Healthy Chicks

Happy April beauties! With the new month comes a new feature on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses in the community.

Since spring is a time to focus on growth and harnessing your inner creativity, I’m thrilled to feature Boston-based photographer Kate Lemmon. Not only does she have a thriving photography business, she’s also growing a tiny human. I couldn’t be happier for this mama-to-be!

In this inspiring interview, we chat with Kate about the joy she gets from family photography, her journey to becoming pregnant, and her dream royal dinner guest.

NAME:

Kate Lemmon

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS/LINE OF WORK:

I’m a family photographer who loves to create joyful, vibrant images for modern mamas.

WHERE YOU LIVE:

Boston, MA

HOW YOU SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUR WORK:

I help my clients press pause in the midst of their busy lives and make moments that matter. I show moms how much joy they bring to their kids and vice versa. I show them the beauty that’s inherent in motherhood when they’re too tired to see it on their own. I help them create happy family memories that help make the tough days a little sweeter.

NUMBER ONE PASSION OUTSIDE THE JOB:

Becoming a mom! My husband and I are excited to start our family, and our journey to get there has been a longer and more winding path than I expected. That’s actually how I connected with Rachel’s blog – following a miscarriage last summer, I really identified with her beautiful article about learning to trust your body again after loss.

I’m happy to share we are now expecting again — our baby girl is due in September! I know in my heart that the journey to parenthood will all be worth it when we get to meet her.

INTENTIONS/GOALS YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 3 YEARS:

I’m trying my best to let go of my achievement-oriented goals and have patience with myself as I navigate this new season of motherhood. When I’m 80, I don’t want my worth to be defined by how much money I made or how many awards I won. Right now, family is most important.

I still love my job so much (and especially miss it right now, as I’m writing this during the coronavirus lockdown), but I’m learning that it’s OK to embrace this new season of life and realize that growing and raising a human is hard work all on its own. 

The huge goals for my business can still be accomplished a few years down the road, and I don’t need to put so much pressure on myself to be an amazing mom AND an amazing entrepreneur at the same time.

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D TELL YOUR CHILDHOOD SELF:

Above all, be a genuinely nice person. Lifting up others will end up bringing you more self-worth and success than any accomplishment that you set out to achieve.

FOODS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL ALIVE & BRING THE MOST JOY:

As a pregnant lady…am I allowed to say bagels and cream cheese? 😉 Haha, but it all seriousness, I usually feel at my best when I’m eating salads in the summer and indulging in warm comfort foods in the colder months.

SONG THAT MOVES YOU:

“Time to Rest Your Weary Head” by Jacob Collier. This year it’s been my go-to song anytime I’m feeling anxious or worried and need to re-center my mind.

THREE FAB THINGS ABOUT YOU:

1) I had a previous career in classical music for 13 years, six of which I spent building my photography business part-time by photographing musicians!

2) When I was in high school, I visited a friend who lived in Boston and loved it so much I swore I would move there someday. Now it’s my home 🙂

3) I’ve known I wanted to be a photographer since I was in middle school and used to set up “photo shoots” of my Beanie Babies collection.

FAVORITE BODY PART & WHY:

I love my eyes because they’re my most unique body part and they help me see so many beautiful things!

I GET MY INSPIRATION FROM:

Living and working in Boston! There’s no shortage of interesting people, gorgeous architecture, and Olmsted parks. And the changing seasons always help me reflect and find things to be grateful for.

EXERCISE THAT MAKES YOU SHINE:

Yoga. No other form of exercise makes me feel so centered. It feels more like a break than hard work, but somehow it’s easier to breathe and walk after I make it to class. Yoga has also helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life because it’s not just a workout – it’s a way of shifting your thinking and finding peace during tough seasons.

SOMETHING IN YOUR “WELLNESS TOOLBOX” YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

Leaving the house at least once a day. When I feel mentally stuck, getting out and walking really helps to reset my perspective — even if it’s just to grab coffee and come right back.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Keeping my business alive for 12 years and bringing happiness to my clients! I’m most proud whenever I receive an email from a client who is thrilled with their images.

FEMALE LEADER YOU LOOK UP TO:

My high school photography mentor Michele Anderson, who has managed to bring so much light to families’ lives while raising three beautiful kids of her own and having the world’s biggest heart. 12 years later, I still look up to her so much.

IF YOU COULD PICK ONE PERSON TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD IT BE & WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE THEM:

Kate Middleton! I so admire her poise and style, and I would love to hear more about what it’s like to mother three children while constantly in the spotlight. She doesn’t often voice her personal opinions, and I’m curious to hear more about her perspective as someone who works with people around the world.

I would be afraid to cook her anything because I would screw it up from nerves, haha! But if I had to choose, I’m obsessed with a recipe from Skinnytaste’s cookbook – zucchini noodle primavera. 🙂

GO-TO MANTRA OR INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

“Today, I am pregnant” has been a big one as I navigate the fear of pregnancy after loss and try to take things one day at a time. Otherwise, “It always seems impossible until it’s done” has been my go-to.

MESSAGE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER HEALTHY CHICKS:

Social media can be a wonderful way to build community and make meaningful connections as long as you contribute and communicate more than you consume and compare. At the end of the day, all that matters is whether you love your own life.