It’s that time of year again when the weather warms, tourists flock to our shores, and our cameras get their annual summer workout as things start getting really busy for us here at Bello Photography.

Our first love session of the spring season brought us to quaint Cotuit, where we met up with Kirsten & Dennis, two incredible people with whom we thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon (and a good portion of the evening). Kirsten & Dennis’s love story has a similar plot to Andy & my love story….two people from different parts of the world, different cultures and different languages (okay, that last part isn’t us…Andy & I speak the same language…usually).

Kirsten is American and grew grew up summering here on the Cape. Dennis is Dutch and together they live in one of my favorite cities….Barcelona. Theirs has been a whirlwind romance, which first began with a chance meeting at a scavenger hunt organized by a mutual friend and held in Newport, RI. It wasn’t until they were both living in New York City months later that a real friendship ignited. And, as friendships sometimes do….friendship blossomed into full blown love.

Their love will lead them back here to the Cape, where, surrounded by friends and family from across the globe, they will commit their lives (and all the differences that come with them) to one another with two small, but powerful words, “I do.”

We had such a blast with Kirsten & Dennis. They are fun, funny, smart, loving, creative people and we feel truly honored that they chose us to capture such a special time in their lives. Here are a few of our favorites from our recent love session together….enjoy!

We found this cool little storage shed on Kirsten’s neighbor’s beach, which made for a very cool setting for these next few photos…..we just love capturing our couples in the fit of a big belly jiggling laugh!! It’s just the best!!! Don’t you think?

From a moodier perspective….I just LOVE the light in this one and the expression on their faces!!! Ahh, pure contentment!!

At first, I think they wondered what the heck we were thinking asking them to climb through the wooden slats to go sit inside this little shelter, rather than take shots outside on the pretty beach. But, they trusted us, and as always: a funky idea + a good dose of trust = some killer images.

I absolutely LOVE this shot taken from outside the shelter, looking in. What moves me in this photo is the love and joy you just can’t help but see (and feel) in Kirsten’s eyes…because seriously, is there any better place in the world to be than in the arms of the one you love?

Playing with light, lines and perspective. I really like the way the light just skims across their faces just enough to see them go in for a smooch. So Fun!

It just wouldn’t be a Bello love session without a butt shot, now would it?!

Just a couple of love birds!!!

We wanted to play on the fact that Kirsten & Dennis come from different parts of the world and yet are united and living together in an entirely different country, so we dug out this old globe from our closet of “stuff” and brought it along to our session, focusing on Spain….cool shot? The jury is still out, but it was different anyway!

There is very little cuter than a woman in love enjoying a crinkled-nose laugh! Makes you just want to smile….doesn’t it?

….except maybe when she looks up at her man with eyes full of LOVE!!!

They didn’t plan to wear matching tops….Dennis’s luggage was actually lost in transit from Spain, so he had to make a quick stop at Banana Republic and he just happened to pick a sweater that matched Kirsten’s vest. A happy accident! And, we loved the way the green (especially Kirsten’s adorable wellies) popped in the winter-bleached marsh beach grass. Poor Dennis soaked his shoes….oh, what our fabulous couples will do for a cool shot!!! You guys Rock!!

Ralph Lauren wants their models back….

…seriously, are they adorable or what???

A great big, heart-felt thank you to you, Kirsten & Dennis, for opening up to us so quickly and for allowing us a personal glimpse into the inspiring love you share! We think you two are wonderful and look forward to spending more time with you, your families & friends this summer!!! Big hugs, Christine & Andy

PS..we’d like to give a little shout out to Anik, Kirsten’s sister, who first contacted us about photographing her sister’s wedding and who was there with us at the love session. Having two sisters myself, I understand the sisterly bond and I think it was wonderful, Anik, that you could be there with us to enjoy such a fun afternoon!!! Here’s a quick shot of Anik & Kirsten: