Going to College

Mothers are born. She opens her eyes and suddenly has found herself in a world where an all consuming fire is stoked in her soul, and everyone else in the world takes their place behind her baby. She spends her new life loving, protecting, teaching, and nurturing her baby in preparation for the life he will live beyond her, which means that she has to let go, just a tiny little bit, in every day after. She has to let him fall, let him learn for himself that the stove is hot, and that actions have consequences, terrifying consequences and scenarios that rattle around in a mother’s brain, usually in the quiet dark of a sleepless night when everything seems possible. When the mother and the baby are born, it doesn’t seem possible that one day, that baby will leave home and 18 years is not long when compared to a lifetime. A morning will come when the car is packed with XL twin bedding, posters, and ramen, and the second you leave the driveway, everything will change, one journey ends while another begins. This was that day for me, a day I grieved long before it came and a day that I am still trying to make sense of, because it arrived much sooner than I wanted. August 22, 2024, Going to College.

Jackson, if you ever find this and read this, I miss you. It’s not the same without you and if I could, I would go back in time do it all over again.

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CAYA Retreat in Costa Rica

Surf photographer Costa Rica

CAYA = come as you are.

I met Chelsea Fleming, owner of CAYA Retreats, and was immediately drawn to her heart for her work, her energy, and her mama heart as she talked about her two little girls. We were sitting over a cup of coffee and plate of scones while she asked me to travel with her as photographer of CAYA Retreats’ spring equinox retreat in Playa Dominical, Costa Rica. I left the café wanting so badly to go but knowing that arranging the details of kids’ schedules/commitments wouldn’t be easy. That night, I was sitting in bed doing a NYT crossword puzzle and one chain of boxes boldly spelled out COSTA RICA. The next day, Dave was able to arrange to be off while I was gone, so he would be my stand in. Some things are just meant to be. My week with CAYA Retreats in Costa Rica was one of them.

I became a mom the day after I turned 25. Back then, I watched so many of my friends jet off to beautiful places with photo albums full of stories of the most incredible experiences. I so desperately wanted to see them for myself, but with babies and budgets, it was not possible. Then. But here I am at 41, able to go out of my comfort zone and travel by myself to another country to meet up with strangers in an activity (retreat) that I know very little of what to expect. I documented this retreat from the inside, participating as a member of the group and showing the experience from my perspective. And this was an experience that I fell into by accident, but so desperately needed. The friendship, the ease of connection with one another, the beauty of Costa Rican coastline, and engaging in the classes and workshops offered at the retreat, collectively, was balm to my soul. Photographically, it was a dream.

It’s safe to say I will be attending CAYA Retreats in the future, either as photographer or a guest. Chelsea does an incredible job bringing people together for a week of relaxation, recharge, and reset. It was such a beautiful adventure and I’m so thankful for all of it.

Dominical Costa Rica surfing beach with pelicans flying
CAYA yoga retreat Costa Rica Danyasa Yoga Retreat
Travel and documentary photographer from Ocean City NJ
Waterfall in Costa Rica with Paddle 9 tour company
Woman swimming in river by waterfall in Costa Rica
Cliff jumping in Costa Rica travel and documentary photographer
fruit and coconut stand in Playa Dominical Costa Rica
surf board shaper in Playa Dominical Costa Rica
Playa Dominical Costa Rica travel and documentary photographer
Playa Dominical Costa Rica market
Playa Dominical shopping open air market travel photography
poolside dj party costa rica
poolside dj set travel photography costa rica
Yoga and wellness retreat in Costa Rica
surf lessons in Playa Dominical Costa Rica
Yoga retreat in Costa Rica documentary photographer
women's yoga retreat CAYA in Costa Rica
dogs and surfers on the beach in Playa Dominical Costa Rica
surf photography travel in Costa Rica
hazy view from the ocean in Playa Dominical surf photographer
sunset in Costa Rica
sunset watching in Costa Rica
surfer at sunset in Playa Dominical Costa Rica

What’s New in 2022

OCNJ Snow Storm 2022 ocean city locals winter

Hello, friends! “Off season” around here feels anything but, as I work more on the art/business side of photography while gearing up for the summer. So here are some quick highlights from the last few months, as well as what’s upcoming:

Documentary Family Photographers’ “Transforming Perspectives” Gallery “Life in 2021:

documentary family photographer ocean city New Jersey award winning photographer gallery exhibit

I was incredibly honored to have three images accepted into DFP’s Transforming Perspectives gallery “Life in 2021.” You can see the entire exhibit, order an exhibition catalog (with the above image on the cover!) and find out more information here. There is also a link to the recording of the opening reception where artists and judges were interviewed.

