Standing in the elevator of her condominium building, Christine couldn’t help but notice when the handsome young man dressed in tennis whites and carrying a racket stepped in. She was intrigued when Stephen started talking with her and asked if she wanted to join him for a game sometime. He left his number, but Christine was focused on her work and wasn’t interested in dating….or so she thought.

But, the love Gods weren’t having it. About six weeks later, while walking down the street, the two bumped into each other again. Christine was heading home from a long day of work and Stephen was on his way out. They stopped to say hello, and this time, Christine agreed to go for a drink with her handsome neighbor. And so began their love story…

This summer, Christine & Stephen will embark on the next happy chapter as they say, “I do!” at the beautiful ocean side Wequassett Resort in Harwich. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the band plays the Aerosmith classic, Love in an Elevator, as a nod to their fateful meeting!

We got together with these two cuties a couple of weeks ago for their Bello love session. It was also the first time we all met and I was particularly excited to finally put a face to the kind, sweet, funny woman I had been e-mailing/chatting with for months. As expected, Christine & Stephen were as lovely as we had imagined.

We met at Christine’s parents’ home in Falmouth and as a little treat, we got to meet them too. It is no surprise Christine is as lovely as she is! Dick and Linda are just delightful and made us feel incredibly welcome in their beautiful home. We all sat outside, sipping drinks, and snacking on cheese and crackers as we got acquainted, while looking at family photos and talking wedding plans. We have no doubt the wedding day is going to be a wonderful, joyful celebration of love…..and we can’t wait to be a part of that!

For now, here’s a sneak peek at our time with the lovely Christine & Stephen…

We started on the front stoop of her parent’s home, because we just love how front stoops speak of home, family and a welcome respite from the stresses of life. I mean, when does life get more simple than when you’re sitting on your stoop, snuggling and laughing with the one you love?

Next, we headed out to the backyard (where poor Dick quickly began pruning like a madman for us…..such an awesome dad!) for some more snuggling and laughing…love these two!!!

After getting warmed up to the idea of being photographed, we headed to our next location by the water. These two, like soooo many of our couples, were pretty nervous about being photographed. They claimed to not be able to take a decent photo….um, yeah, whatever….heard that before. Big, silly fibbers! Christine, like another Christine my husband knows, was particularly worried about how she photographed. We all thought she was seeing things we just didn’t see, but being my own worst critic in front of the camera, I could absolutely empathize and really went the extra mile to try and capture just how lovely, beautiful, kind, sweet and caring this wonderful woman is. I will be holding my breath to hear what she thinks of our efforts….

I just loooooove these boats! Love the colors and the way you really have to get close to be in one. It didn’t hurt having such a gorgeous couple in them to photograph either!!!

Heaven looks like this….

Our next stop took us to our favorite lighthouse, where our happy couple really found their stride in front of our cameras. The e-session really is as much about all of us getting to know and feel comfortable with one another….building trust and confidence….as it is about getting pretty pictures. And, we absolutely love the process. It is so fun for us and we hope for our couples too!

Does it get more classically Cape Cod than this? I think not!

These two did a lot of smooching, and I have to say, being around that kind of affection and passion is so nice for us! Andy & I have been together for (I can hardly believe it) nearly 19 years and those intense feelings of infatuation that drew us to one another back on the beaches of Marbella, Spain, are still there. But, time has a way of changing things. We have a history now. We have been together through hard times and glory days. We know each other better than we know ourselves. We have lifted each other up and sometimes, in a moment of weakness, we have let each other down. The history we share has a way of covering the early passion and wild abandon with layers of stronger, deeper feelings of love, commitment, trust & familiarity. One is not better than the other. Rather, they are all part of the joy that is life! It’s such a treat for us to get to regularly see new love, in all its sweet, unbridled glory….when the  kisses are still new and the electricity nearly visible. Sometimes, after a particularly good session with our couples, we drive home, holding hands a little tighter. The kisses taste a little sweeter and those old feelings bubble closer to the surface, making us appreciate the journey that has led us to today. Christine & Stephen did that for us and we hope these photos of their kisses and tender touches may one day remind them of this time in their lives and do for them what they did for us….

Smiles and almost kisses = my favorite things to photograph.

“In your eyes I see a world of possibility, a love as deep as the deepest ocean, and a reflection of me that is one I strive to live up to.” THIS is love!

Oh Christine….if you could see you as we do. You are absolutely stunning! In every way!  And, Stephen, you’re pretty fabulous (and dashingly handsome) as well!

Down to the waters edge, getting to close to the waves, and loving every minute of it…

Side by side…..forever!

By this time in the session, I think it’s safe to say we were all realllllly enjoying ourselves. And, here….with the setting sun casting its warm glow, sparks flew….

and, hearts filled….

And joy, it did flow like a rising tide.

I’ve said it a million times, and for these two it rings as true as ever…..There is NO better place than in the arms of the one you love. Ahhhhhhh!

Hubba. Hubba. Hubba!!!!

Christine & Stephen…..THANK YOU! Thank you for opening your hearts to us. Thank you for trusting us, and letting down your guard….when we know it was not easy for you. Thank you for inviting us to share in such a special time in your lives, without even having met us yet. Thank you for welcoming us into your home with open arms and making us feel like old friends! We hope these photos show you what we see in you…..warm ,wonderful, lovely, kind, caring, SEXY, beautiful people who have a deep affection for one another and who light up everything around them. We adore you and are so excited to get to share in the love & celebration that will be all around you in just a couple of months! Until then, we hope these photos serve as happy reminders of this time in your lives and our time together. With big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxoxo

PS…We’d like to send a special shout out of love to Dick & Linda for just being so totally awesome! Can’t wait to give you both big hugs again in September! xo