Horseneck Beach, Westport, MA

Westport, MA is a seaside town in Southeastern Massachusetts. Horseneck Beach is a state owned beach located on the Atlantic Ocean. My beach memories of days and evenings spent here are endless.

As a child I spent memorable fun beach days with my family here. We didn't venture here too often when I was young, but when we did I loved it. Most of those days were spent with my immediate family, mom, dad, and two brothers. Some days were spent with cousins, aunts, and my uncle. The surf is typically pretty rough here, so we needed parental supervision. We would swim and play in the sand for hours on end. Our moms would usually pack sandwiches and tons of snacks. No beach day is complete unless you snack your way through the day. Just be mindful of the pesky seagulls. They are quite bold and have been known to grab food right out of our hands. Some days our parents would bring cookout food and we would stay for dinner and cook on the grill. We would pack sweatshirts and stay for the evening eating and enjoying the sunset. I would be quite wiped out after a beach day like this. There is nothing like the beachy feel at the end of a long day. Warm skin, salty skin and hair, the scent of sunscreen, and the lazy, relaxed feeling. When we got home we would get into the shower with our bathing suits on to rinse off. Then we'd peel off our suits and about half my weight in sand and seaweed would spill out. After a nice cool shower, time for bed. The chilly sheets against my warm skin was soothing. The best nights of sleep were after a long day spent on the beach in the sun and surf. They still are.

Once I got older I stopped going to Horseneck with my family and started to go with my friends instead. All summer long we went as much as humanly possible. Every day off was spent here with various groups of friends and man, it was serious business. We would take turns driving and paying for the entry fee and gas. Packing up took much longer than the days of going to the neighborhood beach with Gramp. I would pack my cooler of lunch and waters. My beach bag contained tanning oil, SPF 2 or 4, beach towel, sheet, and a radio or walkman. We had our “spot” on the beach. We sat there every single time, next to lifeguard chair #7 and this way other friends could meet up with us or know where we were. Our day pretty much went like this: Set up, spray body with oil, tan face up, go for a walk, tan face down, go for a walk, repeat. In between that we'd eat and talk to friends. Going for a walk was a big part of the beach day with friends. At Horseneck there is a tar boardwalk along the top of the beach. We'd walk along here to go to the bathroom or snack bar. Overall, I ate pretty healthy, but I couldn't resist getting fries or clam cakes from the snack bar once in a while. It was also a social walk. As we walked, we saw lots of people we knew. We'd stop, chat, talk about where we were sitting so we could meet up, and of course discuss any night time plans we all had. We didn't do too much swimming in those days. Most of the day was spent tanning and chatting. Occasionally we'd go in if the water was really clear and warm. Sometimes we'd just put our feet in to cool off. Our beach day usually ended when one or all of us had to head to sports practice (field hockey for me). We'd show up to sessions sandy, sticky, and tan. Sometimes I wish I could send some SPF 30 back to my 1990's self, but oh well.

During college my beach days at Horseneck were pretty similar to high school. Some notable changes were that my friend circle grew smaller and my SPF increased a little, SPF 8. After about 6-8 hours on the beach, we'd head home. We all went to our own houses to take a nap and get ready for a night out. I would again have that post-beach feel that I loved oh so much. I'd go in my room and put a blanket over my bed or on the floor so I wouldn't get my room sandy. I would blast the AC and watch Oprah or some other day time show and take a nap. After my nap I'd shower the beach day off and get ready for a night out, usually with the same friends I went to the beach with. We'd talk on the phone and plan out who was driving, where we were going, and what to wear. Of course we had to choose outfits that best complimented our tans. Most nights we went to Providence to go dancing. Perfect day with friends: beach all day and dance all night.

After college there was a little break from Horseneck as I spent many summers in Rhode Island. But of course when I moved back to Massachusetts, Horseneck became one of my beaches of choice again. I have countless memories of days and evenings spent on Horseneck with family or friends. I started teaching elementary school and had the summers off and spent several days per week on the beach. I also spent lots of early, early mornings at Horseneck attending beach boot camp. As a photographer, many photos were taken here as well. It has changed a lot, but it will hold a special place in my heart and mind. 

Swansea Town Beach – The Bluffs, Swansea, MA

Bottom of Wyola Road

Swansea, MA is a little riverside town in southeastern Massachusetts. I grew up in Berkley, MA. Berkley is a small town about 15 miles north of Swansea. During the summers I spent a lot of time in Swansea at my grandparents' yellow Cape style house along with my mom, my two younger brothers, six cousins, and aunts and uncles. Several times a week my brothers and I would fight over seats in the car then pile in to head to my grandparents' house. “Do you want to take the high road or the low road?” my mom would ask us. We would choose the highway or back roads, and we were off. Early in the morning we'd arrive at the little yellow house and run inside to say hi then out to the backyard to play. Most of the time it was a game of whiffle ball, football, or kickball. The boy cousins tried to not allow us girls to play but we muscled our way in every time. I can walk into that tree filled yard with the pine needle carpet and tell you where each base and home plate was located. I can feel the sap I'd always get on my fingers or legs. It was my home away from home.

