Their Session: South Mountain Reservation, West Orange, NJ

My heart just explodes when I look at these photos. This couple, this adventure, this joy – it’s truly what it’s all about. Lauren and Javier have felt like friends since day one. They’ve been so open, genuine, and truly themselves. I am so fortunate to know them, and they’re truly just those people who make you reflect and realize how lucky you are to just be alive, happy, and present.

Their session had my little adventurous side jumping for joy as we explored around the beautiful reservation! These two were up for it ALL – literally, they were straight up IN the waterfall with their adorable fur baby, Daisy, who was loving the freedom to roam! These two light up with one another and their laughter is so infectious. I was seriously cheesing so hard behind my camera the entire session with them! We connected over the details of their love story, them both being vegan like I am, and of course, their pup! <3

After the waterfall excitement, we hiked up to a beautiful sunset view overlooking the treetops. It was seriously so magical getting to see their love unfold even deeper with a stunning view behind them! It was so perfect, everything about this day truly was!

Their Love Story

Lauren says, “Our story is a long and funny one. We actually went to elementary school together, but we didn’t know that until after we started dating! We thought the first time we met was at a summer camp that we both worked at when we were 14. We were friends and hung out every now and then, but we both were in relationships and never took it any further than that. Every summer for the next 2 or 3 years we would meet up again at camp and it was like no time passed. But in between, during the school year, we had almost no contact at all, because we went to separate schools. Once high school came along, he ended up transferring to my school during junior year and we rekindled and had a short little fling that died out once we graduated. About two years after that, Javier randomly texted me while I was out to dinner for my moms birthday (and I was also slightly tipsy) and I begged him to come over to have birthday cake with us (LOL) He ended up coming over my house, but got there just as my family was leaving. He brought two bottles of wine, and we ended up finishing both of them that night while we were catching each other up on our lives and what we missed with each other, and just about every night after that for weeks, he slept at my house. We bonded over traveling and meditation and fell totally head over heels in love. He basically moved in with me (unofficially) a couple months later and the rest is history! :)” How absolutely incredible are they?! I love that their story spans so so many years!

Ya gotta hear about this proposal that Javier rocked! They took a trip to NYC for dinner at an amazing vegan restaurant called Ladybird! Lauren noticed that he had been acting a little weird the week before, so she was excited to just relax and enjoy a night out with him. After ordering their food, the topic of marriage came up, which is something they discussed a million times before! Lauren said to Javier, “Well, I’m ready to marry you!!!” and he responded, “Okay, well if you’re ready…..” and then he pulled out an engagement ring! Since he was so nervous, he never actually asked her to marry him, but, of course, it was a big ‘YES!’

Lauren says, “the only thing I regret about it is that I was too excited and bouncy to eat dessert lol. We had an amazing time though and now when I think back on how he proposed, I giggle every time, and I never let him live it down that he never actually asked me to marry him.” Obsessed with this sweet proposal story over great food and quality time together! <3

Javier’s love for Lauren runs deep, and he adores how supportive she is and that she always pushes him to try new things, which is how he became vegan! Lauren loves Javier for how much he accepts her as she is – all of her silliness and quirks! Major chills when she said, he “makes me feel like I’m worth everything.” 🙂

Check out their stunning wedding from this summer at Born to Run Farm! All of my golden sunset field dreams came true at this beautiful vegan, open-air wedding!

Lauren and Javier,

You two are such a grounding force for those around you and perfect duo together! Thank you for giving me so much passion and enjoyment in what I do. Your session was such a blast, and I’m honored I got to be the one to document such an exciting time in your lives! You two are nothing short of amazing, and getting to go on this journey with you has been the biggest pleasure – I adore you two so much! xoxo