Fine Art Family Photography Stories & Resources

little girl in a vintage dress hugging a pony in an orchard outside of Philadelphia for a sweet moment

A journal for families seeking timeless portraits across South Jersey, Philadelphia, and the surrounding region.

This journal shares fine-art family photography stories, session inspiration, and location guides for families throughout South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. Each post is designed to help parents plan meaningful portrait experiences while exploring the artistry behind Shooting Star Photography’s heirloom approach.

Santa Sessions Shooting Star Photography Santa Sessions Shooting Star Photography

Top 5 Reasons Our Santa Claus Sessions Are the Most Magical NJ and Philly

Magical Santa photo sessions in South Jersey & Philadelphia. Private, cozy portraits with the real Santa! Limited spots—book your holiday session now.

The Top 5 Reasons Our Santa Claus Sessions Are the Most Magical in South Jersey and Philadelphia

If you’ve ever dreamed of giving your child the kind of Santa experience you wish you had growing up (you know, without the mall lines, the rushed photo, and the awkward beard tug), our Annual Christmas Sessions with Santa Claus might just become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Every year, families from across South Jersey, Philadelphia, and even Northern Delaware come to our magical Santa sessions—and they leave with more than just a stunning fine art portrait. They leave with a memory their child will treasure forever.

Looking for Santa Claus photo sessions near Philadelphia or South Jersey?
Our annual Santa experience is a limited seasonal event. You can view full details, dates, and availability.

Santa Christmas Portraits

So what makes our sessions so different from the typical “stand in line, sit on lap, say cheese” experience? Here are the top five reasons why Shooting Star Photography’s Santa sessions are unlike anything else in the area:

Brother and sister sitting with Santa Claus during a magical Christmas photo session in South Jersey.

When siblings believe in the magic of Christmas, Santa believes right back.

1. Our Santa is the Real Deal 🎅✨

We don’t just hire any guy in a red suit. Our Santa looks, acts, and feels like the North Pole sent him straight to South Jersey for the day. The beard is real. The belly laughs are genuine. And his ability to instantly connect with your child? Absolute magic.

Even the most skeptical kids leave whispering, “He’s the real one.” And honestly, we believe it too.

Joyful Santa portrait of siblings in a fine art Christmas photoshoot in New Jersey.

A cozy moment with Santa—just two little believers and a whole lot of Christmas wonder.

2. Private, Relaxed Sessions—No Lines, No Stress

Mall Santas are fine… if your child enjoys being stared at by 47 strangers and rushed off the set in under a minute.

At our sessions, you get private one-on-one time with Santa in a cozy, festive setup. Your child gets to really talk to Santa, share their wish list, read a story, maybe even help him check the Naughty & Nice List (spoiler: they always make the nice list with us). It’s calm. It’s sweet. It’s a moment you'll never forget.

Child smiling with Santa in a cozy holiday studio setting in the Philadelphia area.

This is what holiday memories are made of—joy, wonder, and a visit from the real Santa.

3. Hand-Edited, Fine Art Portraits 📸🎄

This isn’t your standard snapshot. These are heirloom-quality portraits you’ll want to hang on the wall every Christmas season (and maybe never take down).

We specialize in fine art photography that blends a painterly feel with real childhood wonder. From soft lighting to magical edits, your child’s Santa moment will look straight out of a Christmas storybook. That’s what makes our Santa sessions feel so different from the typical holiday photo experience.

Joyful holiday image of a girl with Santa during a fine art Christmas session in New Jersey.

She came ready for Christmas magic—and Santa absolutely delivered.

4. A Fully Magical Experience (Not Just a Photo)

Our Santa sessions go beyond photography. We create an immersive experience—think cookies, letters to Santa, vintage props, and whimsical storytelling.

It’s not just about getting the photo—it’s about letting your child live the magic of Christmas. (And yes, we’ve had parents cry. Happy tears. You’ve been warned.)

Two children smiling with Santa Claus during a joyful holiday photo session in South Jersey.

Smiles, sparkle, and Santa—the perfect recipe for Christmas magic.

5. Tradition, Connection, and Christmas Joy ❤️

We’ve had families book every single year since our very first Santa event. Why? Because this isn’t just about checking a photo off your holiday to-do list.

It’s about building a memory your children will talk about forever. It's about connection, tradition, and slowing down for something beautiful during the most chaotic season of the year.

Bonus: They Book Up Fast. Like, really fast. We only take a limited number of Santa clients each year to ensure each family gets the time and magic they deserve.

Whether you're coming from Camden County, Gloucester County, Bucks County, or the Main Line, this is one holiday event worth making part of your Christmas traditions.

So go ahead and give your child something even better than a present this year—a moment they’ll remember forever.

Santa is waiting.
(And he told us you made the nice list.)

Dee
Shooting Star Photography
Serving Philadelphia, Mainline, Northern Delaware, and all of Southern New Jersey.

