Bellemore Blog - NJ Wedding Photography

Hidden Treasure Hamilton, NJ Wedding Photography

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 09:55:00 -0700

Congrats to Janet and Robert on their recent wedding! They got married at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hamilton, NJ this fall. They got married in front of a beautiful gazebo with a pond and a fountain in the background. This place is a hidden gem. Literally. You walk down a path through the bushes and it opens upon this wonderful ceremony space.

The cocktail hour was held in what looked like a rustic barn, but it was actually part of the hotel. There were multiple fireplaces, greenery and plenty of tables and bars for people to stand around.

The ballroom itself was spacious and pretty. I would love to work with them on a wedding again. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a beautiful location close to Burlington, NJ.

Game's On! This Couple is Ready to Step to the Plate- Somerset, NJ Engagement Portraits

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:26:00 -0700

Baseball- America's pastime. There's few things better than sitting in a nice stadium with the one you love watching a game. That's what these two do in their spare time and they love it so much, they decided to do a baseball themed engagement shoot.

The Somerset Patriots were so accommodating in letting us use their stadium for the shoot. I loved having the place all to ourselves as the sun set behind us. As for my wonderful couple, these two could not be more in love. We laughed and joked and got some great shots. I can't wait to share their wedding day with them.

Here are some of my favorites:

My Port in a Storm- Starbucks

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 19:04:00 -0700

Being a photographer and a theater mom, I end up spending a lot of time in coffee shops. Whether I am meeting with clients or waiting patiently for my son to finish up with his theater/class/rehearsal/workshop, I often find myself needing to kill a few hours someplace that's not near my house.

I love coffee, so naturally, I'm drawn to coffee shops in general, but more specifically, to Starbucks. I know. It's considered a sin in most people's eyes to pay over $4 a cup for coffee, but I don't care. I am thrifty in most other aspects of my life, but when I need a place to hang out and a decent cup of coffee, nothing beats Starbucks. I'm willing to pay a little more for what I get. The quality of the beverages are better, my order is always correct or I get it remade for free and they know how to craft an actual latte. It's also warm and inviting. Their brand colors are the same as mine- Green, white and black. The store is full of plush chairs, warm woods and soft music. Most importantly, it smells like coffee. Much like good photography, I'm paying the extra money for the experience and I don't mind one bit.

No matter where you go, even in other countries like Ireland and Belgium, you will always have one thing familiar to you in Starbucks. They are all a little different but the same. I'm actually composing this blog post from the Starbucks now, while waiting for my son while he's at rehearsal for one of his many theater productions. Sometimes I just come here to work, especially in the winter when I am done being cooped up in my house. It's my port in the storm. The familiar place that sells my favorite beverage and keeps me going.

So, don't feel bad for the little splurges in life. If you want good coffee, go to Starbucks. If you want amazing photographic art of your wedding or family that you can pass down for generations to come, contact me.

Things I Love- Coffee

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 16:41:00 -0700

There is nothing like the smell of brewing coffee. It's like the promise of warm creamy goodness. I could drink coffee 24-7, though I try not to drink it after about 8pm or I'll be up all night. Coffee is what fuels me. It's the reason I manage to get up out of bed every morning. I am inherently a night owl, but with two kids that have to get on the bus by 6:50am, that's not a possibility for me.

My first experience with coffee was when I was little and I'd come home after school to my grandmother's house. She'd be having her coffee with one of those Stella Doro S shaped cookies. I think they were called "Breakfast Treats". She'd give me a cookie and let me dunk it in her coffee. (Because they were too hard to eat without dunking) I remember her saying, "I just need a little something sweet with my coffee". Besides dunking my cookie, I had never really cared for the taste of coffee back then.

Then I went to college. The summer between my Sophomore and Junior year I got a job working in a coffee shop on the Atlantic City boardwalk from 6pm to 3am. I also had a 9-5 office job. So, by about 9pm, I needed something to keep me going. I didn't like the taste of coffee, but we made lattes, so I tried that first. LOTS of milk and LOTS of sugar. Gradually, I put in less milk and sugar and more coffee. Now I take my coffee with cream and a little bit of sugar. I've come a long way.

