Lake Love is OPEN for business!!

We’re back!!!

It’s been a while, and we’ve been busy learning how to do the coolest, most challenging/ rewarding job: parenting! Picture below for proof of this amazingly growing kiddo.

We are so excited to share that we’ll be offering a number of session offerings and collections that we know will meet the needs of our biggest fans and future photo clients.

We can’t wait to update you all as we dive back in, so stay tuned for beautiful, natural light photos and images that really capture authenticity in a time when we need that most.

-Jen & Alex

Our Birth Story

Empowering labor & birth stories guided Alex and I to shape what we wanted our own experience to look like. My hope is that this story brings someone, or a family, closer to a positive labor and birth experience that they didn’t even know they desired or deserved. 

**I feel it's important to mention as well that Alex and I were privileged to have this experience, and there is still a great amount of inequity when it comes to pregnancy, labor, birth, and healthcare access in general. I hope that as time continues, more people are able to access the type of pregnancy, labor, & birth that all humans deserve. We can vote for elected officials that support policies in this area!**

Okay, here I go!! 

For the first few days, I referred to the whole thing as ‘crazy’ or ‘insane’ (with a positive tone, like, “Whoa, that was actually insane...How did I even do that?!”) because I didn’t know what other words to use to describe what my body had just gifted us...but after some healthy processing with our postpartum doula, a session with my therapist, and some time passing by with our sweet boy, I've been able to piece together what I consider to be our most beautiful birth story- the story that we desired so deeply- it actually happened! Alex and I prepared for this labor & birth with incredible support from the birth professional community in Northampton. I can’t say that this positive story just happened to us; we really put in the mental work to manifest what we wanted for our family and our baby, and I'm really proud of this- especially after our loss.

As we shared our story with a beloved neighbor, she told us that she hopes we share this story in a shout-it-from-the-rooftop kind of way. As a mother with two daughters in their 30's, she has actually never heard about someone having an empowering or positive birth experience. I'm taking her advice, and using this as an opportunity to reflect and share... 

My belly and baby had REALLY dropped low the day before labor kicked in!

On Sunday, September 6th, 2020, at 2am, I was woken up by some stronger sensations than usual; I had been excitedly losing pieces of my uterine seal throughout the day. I decided to go back to sleep for a few hours despite the sensations and let my body continue to send me signals. At about 5am I woke up with even stronger tightening waves across my abdomen. I woke Alex and whisper-shouted the long-awaited words, "I think it's happening!" I was more eager than ever on the Saturday prior to the start of labor. I had just spent much of that day expressing how frustrated I was that people always say "you'll know when it’s happening!" So we kept really busy...long drives, waddles down the street, a trip to a nearby farm for some fresh peaches...I kept myself distracted, but I really wanted labor to start- badly- shout out to Alex for seeing the raw version of me that day (and every day, really!). I wanted to drop into the experience and use the tools I'd stored over the past ten months. To make the day even more unique, exactly one year ago, on that very day...I was 12 weeks pregnant when we lost our first baby. On September 6th, 2019 I had my first of two D&C procedures following our miscarriage. I find it hard to believe that the timing of all of this is a coincidence. It seems rather serendipitous that exactly one year after our loss I began labor to welcome our baby boy into the world. Needless to say, I felt like I'd really been pregnant forever, and we were beyond ready to hold this rainbow Baby in our arms.

Back to the birth story...

Later that morning after getting a bit more sleep through early labor, we notified our midwives that it was happening! We spent that morning making sure I got some movement in and some solid nutrition because we knew we were in for a long day/ night/ day? Alex and I went for a lovely walk in the neighborhood, and I paused for breath each time a contraction occurred. We waved at a social distance to our neighbors who have been watching me waddle around through the last trimester. We told them that this baby was on the way, and we received a few good lucks before we settled in to our home for what really was an incredibly long day & night but a beautiful one at that.

Alex continued to check in with our midwives as labor progressed. I became slightly obsessed with the contraction counter on an app that I’m still not really sure I love or hate. I finally agreed to hand over the timing to Alex so that I could just be a bit more present in my body. Every time Alex called the midwives, we always received genuine encouragement to keep going. I knew I had to be 6-7cm dilated to go to the birth center, and we were reminded that I could be in early labor well into the evening.  We set up some yoga props in each room of our home to invite whatever my body would need, and Alex taped labor affirmations at each door frame, on the mirrors, and by light switches...not something we talked about, but I have to admit it was entirely helpful for both of us to have those phrases there. My brain recognized them from listening to the birth affirmations meditation (from the HypnoBirthing course) for the entire pregnancy. Almost every shower I took, I passively listened to that meditation- and I knew all the phrases would be stored in my subconscious when I needed them for labor. I like to joke with Alex that I had officially brainwashed myself to believe that my body, this baby, and my brain could do this whole thing...but I really did start to believe in the affirmations after internalizing them for so long. I knew that there was a power within me, a primal power that connected me to laboring women from every time and every place, that would bring our family this baby in a way that my partner and I truly desired- without any medication and in a space that felt just as restorative as our home. Our goal was...happy, healthy, the three of us…finally together. We would repeat this often throughout our pregnancy, and it became our cornerstone of advocacy and the fuel to keep moving forward. This goal also opened the door for us (at 20 weeks) to switch to Seven Sisters Midwifery & Community Birth Center as our providers. A true best fit for us!

