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.

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.

LOOKING FOR A PHOTO BOOTH IN GALLOWAY, NJ? We’ve got one!
We’ve got the best photo booth in Galloway, NJ, although, we like to call it the SnapBooth! What is a SnapBooth and what are the details? We are SO glad you asked! 

 

-Our SnapBooth is an open air design that allows MANY people at once (so far we have fit 20, please challenge us for more!)
-No small dark spaces, everyone can watch the crazy happen! (Seriously, it’s a fun time!)
-We offer TONS of props from hats, rubber chickens, colorful glasses, feather boa’s, masks, clock necklaces, and so much more!
-Your guests get a 2×6 print and so do you for your guestbook (You get this at the end of the night after your guests doodle, write notes, and sticker it up)
-We provide the markers, super fun stickers, a guestbook and the props!
-In 48 hours, you will receive a link, where you can download all of the images AND strips to give to all of your guests!

OMG We are so excited, is this just for the weddings that book photography coverage with you? 
-You can add this onto your wedding photography collection, or you can book the SnapBooth for your wedding or party! (Graduation, Birthday, Anniversary, Office or Holiday Party…)

How far in advanced can we book?

-As soon as possible, as dates do fill up.
-We have been booked as far as 12 months in advanced!

Where are you located?
-We’ve got the best photo booth in Galloway, NJ
-We are 15 minutes outside of Atlantic City, NJ and conveniently located by the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway for easy travel!

Do you charge a travel fee?
-If outside of Atlantic County we charge a $30 Travel fee per 30 miles.

How large is it?
-We require at least a 10×10 area in order to have room to move around.
-We bring with us the backdrop, the freestanding booth, a table with all of the props, printer, camera, guest book, stickers, pens, etc.

How long does it take to set up?
-We require an hour to set up. (don’t worry, we don’t charge for this, we just want to be ready to go for you and your guests!)
-For example, if it is for your wedding we will set up during cocktail hour and we open for your reception (for all 4 hours).

How is the image quality?
-We use a Nikon DSLR
-This means, no web cam here, only high quality images!

Do we receive the digitals too?
-Yes, you do! We send you BOTH the strips digitally AND the individual images!
-No fee to download, that’s included in the cost of the SnapBooth!

Do you only have one backdrop?
-We have 8 backdrops!! (so far)
-You select the backdrop you want!
-We love backdrops so much and would love to work with you if you have a theme! Just tell us what you’re looking for!

How much is it?
–Weddings (4 hours) – $650 + 7% NJ Sales Tax
-Parties (2 hours) – $400 + 7% NJ Sales Tax

Have any more questions that we didn’t answer? 
-email us lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

Our backdrops:

Sara Jean and Nick were married at Blue Heron Pines in Egg Harbor City, NJ on a beautiful crisp night in November! It couldn’t have been a nicer fall night! The air was cool, the sunset was gorgeous, and in the evening everyone gathered around a fire on the patio to stay warm. It was the kind of night where hanging out with close friends, dancing the night away and eating yummy cake was the best thing EVER!

If you couldn’t tell from their pictures, Sarah & Nick are Irish! Their wedding colors were ivory and kelly green! They are so many beautiful touches to their wedding that respresent their heritage, like their wedding rings in particular! They’re so beautiful. Nick had her engagement ring custom made in Ireland, as well as the bands! Instead of the typical diamon, they went with an emerald with diamond accents. I love when the ring is custom to what the bride likes, it makes it so much more personal and meaningful! (Good job, Nick!)

Blue Heron Pines is a local venue, 15 minutes from where I live, and where my studio is. I absolutly adore the people that work there, and enjoy photographing gorgeous couples on their property! Their willow tree is to die for, and their golf course goes for miles! I have never had a bad experience there and hope I get to keep going back! Sara & Nick really did pick an amazing place to say their vows and join their familes. This venue will always hold a special place in their hearts as it was the location that they joined as one.

Congratulations Sara Jean & Nick, and thank you for trusting me with your memories and allowing me to share this moment with you both! xoxo

Click here to visit the venue’s website.