My favorite types of coffee are the organic, small batch, fair trade (and all those other pretentious words) coffees. Yes, it sounds snooty, but they taste amazing and I hope that they really are paying the farmers better. I also still love the frilly foo foo lattes. Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks are my all time favorite. You will see me start to get antsy towards the beginning of September every year when they are getting ready to release them again. Being born on Halloween, pumpkin is just in my blood.

I'm not a coffee snob though. As much as I love the expensive stuff, I'll drink the cheap stuff too. :) It may just need a little extra love added to make it potable. Now, I've officially become my grandmother. I yelled at my husband the other day for trying to eat my Girl Scout cookies that I had squirreled away. I said, "You know I like to have something sweet with my afternoon coffee!" It's come full circle and I think fondly of my grandmother as I dunk my shortbread cookie into my organic fair trade coffee.

Here's a short coffee video I made. Enjoy!

What a Great Way to Celebrate Your Anniversary! NJ Wedding Photographer

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:19:00 -0700

Even though it's a long drive for me, I love shooting in Wildwood, NJ. In particular, there's a unique Victorian house style lighthouse there with quaint English gardens surrounding it, that's my favorite. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Wildwood has not only the lovely gardens but it is right along the inlet. It has a sea wall that you can walk along to get to the free beaches of North Wildwood.

My sessions there are able to take advantage of all these areas. So if you are looking for a unique beach portrait experience, I'd definitely recommend this spot. This couple loved it for its Victorian appeal and wanted portraits in a similar style. I had so much fun recreating that feeling with them.

Great Swamp is Prettier Than it Sounds. NJ Engagement Photographer

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:56:00 -0700

There's a beautiful hidden gem near Chatham, NJ called The Great Swamp. Friends of mine introduced me to it when I did a photo shoot for their family a few years ago. I had my doubts about the beauty of a place called Great Swamp but it's completely gorgeous. There's a boardwalk through most of the swampy parts with lookouts over the lakes and ponds every so often. There's also a section of forest leading up to the swampy area that filters the light beautifully.

Here's some pictures from a recent engagement session I did there. This couple was adorable and amazing and so patient when I almost got us lost in the woods. (The paths all went in a big circle, so we would've gotten back on track eventually.)

Engagement Photo Hike- Sourland Mountain Preserve. NJ Wedding Photographer

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:02:00 -0700

I love taking pictures and I love hiking, so it's a great day when I get the chance to combine the two. This wonderful couple picked to have their engagement photos taken at Sourland Mountain Preserve. It's a beautiful place with a hiking trail up the side of a hill with large boulders and footbridges. There's also a lake and a trail through a meadow. This location had all the aspects of a great spot to shoot. Add to it that it was fall, so all the leaves were changing colors, setting a gorgeous backdrop for an already amazing place.

Beautiful Church Wedding- NJ Wedding Photography

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:19:00 -0700

A lot of couples are opting for a short ceremony onsite at the reception location. So, rarely do I get to shoot a wedding in a church any more. When I do, it's quite a treat, especially when it's a church as beautiful as this, with a couple as beautiful as this.

Wedding at La Bove Catering in Lakehurst, NJ

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:02:00 -0700

A few weeks ago I did a wedding in Lakehurst, NJ at La Bove Catering. I didn't even know that place was there. What a hidden gem! It's off of one of the many traffic circles in the middle of the Pine Barrens in that part of the state. The grounds are beautiful. There's a lovely picture spot behind the facility and a fountain on the side in front of the grand windows.

The maitre d there was great at handling the schedule for the event and attending to all of the guests needs.

Here are some of my photos from the day.

South Jersey Weddings- Congrats Susan and Bob!

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:50:00 -0700

Some days everything just goes as planned. The weather is good, the venue is nice and the bride and groom are fantastic to work with. That was the case this past weekend for Susan and Bob's wedding at the Stockton Seaview Resort in Galloway, NJ. The venue was right on Reed's Bay and the room overlooked the water. It was simply gorgeous.

