The Shooting Star Experience!
South Jersey Fine Art Family & Portrait Photographer
There are countless photographers in South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. What looks similar on the surface often feels very different once you’re actually standing in front of the camera.
The Shooting Star Experience isn’t about a studio, a single location, or a specific setup. It’s about how a session feels — calm, guided, intentional, and deeply connected to place. After more than a decade photographing families, children, and milestones throughout South Jersey and Philadelphia, that experience has evolved, refined, and strengthened with time.
And that evolution is intentional.
Our beautiful grounds and where it started in 2014!
An Experience Shaped by Time, Not Trends
I began my career in landscape photography, long before I was photographing families. Learning to see light, texture, and environment first shaped everything that came later. It taught me how to read a scene, how to wait for the right moment, and how to work with nature instead of against it.
That foundation still defines my work today.
Rather than photographing in one fixed location, I now bring that same thoughtful, grounded approach to carefully scouted outdoor settings across South Jersey and the surrounding region. From open fields and quiet trails to coastal spaces and seasonal landscapes, every location is chosen intentionally — for light, flow, and the way it allows families to relax and be present.
Calm, Guided, and Never Rushed
One of the most common things clients tell me is that they were nervous before their session — and surprised by how easy it felt once we started.
That’s not an accident.
The Shooting Star Experience is guided from beginning to end. You’re never left wondering what to do with your hands, how to stand, or whether your kids are “behaving well enough.” I give gentle direction while allowing space for real connection, laughter, and those in-between moments that matter most.
There’s no pressure to perform. No rushing. No stiff posing for the sake of a checklist.
Just space to breathe and be together.
Natural Light, Always
Natural light has always been at the heart of my work. I pay close attention to how light moves through a space, how it wraps, softens, and tells a story. Every session is planned around the best light for that location and season — not convenience, not trends.
This approach creates images that feel timeless, not trendy. Clean, artful, and emotionally grounded.
Deep Knowledge of South Jersey Locations
After photographing throughout South Jersey for more than ten years, I’ve scouted hundreds of locations across multiple counties — from quiet, lesser-known spots to iconic seasonal landscapes. That knowledge allows me to match families with locations that truly fit them, rather than forcing everyone into the same backdrop.
If you’re drawn to open spaces, coastal air, seasonal blooms, or something quietly understated, I guide you toward a setting that feels natural and unforced.
You don’t need to know where to go. That’s my job.
A Thoughtful, Personal Process
From planning to delivery, the experience is designed to feel personal and unhurried.
I take time to understand what matters to you — not just what the photos should look like, but how you want to remember this season of life. Sessions are collaborative, supportive, and centered around comfort, especially for children.
Families often tell me that the session felt less like a photoshoot and more like time well spent together. That’s always the goal.
More Than a Session
The Shooting Star Experience isn’t about checking a box or creating images for social media alone. It’s about creating work that lives on walls, in albums, and in memory — work that still feels honest years from now.
Styles evolve. Businesses change. But intention, care, and artistry endure.
If you’re looking for a South Jersey photographer who values experience as much as imagery, who understands light, place, and people — and who brings more than a camera to your session — I would love to work with you.
Warmly,
Dee
Shooting Star Photography
Fine art family and portrait sessions throughout South Jersey and Philadelphia.