There was a little private beach at the bottom of their road, which we loved. During our visits, inevitably one of us would end up asking Gramp to take us down to the beach. My grandfather would take all 9 of us together by himself and we drove him crazy but he loved it.  This was usually after a fight ensued or someone was cheating at the game or got hurt. And sure enough he never said no. It'd take a few minutes for us all to change into our bathing suits and get our towels and we'd meet out on the front lawn. Back then it was no muss no fuss, all you did was throw on your bathing suit and grab a towel. It didn't even matter what kind of towel, bath towel, beach towel...who cares? And 99% of the time we were barefoot, no flip flops or sandals needed. Quite a difference from the beach bag I pack these days! Once we were all out front we'd all start walking, some of us running. Wyola Road is a hill and there is a Stop sign and an intersection at the bottom. My grandfather would try to keep up, shouting “Stop at the Stop sign!” Like we didn't know this, he yelled it ten times every time we went.

Once we all gathered at the infamous Stop sign, we'd trek across the road together and down a dirt road to the beach. It was a small neighborhood beach but to me it seemed like the best place on earth. The water was pretty calm and flat most of the time. In the distance were tiny houses and you could see the city of Fall River across the way. We'd all run across the hot sand and into the water. We'd swim, dig, and play together. My grandfather would have 25 heart attacks as he tried to keep track of all 9 of us and make sure we weren't swimming out too far. He loved swimming and would come in the water with us. He taught us how to dig for perriwinkles, crabs, and clams in the sand. We'd fill buckets of them and sometimes bring them home with us. Why we needed to take them home is still a mystery to me. I just know in my heart he loved every minute of these beach days.

Once we tired out or he got tired of watching us all, not sure which, we'd collect our towels and head back up to the house. We were starving by now and sometimes we would stop at Harry's, the seafood shack, on our way back up the hill. The smell of fresh, fried New England seafood is one of the best scents in the world. We'd get some fish and chips and clamcakes and one of us usually talked him into letting us get cans of soda. We'd climb the hill home and we'd all share the food with our moms and grandmother. Other times when we got back our moms or grandmother would have lunch waiting for us, sandwiches or english muffin pizzas. Back to games in the backyard or on to hide and seek or something of the sort. Many times we end up staying for dinner too. After dinner we'd get ready to head out and my grandmother would always say “You're leaving already?” We would pile back into the car and my grandfather would make a big fuss about telling us to get going and not come back. He'd push the car and say “Get out of here!” and we would crack up every time. We could spend ten-twelve hours at the house and it was never enough for them, that's love.

Swansea is also where I learned how to swim. About a 3 minute drive from my grandparents' house is Swansea Town Beach or as it was known “The Bluffs”. I loved the neighborhood beach most, but I also enjoyed going there. The way the land bends, you can actually see the neighborhood beach from the town beach. It was a bigger beach, but pretty much the same shoreline and same water. The moms and aunts usually accompanied us on these trips and occasionally our uncle.

We took swim lessons here. I first heard the word dog paddle at these lessons. Our moms would sit and chat on the beach and we'd hop in the water while the lifeguards divvied us up into groups. I recall being one of the Devil Dogs, I loved my group's name! After the lesson we'd eat lunch on the beach. Sandy sandwiches and chips for all. We'd then spend the afternoon playing in the sand, collecting rocks and shells, and swimming. Oh and of course eavesdropping on our moms' conversations. No beach day is complete without beach chat. At the end of the day we'd pack our sandy selves along with our beach treasures into the car and head back to the little yellow house.

Both of my grandparents have passed away and my brother and his wife now live in that little yellow Cape, however it is no longer yellow. I am fond of the memories I have in that home and treasure all the happy times we had there. The neighborhood beach became overgrown and is no longer taken care of. My brother recently heard of a possibility of a revival of the beach. I truly hope so and this way my brother and his wife can create new memories there. I occasionally visit Swansea Town Beach and a few years ago I went there with my Canon to capture a couple of shots. Thank you Swansea and my family for my first of many beach memories.

I enjoy maternity sessions for soooo many reasons.  It's a time to celebrate and document this exciting time and show off that bump.  Moms should absolutely take the time to get all dressed up and treat themselves to a photo session.  I usually suggest Mom plan her outfit first, then dress the family in colors that compliment hers. I like neutral tones with a pop of color.

I love the excitement and anticipation of what's soon to come. It's so sweet watching couples and families filled with joy over the anticipation of their growing family.  

This little family has gone through a lot to get where they are today and I am beyond happy for them! I took their Christmas photos, which they used to announce their pregnancy with the ultrasound picture in the photos. We recently did their maternity session in the park. AND I cannot wait to do their newborn session in their home once the little guy arrives!

I just love sharing these special times with families, I truly am lucky to do what I do.