Avalon beach portraits are probably my absolute favorite. Avalon beaches are quiet and calm. There are never many people there, and when there are, it still isn’t a lot. In the evening everyone is strolling along the streets eating ice cream so we have the entire beach to ourselves. I also have a few favorite spots that I love to go to. This is one of them. I love when I can incorporate greenery into my beach sessions for variety. That way the gallery isn’t just sand. Kids tend to get bored easily, so changing the environment but not going too far also helps!

All of the greenery you see here is along the beach path to get to the ocean.

It’s a nice walk, but the kids love it because they can run! This session started a little bit early, around 7pm because of the littles, but ideally, I like to start my sessions around 7:45 for the very best golden hour. However, as you can see here, with the right location, you can shoot anywhere, at any time so long as the lighting situation is correct! Not every location is the right location so it is a very good idea to discuss location with your photographer ahead of time, so you know that where you are going and at what time, is the right time!

If you are traveling to the Jersey Shore, I highly suggest Avalon beach portraits.

Even if you are staying in a neighboring town, there is just something about Avalon that is very special and worth the trip. It’s also nice to visit somewhere else one night of your vacation. So if you are going to Ocean City or Sea Isle, check out Avalon one night as well, or make it a point to get some ice cream after your beach portraits! They have so many options for ice cream in Avalon, including my favorite – DOLE WHIP! (It’s sugar free, dairy free and GUILT FREE!)

Don’t forget to book your session before you come down (Book your session here!) to make sure everything is set for your vacation, and I will do the location scouting for you! I can wait to chat some more about your upcoming Avalon beach portraits and look forward to seeing YOU on the beach! xoxo- Lauren

Check out our favorite Avalon session from last year: 
Family Beach Session in Avalon, NJ

Each year I plan my family session on Brigantine Beach. It’s something that I can look back on and say we all did together over summer break. Summer is a time where our kids are exploring and really coming into their own person and growing right in front of our eyes. Brigantine, NJ has always been a special place for me growing up. I guess that is why I love having sessions there.

This family session on Brigantine Beach was adorable! This little man was all smiles and loved hanging out with his Mommy and Daddy! I loved their aqua, cream and blue colors, I thought they looked so good on the beach! The best thing ever, is when clients show up camera ready!

If you are thinking about having a family session on Brigantine Beach, reach out to me and we can chat about it! The golden hour is my absolute favorite time to take photos because that is one hour before the sun starts to set. I have an app on my phone that tells me exactly what time the sun will start to set and when the last light will be.

On the Jersey Shore, we have amazing sunrises over the ocean (in the East) and our sunsets are in the West (behind the dunes). At 7:00pm in August it is the perfect time for beach portraits! The sun is setting. There is a gorgeous golden glow from where the sun starts to touch the tippy top of the dunes. And the backlighting from the sun, is like we are catching a glimpse of Heaven. How lucky we are to experience the beauty of the Jersey Shore.

It is absolutely phenomenal!

You can’t visit the Jersey Shore without bringing some of this sunshine home with you, now can you?

To book your family session on Brigantine Beach, email lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

I can’t wait to hear from you!

When one of my favorite clients told me she wanted a ‘Where the wild things are’ cake smash, I didn’t hold back! I went to town researching the book, the backdrops available, and seeing what other people did, so I could do something more unique, but still familiar. I couldn’t find anything I liked so I turned to the book. I looked at how it read and how the illustrations were created in this beautiful scene. Maurice Sendak, the Author and illustrator has created this amazing world for Max. I say world, because it is completely immersive. I wanted my client to feel the wild things, all around him and for this cake smash to be something special for him to look back on. So, hats off to you Maurice! You are a true inspiration! I can only hope I did his book justice. If you’re getting ready to plan your little ones Galloway Cake Smash, then you should definitely keep reading!

My client shares the same name as the main character in the book. Thats right! His name is also Max! So it was inevitable that he have a ‘Where the wild things are’ cake smash! He even had his very own costume! I honestly could not hold back the smiles during this whole session. Everything was perfect and he so cheerful the entire time!

The cake was custom made by LilyGray Sweets with custom cut out characters of them doing their wild rumpus! She is also from Galloway and does amazing Galloway Cake Smash Cakes! Anyway, If you grew up reading this book then you know how good it is! If you haven’t picked it up, it’s time to go grab a copy! Your children will thank you! LilyGray Sweets was able to take my inspiration from the book and create custom fondant cutout’s as decoration for the outside of the cake. It was perfection!

