck….

Collecting beach treasures….and the cutest little guy ever.

Lovely Lily…

Coops may have been done with photos by the end of our time together….but MAN, does the camera love him!

Two peas in a pod….

Thank you C+B and crew for this magical night! Lots of love & gratitude and sending happiest of 10-year Anniversary Wishes!! Can’t wait to hang out again!

Love you guys! Christine xoxo