Set a Goal & Crush It | Stefanie's Fitness Achievement

Stefanie, mom of 2 young daughters, wanted to show her girls what being a strong woman was all about.  She wanted to show them that they can achieve any goal or dream that they put their heart & hard work to.  On September 17th, after 6 months of training in the gym and eating healthy foods, Stef competed in her first Bikini Competition as part of the ANBF Masters Nationals.  She placed 1st in Novice, 2nd in Debut, and 4th overall, all while her girls cheered her on from the audience!  She proved that women can be strong, fit & beautiful! 

This was so much more than a fitness competition. This whole journey was about accomplishing something after going through a lot. It was to show my daughters how to be a strong woman. That no matter who or what tries to knock you down you never fall. You get right back up and do the best you can with a new day. They give me strength I never thought I could have.

After that, she was hooked. Stefanie will be competing again mid-October and we know she is going to rock that stage! Good Luck, but with heart like that, you don't need luck!

In The Blink of an Eye | The Art of Capturing the "Now"

Our Earth rotates at a speed of 1,037 mph.  It takes 24 hours to complete and every day we get the pleasure of being witness to the sun rise and set.  I'm sure you've watched this beautiful occurrence once or twice, so think back to the last time that you did.  Do you remember what it looked like?  The colors that were painted in the sky?  You watch as night fades into day and before you know it, it is daylight.  Or the way that the colors burst as the sun is setting and then quickly dissipates as the grey hues of dusk spill into the night.  These natural artworks change by the second and can look completely different from minute to minute.  

This is why I love photography.  It gives you a chance to capture breathtaking scenes before they disappear.  Memories while people are still alive.  Landscapes before & after, or over the years as places develop.  Everything can change in the blink of an eye, and photography gives us a chance to hold onto history.   

These photos were taken on my way home from a different photoshoot and I just happen to be at the right place as it hit its peak.  It was a nice Autumn night and I stopped to snap these as I was driving by a lake.  They are 6 minutes apart, and completely raw images because there is no amount of editing that I can do that would make these already stunning photos any better.  It would be an insult to our gorgeous planet.   

Enjoy!

 "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller

Jimi D Music | NJ Local Artist Promos

 

In order to tell this story, I have to take you back a little bit... 

When I first met this talented & creative gentleman, he told me about how he plays guitar & sings and has a YouTube channel. He made me promise I would not go on to look until he posted his newest video because he wanted me to see that one first. Well, I was so captivated by his voice that I contributed probably 50+ views to that video!  Shortly after that, he had played for me in person. It was like a really adorable 80s rom com mixed with Bryan Adam's "Summer of 69". He brought his acoustic guitar to the gym and after working out, played for me outside until his fingers bled.  From that day forward, any time I saw his guitar around, I hoped he would play me some songs (which he usually did :) ). And I would try and grab a quick video or photo of him playing. 

Fast forward to present day, and he knows which songs instantly put a smile on my face.  Many of which he played while we captured these images. Being creative together and following your passions... pretty great way to spend the day with your significant other (oh yea, did I mention that this handsome stud is my boyfriend?)

 

These are a collection of my favorite photographs that were taken for the launch of his music Facebook page which can be found here.  "Like" it to stay up to date and come see him play this summer & hangout! (For fans of Reggae, jam rock & good vibes) 

And who knows, maybe there will be some other creative collabs in the future ;)

(Curious to see the video that I fell in love with? It's posted below!)

 
 
 

Calling All Expecting Mothers & Moms-To-Be | Timing & New Package

Let's get real for a second.  9 months seems like a long time...until you're in it. Every mom I've talked to says how quickly their pregnancy has gone by.  You're so busy learning, preparing, nesting, and down-right growing a human, that before you know, you're in the final week!  You had the best ideas for decorating a nursery, crafting things for new baby and planning the hospital day bag and drive.  Sometimes, things you wanted to do, just don't get done.  Don't let photos be one of them.  If you think ahead now (with a little help from me) you can schedule your sessions and not have to be scrambling last minute.

There are two photoshoots that Shore's Edge Photography offers to mom (& baby): 

Maternity & Newborn.

 
 

MATERNITY
Maternity photoshoots are typically done around 32 weeks.  This ensures a nice round belly but without the discomfort that later weeks might bring.  This is the optimal time for mom to be glowing.
 

 
 

NEWBORN
Newborn shoots are done within the first two weeks of baby being born.  This ensures those adorable, sleepy, peaceful photos and baby is easy to cooperate.  It is understandable that this timeframe can be a hectic time settling in at home and people wanting to meet your precious little one but it allows the parents some alone time just snuggling with baby and you can tell family & guests that for those 3 hours, it's just going to be you.  Lifestyle photography allows me to capture you in your environment, living your life as you would.

 
 

How to Schedule/Book
Book your maternity session now for the week that'll you be around 32 weeks.  As time gets closer, we will nail down exact details, locations, and time.


For newborn sessions, we pre-pick 2 or 3 dates around your due date (as we all know babies are on their own time).  That way, if baby comes after your due date, we still have dates held on the calendar for you.


And Shore's Edge Photography is offering a *NEW* special package...The Mermom!  This package includes the photoshoot and goodies of both the basic Coastal & newborn Guppy packages, for $55 off!

 
 

Camilla Rose | NJ Lifestyle Newborn

When it comes to newborn photography, the baby really does call the shots.  Even the best laid photoshoot ideas sometimes don't always go as planned, but the magical and special part about photography, is that it can produce something even better.  When this adorable little baby gets hungry, you take the opportunity to grab some intimate snaps of the interaction.  You get to see the giggles from the other family members (big sister included) when you can get the whole family involved.  And when she has worked hard as a model all morning, newborn babygirl finally just passes out and naps wherever she is, which creates beautifully sleepy pictures.  

This is lifestyle photography; photographing life, as it unfolds in the most amazing ways.  

Camilla Rose, or "Cashew" as she has been nicknamed, was welcomed to the world on February 9th.  She is already adjusting to life in her new home, which is filled with sounds of her big sister playing and her dog barking.  She doesn't mind visits from her extended family and is becoming one of the bunch!  

Congratulations to Maria, Joe & Gianna.  <3