So, why is this cake smash so special to me? I’ve done a ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ cake smash years ago, and I was in love with it. With this session I was able to revisit it and try something new! This time around, I painted the entire backdrop! Sometimes, I am able to just find a backdrop I like, I purchase it, and throw it up. This time, I just couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I painted an entire mural! The good thing is, if you want this same set up for your son or daughter, I can make it happen, because I have photographed the mural and I am able to order it as a printed backdrop for future use.

Oh and do you see those dancing Wild Things? It’s actually a floor puzzle!

After every cake smash, I have started incorporating something new! A bath tub to clean off all the cake! Of course we let them splash and Mom or Dad can clean them up afterwards and get them dressed in their clean clothes to head home. It’s so easy and there is no mess in your car! I can only imagine that would be a sticky ride home!

If you loved what you saw here, please share this with all of your friends on facebook, pin it on pinterest and keep me in mind for your next cake smash or first birthday session!
Email me directly: lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

*I cannot sell this backdrop to other photographers, because I do not own the rights to the inspirational image from the book, and because it is so similar to the book, It is for my personal use only, for clients who request a session of this theme. I will not be offering mini sessions advertising sessions with this theme. It is by request only.

*Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

That time I had an Anniversary Photoshoot in Maine… I knew growing old with my husband would be the most amazing thing ever…

Love isn’t perfect. Everyone knows that. Making the decision to love someone is probably the most difficult decision in the entire world, so to do it, takes strength, vulnerability, compassion, and giving someone else your own heart in hopes that they protect it. Barbara and Gary show each of those qualities each and every single day. Sure, they fight, who doesn’t? What’s different about these two, is they never go to bed angry, they don’t even leave the house angry. No matter how upset they are with each other, they always make sure the other one knows – they are loved, and they seal it with a kiss. I have never in my life met such a special couple. The first time I remember meeting them, it was total chaos, and then out of that chaos the entire kitchen stopped spinning, so Gary could have a few seconds to lean in, and kiss his wife on the lips, just to say “i love you, i will see you tonight”… and off to work he went.

This year, they are celebrating 37 years of love. 37 years of chaos. 37 years of happiness. 37 years of joy. 37 years of togetherness. and 37 years of dedication. I admire Barbara and Gary, even when things get crazy, I KNOW that they are perfect for each other, and that their bond will never be less strong than yesterday. They will continue to grow closer, and continue to get to know each other, and continue to find out their likes and dislikes. They will never stray and they will always walk hand in hand into the wind together. Kisses will never stop, and blanket snuggles will ALWAYS be a thing. And of course, getting dolled up for an Anniversary Photoshoot will ALWAYS be a possibility!

I wish them the best of luck, love and happiness from this day to their last day. I am so happy to be a part of their family so I can watch them grow old together, because after all, isn’t that everyones dream? Cheers to them, they are certainly living it!

If you are celebrating an anniversary, and you would like to book an anniversary photoshoot, please email me! I would love to celebrate with you, and to create and capture beautiful images for you and your family to love and adore!

I love babies, I especially love 1 year old babies. They’re so full of life, and happy, and they’ve developed their own little personality! Some are quiet and shy, and others are fast moving and all giggles! I never know what is going to walk through my door (literally!). Some walk, some just aren’t there yet. If you are looking for First Birthday Portraits in Galloway NJ, then we are the company for you! One of my favorite sessions to date is little Miss Nora. She is so pretty, and inquisitive. She inspected the entire set, and wasn’t quite sure of my camera, even though I’ve photographed her quiet a few times. I love watching my clients grow up. I can’t wait to see how she blossoms next year!

Sometimes a cake smash just isn’t what a client wants, and that’s totally okay! Birthday portraits are just as amazing! I still design the set, and we just have a less messy set up. This set up is one of my favorites as well. The white netting, the rustic letters, the beautiful flowers and gorgeous backdrop! It is just so dainty, perfect for her First Birthday Portraits in Galloway NJ!

If you have a little one turning one soon, and you are in the Galloway NJ area, reach out to me today to schedule your upcoming session! I can’t wait to hear from you and meet your little lad or lady!

Bokeh Love Photography proudly serves the Tri-State are for on location photo sessions and in studio sessions. To book your son or daughters First Birthday Portraits in Galloway NJ reach out to me today! Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net