I have been photographing Cricket and her family for years. I adore her daughters and look forward to our portrait sessions each year. We talk about locations, and what they’re looking for and then the magic unfolds. We decided on Hereford Inlet, one of my absolute favorite locations in Wildwood! They were so excited and so was I. Cricket put together the most beautiful color combination for their outfits. And of course they were going to get into the ocean with them because the memories and the fun make the session!

Hereford Inlet Family Session

This year, Char was in charge of picking the session. She really wanted flowers so Longwood Gardens was very high up on the list. However, when I mentioned that the Hereford Inlet lighthouse is actually a garden and it’s stunning, we decided to go there! They were NOT disappointed, and I am pretty sure they found a new chill spot for next summer. Hereford Inlet is such a sweet little surprise. It’s never busy, the gardens are well maintained, there are benches and walkways, and a beautiful view of the ocean. What’s not to love?

The best part of the day was that the sunset set the sky on fire! It was as if the sun just knew we were coming and wanted to make sure we had the very best sky! Can you imagine, it rained earlier in the day? I always tell my clients to trust me when it comes to rain. I watch the radar, and make sure to make a very educated decision on if we postpone the session or not. I told Cricket, while yes it is currently raining that it looks to be clearing up and we should try for it! She gave her full trust to me, and wow, we really did luck out because just LOOK at that sky!

I can NOT wait until next year, and look forward to planning something special for their next session!

Enjoy the images from the session:

Want to see more beach sessions? Click here to see an Ocean City Beach Session: Click Here 

A Cape May NJ Beach Session is as magical as they get, where sunsets are eminent and you don’t leave without amazing memories!

This session was absolutely joyful. The sun was setting with the most gorgeous golden glow and their outfits were as if they were styled by a professional! Well, they kind of were! Shout out to Tami & Ryan for always being amazing clients and friends!) The excitement of their son when he got to play “photographer” with my camera filled this session with laughter. (But let’s be real for a moment, his parent’s are photographers and he is no noob to the game!)

As the sun set, we moved our way down the boardwalk and onto the beach. We let the kids play as the sun got lower and lower in the sky, and photographed them in the bright golden beams. It was a moment to remember, and really set the moment, and allowed us all to have a beautiful moment of peace in such a crazy time.

Everyone in the town must have known it would be the most perfect evening because the beach was packed! I have to say, the water was warm as well. Nothing beats jumping in the ocean at the end of a Cape May NJ Beach Session and letting the kids just be kids! It’s also gives Mom and Dad a chance to relax on the blanket and watch them have fun too.

If you are traveling down south and looking for a portrait photographer for your Cape May NJ Beach Session, reach out to me today! I can’t wait to chat with you and photograph your family having the time of their lives! Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net or check out my pricing here: http://bokehlovephotography.com/invest-family-portraits

Planning a wedding in 2021? The game has seriously changed! I have compiled an amazing list of Wedding planning tips for 2021 to help you get started or continue planning your wedding with ease! This is a list of MY personal favorite sites, stores and blogs; from publishers and companies like Harpers Bazaar, Ceci NY, Figgie Shoes, or the Mrs Box and The Black Tux!

If I could plan my wedding all over again, I totally would do so many things differently. This list is compiled of all of my favorite things. I hope you love it, as much as I do and I hope it helps you to plan your dream wedding!

SO HERE IT IS! The BLP Top 10: Wedding Planning Tips for 2021

1. Ceci NY: Invitations – I have been following Ceci NY since they first emerged around 2006. I absolutely loved how they were a small startup invitation company who incorporated letterpress into their workflow. They create absolutely beautiful designs, and are now a huge name in the wedding industry based on out New York. A female owned and operated business also makes me adore them! Check them out here, and make sure your invitations are show stoppers! You won’t be disappointed! CeciNewYork.com *Also, you can order a sample pack here: Sample Pack
   

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2. The Black Tux: Grooms Attire – Let me first start off by saying that this company is the best rental service for men’s wedding day attire that I have ever seen. I have photographed many grooms, and their details, and this one is the best! When I walk in and see a Black Tux box waiting for me, I know it’s going to be an amazing day! I have also partnered with them, so of course I love them, but I would not have partnered with a company that I didn’t absolutely love. If you want to have the very best service, reach out to them via this email, tell them that Lauren from Bokeh Love Photography sent you, let them know your wedding date and they will take amazing care of you! Concierge@theblacktux.com Also, feel free to browse their site! TheBlackTux.com
   

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3. The Mrs. Box: Details– Let’s talk about heirlooms, or as their website says, “Modern Heirlooms”. These little boxes are more than just boxes. They will set the mood of your wedding day. Your rings being photographed in these beauties while you’re getting ready. It’s a photographers dream! You can get them in 44 different colors. They’re velvety perfection will just melt in your hand! Imagine the detail shots! You will want to frame these images all over your walls! TheMrsBox.com
   

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4. Figgie Shoes: Attire – I have been in love with these shoes from the first time I laid eyes on them. As an artist myself, I can really appreciate these. They aren’t just shoes, they’re a work of art! Brides always want their shoes to be a statement, and this is for sure the best statement because they will be custom designed to match exactly what you are looking for! FiggieShoes.com
   