Susan is very crafty and made some of the cutest wedding day signs and decorations. It's all about the details, right?
You can view the pictures from the day and the fun details here:
http://myphotos.bellemorephotography.com/wallacewedding/

Wedding on the Bay in Galloway, NJ

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:25:00 -0700

I went to Stockton College in Galloway, NJ for four years and I even lived in the area. I had known of Stockton Seaview Resort but had not stepped foot inside of it. Until my most recent wedding, that is. What a beautiful location! It is right on Reed's Bay and the circular banquet room with its plentiful windows overlooks the bay. There is a gorgeous chandelier in the center of the room that draws your eye immediately upon entry into the space.

The grounds are beautiful too and they've made a nice space with a fountain and a gazebo where you can take your wedding photos. They have a space where you can have your wedding indoors or outdoors, so no matter what the weather, you will have a nice space for your ceremony. The staff for very attentive to the bride and groom's needs. The day I was there, I walked in to them gluing pieces back on to the bride's bouquet.

Here are some pictures of the space.

Ceremony Room:

Reception Room:

Outside Area:

Bellemore Photography launches its new website with a "Shoot and Share" feature!

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:58:00 -0700

Over the past few months, Bellemore Photography has been hard at work revamping our new website to include a lot of exciting new features for our customers! When we first launched our website back in 2005, smart phones and social media were only in their infancy and as a result, our website was not built with that in mind. 10 years later, social media and smart phones are part of our everyday lives. More often than not, you access websites and social media from your phones and mobile devices, so now we've made sure that your photos will be accessible and look amazing from your favorite device.

What we’ve changed:

1) Our website is now mobile friendly. This means whether you are on the go or in front of your computer at home you will get the same great user experience with our website. This includes access to your photos.

2) When you think of Bellemore Photography, you probably think of green shamrocks. Our new design reflects that and is easier on the eyes.

3) We've moved to a true “Shoot and Share” philosophy. What does that mean? It means that your photos are YOUR photos. You can share, download, order prints and "favorite" right on our website. The entire site has a new clean look and is easier to access. Bellemore Photography encourages you to share how much you love your photos with friends and family. Nothing makes us happier than seeing our photos and praise from your friends and family!

Download, Favorite, and Share the entire photo shoot of all your high quality photos.

Once they are on the site, you can start sharing with family and friends

Download, Favorite, and Share individual photos.

View, Share, and Download your selected favorites

We really hope that you love the changes that we’ve made as much as we do and that you fully embrace the sharing of your photos. What if you don’t want others to be able to view your photos? Not a problem! We can password protect your photo review area so only people with the password can view your photos! Whatever your viewing preference may be, Bellemore Photography can meet your needs!

Two Brides is Double the Fun! Lakeside Manor, NJ

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:00:00 -0700

I had the pleasure of photographing two lovely brides last weekend. They got married at Lakeside Manor in Gibbsboro, NJ beside the lake on a beautiful spring day. The flowers were in bloom on the trees and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I live for wedding day weather like that!

We did some traditional photos but I was able to capture some heartfelt moments between them as well. I often take pictures when they don't realize that I'm taking pictures. Those are the moments, the unposed, candid moments, when you see the real feelings of the day.

A Little Help for the Groom and his Men from a NJ Wedding Photographer

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Sun, 31 May 2015 21:43:00 -0700

I've seen it at almost every wedding. The men struggling with those little colorful pocket squares they get with their tuxes. You learn how to tie a tie but never what to do with that fussy little piece of colorful satin.

Well, here's a bunch of different ways to fold it. Happy Folding!

https://www.bows-n-ties.com/how-to-fold-a-handkerchief/

Beach Engagement Photography, Ocean City, NJ

bellemorephoto@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 20:49:00 -0700

One of my favorite places to take pictures is on the beach. I have a soft spot for one beach in particular- Corson's Inlet State Park on the lower end of Ocean City, NJ. I worked there in college and it is one of the rare free beaches in New Jersey.

The nice part about taking photos on the beach there is that there are no houses behind the dunes. It also has an amazing rock jetty separating it from the last beach owned by the city. Couple that with the light at the "Golden Hour" and you have an amazing backdrop for engagement portraits.

The boardwalk isn't too far away, so after a short drive, we ended the session with some boardwalk shots and some Kohr Bros. ice cream.