We chose to shift to this brand new birth center for a few reasons:

1) We had spent so much time in the hospital during our miscarriage that we knew a fresh physical space was important this time around.
2) When we met Ginny & Kirsten we knew immediately that my whole body and baby's well-being would be cared for and believed in... in a way that perfectly matched our vision for pregnancy, labor, & birth. We were not just patients here. We were valued, whole people. 
3) We preferred the extensive time our appts would take that allowed us to check in about our pregnancy journey. Every appt left me feeling eager, excited, and joyful. My anxieties leading up to any appt significantly decreased when we shifted providers mainly because Ginny and Kirsten both took the time to get to know us. Our whole family felt cared for and loved through the entire process of working with these midwives.
4) Alex could come to every appt, and we felt safer birthing at the center (a short-stay facility with two birthing suites) as opposed to a hospital setting during the time of COVID. We were not sure what September would even look like when we switched providers, but we knew we wanted to take the most cautious approach.
5) We were considering a home birth, but we weren’t too sure about our first labor experience at home (maybe next time!?)….This was the perfect in-between and the facility is two minutes away from the hospital if medical intervention was needed.

I knew from our HypnoBirthing course that in a healthy pregnancy there were three factors that dictated the outcome of the birth: the baby's position in the uterus, the trust you have in your providers,  and the birthing mother's brain. This was all the information my anxiety needed to kickstart a journey of "what can I really control?"- an ironic question to ask during the most instinctual, natural process that can happen to a woman's body, but hey, anxiety is natural for expecting parents and does have its place. With these facts in mind, I knew that the enemy of the birthing room (Fear- which naturally shows up!- and did for me as well) was NOT going to be a determining factor in the birth of this little cosmic being. What I slowly started to realize in this pregnancy was that what I craved (control) was the exact opposite of what I needed- surrender…and surrender I did.

After a full day of early labor, my parents came over with dinner around 6pm. This was an exciting visit! Hugs all around, heightened eagerness, and pure family love. It was so refreshing to have my parents there, and it helped Alex and I get out of our heads a little bit after a day that required great patience from both of us. It was also just cool to think that my parents were witnessing their baby in labor! Every time I experienced a surge (contraction), I would say, "Here I go!", get on my hands and knees on the yoga mat, and breathe calming breaths with a hint of low "meh-ing" or humming with each exhalation. I don't know how to explain it, but I just knew that this was exactly what my body needed. If you were a fly on the wall for the next few hours, you'd see my parents and Alex playing a board game and me doing the yoga mat thing. It was quite the sight, and I'm grateful my dad took this picture to remember the moment. I wanted everyone to pay attention to something else besides me, so I actually requested that they play a game and eat their dinner while I continued to progress in my labor!

Around 9:00 p.m. my parents left and kissed my big belly bump a "next time I see you, you'll be HERE!" kiss. All the lights in our home were dimmed and Alex chose a yoga music playlist on Spotify to keep the space as calm as possible. Labor really picked up almost immediately after my parents left, but Alex and I knew we could be a team through the night and calmly meet whatever twists and turns the rest of our labor and birthing experience might take.

With each surge I still continued with my "here I go"s, but now I've added a funny and exhausted thumbs up at the end of each surge so Alex can accurately time them and continue to keep the midwives informed. I was still on hands and knees, but now I needed Alex to apply light massage to my back through each wave. His calm presence and patience was absolutely everything here. We discussed throughout our pregnancy what he might be able to provide during labor...and how can you ever really know what you'll need if labor is new, but we kept it simple and decided that his role was to provide a calm presence, to believe in my body so fully that I could feel it, to keep the environment as calm as possible, and to clearly communicate and make decisions with the midwives. He was truly incredible. My birth companion. My witness. Out of this world selfless. I felt as though I could see myself and my strength through his eyes- especially through the most intense parts of labor. He didn’t have to do anything fancy…he was just there…like, really there and open and incredibly him. I don't remember at what time because the concept of time became very unclear at a certain point, but I do remember a moment when both of us were beginning to feel the exhaustion of labor late into the night. My whole labor from start to finish was 29 hours. I remember telling Alex to go get the purple folder from the birth center bag (if you know me well, it makes perfect sense that I had packed a folder with labor & birth strategies- anxious mom/ nerd alert!) where I had written him a letter a few weeks before. I thought that he might need some words of encouragement from non-laboring Jen. He left the room to take in the letter, and when he returned he went into an even deeper state of support for my body and our baby. 

Alex took all the phone calls with the midwives in the room next to where I was laboring in our home. Every time he came back in the room to report how much longer it might be until we would leave for the birth center, he calmly stated that we just needed to "give it another hour". As the surges continued to ramp up, my body got creative with what it needed. I continued to experience each surge on hands and knees on my yoga mat, but now I was pressing the top of my head quite assertively into the ottoman and the couch...for whatever reason I'm not entirely sure. I do remember thinking how cool it was that my body knew that it needed to do that. Looking back on this now, it seems very animalistic…but I see it as a powerful move that got me through the next few hours. At 2:30 a.m. we got the go-ahead to head to the birth center. Surges were about 3 minutes apart and 60 seconds long- very consistently. I was too tired to cry tears of joy, but I definitely felt it.

