Capturing what Matters Most: Family Portraits and Special Events

Barbara Bell Photography
3 weeks ago

Heyyyy, October! (I have been waiting for you…)

I love the fall for its cooler temps, and I *love* it when the mosquitoes go away (still waiting for the mosquitoes to go, and I know we are so close).

I wanted to take a minute to share our September in Review because I have missed writing and connecting with my people. When I set up this business, I wanted the flexibility to have time to take care of our family, and I am grateful that I have been able to do exactly that. (But between friends? I don’t feel quite myself when I’m not photographing or writing. The people who know me best give me grace in those seasons, and I’m deeply grateful to be able to carve out time for the things that refill my well.)

Labor Day Weekend and the Feast of the Three Saints

The first Monday of this month was Labor Day, and while we got to be home together working in the garden, we spent the weekend with family in Massachusetts. Labor Day weekend in my hometown hosts an Italian festival: The Feast of the Three Saints. This feast originated in my mother’s hometown in Sicily and has been going on in Lawrence, MA for 102 years. When people ask about the faith of all things, we can respond in Italian with con tutto cuore, which translates to ‘with all my heart.’

National Grandparents Day

The first Sunday in September is Grandparents Day, and I went down a rabbit hole researching how this came to be a national holiday in the US. The passion and dedication of people who want to recognize and celebrate others will always be my favorite thing to read.

When I asked some grandparents about this day to celebrate, every single one has said to me, “Every day is Grandparents Day!” Don’t you love that?! And – yes, the smiles on their faces when they said this to me may have been the giveaway at how pleased they all were with this role.

When we photograph milestone events like First Communions, birthday parties, and anniversary parties, as well as portrait days for the littles, the middles, and the graduating seniors, we always invite the grandparents along. Why? They bring the fun! The smiles, the kisses, the cuddles – all of it! I am here for it. We love to capture these moments, and we love the way the grandchildren enjoy having their grandparents there with them.

Portraits of Mothers (+More to Come!)

Following this holiday, we spent a few days that week on a grant-funded project that we have been proudly (and dare I say, stealthily?) working on for the past three years. I promise to share more when the time is right. I can tell you that we photographed nine magnificent mamas over a two-day period. Some were returning mamas, and some we got to meet for the first time. Capturing these mamas and these families with their children (of all ages) was an honor.

Wedding Anniversary

We closed out September with – dare I say it? – a vacation. Yes, we did. People who know me and know Barbara Bell Photography know that we show up to capture and photograph families every day of the year. We will gather with you when your family gathers so we can photograph everyone who has come to town. There have been many holiday mornings like Thanksgiving and Easter where we will show up with your family to capture all the extended family coming to town and the big birthdays that fall on these dates. We were honored to be a part of the celebration.

So what is the one day I do take off? I have always passed event and portrait sessions to other photographers when I receive inquiries for this date, and that is my wedding anniversary. (I do appreciate that my husband doesn’t mind me popping out on those other holiday mornings. I think he appreciates the quiet lie-in at home. 😊)

So… this year, we went on a vacation to celebrate each other by spending time with each other, and we LOVED it. If you are looking for a *real* vacation, I strongly recommend you reach out to CMS Tours and Travel.

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