Local Article:

sunset photography ocean city New Jersey family photography beach portraits

I was interviewed by OCNJ Daily about the “Life in 2021” Exhibit, my background and approach in family photography, and some of the stories behind my favorite photos. It’s important to me to grow roots in this community and I am so grateful for the connections I’ve made here in OC over the last year, and I am so happy to be photographing people who love the water and this place as much as I do. You can find the article here.

Click Pro Elite

click pro elite photographer documentary photography

After many years of being a part of Clickin’ Moms (now Click Community) and learning through their breakouts and workshops, I applied for Click Pro, a process that reviews a photographer’s portfolio where acceptance is based on technical skill as well as artistry. There are some incredible photographers in this group, many of whom became my mentors and others whom I have both admired and learned from at a distance. I found out that my application was accepted a few weeks ago, and I’m really looking forward to being able to grow and share my work in a community of ridiculously talented people. You can learn about the Click Pro program here.

Work + Play: CAYA Retreats in Costa Rica

ocean city New Jersey photographer underwater and documentary

It’s official! My ticket is booked and my gear is getting organized to travel with CAYA Retreats (CAYA = come as you are) in Playa Dominical, Costa Rica in just a few weeks. I’m more than ready for an ocean swim and for the immersive experience this week will be, participating + documenting.

BOOKING for Summer 2022!

I shed a tear of joy when February was over. Summer is just around the corner, so I’m building my client calendar for the season. Looking for pricing? Click here. Ready to book? Email hello@laurengayeski.com. On the fence? Do you have questions? Are you curious about documentary family photography? Also, email hello@laurengayeski.com. I’m always available for a phone consultation to answer any questions to help decide if I’m the right photographer for your family! Not interested in hiring me but want to keep up with my work or to see what’s happening in OCNJ? Follow me here.

In the meantime, I’ll be dancing in my kitchen with Arlo. Happy weekend, friends!

xoxo,

Lauren

dog and photographer dancing in kitchen in ocean city nj

Fall Nights + Camp Fire: An Evening in the Life

family playing guitar around a campfire

Fall is the one season that makes me miss living in the woods, especially on those perfectly crisp nights of fall that set the mood for a night by the fire making s’mores. I spent the evening with the B family at their homestead, which included visiting chickens, meeting their puppy, playing in the yard, exploring the tree house, throwing axes, and ending the evening with music, a fire, and marshmallows. While it’s technically still fall now, the cold is closing in and the days this week are among the shortest of the year. Fall here seems like such a short season, mostly because we stretch out our beach days as long as possible, sometimes nearly running into Halloween (the latest I’ve ever ocean swam without a wetsuit), but I treasure the memories we spent raising our kids in the woods when they were little.

This October Evening in the Life session was clearly a busy one, and I even got a turn with the ax throwing. Sadly, after my brief lesson from the B family, I am still terrible at it. We wanted to take some special portraits of their puppy, who is being trained to detect gluten in their food due to family allergies. I was amazed as she explained the whole process and wondered, “is there no limit to the goodness of dogs??” Their pup will grow into their family and protect them from harm. Plus, he’s super sweet and adorable.

My favorite moments of the night were listening to the music played by mom, dad, and their oldest daughter, while the other children played with the puppy and the fire crackled, keeping everyone warm as it got cooler. For a fall evening in the life of a family, it was a perfect one.

girl getting puppy ready to go outside
girl on swing with pet bunny
boy playing soccer with puppy
little girl hugging pet bunny
girl climbing tree and tree house
teenager hanging on fence
girl smiling at dad on her swing
two kids throwing axes at target
boy throwing ax at target
girl playing outside and sitting on tractor
woman with puppy
woman training puppy
little girl with braid looks at marshmallows being roasted
girl kissing her mom's cheek
family playing music and roasting marshmallows around a fire pit
teenage girl playing with her younger sister while their brother watches
girl playing ukulele by fire pit