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5. Riley & Gray: Wedding Websites – If you are looking to have a wedding website, but don’t quite fit in with the boring templates that those chain wedding websites have to offer, then check out Riley & Gray. You can design a free wedding website, but you can also purchase a plan as well. They have wedding websites for design-forward couples. “Enjoy an editorial experience with limited-edition wedding website templates created by the same digital tastemakers from brands like the New York Times, Marie Claire, Glossier, and Condé Nast.” Whatever you want, Riley & Gray can do for you. RileyGrey.com
   

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6. Nearly Newlywed: Brides Attire – If you want a designer wedding dress, but don’t feel like spending full price on your gown, there is no shame is getting a previously owned gown. Wedding dresses are only worn once, cleaned and preserved. Sometimes, you may not want to keep it, or really just want to recoup what you’ve spent. Nearly Newlywed is an amazing site that allows you to both sell and purchase wedding gowns at a percent of the price that was originally spent. Check them out to see what they offer, and maybe you’ll be listing your dress here as well! nearlynewlywed.com
   

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7. Bazaar Bride: Planning Resource – An exclusive membership brought to you by Harpers Bazaar, for the newly engaged. It is the most fashionable bride resource on the internet. You will find wedding inspiration & advice, discounts up to $25,000 in savings, 1 on 1 consultations, video series with Vera Wang, and more! Bazaar Bride Membership
   

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8. BHLDN:Bride Attire– A dress boutique by Anthropologie that offers absolutely stunning bridal gowns, bridesmaid/bridal party dresses, mother of the bride dresses, shoes & accessories, decor, gifts and more! These dresses are reasonably priced, unique and absolutely stunning! Check them out: bhldn.com
   

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9. The Modern Bride: Delicate Details – If you are looking for beautiful, and delicate jewelry to adorn your skin on the most amazing day of your life, then take a look at The Modern Bride. In addition to jewelry, they also offer lingerie, belts, and more. I would stay clear of trying to purchase a dress here though because they are based in Canada, and unless you want to go on a road trip, this may be a pretty far drive for a dress. tmodernbride.com
   

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10. Etsy: Wellness Favors – Right now, Wellness Favors are trending on Etsy for custom bath soaps, bath salts, candles, oils and more. Not only are they a great thank you gift that can actually be used and isn’t clutter, it’s also super cute and thoughtful. Check out this page to see some really nice bath salt favors in glass jars: Etsy Bath Salts
    

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I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – ‘Wedding planning tips for 2021’. Subscribe to my 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.

 

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.

South Jersey Christmas Mini Sessions are here and I could not be more excited to share them with you! Even though it is still November, everyone is thinking about Christmas! (And other holidays of course). I celebrate Christmas, so that is why I offer Christmas Mini Sessions, and since I am located in Galloway, they are named, South Jersey Christmas Mini Sessions! haha. In addition to Christmas sessions, I also offer a substitute background that features blue snowflakes! This is perfect if you don’t celebrate Christmas, or if red just isn’t your color.

Let’s talk props!
I love props! Your littles will have tons to play with to be happy during their session. The set is interactive, which means they will be able to touch the fake snow, ride on the sleds, sit in the sleigh. If you are opting to have the snow flake them, there will be a menorah, dreidel, snow balls, etc to play with, or just keep on display. As always, feel free to bring props of your own!

Details:
South Jersey Christmas Mini Sessions are 15 minute sessions that include 3 digital images of your choice through an online proofing gallery. You will of course be able to purchase more with a special gallery upgrade price! That price is an additional purchase from the session price. This would also allow you to have printing rights to your digitals, which means you can print your images where ever you would like. I can however only guarantee the print quality if you purchase directly through my lab, and it is calibrated with my computer and the way I edit. The pricing that you find in my online proofing gallery is slightly higher, the reason for that is because you are getting a professional finished heirloom product.

Products:
This year I am offering the pre-purchase of Christmas/Holiday cards and ceramic ornaments! Get your cards sent out easily this year, by having custom cards done early with beautiful styles to choose from. The ornaments are perfect for your own tree or as a gift for your loved ones!

 

Who are studio sessions for?
Studio session are ideal for children ages 10 and under. The set is rather small and will not fit a family very easily. It is also very limited in what we can do pose wise. They work amazingly well for the littles and they are in a controlled environment away from harsh weather conditions like rain, sleet and real snow!

Who are on location sessions for?
On location sessions are perfect for small and large families alike! They are held at locations that are easily accessible, and families can move around without feeling like they will “step out of frame”. They are both lifestyle and poses, so feel free to laugh, hug, smile, hold hands, and even pose for the camera!

I love everything! How do I book?
I love that you are excited, and so am I! Booking your session is simple for these South Jersey Christmas Mini Sessions! I have set up an easy booking page where you can easily click the link, select your session type (studio or on location) and follow the prompts to fill out your information, contract and make your payment. If you have any questions along the way, please just reach out to me via my email: lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

Booking link: Click here to book your Christmas Mini Session!