I remember thinking before we left that we had a 6-minute drive to the birth center which meant I would experience several surges on the way there. Considering that I've done the whole labor on hands and knees at this point I wondered how the next 6 minutes would go. In the words of my best friend, "You could feel every little pebble on the road right?!" And oh, yes…I could!  Alex was eager to get there with his foot hard on the pedal, but for some reason I wanted to go as slow as humanly possible- like maybe under five miles per hour. I was clutching the center console and that handle on the upper right above me while pushing my feet hard into the floor mat. This was definitely the longest six minute drive of my life! I wish I had this part on video for the pure comedy of it. 

When we arrived at the birth center, we were greeted by one of our midwives, Kirsten, at 3:15 a.m. When I waddled out of the car I remember her saying, "Well you're definitely walking like someone who's in labor!" It was refreshing to hear something light on this dramatic evening/ morning! She then welcomed me to the day-bed in one of the familiar and beautiful appointment rooms. I knew I had to be quite far along in labor in order to stay at the facility- in the midst of active labor. After a few rounds of me catapulting off the day-bed and onto the floor during surges, we heard the news that I was 7 cm dilated and that we could stay!!!! YESSSSSSSS- This was even more exciting than hearing we could drive to the birth center!! I started crying tears of joy at this point despite my fatigue. I figured we would not be sent home to continue laboring more because I felt like I was putting in the work, but dang, it felt SO good to KNOW we were getting really close to meeting our baby. 

This next part I've been finding hardest to write because it feels more like an out-of-body experience than anything else. I remember being asked if we wanted the blue room or the orange room and feeling so excited that it was finally time to make this choice! Of course, if you know me, I've always picked orange as my favorite color. In kindergarten, I felt bad for orange because nobody picked it as their favorite color (true story), so naturally to welcome this baby into the world...orange room it was!! 

When we started to settle in to the orange room, I remember feeling the beauty, peace, and calm that the physical space presented to us. The center had officially opened just a few weeks before, and there is something really special about the facility. The space itself invited what we valued when we imagined our most ideal birthing scenario as opposed to a hospital setting which some people prefer…I totally respect this! Our family believes that medical interventions and pain meds can be life-saving and necessary for some mothers and babies, so I want to share my story here without judgment of anyone else's story. All birthing women are truly incredible, and it takes an intense warrior of a person to bring a baby into this world no matter what that happens to look like!!!

I had a strong feeling that my body and this baby could work together in harmony when active labor kicked in and it turns out my gut was right…

Alex went to the car to bring in our bags and what seemed like too many yoga bolsters. It looked like we were moving into a yoga studio. And, yet again, I requested as soon as he came back from the car that he place my yoga mat on the floor so I could return to the almighty hands and knees position! This room was stacked with possibilities for new laboring positions, so I was encouraged to try a few! I tried the tub- liked it for a while then realized I needed to feel more grounded and less cold (although the water was warm!). I tried the bed- did NOT like laying on my side at all and basically jumped out of the bed and onto the floor during a surge. Loved the hot shower with removable shower-head, but my legs were feeling a bit weak at this point. I retreated to the toilet for some more surges, but I wasn't too sure about that either- I kept picturing how the weight of me on the toilet would leave a funny toilet seat imprint on my butt (weird thought ha!), and I didn't want to stay there long. After about three hours of trying all different laboring positions and locations, and continuously returning to hands and knees...I (yep, you guessed it!) returned to hands and knees on the beautifully tiled bathroom floor! Surprised!? Nope. Me either. I forgot to mention that when I was laboring on the toilet, the amniotic sac was visible. My water still had not broken at this point which I thought was pretty neat. It added to the suspense! Alex was squatting in front of me, and I asked him what it looked like...he sort of laughed and said questionably, "It kind of looks like an alien or an alien balloon?" We both thought it was so cool for some reason, and we were definitely laughing in this moment. 

Back to the bathroom floor, surrounded by my glorious birth team (!!!), I began to sweat...A LOT. The discomfort was definitely increasing, but I knew each surge was bringing me closer to our baby! Alex suggested after an intense surge that we "move into the other room where there is beautiful, natural light". I remember in this moment feeling incredibly angry with him, and then the midwives agreed that it was a solid idea! (Now I was angry with all three of these gorgeous people…which is funny considering that the three of them just wanted me to feel more comfortable and bring this baby into the world NOT in a bathroom…on the floor…under fluorescent lights!) I now truly appreciate this suggestion- laboring Jen did not! Without warning (I remember, maybe Kirsten, saying "Oh! Okay! We're moving!"), I started vigorously crawling on hands and knees (while grunting) into the next room- the room of magical, natural light that my sweet hubby wanted for ‘the big moment’- he's a sucker for a good story! As I was crawling, I experienced another surge and my water suddenly broke! I thought this was super cool and stared at the liquid for a hot second before continuing my grunt-crawl to the final laboring area that my body chose- right next to the tub…which I didn’t like. Almost as soon as I got there, I was in transition. I believe we checked my dilation one more time before it was time to push; I then felt that undeniable urge to push that people talk about. When the surges came on at this point, my voice started to get higher and a bit more panicky sounding- I’d say it was probably a scream. I don't think I felt panicked, but my voice indicated that I did. I was encouraged to bring my voice lower and put less emphasis in my arms...which were reaching out for Ginny and Alex. Kirsten was behind me monitoring the baby's heart-rate through many surges and preparing for baby's ultimate arrival. My first few pushes were what I felt could be classified as "rookie pushes", but I was figuring it out and needed to cut myself some slack. I looked at Ginny and said something like "I have no idea what I’m doing. I need you to tell me exactly what to do." The advice was golden. Take a REALLY deep inhalation and then breathe out and down (like you're experiencing a bowel movement). I also was thinking of breathing in a downward "J" motion as was suggested in HypnoBirthing class. I was VERY vocal... to the point where my throat felt sore during the first week postpartum- a bit like I was screaming at a rock concert for hours or something. My sweat was so intense at this point…just covered in liquid…and I was asking for cloths that had been dipped in ice water. Maybe I was demanding them? (Sorry, Ginny!) Alex said I was covered in ice cold cloths on my back and that it looked like I had a cape on. Superheroine status. The cape was as close as I got to wearing clothing during the whole labor. Birthday suit status. Through each surge I was able to take about three strong breaths and push a bit further every time. I felt the baby's head (kind of felt weird and squishy with a lot of hair), and I was ready. Here I go! Alex told me that as he witnessed me during the pushing stage, he thought I was both beautiful and incredibly terrifying. I kind of LOVE this, and side note- I think that's why the patriarchy exists- there is no raw power like the raw power of a woman birthing a human. Men simply do not have this power and for centuries have built a system that would strip women of this insanely awesome power...because, well, it TERRIFIES THEM! I've got some other thoughts on this, so grab a cup of virtual tea with me later if you want to continue this feminist aside! Alex also said it was "like watching a beautiful exorcism", so there's that, too! Thanks, honey!

