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.

Lindy Hops is a huge part of my childhood. When I had the opportunity to offer them commercial photography, I jumped on the chance! To be able to help small business that were built from a dream, to have beautiful images for their websites, social media and to show off their products, or in this case delicious ice cream treats, makes me beyond excited and happy for them! As a child, I remember my summer days were filled with riding my bike around Galloway and up to the corner, eating lunch at Mike’s Deli and having desert at Lindy Hops! No day was complete without a visit to Lindy Hops! (And no, I did not eat ice cream every day, if I could have I totally would have!) Some days, I would stop by for a cup of ice water. They always had the best ice cubes! Linda and her team of ice cream scoopers were always so friendly! They were always girls I went to school with, so there was always a friendly face. Lindy Hops wasn’t just an ice cream parlor, they were a part of the neighborhood, and treated all of the kids as if they were their own!

Growing up, getting married and having kids in Galloway, has allowed me to share my Lindy Hops experiences with my own children. It’s a tradition, and one that I hold dear to my heart. When we pass Lindy Hops, my kids shout out, “LET’S GET ICE CREAM!”. I love that they love Lindy’s just as much as I do. Supporting small businesses is something that I hope my kids can learn to do, because seeing your parents do it, is a pathway for children to learn from and do as well. As a small business owner, I know how important it is to help someones dream grow. Linda started this ice cream parlor as a dream, and now it is a very successful, amazing location where people will be more than happy to travel near and far to visit. If you haven’t visited, you need to drop what you’re doing and go grab a cone! However, if you are in the mood for something different, Lindy Hops also offers ice cream cakes, cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, pies, and even water ice! There are so many options, you won’t walk out without something that hits the spot!

So take a trip to Lindy Hops, where the decor takes you back to the 50’s, where the bright walls bring you joy, and the ice cream is pure happiness! Go enjoy with your family, your friends, or after your dance recital (like I grew up doing!) and make amazing memories!

If you are a local business that would like your establishment photographed the way I did here, please reach out to me directly!

Lauren Adams
Bokeh Love Photography
Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net
WWW.BOKEHLOVEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

What is “Womens Portraiture”? Womens portraiture is authentic, beautiful, sexy, vivid, and wonderfully, perfectly YOU. Womens portraiture is about celebrating who you are and how you feel inside. It’s about embracing our bodies and relaxing our minds. Being completely open and present, and allowing yourself to LOVE who you are. 100% Self Love. Authentic. Passionate. Fierce.

Boudoir, Glamour, Portraiture.

They all share one thing. You. Whether you want to bare it all and roll around in a fresh white sheet, or wear a glamorous dress to celebrate a milestone in your life, or even rock a costume and get creative. It’s about expressing how you feel at that very moment, and saving it forever. No matter your size, your shape, your age… You are beautiful, don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

How does a session typically go?

• We discuss your vision for your session: This means we will go over what outfits you should bring, I suggest bringing 4 or 5, and then I lay them out and select the very best 3 based on your body type, color, style, etc. I suggest 2 pieces of lingerie, 1 comfy outfit, 1 body suit, and 1 costume. Something comfy can be tall sports socks with an oversized sweatshirt or perhaps just a flannel blanket to wrap up in or even a plush robe. A costume can be a your partners work shirt, fireman pants, a masquerade mask for example. Body suits, believe it or not look FANTASTIC on everyone. They elongate the arms, the legs, and slim you in just the right spots showcasing all of your amazing curves! Be proud of your curves!
• Hair & Makeup at your session: I work exclusively with Mia Crivaro of Creations by Mia. Not only is she a good friend of mine, but she is one of the TOP in the industry! She is amazingly kind, and does one hell of a job making women feel sexy. She ask’s you want you like, what your style is, how you want to feel, but more importantly understand that with every outfit change, there may be a lip color change. She sticks around during the session and helps fluff hair, and make any touchups that are needed. I would be lost without her. She’s my rock!
• Time to photograph: When your hair and makeup are completed, it’s time to photograph. Do not be nervous! You are not a model, and I don’t expect you to know what to do. That’s why you’ve come to me. You trust my skill to pose and guide you into the best positions and to help you feel comfortable. It’s not easy stepping in front of the camera, but with my help and guidance, you will walk away feeling like a top model! Confidence will be boosted and you will be high on life! Promise!
• Hotel setting: Your boudoir session will take place in a luxury hotel setting. I bring in lighting, and fabric to help make the “set” creative. However, these suites are gorgeous and ready for us to start photographing. I only book in casino’s in Atlantic City because I trust their safety and love the experience of feeling pampered! You will too!
• Portrait reveal & ordering: After your session, feel free to relax in the living room of the hotel suite, I will roughly prep your images for you to see, and you will select which images you would like to purchase, or if an album or brag book has been included in your session, you may select those now. It’s fun seeing your images right after your session, and you get your products back faster this way. Also, I do not share boudoir images online  via galleries for the safety and security of your images. These photos are personal, and they shouldn’t be online for people to take.
• Full editing and retouching: I want you to remember that you are beautiful. However, sometimes we get a zit, and that zit just wasn’t invited. I will digitally remove anything that will not be on your body after a week passes. I get asked all the time to “shave off some weight” or “make me skinnier”, and although I am fully able to do that, I choose not to, because I want to promote self love. Digitally shedding pounds will not boost yourself esteem, but my expert posing and lighting will, because you are seeing who you are, a beautiful woman who is proud of who she is!
• Delivery of products: You will receive your ordered products in the mail via priority shipping, wrapped up in an adorable care package. I try to deliver your products in the most adorable package because, well, it’s special and you deserve to open something fun! Who doesn’t get excited for fun packages? I know I do! <3

To book your Boudoir, Glamour or Portrait Session… email Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

 

Did you know that every year there is an amazing Breakfast with Santa at Renault Winery? This past December we decided to come and take photos! Each year they have the most amazing breakfast, and their Santa is always so amazing! Renault Winery is such a great place to go with your family, especially around the holidays. They go above and beyond for their customers and try their best to deliver a wonderful experience! I’d say they do pretty well at doing just that and more!

At Renault Winery’s Breakfast with Santa the photos are a great gift or an amazing keepsake to cherish forever! You get a luxury one on on experience with Santa, and the option to purchase the 4×6 print in a card stock folder as a keepsake. These are offered at $10 and are printed on site in seconds!

If you are a business, and looking for an onsite photographer and printer for your next event, please reach out to us! It is at no cost to you! Email lauren@bokehlovephotography.net for details.

Take a look at some of the beautiful images captured by Bokeh Love Photography at the Breakfast with Santa at Renault Winery.

Beach Sessions in Brigantine NJ are my absolute favorite! Beach sessions in general, I love – but there is just something amazing about Brigantine. It’s where I grew up going to the beach. The sand is just so soft! The ocean is a bit chillier here, but the sun is hot and once you get in, you do not want to get out! My favorite time to go is around 6:00pm and later. It’s when everyone starts to leave the beach, and the sun is getting ready to go down. It’s so relaxing, and some of the best memories are made during the golden hour!

This handsome little man came to the beach for portraits with his Mom and Dad! He loved the beach and wanted to come back again and again! (And I don’t blame him!) Who doesn’t love the beach!? Family sessions make me so happy, I personally make it a point to have a family session each summer. No matter what! My children will thank me one day when they can look back on the gorgeous photos and remember exactly how much fun they had, and can see how they’ve grown each year!

If you are visiting New Jersey for the summer or live here and would like to have your beach sessions in Brigantine NJ send me a message so we can plan your experience!

Beach Sessions in Brigantine NJ, the best way to remember your summer vacation and create amazing memories!