There is something about being pregnant, that sets you aside from reality. You are in your own world. You feel this overwhelming joy for love. To fall in love with someone you have never met, is the best feeling in the world. I had the honor of capturing the beginning of their legacy, the start of their journey, the little life that is growing inside that is going to bring more joy than they could have ever imagined. It was peaceful and quiet. It was romantic and beautiful. It was real. It was a beautiful day filled with purple flowers, horse farms, wide open roads and fun. They were themselves and totally wrapped up in the moment. This is exactly how a maternity session should be.

Brandon and Alaina are not just regular clients, but my family. Brandon, my nephew is so excited and I am so overjoyed that he chose Alaina to create a beautiful baby boy with. Baby Brandon will be here very soon and I can’t wait to welcome him to this new world! They’re going to be amazing parents!

Take a look at this amazing journey we went on yesterday, and if you’re pregnant and looking for maternity portraits, please contact me and let’s set your session up!!!

Morgan and Brian are gorgeous. They are also the most amazingly kind people I’ve ever met. They actually had a destination wedding and wanted to throw a big party back in New Jersey for their friends and family that couldn’t make the actual wedding. A good friend of mine was their photographer, and they wouldn’t be able to make this NJ party, so they gave them my name. I am so glad I have such amazing friends in this industry and I was so happy when Morgan and Brian said they wanted me to come to their wedding and capture this event for them. I had never been to Willow Creek Winery, and I can’t believe how beautiful it is! It’s a tiny little gem in West Cape May! Now being a Galloway girl, this is foreign territory for me, BUT I love Cape May and was so head over heals about going!

From the purple flowers to the sunset, to her AMAZING pink Maggie Sorrento wedding dress – it was pure perfection! But don’t take it from me, look for yourself!

xoxo,
Lauren

When a Bride tells me she would like her engagement session to be at two different locations, I get so excited! Engagement sessions are so much fun when they have two totally different looks. The beach is always hard though, especially when it is hours before sunset. There is nowhere to hide from the sun, it’s bright, and it’s really a huge challange. Luckily for us, we went to the Brigantine Jetty, where there are some bulk heads to hide behind. (Believe it or not, when I was a child, there was water all the way up to these bulk heads, but since then, the water has moved out, and the Jetty is now accessable on one side all the way out!) It’s definitly different from when I was a kid, but it made it a great place to take pictures when the sun is super bright! The next location was none other than the Historic Smithville Village! I mean, you can’t go wrong here! When Krista showed up with this adorable green floral skirt, it was perfection! These two are such cuties! The one thing they said was, please – no corney photos! I think they were executed pretty darn well if you ask me – and I see no “corney” photos here, just 120% cuteness!

Krista & Alek – I hope you love these photos! I sure do!!!

xoxo,
Lauren
Bokeh Love Photography

A huge part of why I am a successful wedding photographer is because I LOVE what I do. The rest of it, it from studying in a dark room, learning my camera, and connecting with fellow photographers. I love this industry that I am in. I can’t say that enough. The people I have run into and made friends with is one of my favorite aspects of it. I meet tons of vendors from cake designers to event planners. Today, I decided that I wanted to share a vendor with you all. This vendor is a friend and one heck of a florist! Her name is Karen, and she is the owner of Karen Fowler Floral Design. She is based out of Cape May, New Jersey and has her own studio. All of her flowers are special ordered from all over the world and during the summer months she also uses flowers grown locally!

BLP: Hi Karen! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I’d love to ask you some questions about your business. Let’s start with what year you became a florist?
KFFD: I started in January 1999 at a small flower shop in Philadelphia
BLP: Wow that’s wonderful! When was Karen fowler floral design established? 
KFFD: It was established in 2012.
BLP: What made you want to open your own studio?
KFFD: I wanted to be part of the brides special day … I wanted the ability to get to know them personally instead of just From a file that someone handed me at work
BLP: I love that, being personal is so important.
KFFD: Yes it is!! I love adding my special touch after getting to know them
BLP: This year I am seeing a lot of pink ombré dresses on Pinterest, is that something that you’re seeing with flowers? Pinks and whites?
KFFD: Yes and no … I’m seeing a lot of vintage everything pinks peaches silvers gold’s whites
BLP: Do you have any projections for what will be “in” for 2015?
KFFD: If its anything like this summer is going to be than it will be amazing!! I’m booked full most weekends until October
BLP: That’s fabulous! Also this year you won Best of The Knot, didn’t you? How has that helped your business?
KFFD: It has made it crazy good!!! People love that fact!
BLP: It’s definitely an honor to be proud of! Now you are engaged yourself, will you be designing your own bouquet and wedding flowers?
KFFD: Omg yes!! I have dreamed for years about my own wedding I will be having two different bouquets one for the ceremony and one for the reception
BLP: That’s amazing! I’ve never even thought about that!

KFFD: For my cousins wedding she did all white bouquet for her ceremony and she told me she was walking into her reception to “walking on sunshine ” and I made her a all yellow bouquet with roses and sunflowers and a brooch that said candy corn rocks! It was a fall wedding and loved candy corn, again personal touches; I love to do when getting to know my brides!
BLP: That is so creative! I bet you have a lot of fun with each bouquet you design because they are all so different! Being a wedding photographer that has also been married, allows me to reach my brides on that level of understanding. How is planning your own wedding, helping you with your current brides?
KFFD: I completely understand all there struggles now! I understand their budget more now! I know it’s all very expensive! Every vendo, I can sympathize more now
BLP: Same here! Can you tell us how Brides can reach you, see your work on the internet, etc.? I’d love to share your work with them!
KFFD:
I’m on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenFowlerFloralDesign
Website: www.capemayweddingflowers.com
Email: capemayweddingflowers@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: (call or text): 609.334.3568
BLP: One more question before I go, what is YOUR favorite bridal flower for 2014?
KFFD: Ranunculus!

(image provided by Karen Folwer Floral Design)

BLP: They are gorgeous!!! Thank you SO MUCH for your time, Karen! I wish you best of luck in the 2014 AND 2015 wedding season!

Karen Fowler Floral Design is such an amazing business and I couldn’t reccomend her more! She is definitly someone who makes you laugh, helps you create your vision, and becomes your friend throughout the process! Here are a few photos of flowers that Karen did while collaborating together on a styled bridal shoot! Karen’s work speaks for itself and definitely stands out! These bouquets were definitely jaw droppers! I cannot wait to work with Karen again and see what her imagination comes up with! She – is – FABULOUS!

XOXO,
Lauren
Bokeh Love Photography