Family Portraits at Ridley Creek are always my absolute favorite! As a photographer with a yearly permit for Ridley Creek, I’m privileged to capture beautiful family moments in one of the most stunning locations in the area. Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek offers a breathtaking backdrop that transforms with the seasons, making it an ideal location for family portraits all year round.

A Year-Round Paradise

Ridley Creek is a lush haven of natural beauty, showcasing a diverse array of seasonal flowers and gorgeous trees. Whether it’s the vibrant blooms of spring, the rich greenery of summer, the warm hues of fall, or the serene beauty of winter, the park provides a picturesque setting that enhances every photograph.

Nature’s Beauty Meets Historic Charm

One of the unique features of Ridley Creek is its perfect blend of natural beauty and historic charm. The park boasts a variety of hand-crafted stone structures, including historic steps and arches that add an element of timeless elegance to any photo session. These features not only provide a stunning contrast to the lush greenery but also tell a story of their own, adding depth and character to your Family Portraits at Ridley Creek.

My Favorite Spots

• Water Features: The gentle flow of water adds a serene and dynamic element to photos. It’s perfect for candid shots of families enjoying the natural beauty around them.
• Historic Steps and Arches: These features provide a touch of historical charm and make for beautiful, structured backdrops.
• Seasonal Blooms: Each season brings its own palette of colors, from the pastels of spring to the rich, warm tones of autumn. These natural elements make every session unique.

Perfect for Families Who Appreciate Nature

Ridley Creek is more than just a beautiful location; it’s a place where families can connect with nature. The park’s expansive grounds and diverse landscapes offer plenty of opportunities for families to explore and create memories. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of handcrafted stone structures set against a backdrop of natural splendor, Ridley Creek has something for everyone.

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

Happy February Everyone! It’s that time of the month, where we are officially ready to celebrate love, dress our kids in the cutest outfits, and of course get photos of our littles to capture the moment!  So, with all of that, I am so so so excited to share with you all, something SUPER special! I am offering Valentine Mini Sessions on this FABULOUS wall of greenery in my home studio in Galloway, NJ! It took me a while to put together, and for good reason! It is SO versatile, I can use this wall for so many different sets. I can’t wait to start using it! But, more about the Valentine Mini Sessions… The details are below:

Valentine Mini Sessions:

>>February 4th & 6th, 2019<<
-10 minute sessions
-3 Digital Images Included
-Online Proofing Gallery

ONLY $55! (+tax)

Let’s talk online proofing gallery: Why is it awesome?
The online proofing gallery doesn’t just deliver 3 images. You will receive a nice sized gallery of images to choose from. So, if you get 10-20 images, you will have to find your favorite images, but thats great, because you are not getting something you do not love! Also, if you find more than 3 that you like, you can absolutely purchase additional images, or purchase the entire gallery for an additional cost.

Why is it great to book mini sessions?
Mini sessions are a great way to document your child’s growth as they get older. Maybe a regular session isn’t your cup of tea, maybe it is. But, you’re saving for that epic spring family session in the most beautiful park down the street. Mini sessions are quick, fast, and your kids won’t lose interest! It’s especially good for the littles, roughly ages 1-10.

Need clothing ideas and where to buy stuff?
Look no further! Here’s my list! (Some of these sites, I am linking directly to their Valentine’s Day pages, so if they do not work in the future, please do a simple google search!)
H&M
JANIE & JACK
GAP KIDS
OLD NAVY
CHASING FIREFLIES
CASSIES CLOSET INC
HANNAH ANDERSON
NORDSTROM
PEEK KIDS
CECIL & LOU
SPARKLE IN PINK
MUD PIE
MACYS
PIPPA & JULIE
THE HAIR BOW COMPANY
PAT PAT

Want to see a sample of the Valentine Session? Of course you do! So check out my adorable model, yup, he’s my son!
Shoes: H&M
Shirt & Pants: Target 

I love New Jersey. Not just because I live here and have my whole life, but because it truly is The Garden State! We are able to see all of the beautiful seasons change. One of my absolute favorite time of the year is when the leaves change color. It’s like a paint can just spilled out and when the sunlight touches it just the right way, it’s magic. Pure magic. Below are some of my favorite images from our Fall Mini Sessions at Estell Manor. Estell Manor is  very special, as it is the resting place of so many fallen soldiers. I, myself have a grandfather there that passed away 6 years ago. He served in WWII and received the purple heart while being hurt during combat. Every time I visit there I make sure to stop by and say hello to him.

