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Ocean City New Jersey Family Photography Session Fun with the S Family
As a photographer, there's nothing quite like the joy of capturing precious family moments, especially when the backdrop is a sun-soaked beach town like Ocean City, New Jersey (my favorite beach town!). This summer, I had the pleasure of photographing the adventurous S family as they spent the evening in their summer haven, creating memories to last a lifetime. Their session was the perfect mix of what I love to offer my clients- posed AND candid moments. Let’s all hold our coffee close and pretend it’s a warm August evening as we reminisce on this gorgeous session filled with smiles, boats, and kites!
Ocean City, NJ Wedding, The Flanders Hotel: Don and Tracy
When I pulled into The Flanders on Tracy and Don's wedding day, I saw a man wearing a shirt that said, "I can't keep calm, my daughter is getting married!" I knew that (a) I was in the right place and (b) this wedding was going to be awesome! We found Tracy getting her finishing touches done at Divine Images Salon, inside the Flanders Hotel. We headed up to her room for her getting ready and saw the cutest assortment of bridesmaid dresses (I love when bridesmaids pick out their own dresses!) and the most adorable Maid of Honor dress. Tracy's MOH was her gorgeous, adorable, and very witty daughter, G. After Tracy was ready (and so stunning, might I add), it was time to head to the Crystal Ballroom in The Flanders Hotel for the ceremony. I love the ease of having everything in one venue- it makes it easy for the guests to have everything within walking distance! After a heartfelt ceremony, we headed onto the boardwalk for bridal party and bride and groom photos. We got traditional walking down the Ocean City boardwalk photos, visited Playland Castaway Cove to visit the rides, and to Hamburger Construction Company (a special place to Tracy and Don). We even made it back to The Flanders Hotel in time for Don and Tracy to enjoy some of cocktail hour. After fun introductions from Over the Top, they went into their first dance, followed by speeches. G (the cutest MOH) gave the best speech and set the bar high for all MOH's after her! Don, Tracy, and G- congratulations!
THE DETAILS
Venue: The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City, New Jersey
Gown: San Patrick
Hair and Makeup: Divine Images Salon
Florals: Red Barn Designs and Flowers
Cake: Viking Pastries
DJ: Chris of Over the Top
Playland's Castaway Cove in Ocean City made for the most colorful (and fun) backdrop for bridal party portraits!
The diners at Hamburger Construction Company welcomed Don and Tracy into the restaurant! Who doesn't love to see a bride and groom!?
How gorgeous are these bridesmaid dresses?
Stunning florals by Red Barn Designs and Flowers.
G is checking out her momma's stunning gown.
Just like any other MOH, G helps lace up the bride's corset.
Tracy- you are stunning!
I love the shot of Don in his Phillies hat captured by my awesome second shooter, Danielle.
I'm loving all of these candids captured during the ceremony! So so sweet!
Tracy had so many special details including family photographs and two very special wedding dresses on display.
The Flanders Hotel Wedding, Ocean City, NJ: Kevin and Jessica
There's nowhere I'd rather be on a Friday in June than in Ocean City, New Jersey. Jessica and Kevin planned their wedding at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City and boy was it perfect! The beach-themed wedding was complete with vibrant bridesmaid dresses and stunning florals from The Manic Botanic, in shades of Tangerine, Begonia and Kelly Green. After getting ready at The Flanders Hotel, Jessica and Kevin decided on a First Look on the beach. As Jessica tapped Kevin on the shoulder, onlookers from the boardwalk shared in their exciting moment- who doesn't love to stop and watch a bride and groom?! Their colorful bridal party joined them on the beach for portraits along the sand dunes with the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk behind them. Just before sunset, Kevin and Jessica exchanged vows on the beach before heading back to The Flanders Hotel for their party to begin! As we walked up from the beach onto the boardwalk, we snapped a few more photographs of the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Terres. I love using the time just after the ceremony for a few quick portraits of the bride and groom because they are on such a high from just getting MARRIED! It's really so exhilarating to be a part of it all. Jessica and Kevin shared their first dance surrounded by all of their wedding guests on the dance floor, followed by memorable speeches from their Best Main and Maid of Honor. Once the dance floor hopping, we decided to sneak out for a night photograph with the boardwalk rides behind us. It's one of my favorite places to shoot at The Flanders Hotel and it allows the bride and groom to have five minutes to reflect on the day with each other. It's hard to believe how quickly the entire day goes and how much time you spend chatting with other people that day, opposed to the person you just married! The night ended with lots of hugs, kisses, and high fives to congratulate the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Terres!
