I love Nikon. My first camera was a film Nikon, and I had all Nikkor Lenses (Which are Nikon Lenses). I started the brand, and will never go back. I feel like once you find what you like, thats it. Sure there will be other cameras that are prettier and shinier, however this is what I know and like. Therefore, it is where I will stay. Here I will be listing my top ten favorite Nikon Lenses!

From Favorite to Least Favorite.

Just kidding – I love them all, so there is no order here!

 

1. At the top of my list, the 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens. It is my favorite lens. It makes me very happy and I love the compression. It really works well with my style and my images are always very sharp! I use this lens for weddings and portraits.
   
2. Up next is the 24-70 f2.8 E ED. I love this lens so much. It’s great for newborns, families, and even weddings. It’s nice having the range and the zoom is very convenient.
   
3. The 50mm f1.8 G and 50mm f1.4 G has always be a love of mine. I have both versions, however I highly recommend getting the 1.8 because they do the same thing. The only difference is that the 1.4 is better in low light, because you can go as low as 1.4. My happy place is around an aperture of 2.2. I use this lens for both weddings and portraits.
   
4. If you are shooting details, you need a macro lens! I have the 105mm Macro f2.8 G IF-ED! It has amazing low light capabilities and the detail is unparalleled to any other lens I’ve used. Surprisingly, even though it is a macro, it is also a superb portrait lens! I use this for weddings, portraits, details and product shots.
   
5. Ahh the 85mm f1.8 D series lens. If you don’t know about the D series, you really need to check it out. It’s the older Nikkor lens, that can be used on a film camera. It’s super sharp and one of my absolute favorites!
   
6. Piggy backing on the D series, I want to share my love for another one of my favorites, the 35mm f2D lens! This lens is my go to for wedding day. I found myself using this for details over my 50mm because it gives me a little bit more space, without losing that sharpness I crave! I use this for weddings and portraits. Its perfect for those big family group shots and does not distort the edges of the image!
   
7. Another D series that I love is my 24mm f2D. This is a really great lens for those wide dance floor shots. You do have to really be IN the action, which I think makes it a lot of fun. The edges do have some distorting so I wouldn’t use this for a family portrait, but dance floor – totally!
   
8. The 16-35mm f4 ED is so much fun. It’s not a lens I would use ALL the time though, because I consider it a specialty lens. It definitely has it’s place. I particularly love this lens for weddings, when I want a very wide portrait of the couple kidding and there is beautiful architecture around them. There is definitely distorting, so I don’t photograph more than 2 people with this lens.
   
9. The 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G is a kit lens that is often overlooked because its labeled as a “kit lens”. A kit lens, is a lens that comes with an entry level/hobbyist camera. At one point, I owned an entry level camera and it came with this kit lens. I sold the camera, but I kept the lens. To this day, I use this lens in my Photo Booth. The aperture is not very low, so low light is difficult, but my Photo Booth is lit up with lighting, so it works! Also having a higher aperture helps with keeping everyone in focus.
   
10. The 58mmf1.4 G is like butttahhh. Seriously, this lens is so nice. I rented it when my house burnt down and had to replace all of my equipment for a boudoir marathon. This lens was SO NICE. It’s on my radar for my next purchases. It really is nicer than the 50mm in my opinion, but it’s silly to stick both in your bag. Once I get this lens, I will be retiring my other two, but not selling. I never sell my lenses!
    

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – ‘Favorite Nikon Lenses’. Subscribe to our mailing list and be sure to come back every Tuesday for more amazing Top Ten’s!

*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.

I love traveling and I have always wanted to visit Puerto Rico. I was so excited when Yesenia told me that her and Joe were getting married at the beautiful destination of Isabela! They chose Villa Montana Beach Resort as the backdrop for their destination wedding in Puerto Rico!