If you are looking for a Fall Mini Sessions at Estell Manor please look out for our ad on facebook, as these are very short sessions that take place in one or two days. In 2017, we will reserving one day for these and they are first come first serve to don’t miss out! You can follow our facebook page here, as well as our instagram page here.

 

Fall Mini Sessions at Estell Manor:

Beach Portraits in your favorite Jersey Shore town? Yes, Please! Hello summer, I’ve missed you! I have missed the sand in my toes, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, but most of all, I’ve missed those amazing beach portraits. You know the ones, where everyone is going home, clearing the beach and the cool ocean breeze is kissing our faces as we head toward the jetty to catch the beautiful sunset! Yes, that’s exactly what I’ve missed! I’ve missed them so badly, and cannot wait to get out there again! I want to capture the smiles, the giggles, the kisses and the raw emotion that the Jersey Shore brings out! Kick off those sandals, put on the sun dresses, dress the little man in a straw fedora and make this the summer of memories! It’s time for Beach Portraits in your favorite Jersey Shore town!

Why Beach Portraits?

Beach portraits are more than just pictures, they’re more than just snapshots, they’re capturing your family having fun, enjoying the moment and the warm summer air. They’re about spending the moment together and having it, and keeping it close! The Jersey Shore is a magical place that brings family together and keeps them together! Maybe it’s the cotton candy or the Johnsons popcorn, the salt water taffy or the long nights by a fire.. whatever it is enjoy it, embrace it, and capture it forever!

We want you to hold your images, why?

This year, Bokeh Love Photography will be focusing on memories in hand. We want you to enjoy these moments and show them off to your family and friends. For instance, making irresistible collections to choose from along with add on’s as well as ala carte. We hope you’re as excited as we are, about this amazing experience!

How this will work:

We’ve decided that we don’t want to charge per person. It’s silly. You pay for my time, to come out, and take gorgeous memorable photos of your family. I don’t want to scare you off and tell you that a family of 4 will be this much and a family of 6 will be this much. Bring them all, let’s have a beach portrait party! I love to see happy families, and promise you I will make it a fun time for everyone! Of course, we have kids, so we understand how things go. Kids turn into Crankenstein! (Seriously, read the book, they totally do!), so they get to go first, when they’re happy, excited and in a good mood. Then we move on to Grandparents, Parents, and then break it down into small groups until we are done. It’s works fabulous and it’s a great time!

Carefully curated online proofing gallery within days of your session:

When I get home that night, I cull them! That means, I go through all of the images and only save the most amazing ones.

Online Galleries:

From there, I edit them and upload to a password protected website where you get to see all of these amazing images! It’s get better, trust me! Not only can you purchase prints, but you can also order wall art too! Canvases, Fine Art metals, etc… It’s all done directly through the website, and whatever you order gets shipped to your home! So that means, if you were here on vacation, and your family went back home, pass the website around and everyone can order their own products and get it at their own house!

Supporting a local small business:

Not only that, but when you order all the gorgeous images, you get to capture your memories from your vacation at the Jersey Shore and support a local photographer! (Thank you so much, it means the world to me!)

To give you a rough idea on pricing:
Session fee: $150
8×10’s: $55
Gift Prints (5×7, 4×6, wallets): $25
Digitals are available for $550

If you are asking, “Why are the digitals so expensive?” Here is the answer:
Bokeh Love Photography is a full-service photography company based in Galloway, NJ. Offering an array of products such as heirloom albums, metallic gallery wraps, wood prints, lockets, etc. In addition, pre-session consultations, proof viewing/ordering sessions, with the option to pick up or have your products delivered to your front door. We pride ourselves in customer service and go above and beyond 100% of the time. We believe that handing over digitals on a disc, usb, or downloadable over the internet is doing our clients an injustice. In conclusion, providing you with the most amazing products you have ever seen, so you and your family can swoon over the quality and know that you hired a true professional is what drives us. However, if you would like to buy them, they are $550+tax, but we highly recommend a photo album instead. 😉

To reserve Beach Portraits in your favorite Jersey Shore town this summer and see our collections (that include products) please contact lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

 

**Did you notice there were links throughout this blog post? That is because we have teamed up with Amazon.com to share with you our favorite products! You can click the links and purchase those items directly through Amazon! If you would like to try Amazon Prime and their amazing 2 day free shipping, click here and receive your first 30 days free!