While on my knees with my torso upright and my arms strongly gripping Ginny's leg and Alex's hand, I was held securely by the confidence of my birth team. This was IT! After about 30 minutes of pushing, I took one more extremely strong gulp of breath (BREATH IN LABOR IS EVERYTHING BY THE WAY!) to power me through the final pushes. On an exhale, I felt the baby's head and shoulder's smoothly squeeze through the birth canal, and then wriggle out onto the floor which was only an inch or two below me. The adrenaline in the room was palpable. Thinking about this moment now, it felt like everything stopped when I saw this baby for the first time. Alex describes this moment paired with a special kind of morning light that just hit the top of the trees outside the window. He would notice something so literary at the moment of this baby's birth- the natural light he was looking for but something even more magical. 

I don't remember who handed the baby to me (or maybe I just picked him up), but I shifted to my bottom so I could hold him to my chest. This happened both so quickly and in slow motion. At 7:11am, I said in my new mom-voice, "It's a boy! It's Ferris! He's here!" We didn't know the sex of our baby and hadn't really decided on the name, but these words just so smoothly slid out of my mouth. He was SO alert when he arrived. He was already curious, seemed determined, and just had a sweet kindness about him. 

We decided to shift to the bed in order for me to birth the placenta. The four of us (wait- now five!) sort of slouch-walked, Hunchback of Notre Dame style, carefully over to the bed. The umbilical cord was long, so this part was less tricky than I imagined. Ferris almost immediately started the breast crawl while I birthed the placenta with the guidance of Kirsten and Ginny. Alex was taking photos at this point to capture the afterglow and take it all in. While I was stitched up, Alex spent about 30-45 mins loving some skin-to-skin with his newborn son. I loved watching this. It melted my heart.

It was also a lovely distraction...it was hilarious that I suddenly became a bit of a wimp when I was getting stitches yet I just birthed a human! I guess the adrenaline had started to wear off?! Alex brought Ferris back over to me when I was beginning recovery mode. As Ferris nursed, I was so in awe of this baby’s face and body and spirit. He gripped my finger so tightly. He really was SO alert and awakening to the world around him. I couldn’t believe he was finally here- and gorgeous and healthy and eager to learn with us.

I didn’t know that he hadn’t been weighed yet, but I remember Ginny announcing 7:11 when he arrived. This definitely proves how ‘in the zone’ I was (or maybe ‘out of it’?), but I thought that she was eye-balling Ferris’s weight- like she could just tell he was 7 pounds and 11 ounces (which was my guess when we were pregnant). What I didn’t realize was that she was stating the time of his birth- ha! Oh no, Ferris was a bit heavier than 7 lbs. Weighing in at 9.04 lbs, Ferris arrived in chubby, double-chin style! We spent the next few hours staring at him, taking a million pictures, dressing him in his first outfit...and…cleaning up meconium off my elbow, the bed frame, the bedsheets, Ferris’s body, and probably some other surfaces I’m forgetting to mention (maybe the floor or the wall?!). While Kirsten, Ginny, and I wiped down the meconium explosion, Alex filled out our baby’s birth certificate paperwork, officially naming him Ferris Alexander Walts-Houpert. Ferris...because Ferris Bueller’s day off is our favorite movie & the name is Irish/ means “rock” or “strong”; Alexander...because that’s his daddy’s middle name, too; and Walts-Houpert...because equality...and I love my last name!

At about noon, we started to pack up the car and bring this tiny human home. We were home about 5 hours after Ferris arrived. I think this is a benefit of a short-stay facility…because honestly...if mom is healthy and good-to-go after labor...there’s just something about being home that makes the healing feel more accessible! Both sets of grandparents came over that very day to meet their grandson who had just been born. Along with the natural grandparent love they brought with them, the grandparents came bearing gifts! The three of us were showered with adorable baby outfits, roses, a sweet baby boy balloon, yummy meals, and listening ears as we shared our story with our own parents who brought us into this world.