If you have ever visited Puerto Rico, you know that it is a beautiful tropical location. Isabela is located on the West Coast, and there is so much salt in the water, that no matter who you are, you will float! I found that out the day after their wedding when we went to Jobo Beach with the bridal party and my underwater camera! I also found out after I had come home that we were swimming with a barracuda!

When Planning a destination wedding in Puerto Rico or anywhere really, it is so important that you have a wedding planner and that you are able to hire key vendors that you have met with and can bring with you to help make your day perfect! Like a destination photographer! I am there with you for 3 whole days! Day 1 is your welcome dinner/rehearsal, Day 2 is the wedding and Day 3 is your day after session!

Because this was a destination wedding in Puerto Rico, many of the guests stayed on the resort property. Villa Montana Beach Resort was absolutely stunning and very accommodating! I highly recommend them!

No Destination Wedding in Puerto Rico would be complete with out a trip to the beach the very next day! We went to Jobos Beach to swim with the fish, soak in the sun, float and eat delicious water ice! Joe and his groomsmen decided to take a trip up the cliff’s to smoke some cigars and enjoy some quiet time!

Alison and Greg had a Scotland Run Golf Club Wedding in Williamstown, NJ! The day could not be more beautiful for the two of them!

Scotland Run is one of my absolute favorite venus. Yes, I know, I say that about so many places, but lets be real here for one moment and talk about the luscious garden they have! Wow. Seriously, I just can’t contain my excitement for this place. It’s like a tropical oasis! It’s no wonder they chose this to be the place they tie the knot! It will forever have a magical place in their hearts.

To see their engagement session in Ocean City, NJ : CLICK HERE

Their day at Scotland Run started off, well, hot. It was a warm day but the sunshine was shining and I couldn’t be happier with these images! Alison looked breathtaking and her dress, that veil, those shoes! It was a photographers dream! She really did find the perfect dress and I am so honored to have been able to capture these memories for her.

If you have been thinking about where to get married and you are local to the area, or don’t mind going to Williamstown, NJ seriously check out having a Scotland Run Golf Club Wedding. The gardens are drop dead gorgeous and you will have the most amazing photos to share with your friends and family, and adorn your walls with!

Alison and Greg, I can’t thank you enough for trusting me with your special day, to capture these beautiful moments and share a glimpse of your lives with me. I am truly honored and love sharing these images with the world! xoxo

The Bokeh Love Photography Gear List

I have had some requests on the type of gear I use. So, I’ve compiled a Photography Gear List of everything that I use (AND LOVE!) First and foremost I want you to know that I have partnered with Amazon, to be able to share all of my favorite products with you, so when you click on the links below, they will take you directly to Amazon to give you the most amazing prices on all of these products. Second, I am a Nikon girl so all of the products I have listed below are for use with a Nikon camera. I have always used Nikon, and will continue to do so! I love their products, their cameras, their speedlights, everything! So, if you are looking to upgrade your gear this season, check out my list, you may find something that you absolutely need!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camera Bodies: 

1. Nikon D4 – http://amzn.to/1TYXzsh
2. Nikon D800 – http://amzn.to/1TYXJ2X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speedlights & Speedlight Accessories: 

1. Nikon SB910 Speedlight – http://amzn.to/1M1iPXQ
2. Nikon SB800 Speedlight – http://amzn.to/1M1iTHa
3. Nikon SD800 Quick Recycling Batter Pack for SB800 – http://amzn.to/1M1j2dz
4. Flash Mount – http://amzn.to/1M1j6dl
5. Phottix Strato II Multi Receiver & Transmitter – http://amzn.to/1M1jVTx
6. Phottix Strato II Receiver – http://amzn.to/1TZ1hSG
7. Neewer 47″/120cm Octagonal Softbox – http://amzn.to/1TZ1zcm
8. Westcott 28-Inch Medium Apollo Softbox – http://amzn.to/1TZ2fOF
9. CowboyStudio 7′ Light Stands – http://amzn.to/1M1ksVm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenses & Lens Accessories: 

1. Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G – http://amzn.to/1TYZlJX
2. Nikkor 35mm f/2D – http://amzn.to/1TYZBIJ
3. Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR – http://amzn.to/1M1jAQE
4. Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D- http://amzn.to/1M1jzw1
5. Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED – http://amzn.to/1M1jNDv

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bags & Cases:

1. Black Rapid Camera Strap – http://amzn.to/1ISDMUN
2. Epiphanie Lola Camera Bag – http://amzn.to/1NUacWs
3. Epiphanie London Camera Backpack – http://amzn.to/1NUajRV
4. Pelican Carry On Case – http://amzn.to/1NUaqgp

 

 

I think that’s it! I would love to hear how helpful this article was for you! If you are just starting out in photography or if you just needed some gear inspiration! Email me at Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

Best of luck, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

*All Images in this post are ©Nikon and ©Epiphanie and are used from Amazon.com

 

Getting ready for an engagement session requires much more than actually thinking about the location and the poses. It requires being prepared with your equipment. Each and every time I prepare I find a better way to do something. Today, I wanted to share what I do to prepare. Maybe you will learn something, or maybe you do something smarter than I am doing (if so – please share! 🙂

The first thing I do, is go through all of my cards and reformat. Before (yes, we all have a before) I used to put my cards into my computer and delete them off of the card. I since learned this is BAD. You should never deleted photos off of a memory card from the computer. Why? Because it can cause internal issues within your memory card, and cause the card to fail or corrupt. So, what I do is reformat. I put the cards into my computer, and make sure everything that is on the card is backed up, and then I eject the card, put it in my camera and reformat. That saves a lot of time, AND reassures me that my card is fresh and ready to hold images.

You can use a lot of different pouches to hold your memory cards. I personally like the ThinkTank – Pocket Rocket. Yes, I know, it’s an interesting name for a memory cardholder – BUT it’s fantastic. When I have unused cards, I put them with the color side up. When I have used a memory card, I put it back in the same spot but I turn it over to the white side. This allows me to know that the card was used, there are images on it, and not to use it again that day. It helps for easy unloading of images when I get home.

The next thing I do is charge my battery. It’s so easy to forget to do this, because my battery is huge and does hold a greay charge. However, I like to top it off and make sure I have a full charge. I don’t want to get caught “running out of gas” on a shoot.

While my battery is charging, I like to load my bag. I use a ShootSac, and they’re amazing. They have a flap that you can clean your lenses with. The flap is made for lenses. So no scratching, it’s great when you’re on a shoot, especially like the beach or anywhere with high dust! (Like today’s shoot, is at a campground! A Lot of dirt that could potentially get on my lens).

The lenses that go into my bag are the same lenses I use ALL THE TIME. I have 4 favorite lenses. They are: Nikkor 70-200, Nikkor 105, Nikkor 35 1:2, and Nikkor 50mm 1.2. They are my absolute favorite lenses, and they each serve a different purpose.

The 70-200 is great for when I want to give the couple some privacy. If they’re on a dock, and I want to shoot through some tree’s to add some beautiful coloring to the photo. (Which I can totally see happening today).
The 105 is my macro, or as Nikon calls it, a Micro. It’s for rings. That’s it. It’s the only thing I use this lens for. (other than cupcakes, I also use it for cupcakes). BUT, it’s a fantastic lens, it was expensive, and totally worth it. It was a game changer for my business and brings images to my clients on a level that they deserve.
The 35, is fantastic. I have no other words for it other than that. It’s crisp, its pretty, its small and cute. Ha-ha, It’s my little charm piece. I like it for a wider shot, and when I want more landscape.
The 50 is my butter lens. I use it most often. It’s usually the lens that is on my camera at all times.

So that’s how I get ready! I will most likely break out the couch today and make for some epic photos down on the landing (a very cool dirt road that leads into the river)

XOXO,
Lauren
Bokeh Love Photography