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Ocean City New Jersey Beach Family Photographs
As a photographer, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as being entrusted with the task of capturing the love, laughter, and cherished moments of an extended family. And when that session takes place during the magical golden hour on a picturesque beach in my favorite town of Ocean City, New Jersey, it’s a dream come true. However, this dreamy scenario doesn’t come without it’s fair share of challenges. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the preparation of extended family beach that make for a successful outcome.
Golden Hour: Nature’s Perfect Lighting
This is the prime time to capture the connections and emotions that make extended family sessions so special. The golden hues not only illuminate the subjects but also the bonds that tie them together. Pair that with a more secluded location in Ocean City, New Jersey or another location beach, and a cool breeze- it’s a recipe for comfort and good times.
Casual Elegance of Beach Attire
Beach photography embraces a more relaxed and comfortable approach. Families usually opt for coordinated yet casual outfits that reflect their personalities while allowing them to move freely. Flowing dresses, linen shirts, and bare feet contribute to an effortlessly elegant aesthetic!
Timeless Treasure
The beauty of the session lies in its ability to transport viewers back in time. A well-framed photograph not only captures faces but also the emotions, laughter, and bonds that define a family. They’re reminders of the simple pleasures of life, the importance of connection, and the love that weaves through generations.
Every moment holds a story waiting to be captured. So don’t hesitate- take the leap and schedule your own extended family session to celebrate life, love, and the timeline bond between your family. Contact me!
Ocean City, NJ Wedding- The Flanders Hotel - Kerry and Mike
I love a good winter wedding for many reasons but one of them being it’s close to the holidays so there’s extra holiday magic in the air… and decor too! If you haven’t visited the Flanders Hotel during the holiday season- I highly suggest it! Kerry and Mike had such a lovely December day. Kerry started off at the Divine Images Salon and Spa in the hotel for getting ready with her bridesmaids. Long Branch Trolley Company picked up the bride and her girls and took them to church where Kerry and Mike exchanged vows. We headed to the 11th street beach in Ocean City for portraits with the bridal party, where the sky was absolutely beautiful. We endured the cold and soon joined the party inside the Flanders Hotel. Congratulations to Kerry and Mike on their special day!
Ocean City, New Jersey Wedding Album: Don and Tracy
If you've been following me for a while, you might know that I have a special place in my heart for beach weddings and more specifically, at The Flanders Hotel, in Ocean City, New Jersey. The hotel has a very classic feeling with antique furniture, and gold trim, just steps away from the boardwalk and beach. The Ocean City boardwalk is so vibrant with shops, rides, and murals on the walls overlooking the beach. All of the liveliness of this beach town draws brides and grooms here each year for their wedding- including myself and my husband eight years ago. When it was time to make some new sample wedding albums this year, I chose Tracy and Don's wedding at The Flanders Hotel- it was SUCH a great day.
I love my heirloom wedding albums. The cover options range from the most vibrant linens, to rich, luxe leathers and I'm a sucker for debossing. You'll see "Don & Tracy" debossed on the cover, stamped right onto the cover in such a timeless font. The photographs are printed onto the pages and the pages are as thick as a nickel. Here are a few of my favorite spreads from Tracy and Don's album. I'll also say, in the digital age we live in, couples don't always purchase wedding albums at the time of their wedding and then they feel stuck a year or two (or more!) later and not quite sure how to go about it. It's NEVER too late to get an album! It's a family heirloom that tells the story of the beginning of your family. If you're a Styled Pink couple and are wanting your very own album- let me know!
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: Mike and Allegra
It was a windy day. Scratch that, a blustery day. The type of wind that makes you want to put your arms out at your side and lean all of your body weight against the wind to see who will win- you or the wind. Are you getting the drift? (Dang, that was good). It's the type of weather that doesn't mesh with updos, gorgeous lashes, and fancy dresses, which is why I was so relieved that the wedding was at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City, NJ. I feel like I mention it all of the time, but just in case you don't know... my husband and I were married at The Flanders Hotel six years ago and one thing that was a requirement for me as a bride was a weather contingency plan. You can plan just about everything on a wedding day, except for the weather, so I always tell brides, make sure you LOVE the backup plan! As a bride, I checked out (what feels like) every square inch of The Flanders Hotel to make sure it had plenty of locations in case of terrible weather. Good news- it absolutely does! It all started with the extremely stunning, Allegra, getting ready at The Flanders Hotel's most stunning suite on the highest floor, overlooking the ocean. Allegra was so calm and just enjoying her bridesmaids- like every bride should before the day begins. Her girls wore the most gorgeous sequined gowns from Rent the Runway, while Allegra turned heads in her elegant Jay West gown with the most gorgeous design in the back. She met with her groom, Mike, in the lobby of the Flanders Hotel for their bridal party portraits just before the ceremony. Her brother walked her down the aisle just before Mike and Allegra exchanged vows by the fireplace, under a gorgeous chandelier- romance was certainly in the air. Then it was off to celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm! The band, 39 Mariner, lead the celebration and the night ended with not a cake cutting, but a donut cutting, with the most yummy treats from Federal Donuts. Congratulations Allegra and Mike!
THE DETAILS
Venue: The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City, New Jersey
Gown: Jay West
Hair and Makeup: Your Day Your Way
Florals: The Manic Botanic
Donuts: Federal Donuts
Band: 39 Mariner
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.