What a beautiful life. What an empowering experience as a woman. What a gorgeous start to Ferris’s journey.

Our little family of three. 

We've Been Watering Plants

Peace and greetings to our Lake Love friends.

We’ve taken a little break from posting images and stories, other than a few smaller shoots here and there; it is altogether strange, sad, and warming to know that I feel the need to share why we haven’t been sharing our creativity with others as often as in previous Lake Love years- it is also a bit assumptive of me to think that people are wondering why we aren’t posting. When I was little, ‘posting’ was a verb that hadn’t even entered my self-judgment category of vocabulary, but here we are. The pressure to perform is one that is felt so often in a world of creating for others, whether that be photography or teaching, or any other work that requires creative energies, and what-do-ya-know…we do both! BUT a lot of this pressure is self-created. Despite its potential to drive results, it can be draining, and so we decided to put more focus at the start of 2019 on what matters most to us- ‘JUST US’- and…our new space which happens to be a pretty, darn, cool reflection of the work we’ve been putting in to a direction we both needed.

In our first year of marriage, we chose to take on quite a bit of change: new town, new job, new apartment (moved twice in the last year), new layer to our relationship. It has been one of our most rewarding and challenging years yet. (And to those of you who are new parents, or have been married for 40 years, or have 20 grandchildren, we imagine there are many more obstacles ahead to face and many more moments of joy to be had- more transitions to come.)  

With a shift in perspective, which at times can be incredibly challenging, transition can be such a beautiful, heart-opening experience, and I’ve found it difficult this year to accurately express this to those in my personal circle. I’ve found myself thinking, “Maybe it doesn’t have to be shared. Maybe they just ‘get it’.” Literature and art always seem to say it best for me, so when I came across a recent post that captured what was on my heart, I decided it needed to be shared. And goodness, I’m so grateful that Sheleana Aiyana, the Founder of @risingwoman decided to share this (https://www.instagram.com/risingwoman/?hl=en), . Sheleana is a writer of conscious relationships, and I always feel a bit lighter after reading her wise words:

“Relationships offer us a container to level up our love game. To nurture our inner-child, to give and receive love in a healthy way, to develop clear boundaries and self-care rituals. Relationships get easier when we loosen our grip, and begin to see them as a human being with their own path, choices, desires and beliefs. A relationship is like a plant that needs water to survive. It never stops needing water just because it’s rooted firmly in its place, it is a living thing, and so is a relationship.”

If you’re working on your relationship- with yourself, with your friends, with your family, with your partner…then I’m flippin’ proud of you. It is NOT selfish. It is NORMAL. It is IMPORTANT. It is BEAUTIFUL, and I admire you for it. Challenge your perspective on what this work looks like. Tune in to your inner-child. If you don’t know this voice in yourself, time to start searching. The answers are usually waiting there for you, and you might need a mentor or therapist to guide this out. Shaming options that you have not personally tried can be a wonderful signal to your heart. We should also congratulate people for continuing this work through all phases of life.

So, go ahead…I invite you to metaphorically, or literally, ‘buy a new plant, and water the heck out of it’ (well don’t overwater it), but at least go to that gardening store you’ve always wanted to check out. Here are some little gems, (or ‘momes’ in the words of Jonathan Van Ness), from our new home that I decided to capture on camera after feeling inspired by this @risingwoman reminder:

“Relationships are hard because our partners are our mirrors, showing us our own edges and inviting us to go deeper. And relationships are hard because you have to consciously choose YES to growth, even on the days when saying yes isn’t easy.”

And, YES we named all of our plants- there goes that little judgy voice creeping in again right before I ‘post’ this. Ignore the haters in your head, people! Check out this plant yearbook below in no particular order of passion…a potential waste of time, I think not:

Top Row: ‘My girl, Ivy’, 'Aegon’ & ‘Elton’, ‘My girl, Ivy’ again, ‘Christine’, wrapped by ‘Persephone’
Middle Row: Oops, ‘My Girl, Ivy’ again! Not sorry- she’s so pretty!!, ‘Ginny Weasley’, ‘Bella Palm’, & ‘Severus’ (not featured is twin plant ‘Snape’)
Bottom Row: ‘The Dothraki Twins’ and ‘Vera’, ‘Ernie’, ‘Jean Iverson’, & ‘Ophelia’

We dreamt of ‘walls and walls of plants to water and books to read’ as we stated in our vows. Here we are. I couldn’t be more excited to water them- to water this.

Cheers and a happy Spring and Summer to friends who are putting in that work and bringing light to everyone around them. Hoping joy and compassion are your new normal just as they strive to be ours.  

Lake Love, Jen

The Ferreira's: Union at the Station

Our last wedding of 2018 happened to take place across the street from our new abode! Just a walk away, Loradona & Nick’s wedding day at Union Station in Northampton was a fitting end of our season as we gradually transitioned our photography focus from Cape Cod to Western Mass. We started the day knowing that we would be working with the most laid-back of bride and grooms, and the ease with which this couple approached their day made everyone around them relax and rejoice.

