I am a South Jersey Portrait Photographer. It’s what I do. It’s what I love. I am so lucky that my children love to get in front of the camera for whatever reason. This portrait session however, had an AMAZING reason. My daughter won a trophy. Yep! I think that deserves a photo session!

My daughter is an Irish Dancer. She makes me so proud. This past weekend, she attended a WIDA (World Irish Dance Association) Feis where she placed 1st place in the beginner premiership category. I was shocked, not because I didn’t think she could do it, but because she never had and this whole experience is new for us. Her teacher, Miss Kate is phenomenal. She is by far the best dance teacher I have ever met. She is passionate about dance, kind to all of the children, and she teaches them respect, structure, and everything they need to know to be good competitors. Even if they do not win, they are proud to be there, and all of the parents are proud that they tried and had fun! At the end of the day, it’s about having fun and enjoying what you’re doing! If you’d like to check out the school, and see if your son or daughter would like to become an Irish Dancer, here is the website: http://www.emeraldisleacademy.com/

It was a proud moment for me as Mom to see my daughter in just as much shock as me when she realized she had won first place. Tears were flowing from my eyes, and all of her friends and their families were cheering her on! My little irish dancer is moving on up. I am happy for her that she’s found something she is passionate about, and I can’t wait to see where this takes us! I can’t wait to take more photos of her winning and achieving new things! Good thing I am a South Jersey Portrait Photographer! I can easily take her portraits whenever she does something great!

Tonight we got the news that she will be moving up to hard shoe! (That’s the dance where they make a lot of noise when their feet hit the floor, during the jig) She took this news as basically hitting the lottery. She has wanted to make noise since she first saw the irish dance assembly at her school. I am so looking forward to her growing and loving every moment!

Of course, I just had to take portraits of her displaying her trophy proudly! (And if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you will see her puppy Princess Fiona just had to get in on the fun!)

If you are in the South Jersey area, or visiting and you are looking for a South Jersey Portrait Photographer, reach out to me to schedule your session! I look forward to meeting you!

Last week, I photographed a romantic Tuckerton Engagement Session! I remember when I met with Rachael when she first started planning her wedding. She said her amazing fiance, Chris is letting her do whatever she wants for their wedding! When I hear words like that, I just KNOW that he’s a good guy! I didn’t meet him until the session, but from all of the amazing things Rachael had said about him, he had to be amazing! Well, as you can see from the images below, Chris makes Rachael laugh, all the time! So far, he’s got two amazing qualities of a perfect husband! Rachael and Chris are so in love, and it definitely shows. Throughout the entire session, I just kept thinking about how much fun their wedding will be next year! From the very beginning, I knew I would love them, and I was so right! We went back and forth trying to plan the most amazing engagement session. Rachael wanted beach, but then I found out that Chris owned a boat. So, it was clear that we had to take a few photos on the boat! Earlier that day Chris had gone crabbing, and it was our luck that we found a baby crab on the beach! I had to put it in Rachael’s hand, and she probably cursed me the entire ride home for doing it, but that photos though! It tells the story of their life, and these are beautiful memories that they will be able to tell for the rest of their lives. I also had them write before hand, letters to each other, on why they fell in love with one another. I have to say, I was laughing and tearing up behind the camera. They are the perfect combination of love and laughter, and let me tell you, that is the kind of relationship you want to have, because you can grow old with each other, in this beautiful life, and keep each other happy until the very end! Side by side, partners in crime, it’s the best combination of marriage and friendship.

Rachael and Chris, thank you so much for taking me along on your Tuckerton Engagement Session! I am SO excited for your wedding at the Carriage House next year! You are going to make a stunning bride and one handsome groom!

To book your Tuckerton Engagement Session, email me today! lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

It was a rainy day, but sometimes canceling a session just is NOT an option! I am so thankful to live in such an amazing area where people and business owners are friendly! We decided to head over to a local garden center that has the most amazing greenhouses ever! So, we were set for Greenhouse Portraits in Egg Harbor Township! The flowers were vibrant, and so beautifully colored. Victoria and Austin were basically the most perfect couple ever, and then it stopped raining just in time for us to venture outside and take more amazing portraits! Days like today, are absolute dreams! I will never cancel a session for rain again! Not when there are so many locations that let beautiful light in, and keep us all dry!

Victoria and Austin have been friends for a long time, and are in a very happy relationship, as you can see, they are so adorable! Austin is in the Navy, and Victoria is a photographer right here in NJ! Can you believe this was their very first portrait session? I am pretty sure they could EASILY be on a cover of a magazine! I had such an amazing time getting to know the two of them today, and I am so happy I was able to capture these beautiful images for them!

If you are looking for a similar session, reach out to me today! i would love to take your Greenhouse Portraits in Egg Harbor Township!

When my daughter told me she wanted Birthday Portraits at the Smithville Mansion for her 8th birthday my heart stopped. Okay, not really but I was not ready for her to grow up and ask for such a grown up gift.

My little princess was growing up. For her birthday, she wanted to be followed around by a professional photographer while wearing a gorgeous dress and high heels. Good thing her Mama Bear is a professional photographer. I was honored to be able to photographer her, and make her laugh, of course I was crying behind the camera.

We really did have a lot of fun though. I am happy that I was able to make this birthday wish of hers come true. She is definitely a girl who knows what she wants! I couldn’t be more proud.

The Smithville Mansion is gorgeous.

It really is one of my favorite places to visit because it is historic and so well maintained. It’s perfectly set up for weddings, events and engagements. Additionally, the casual photo session with a soon to be 8 year old!

If you would like to have your son or daughters Birthday Portraits at the Smithville Mansion, reach out to me today and schedule your session! Or if you are recently engaged or going to propose; this is certainly a wonderful place to do it! I would honored to document these memories for you!

Photography for me, isn’t just about holding a camera and taking a photo. I have a serious passion for photography. Images are my life. A day without my camera is like a day without air. I can not breathe without it. A camera is always on my side, always with me, and ready for any moment that will happen. When I get the opportunity to photograph something special in someone life, I am very humbled and honored. Being chosen to be the person that you trust to capture and create these moments for you, its such a great feeling.

As for my daughter, she put all of her trust into me, that I would be able to document her Birthday Portraits at the Smithville Mansion exactly the way she always dreamt of and better. That is how everyone should think when they hire a professional. Dreams become real life, and real life can be preserved. These pieces are our history, they are our legacy, and one day our children will hang on to these memories, and pass them down to their own. Don’t just pass these moments by, hold them by the hand, and allow me to capture your legacy.