How excited was I when Jenny called me? Super excited! I love doing non-traditional family posing and this was a wonderful opportunity to take photos of an entire extended family. Plus, I got to explore a whole new area with my camera: Grumolo delle Abbadesse. And everyone who knows me knows that I love to find new, exciting places to shoot. With loads to celebrate, from the engagement of Kyle and Leslie to an extended family trip to Italy, the entire Bell crew was full of smiles and good cheer.

We started out at the villa in Grumolo delle Abbadesse taking engagement photos of Kyle and Leslie. It was obvious that the two of them are truly in love and enjoyed the trip from Texas to Italy. The light was amazing as I captured photos of Isaiah with his MiMi and Debra with the entire family.

Jenny then directed me to some of her favorite places. And they were certainly amazing! Exactly my style, I knew as soon as I got over to the barn that these photos were going to be gorgeous. After a few snaps of Jenny and Josh and various combinations of the family, we started losing light and unfortunately the shoot came to an end. It’s not often that I meet someone with such an eye for gorgeous locations and amazing photos. Jenny, you can scout locations for me anytime! Absolutely gorgeous! It was such an honor to capture some of your memories in Italy.

Oh, I’ve been waiting ages to share these photos with the world!  We did this shoot over a month ago, but obviously we couldn’t let Thomas see the dress before the big day.  And today is that day!  Thomas and Felicia were married today!  (Happy wedding day, you gorgeous couple!)  Despite hair and makeup woes, the shoot went off without a hitch.  With Crystal to help Felicia with her dress, we shot for hours in loads of gorgeous locales across northern Italy.  It always makes me happy when a bride has tons of ideas to make her bridal shoot special.  From vintage suitcases, to well-read classics, we had loads of props to play with and enjoy.  Felicia was up for anything and it excites me when I can be as creative as I want and explore.  From trespassing in a barn to trespassing in a field, the ladies did it with a grin.  We even were invited into a woman’s palazzo so we could do some photos in front of her grand fireplace in the ballroom.  (Too bad that instead of a fire, they had put a plasma screen TV in there.)  Thanks, Felicia, for being a dream bride and I only wish I could have photographed your wedding as well.  Best wishes and happy honeymoon!

A gorgeous woman from Mexico, a dashing man, darling little boy, and a baby girl with lovely dark curls… what a romantic family this one portrays.  How I enjoyed meeting all of them and seeing their love of this great city.  We had such a wonderful time wandering about Vicenza enjoying the gorgeous city and snapping pics.  What a joy for me when people want to celebrate the city they are living in!  I truly feel that I was capturing the D Family’s memories in Italy.  Thanks!

One day in the future when Vår is speaking, I will be her “Aunt E” and Steve will be “Zio.”  So, to say this was a special shoot, is an understatement.  We’ve been waiting and waiting to meet baby Vår for ages and she finally came to visit us all the way from Hønefoss, Norway on her first international trip.  In actuality we were in Norway when she was born on December 26th this past Christmas, but unfortunately we were unable to meet her in her first few hours of life before we headed off to London in the early morning hours of December 27th.

Anne Berit and Petter are more than just “cousins” (we have the same great-great-grandparents), but they are also are our dearest friends.  Having them visit is comfortable, lovely, and joyful.  But, on a hot, hot, hot June day at noon (photographers know how tough this time of day is to shoot), we headed out to get some six month photos of baby Vår.  Against their will, I forced Anne Berit and Petter to be in the photos as well and do an impromptu family session.  Despite one drastic wardrobe malfunction and some crazy heat, we had a great shoot.  Aunt E and Zio can’t wait until we see out lovely baby Vår in Norway.  We miss you all!

I’d been on pins and needles waiting for little Alena to arrive ever since I first met Lenny and Jane.  I’d photographed them weeks ago as they prepared for the impending arrival of their lil’ bundle of joy…. and what a joy she is!  I absolutely adore photographing newborns and I try to always set up a studio in the family home so we can be comfortable while photographing.  Just five days after Alena arrived, I headed over to the Moissl house for a lovely couple of hours with Lenny, Jane, and Alena.  Under their large window, I caught memories of them snuggling her, kissing her, and even making sure she will root for the right teams when she gets older.  I can’t wait to watch this little one grow up.  Congrats, Moissls, on your gorgeous daughter!