Nick and his groomsmen spent the morning and early afternoon enjoying each other’s company, listening to music, and taking celebratory swigs of their favorite beverages. Loradona and her ladies met at a stylish salon where they began their glam adventures and soon-after shifted over to her childhood home for some continued, cozy ‘getting ready’ atmosphere. Songs played over the speakers with special reminders and sparked memories. Hugs followed. Orange juice mixed with champagne. Bride and groom portraits from generations past adorned the fireplace mantle. Dress time. Sweet, sisterly help. Hopping into busy cars. Shuttling our way to the Station. Things tend to quicken during this part of the day.  

A suite, upstairs in the venue, awaited our arrival. ‘Love mantras’ all over the walls reminded the bridal party what we were all there to celebrate. The ring bearers peeked out at the ceremony below just to make sure everything looked perfect for their aunt. Softly glowing candles lined the ceremony space. Florals with Fall colors invited guests to their seats. Portraits around the venue with classic Northampton scenery lined the exposed brick. This space needed so little because it said so much. (Click image below to activate Carousel of images.)

Original, and beautifully written, vows were shared. The silent support of family and friends was tangible. Smiles and tears filled the row of bridesmaids. Groomsmen surprised the bride and groom with a quick, celebratory drink from their pocket flasks after Loradona & Nick said ‘I do’! (Click image below to activate Carousel of images.)

While we took family and friends on an outdoor photo adventure, the ceremony space was swiftly swapped for dining and dancing. The Northampton rail trail invited us to take a few newlywed portraits by the remaining yellow leaves of Fall. Romance and hand-holding and railroad track hopping through the sunset left us with just enough time to make it back for their newlywed entrance.   

After greeting their nearest and dearest, and twirling around romantically for their first dance, Nick’s twin brother and Loradona’s older sister gave speeches featuring real, heartfelt anecdotes that set the joyful mood for the rest of the evening. Everchanging uplighting and finely picked music kept the party going. The bride danced with her cousins and grandmother as The Irish Rovers’ “Unicorn Song” gave everyone reason to dance, even if just from their seat. Friends Irish-step danced, cornhole partners battled, & friends clinked their glasses to memories new and old- the whole evening was a perfect snapshot of the kind of life and love Loradona & Nick found in each other. (Click image below to activate Carousel of images.)

Lake Love,
Jen

Sullivan Maternity Session: Imagine Sailing in the Winter

So, I haven’t been brave enough to share some of my personal poetry on here. However…After this special photo session with Mari, Kick and baby, I was feeling inspired to create some words that capture my excitement for all of my friends starting their families. This poem is for all of you new parents and families navigating the new dynamics and the overflowing love. As someone who is excited to some day be a parent, I hope it lands well in your heart. My perspective on parenting is limited, but my observations are keen. I wrote this with pure joy in my heart, and I hope you feel it. All my love to these parents as they prepare for their new arrival this March!
—————————————

There are those that sail in Winter;
how brave and daring of us.
The wind whispers all that could be imagined,
And our hands hold tight.

When will we know what it’s like to sail
To the place many have traveled
Again and again?
Yet, we’re newly arriving,
Waiting for new arrival,
Waiting for a cry,
A call,
An embrace,
beyond the imagined.

Other sailors say,
“It is said that the heart
Outside the body
Will walk
And will talk
And will grow in ways imagined
And in ways unimagined
And at all moments of everyday
It brews bittersweet breath
into our sails.”

To know.
To not know.
The imagined arrives.
The wonders will keep us up
And get us started with the dawn.
And holding its little hands
“Oh, so tight.”
Through night and through hours we’ve imagined.
To not know.
Then to feel what it’s like to know suddenly.  

When it is Winter
There are sails in the crisp breeze
That indicate love,
That remind us to breathe.

When we make it home:
The coziest,
The kindest,
The nest.
It’s everything we imagined.

We set sail again.
Heading to new waters.
Learning the names of cries.
Learning the places we’ll land.

The three of us set sail.

Lake Love,

Jen Walts

The Donovan Way: How to Win a Wedding

Our first true sports fan wedding- Courtney & Pat Donovan. Even at the very start of their day, I could tell that the group of people Courtney & Pat had asked to support them on their wedding day were going to provide the kind of teamwork to make this a win of a wedding. The getting ready space at the Tewksbury Country Club was dreamy with fancy furniture and a window built to frame the most beautiful of bridal gowns. I felt a level of classiness as I peaked around at all of Courtney’s chosen bridal details. She and her bridesmaids and bridesman rocked the morning away with some 90’s and early 2000’s throwback songs inspiring me to give my creative best to this bridal team. They were all so kind to move furniture and hang the gorgeous dresses to get the perfect photo in place. I found myself repeatedly thanking them and shouting “Go Team!”

(Click to scroll through Carousels above and below.) Another first followed, a first look with one of the couples’ dogs! Thor was probably one of the coolest dogs we’ve ever met, and Alex and I fell in love with his presence in so many of the photos we took that morning. Thor clung to Pat’s side as Courtney gracefully made her way to the picturesque stone bridge where their first look took place. A moment just for two and their pup quickly became a family and friend affair when the wedding party sneakily made their way to the cocktail hour deck to watch the first look for themselves. Even though the two weren’t exactly alone the way they might have pictured their first look, I think they were pleasantly surprised by the special first look video footage snatched by their friends.   