Our Santa sessions are limited and offered only once a year.
To view full session details, locations, and booking information, visit our Santa Christmas Portraits page.

Read More
Santa Sessions Shooting Star Photography Santa Sessions Shooting Star Photography

A Magical Evening with Santa-Addison Street Shoot

A Magical Evening with Santa-Addison Street Shoot

Join us at Shooting Star Photography LLC on Saturday, September 30th, for our enchanting Santa Claus Sessions. We are thrilled to announce that this year's sessions will take place at a mesmerizing location adorned with dazzling lights and a touch of class. As the weather should be cool but not freezing, it creates the perfect atmosphere for capturing your little ones' joy and excitement in their holiday portraits.

christmas, addison street, south jersey, family photographer, haddon township, santa sessions, new jersey, santa claus, audubon santa, philadelphia photographer, mullica hill, cherry hill, haddonfield, moorestown, sicklerville, blackwood, deptford,

Join us at Shooting Star Photography LLC on Saturday, September 30th, for our enchanting Santa Claus Sessions. We are thrilled to announce that this year's sessions will take place at a mesmerizing location adorned with dazzling lights and a touch of class. As the weather should be cool but not freezing, it creates the perfect atmosphere for capturing your little ones' joy and excitement in their holiday portraits.

Capturing the Magic of Santa Claus: A Special Photography Session

As the crisp autumn breeze rustles the leaves and hints of winter's arrival begin to fill the air, there's a certain enchantment that surrounds the holiday season. For many, that enchantment is embodied by the beloved figure of Santa Claus. The jolly man in red, with his twinkling eyes and hearty laughter, has a magical way of bringing joy and wonder to both young and old. And this year, on Saturday, September 30th, we have an extraordinary opportunity to capture that magic through the lens of our cameras.

Picture this: a cool, not freezing, September evening, the streets adorned with a dazzling display of lights that seem to have sprung straight from a fairy tale. It's a scene that sets the stage for an unforgettable photography session where we'll be taking family portraits and inviting Santa Claus himself to interact with the children.

The Magic of Santa Claus

santa claus, photography, santa claus session, south jersey, blackwood, haddon township, audubon, cherry hill, mullica hill, mt  laurel, deptford, ocean city, hammonton, south jersey photographer, family photographer,

The Santa that will be at this magical Christmas Session! He is magical!

Santa Claus, known by various names across the world, has been a symbol of hope, generosity, and love for generations. He represents the embodiment of the holiday spirit, the joy of giving, and the belief in the extraordinary. Even as adults, we can't help but feel a sense of childlike wonder when we see him.

Capturing the Moments

christmas, magic, family photographer, south jersey, cherry hill, sicklerville, blackwood, philadelphia photographer, christmas session, new jersey santa,  santa claus photos, santa studio sessions, south jersey best photographer, mullica hill,

This street is amazing!!!The light is always really fantastic.

Photography is a powerful art form that allows us to freeze moments in time, preserving memories that can be cherished for a lifetime. What better way to commemorate the magic of Santa Claus than by capturing it in beautifully composed photographs?

As the sun sets and the golden hour approaches on that Saturday evening, the soft, warm light will cast a gentle glow on families gathered on the magical street. It's the perfect setting for family portraits, where smiles, laughter, and moments of connection will be frozen in time. This is an opportunity for families to come together and create memories that will last for generations.

Santa Claus, the Heart of the Session

Of course, the star of the show is none other than Santa Claus himself. He will be there, decked out in his finest holiday attire, ready to interact with the children. The magic in his eyes and the joy in his heart will be palpable as he listens to the wishes of each child and poses for photos that will be treasured forever.

The children, wide-eyed and filled with excitement, will have a chance to share their holiday wishes with Santa Claus. Whether they want a specific toy, a special family moment, or simply to be on the nice list, Santa will listen attentively and offer a sprinkle of his magical charm.

The Enchanted Street

The setting for this photography session is just as important as the subjects themselves. The street adorned and lined with classy string lights, will transport everyone to a winter wonderland, despite the cool September evening. The shimmering lights will create a warm, inviting atmosphere that complements the joy and magic of the holiday season. Addison Street a special street in Philadelphia and it is magical!

Creating Lasting Memories

In an era where we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, moments like these are precious. The magic of Santa Claus isn't just for children; it's a reminder of the importance of belief, joy, and connection. These photographs will serve as tangible reminders of the magic we can experience when we come together as families and communities.

So mark your calendars for Saturday, September 30th, and join us on this enchanting journey to capture the magic of Santa Claus. It's an opportunity to create cherished memories and to revel in the warmth of the holiday season, even before the first snowflake falls. Don't miss out on this unique photography session where we'll freeze moments of joy and wonder that will last a lifetime.

Limited spots are remaining and we hope to see you for this magical event!

Happy Shooting, my friend!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

Read More

Follow our journey around the Philadelphia Area.