Brian + Sara // Intimate-October-New England Wedding

What better story to share on my blog on this rainy, cold June morning than this gorgeous October Massachusetts wedding! Brian and Sara had a beautiful, intimate Sunday morning ceremony and lunch reception in the field at The Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts last October. The whole morning was calm and stress-free. The decor was elegant and perfectly autumn, yet nothing felt over the top. Sara was the quintessential classically gorgeous bride; her beautiful head of curly blond hair swept back into a stunning up-do to show off the lace detail of her absolutely gorgeous ivory dress from Anthropologie. 

They had hot cider and coffee set up on a table, and blankets in wicker baskets in the field for guests to stay warm before the ceremony as there was a little brisk October breeze that morning. The sun poked in and out from behind the clouds periodically, as if to promise a beautiful day.

The ceremony was beautiful, Both Sara and Brian took a moment to give each of their two daughters a special necklace. (I was totally in tears at this point!!) Their beautiful little faces so full of joy and pride and LOVE!

Cocktail hour was held in the 'barn', the specialty drink being a Pumpkin Beer in a pint glass with a Cinnamon Sugar rim.. so good! After the lunch, I snuck off with the newly-weds to Old Sturbridge Village for some portraits, and we couldn't have asked for a better backdrop for these two! This was without a doubt, one of my favorite weddings to date! If you are in the New England area and planning a wedding, I would definitely consider looking into The Publick House!

La Génératrice

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to visit with and photograph the beautiful, talented and inspiring Marie-Christine Bouffard; the founder, owner, and creative force behind La Génératrice. La Génératrice is a small company who specializes in creating arts and crafts kits for children, families, and adults. For the french speaking audience, here is a great write-up(ckick here) from the blog, monsaintroch.com from earlier this week! La Génératrice holds workshops all over Québec for events or private parties. Everything they do is filled with so much creativity and FUN, I had to jump at the chance to work with her!

I arrived at the address she gave me, 335 rue Saint Joseph-Est, around 12:30pm. I stood downstairs waiting for Marie-Christine to buzz me into the building where she recently moved her workshop to; right in the heart of Nouvo-Saint-Roch in Québec City. It feels more like your walking into an apartment or condo building; no big signs present downstairs, and as you enter the hallway, there is a sort of retro-modern art-deco feeling, navy blue and silver wallpaper on the walls. We hopped into the elevator, which Marie-Christine adds is one of her many favorite features of her new space! "We don't have to lug all of our supplies up and down stairs anymore!!" She exclaims with a huge smile.

Once to the second floor, we arrive to the shared office space where La Génératrice is located. "I have walls and a door on my studio now!" She proudly annouces as we walk into the workshop. La Génératrice was previously located on Saint Vallier Est in an open co-working space. "It was a great space, and the people were great, but we have sooooo much stuff! I was always worried that we were taking up too much room and didn't want to disturb any of the other people who were working. We needed more storage. We needed a closed working environment. "

And this is exactly what Marie-Christine now has. Small but big enough, she is able to keep all of her material and products neatly organized on one wall, she has a desk that sits right next to a big window overlooking the corner of Charest and Dorchester, and in the middle of the room is a large working table where she makes all of her magic!

When I work with a small business like this, I don't just show up and take pictures but I want to learn about the business. I ask (a lot of) questions, it helps better guide me to understand the business and the creative forces behind it, and in turn makes me tell their story in the most authentic way possible.

Here is a bit of what Marie-Christine shared with me about her journey into entrepreneurship and where she sees La Génératrice going in the future!

JM: How long has La Génératrice been in business?

LG: La Génératrice started as an idea in the fall of 2013. My friend Maude and I were on maternity leave and the thought of eventually going back to our jobs didn't sound attractive at all! We were longing for a creative outlet. That kind of work environment didn't exist, as we perceived it, so we created it! The idea officially became a company in January 2014.

 

JM: Where did the concept for La Génératrice come from? 

LG:  We brainstormed about what we wanted to offer and do for a bit, but it all came down to making stuff; our heads were spinning with projects and ideas that we wanted to share. The name La Génératrice (the generator) came naturally as we felt we could provide people with the source of creativity they needed; a circuit of ideas!

 

JM: How did you get your start?

LG: Our big kick off happened a short while after a startup week long “day camp” organized by La Ruche, a local crowdfunding platform.  After such an intense week of networking, strategizing and refining our brand, we were ready to start our journey. At the same time, we were approached by the entertainment & activity director at Hôtel Le Germain Charlevoix in Baie St-Paul, formerly known as Hôtel La Ferme, to organize craft workshops during their farmer’s market events. And off we were!

 

JM: How do you source your inspiration?