Everyone excitedly made their way to the ‘Gronk Bus’ (the perfect transportation for these extreme Patriots fans!) to head to the church ceremony. The fluorescence of the flashing lights reading ‘TOUCHDOWN’ or ‘GRONK’, the dancing, the singing- this party bus could have kept driving around for hours of fun.

The mood shifted to readiness when we made it to the church. -Game time.- Pat waiting at the altar. Courtney arm-in-arm with her dad. Guests standing to attention at the bride’s arrival, attempting not to knock over the kneelers during this important moment. Courtney glides down the aisle to her groom. Pat beams as he sees his teammate for the second time in this day- guests see that he feels how lucky he is. First kiss. Ring exchange. Beautiful smiles. The newlywed walk. It swiftly passes by. The day slows a bit with the receiving line as all of Courtney and Pat’s biggest fans greet and congratulate the winning, wedded team.

Family and wedding party portraits ensued outside the towering church entrance. The cooperation of family and friends continued back at the country club where we ran through a long list of possible plays- a list of photos that Courtney & Pat took great care to create so their wedding day would be a success for everyone involved. Courtney even added a picture on her photo request list of a wedding party running away from a dinosaur. At first, I thought this was a joke just to break up the traditional photo request list, but on the day of, I asked with uncertainty, “So, that dino photo?” With a big smile, our bride and groom agreed “Let’s do it!” Aside from a nontraditional, hilariously dinosaur-involved photo, we had a blast taking photos in front of the ‘Gronk bus’: Courtney pretending to spike her bouquet like a football after a touchdown and Pat posing with his groomsmen as if he just won the Super Bowl. (Click to scroll through Carousel below.)

As guests entered the reception space bedecked with sports fan nods and photographed memories of loved ones, they found their seats with their escort card- designed to mimic a Boston Red Sox ticket! Flavored popcorn and sports-related entrances were just enough to remind guests of Courtney & Pat’s shared love of sports. The evening continued with loving speeches, including Courtney’s sister pausing to breathe through some beautiful, sisterly tears and Pat hugging her/ encouraging her to continue her supportive words. Dancing kept the evening filled with smiles and laughter. A dance floor that is constantly filled through the evening is most definitely the mark of a winning wedding. As our final minutes with Courtney & Pat came to a close, we looked around one last time and noticed a feeling similar to the joy on everyone’s faces when a team pops the champagne in a locker room after closing out a championship. We knew then that these two would continue a winning partnership with many more celebrations to come.

Willette's by the Water

September winds started painting colors of autumn, and we found ourselves back on Cape Cod to celebrate the wedding day of Amy & Michael. Their colorful day began with a ladies’ nail salon morning while the gentlemen busied themselves at a nearby bowling-alley, and I should probably mention that Michael went bowling in a suit! Even the start of their day had the makings of a wedding for a fun-loving couple. What I could feel most as I entered each space that morning was the support and pride family and friends felt for Amy & Michael- just for the pure joy that these two have found in each other.

The day involved waves of important emotions and memories of family members, present and passed. Hugs and deep breaths promoted a sense of ‘Okay. We’ve got you. We’ve got this.’ Gifts were given, and smiles were lifted. Leaving moments to feel what needed to be felt, the bride and her bridesmaids were ready for the ‘on-to-the-next’ agenda that a wedding day presents. So, down the carpeted steps to the limo they went.

I have the excited bonus of often joining the bride and her maids in the limo to the ceremony when that is a part of the plan. This day- it was. Riding to the ceremony is honestly like the top of a roller coaster. Hands up. No going back. Might as well just scream and have a good time! Cheers after cheers. Dance party after dance party. We were on our way to the top of the coaster- the beach ceremony. When we arrived at the tippity top, I got out of the limo in case anyone was holding anything back with a vendor present. The limo driver and I stepped back as the dance party literally shook the limo up and down. Beach goers and passerby Cape Codders questionably observed, but I think they were just jealous of the fun that was being had.

While we waited for a few last minute guests to arrive, we snuck our way over to the ceremony and hid behind several large trucks in the beach parking lot. In a moment that didn’t seem hilarious at the time, a gentleman left his sports car running right by the ceremony site. With no driver in sight, and while breathing in ocean air mixed with sports car exhaust, one of Amy’s fearless bridesmaids opened the stranger’s car door and turned the key off. No more exhaust. Back to breathing in the ocean breeze before the ceremony. I am consistently amazed at the lengths wedding party members are willing to go when their bride or groom friend is showing any sign of unease. I want to remind brides and grooms more often that people will work with you to make the day the absolute best for you. This is a prime example! When you’re going down the steepest hill on the roller coaster, your bridesmaids or groomsmen will grab your hand and say “Here we goooo!” instead of focusing on their own emotions they feel in those moments. It’s a special kind of showing up and being there.   

The open beach ceremony began, and I looked around at the vacationers from near and far that were also about to witness Amy & Michael’s nuptials. A casual ceremony on a popular Falmouth beach set a scene of sweetly approaching waves and rays of sun. All witnesses were encouraged to relax because of the mood set by surrounding vacationers. Happy tears, combining of sands, and exchanging of rings, and classic, nervous Amy laughter- I say this because she used to be a student of mine!- passed by quicker than the rest of the day as it always does. As the ceremony came to a close, the sunset was on our side; families started to pack up their lawn chairs, fold up their beach blankets, and awkwardly roll their items over the natural, yet somehow unnatural and bumpy, beach sand to their cars or nearby Cape cottages.

