Documentary Family Photographer based in Ocean City, NJ

January 17, 2025

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 shopping open air market travel photography

poolside dj set travel photography costa rica

surf lessons in Playa Dominical Costa Rica

Yoga retreat in Costa Rica documentary photographer

dogs and surfers on the beach in Playa Dominical Costa Rica

hazy view from the ocean in Playa Dominical surf photographer

surfer at sunset in Playa Dominical Costa Rica

March 5, 2022

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

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

December 8, 2021

Fall Nights + Camp Fire: An Evening in the Life

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 playing outside and sitting on tractor

little girl with braid looks at marshmallows being roasted

family playing music and roasting marshmallows around a fire pit

teenage girl playing with her younger sister while their brother watches

December 3, 2021

Merry Christmas, OCNJ

ocean city New Jersey North Street Christmas tree

It’s beginning to look more and more like Christmas here in OCNJ as wreaths hang from the lampposts downtown, neighbors put up their lights, and the North Street Christmas tree is back, thanks to the McElwee family and friends. It’s a tradition that so many locals and visitors look forward to each year, and it was a little spark of joy for many who were stuck at home for the holidays in 2020. We wrote our names on shells and wishes for the new year and now our nightly walk with Arlo on the beach means we turn right instead of left, so we can see this little tree in all her glory.

On a beautiful November day, the 2021 tree went up with some helpful hands. The only complaint that could be heard was the lack of waves on an otherwise perfect winter beach day. To follow along this season, check @mothergypsea on Instagram where Sue McElwee posts her tree updates!