Thirteen years ago, Andy & I were invited to document the super fun, crazy beautiful New Hampshire wedding of Kara & Jamie. Click HERE for a peek. Right from our first meeting with them, we were smitten. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, they were such kind warm, sweet people and their wedding was an absolute blast!
Like so many of our Bello couples, we kept in touch with Kara & Jamie over the years, but I hadn’t seen these two sweeties since their wedding. So, I was super stoked when Kara reached out to see about doing a family session with her & Jamie’s three adorable boys. I’d been following the family on social media and much like their parents, the boys are beautiful little humans, with personalities to match.
We met up at one of my favorite local spots for some evening fun at the beach. I always marvel at how other photographers can do mini sessions. I’ve tried, but I just don’t know how to get the magic I’m looking for…mainly getting everyone to relax enough to let their real personalities shine through…in 20 minutes or less. I prefer to take my time, to chat with everyone, get to know the kids and what they’re into, and try and bond in a way that let’s them feel comfortable enough with me to trust me so I can create images that reflect the uniqueness of the beautiful people I’m photographing. It’s always a little challenging at first with the kiddos. If they haven’t done a photography session before, it can be a lot of pressure and they often don’t know what to expect and may not be into it. But, inevitably, by the end, we’re all having a lot of fun and I leave feeling super fulfilled.
With this lovely crew, I was having a blast from go! I was so excited to see Kara & Jamie again after so much time and so happy to meet their sweet boys – PK, Ryder and Grady. And they all seemed really excited to be at the beach and check out somewhere they’d never been before. It was the perfect mix of just hanging out and having fun together and documenting the family in a way that I hope preserves this fleeting moment in time for them.
Here are a few of my favorite photos and moments from our time together…
Grady was initially the least interested in doing a photo shoot. But, when he asked about taking photos of him climbing a tree and I agreed, that seemed to turn him around….and I mean….it was pretty cute!
PK, Grady and Ryder….are they adorable or what?
Jamie and his baby boy…love this sweet moment (on the left) and fall is my favorite time here on the Cape…the light is so warm and wonderful. We got so lucky this year and have really had an amazing autumn. This evening, with this beautiful family….it couldn’t have been more perfect.
Siblings….Swoon!!! I just love the way sweet PK is hugging his little brothers in this next one. It makes me think of my own childhood…not that we ever did professional family photos back then. But, as the oldest of three girls, this photo really pulls at my heartstring. Don’t get me wrong, my sisters and I had some epic battles…too many that actually got physical. We had young, overwhelmed, divorced parents in the 70s and 80s and it’s just how it was for us. But, there was tenderness too and I always felt very protective of my sisters and loved them beyond measure. And I see myself in sweet PK.
Wild, wonderful Grady…just being himself. And PK….doing the same.
Cheeky little Ryder….I mean, does it get any cuter than this?
Finally heading to the water…Ryder leading the way.
Sun-speckled serenity. Love this moment.
A candid in-between moment as Jamie rolls up Grady soaking sleeves for some more posed family pics…these are the moments I LOVE.
Momma and her baby boy….the look of pure love. Be still my heart.
Momma bear and all her baby cubs.
Grady had fully warmed up to me and my camera by the time we got to the beach. And, PK felt comfortable enough to suggest some photos he thought would be really cool…including this one on the right, where he asked me to photograph him dropping sand in front of his beautiful little face. Yes, sir…..I’m on it! I just love when kids get excited about photography!
Papa bear and his baby boys….LOVE this moment!
Love this beautiful family…
More clowning around with these sweet boys…this time PK wanted to toss sand up in the air and freeze motion. Love it!
Pig piles at sunset….Ryder was holding himself back from shoving his big brother’s face entirely in the sand. Lol!
Smiling, happy, wonderful little boos. I just had so much fun with these sweet fellas!!
After the sun had set, by the light was still magical, I told the boys they could just play and be silly and they happily obliged….
Dad and Ryder…..oh the contagious joy, how it does fill my heart so!
One last group hug….
I hope when these sweet boys think back to that time they drove all the way from NH to Cape Cod for family photos….these feelings are what rise to the surface, these moments of love and joyful play. Also….thank you guys SOOOO much for making such a long trip just to do photos with me! So very humbling!! There are lots of very talented photographers out there and the fact that you went so far out of your way to do this with me….just wow!! Thank you!!!
Kisses + hugs + silliness = perfection.
I thought this would be a funny photo for Kara & Jamie to look back on. I told the boys, who were at this point wrestling and chasing each other, to just have at it, while I photographed mom & dad in much the way I had 13 years ago for their engagement session. I thought the dichotomy of energy summed up family life with young kids perfectly…..I showed Jamie & Kara the back of my camera after snapping this keeper and Jamie replied, “That’s the Christmas card photo!” Lol! Love it!
I had to break out the Andy Beet favorite….the silhouette and setting sun to end this post.
Kara & Jamie, thank you so much for not only making such a huge trip for this session and allowing me to spend this time with you and your WONDERFUL boys, but for keeping Andy & me in your lives all these many years! When we started Bello (a million years ago), we knew the thing that was most important to us was creating lasting relationships…not because it’s good for business, though it absolutely has been for us, but because it is the thing that has always made this work so very fun and incredibly rewarding for us. Sessions like this one make me think it is equally as special for the families who choose to share their time with us and allow us to preserve these fleeting moments of love & joy. I mean, you wouldn’t drive all the way from NH for an evening session if it was just about getting a few cute pics, right?
Again, I so appreciate you coming down and hanging with me!! It was so so amazing to see you two again and I absolutely LOVE your boys! I hope these photos serve as happy reminders of this time in your lives and I hope you love them as much as I loved capturing them for you. With big love & hugs, Christine xo