At the reception space, decorated carefully to mirror the purples and dark hues of the couples’ wedding color scheme, guests were eager to dance, eat, and celebrate. All eyes were on Amy and Michael during their first dance; they even took dance lessons to make their moment extra special for their guests. Amy took the lead, while she counted and nodded her head in the direction Michael needed to go next. I hope that they both look back at this moment and chuckle a little bit. Michael chivalrously lead Amy off the dance floor while cake cutting & evening celebrations continued. A bridesmaid even collected funds to see who would have to get cake in their face- just more evidence of the playful and fun nature of our wedding day couple.  Before our departure, we always try to choose an appropriate time to swoop in and say goodbye. It was hard to find a time in which Amy & Michael weren’t laughing with their wedding guests- a good sign for the laughter and surrounding friendship that will keep them strong through the roller coastery moments life has to offer.

Wedding Venue: The Navigator
Bridal Gown/ Bridesmaid Dresses: @davidsbridal
Hair & Makeup: Elicia Barrows & Kaitlyn Bishop
Floral Arrangements: Anna Holmes
Groom/ Groomsmen: @MensWarehouse
Entertainment: Tommy Badger
Wedding Cake/ Desserts: Nicole Humphrey
Catering/ Food Services: Roches Bros. Catering
Jewelry: @hannoushinc1
Rental services (tents, chairs, linens, etc.): @PartyCapeCod

The Berlin's: From Boardwalk to Bubble Walk

There’s something irresistible about October weddings- so we found ourselves back on the Cape with the possibility of the Fall’s ocean breeze. There’s really nothing like it- just like Emily & Tyler’s love. I’m still thinking about the strength & precious nature of their friendship turned romance. Fellow teacher, Emily, had me convinced that she was the perfect client during a time when we were simultaneously planning our weddings and teaching the year away. Her organization and inquiries, balanced with her patience and optimism, was exactly the type of bride I had hoped to work with while I was also planning our wedding with my own partner!

The morning of Emily & Tyler’s wedding day began with ease as all of the ladies gathered in a fashionably styled room at the Dan’l Webster Inn. Pastels of light blue and rose petal pink made all of the details and the bridesmaids’ smiles sparkle a little extra in each photo. There was also a lovely deck space where sunlight from the day noted to all of us that the weather was on our side. I was so glad the weather decided to show up for our bride & groom- just the type of people who deserve sunshine. After exploring the myriad dress-hanging wonders of the room and corridor, Emily headed down the glamorous staircase to sneak out for the first look at the Sandwich boardwalk.

I had a feeling that surprises would keep popping up through Emily & Tyler’s day. And they did exactly that- when we arrived at the boardwalk for a semi-treacherous first look (we were on a raised boardwalk with no railings and marsh water straight below!), we stumbled upon another beautiful surprise- a traveling, antique car show! I used to attend a TON of car shows when I was little as my dad refurbished Mustangs and other sweet rides from the 60’s and 70’s. This surprise tugged at my heartstrings. We made friends with a few of the car owners and Emily & Tyler were quickly wedding day celebrities testing out what it felt like to be car models- if that’s a thing!

We returned to the venue where we met the adorable, rockstar flower girl and her ‘ring security’ brother along with the rest of the easygoing wedding party. Earlier in the morning, I sent one of Emily’s trusty bridesmaids on a mission to find the best portrait scenery, and what she found is one of my most favorite portrait scenes to date. The dreamy greenery and impeccable deck space that framed the majority of Emily & Tyler’s portraits is something I wish existed at every venue. (Click to carousel images below.)

As we made our way to the ceremony at the hidden gardenscape behind the inn, I was already teary waiting for the groomsmen to come down the aisle. Happy spirits filled the air, and with great anticipation, the bride and her father made their momentous walk- just then...a rather loud train rumbled by. Some chuckles from guest members reminded Emily & Tyler that this would only add to the list of memories from their wedding day.  (Click to carousel images below.)

After a touching ceremony, we snuck away for some newlywed, romantic captures, and then quickly headed into a garden-like reception space. There was a spirit and glory that filled the room: speeches that told stories of young and old memories of Emily & Tyler’s courtship turned romance, a tiered ombre cake that took my breath away, & a dance floor that consistently had guests (which is a serious commitment for a daytime wedding)! We even had time to experiment with some battery powered lights while capturing some guests’ daylight dance moves.

Everywhere we looked, people were filled with joy. I don’t say this lightly as this isn’t always the norm, but Emily and Tyler brought that kind of energy to their special day, and it was infectious. One of my favorite memories of the day is when Emily’s grandmother was dancing with the ‘exit wands’.  Such an innocence and glee to her movements, that I ran over to snap away with my camera. (Click to carousel images below.)

Before we knew it, guests were lined up outside the gardens with decorative wands AND bubble wands in hand. A BUBBLE EXIT! A tunnel of bubbles- the sort of moment that exists in your childhood fantasies but then it happens in real life- a beautiful, little surprise. I think that’s what Emily & Tyler’s love is like, too. Hand-in-hand, they walked gleefully through the tunnel of family, friends, and bubbles. When they made it through the path of congratulatory cheers, they kept walking...I wondered, “Where are they off to?” I’m still not sure where they went right after their bubble walk, but I remember thinking that it didn’t matter- as long as they were together.   

Lake Love,
Jen