LG: My inspiration comes form a multitude of resources. My main focus is to use reclaimed materials and nature found items to make people aware of their surroundings. With that in mind, my creative process never takes a break! I’ll get inspired by branches on the side walk as I walk my daughter to school, or pine cones my 2 year old collected at the park, for example. I’ll then start my research by going through the material in my craft space to determine if it meets the project’s theme. Then, Pinterest and blogs for more ideas or finishing details.

 

JM: What plans do you have for the future?

LG: I am really excited about the adult workshops that I am just starting at a local coffee shop. I hope to offer these events at three different locations by the end of summer, and into the fall season with a full schedule.

I also would like to push my line of products (kids craft kits) on retailers’ shelves. They are truly practical and fun and every parent should have one on hand!

 

JM: What would you say to other small start up businesses who are just getting their bearings, or who don't even know where to begin? What's the best advice you could give them?

LG: My words of wisdom to other start-ups: start slow but think big! Also, a few clichés (but SO true!);

-       Listen to your gut feeling; if something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

-       Remember the value of your work and/or product; sometimes we have to refuse projects/contracts to make room for bigger and better ones.

-       Find a your work/life balance early on. Being an entrepreneur often means long days, short nights. Don’t forget about YOU!!

From kids arts and crafts kits to dreamcatcher kits for adults, La Génératrice has something for everyone. They hold workshops all over the province for children and families, as well as event planning and decoration for parties and weddings. Kids birthday parties, a ladies wine and crafts night, or maybe you need some decor and catering help for you husband's 40th birthday party?? As they once used as a slogan; La Génératrice: le moteur à idées.. Basically, you need some creative ideas?? We've got you.

for more information on her workshops or booking an event, contact
generatrice.info@gmail.com

for more information on HomeGrown Business Sessions, please contact jennifer@jennifermarcuson.com

lisa + michael // maternity

I spent a warm, early March morning in Connecticut with Lisa and Michael, capturing some of their last moments as just a couple with puppy as they await the arrival of the newest member of their family. I couldn't be any more of an advocate of home maternity sessions.. so much changes after having a child. Often we outgrow our first homes, as is the case for Lisa and Michael, and move on. To know that they will always have a collection of memories of these days, these walls, and this line of pines along the property of their condominium grounds.. that one day they will be able to show their little one these photos and explain to him or her that this was their first home, where they spent the first days/weeks/months of their lives together. THIS is what photography is for, and this is why I will never stop taking pictures for people.

Thank you, Lisa and Michael, for inviting me into your home to capture this moment in time for you. And thank you, Nicole, for gifting your cousin such a wonderful souvenir. 

xoxo

J

angel wings at twilight

I am part of a facebook group called Art Winds where we have monthly themes that we use to create works of art in various mediums of our choosing. This month was 'feather'.. I was full of ideas, and yet continuously found myself lacking the time to execute any of them. I had pretty much abandoned the thought of completing something for the group before March 1st. But then last night I was pulling into the parking lot at my brother and sister-in-law's condo for dinner and a sleepover party, as I noticed the orange sun setting through the bare trees and realized I had my camera in the back of the car. I ran inside.

'Ally! Do you have any feathers??'

'Hmm let me think.. wait, yes! My angel wings!'

'OMG. Do you want to dress up as an angel and go run in the woods with me for a few minutes while the kids are still asleep???'

'Ummmmm, obviously.'

So she changed, and we snuck out of the house into the woods across the street. The air felt warm on our skin, and although the earth was still cold, it smelled different.. it was as though we could smell winter saying goodbye, and spring making it's way slowly back to us. The light was so soft and it lingered, as if to keep us outside longer.. as if it didn't want us to go. We ran through the leaves, laid in dirt, and laughed the whole time. And it wasn't until the light was completely gone that we decided to head back inside.

These are the moments that feed our creative souls, that connect us to other creative spirits, and that keep our imaginations alive. I am grateful for last night, and for my beautiful friend for always letting her imagination run wild with mine, and for this really cool group of artists pushing each other to create; without reservation, unapologetically, for the sake of art, just create. 

Swing Bazar

We spent the evening last Friday at a neighbor's for a private show with the Québec City jazz manouche band, Swing Bazar.. I don't know if it's because my grandfather played the accordion when I was growing up, or because it reminds me of my Brooklyn years hanging out at the French bar-restaurant Bar Tabac, but I could listen to these guys on a regular basis. They are all so talented and are playing often in the Québec area, so if you haven't seen them before, I highly recommend making it out for one of their shows! 

On était chez un voisin vendredi soir passé pour un show privé avec la bande jazz manouche de Québec, Swing Bazar.. Je ne sais pas si c'est parce que mon grand-père a joué l'accordion quand j'étais jeune, ou parce que ça me r'appelle de mes années à Brooklyn quand on a fréquenté le bar-resto Français Bar Tabac, mais je pourrais les écouter tout le temps! Ils sont très talentueux et ils jouent à Québec souvent, alors si vous ne les avez pas encore vu, je vous les recommande fortement!