Right on the boardwalk outside of The Flanders Hotel.
Every time I see a bouquet from The Manic Botanic, I'm stunned! I LOVE the vibrant colors.
How gorgeous are these girls in their begonia and tangerine dresses?
Every bride needs to be surrounded by her squad on the way to meet her groom for the first time on the wedding day. I LOVE the onlookers from the boardwalk!
Jessica wanted an Ocean City rescue boat in her photographs, so I'm so glad we were able to find one!
Jessica and Kevin walk along the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey for some stunning bride and groom portraits.
It's so neat that you can see The Flanders Hotel from the ceremony on the beach.
Just married and SO in love on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
The kelly green linens complimented the tangerine and begonia bridesmaid dresses.
Jessica and Kevin's first dance surrounded by all of their wedding guests at The Flanders Hotel.
Parent dances are so sweet! Now everytime I shoot them, I can't help but just CRY as think of my own children getting married one day.
The ferris wheel on the Ocean City Boardwalk is so colorful and makes for a stunning night shot!
THE DETAILS
Venue: The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City, New Jersey
Makeup: Joanna Llera, Personal Beauty Advisor for Sephora
Hair: Teresa Kinnerman, Bride's Aunt
Florals: The Manic Botanic
Cake: Gallo's Bakery
Ocean City Boardwalk Engagement, Ocean City, NJ: Geoff and Danielle
On a rainy day, I constantly refreshed my weather app, hoping we wouldn't need to reschedule Geoff and Danielle's engagement session in Ocean City, New Jersey. We decided to go through with it even though rain was in the forecast. When I arrived that evening, it was raining- but just a little- the kind of rain where you're not sure whether your umbrella should be opened or closed. Geoff and Danielle said they were willing to brave the rain- so we did. It was pretty amazing because anybody who goes to Ocean City in the summer knows just how crowded it can be... well there was hardly anybody there. It was almost bizarre to see it so quiet, but it made for some amazing photos. We started on the beach just by the Music Pier in Ocean City and then made our way up to the iconic boardwalk. Geoff knows just how to make Danielle laugh and watching them interact is so adorable. They both have such an amazing sense of humor and it makes me so excited to be a part of their wedding day.
Geoff loves all things sea related- boats, fishing- you name it, so Geoff and Danielle wanted to incorporate that in their engagement session. They choose Ocean City, NJ- perfection.
We shot on the beach just by the Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ.
It was drizzling but we were able to on the beach and boardwalk to capture some great engagement photographs.
Nothing says "Ocean City," like the boardwalk and rides- a total must-have for an engagement session.
Since it was raining ever so slightly, there was NOBODY on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ- something I've never seen. It was so awesome.
Friday Bride Day- Pinterest Inspiration
Do photographers like when you share your Pinterest boards with them? I LOVE Pinterest. I'm actually sorta sad because it didn't exist three years ago when I was a bride! I think Pinterest has definitely stepped up the game in DIY weddings and I love it! Many of my brides share their Pinterest boards with me and I think it's great because it gives me a better idea of their style and if they are photography pins- a better idea of the type of photographs they would like.
On the other hand, it can also hinder a photographer's creativity if you give them a 10-page printout of your pins and you want every shot on the page. Compromise is the way to go in this situation. Pick a handful of your absolute favorite pins to share with your photographer, and let your photographer put their own creative spin on it! That way they are not being put into the uncomfortable place of recreating someone else's work and they can use their own creativity, to give you something unique!
Here's an example of a Pinterest inspired shot with my gorgeous bride, Jess, and her groom, Justin.
P.S. She MADE this sign- so creative!
