Upcoming Fall Unicorn Sessions

Sisters are enjoying their day with our magical unicorn experience at Shooting Star Photography.

There is nothing more special than unicorn sessions! The smile on your child's face when they see Drifter, the magical unicorn, is well worth every penny. For every session, we offer our full line of luxury dresses. All you need to do is show up and smile. We have you covered. What is even better is that Drifter will be in a upcoming unicorn movie on Netflix. We cannot wait for his movie star launch!

I really think we sometimes live in this huge bubble of life.  It’s a bubble where time just flies by. Day to day, things seem to be going by quicker. Before you know it, a whole week, month, or year has flown by. 

That’s why it is important to capture memories of your growing family. New additions, children, dogs, cats (and the occasional ferret) to be included. It’s important. One day, these important people may not be here and it’s all you honestly have left. That’s why my job is tremendously important. With these unicorn sessions, it is a magical experience for your child to reflect back on. It's about the memories. Childhood SHOULD BE MAGICAL. That's what we love creating at Shooting Star.

We want you to walk away with the most beautiful memories and the best childhood experience.

Magical Unicorn Sessions taken in a stunning forest in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

Hey, lets go on a ride and run around the forest Drifter, okay? Let’s watch the leaves fall. It is gorgeous this time of year!

Magical Unicorn Photographer in the Philadelphia area. We love making magic. Client is wearing Anna Triant.

Perfect posing with this little lady in the magical unicorn forest of South Jersey.

Client is wearing dollcake, one of my favorite designers.

If you are interested in booking our next magical unicorn experience, the link can be found here. Date will be the end of February 2022.

https://shootingstarphotographyllc.bigcartel.com/product/saturday-february-26th-magical-unicorn-session

Hope to see you here. As always, we can be reached at 8568577299 or via email shootingstarsouthjersey@gmail.com

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Deirdre Giumetti

Shooting Star Photographer

Our Magical Sessions!

Did you know unicorns are not found in Greek mythology? They are actually in accounts of their natural history! For Greek writers, they were convinced that unicorns were real. Not only were unicorns written about in Greece (Mesopotamia), they were also written in texts in the ancient text myths of India and China.  The first mention of unicorns are written in 2700BC!! Unicorns are described as a creature of great power and wisdom. It's no wonder why adults and children love them!There is nothing more spectacular and fulfilling then to make a child smile! A pure, genuine, happy smile. No fakery, just kids being themselves. It's every artist's dream to achieve that in their work. It's what I strive for in EVERY SINGLE SESSION. I want the best for my clients, every single time. When I get inquiries from parents that are looking for birthday photos with the classic cheesy smiles, it's just not in line with the work we do. We turn folks away. It's about managing expectations. We don't want you to waste a cent on something that is not us and something we cannot deliver. Life is too busy to waste! I want to talk about out our magical unicorn sessions. We love them. It's not just a photo shoot to us, it's an experience for all who are involved. We bring two racks of dresses, headpieces and of course, the showstopper... the unicorn! You have a ton of princess dresses to choose from. We bring a changing tent so that you can have your privacy and get ready. All you need to do is show up! Everything is on location.Safety is huge for us. We have extra insurance because we are working with a live animal. We also contract with an experienced professional/handler who is also insured. The ponies we work with are experienced. Most are twenty plus years old and their behavior is pretty predictable at this stage in their life. The ponies we use, are use to being around children. A lot of them do pony parties and riding lessons. It's important that safety comes first in every single unicorn session we do. It's why we have an age limit for these types of sessions. Our goal is to not only provide you with beautiful imagery, but we want your children to feel safe and to have a magical experience! We really love creating these sessions for our customers. We have one date left this year. It is a rescheduled date. If interested, please email us, or fill out our contact form! We'd love to work with you! Happy Shooting, my friends! DeeShooting Star PhotographyNew Jersey Photographer          

Check out what we have in store this winter!

Magical Unicorn Sessions in South Jersey!

Magical unicorn sessions are a whimsical and enchanting experience where the focus is on capturing the beauty and charm of these mystical creatures. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we bring your unicorn dreams to life through our expertly crafted sessions. Our team is dedicated to creating a magical atmosphere where you can bond with these fantastical beings and create stunning, one-of-a-kind images.

During a magical unicorn session, you can expect a neutral and professional approach as we work to document the unique connection between you and the unicorn. Our skilled photographers are experienced in capturing the essence of these magical moments, ensuring that each image reflects the wonder and joy of the experience.

Whether you're looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to indulge in a bit of fantasy, our magical unicorn sessions are sure to leave you spellbound. Contact us today to schedule your own enchanting session and let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime.

Petting her unicorn in the most magical South Jersey forest.

Unicorns are undeniably awesome creatures that capture our imagination with their mystical charm. With their beautiful, ethereal appearance and the mesmerizing shimmer of their single, spiral horn, unicorns embody a world of magic and wonder. These enchanting beings symbolize purity, grace, and strength, inspiring us to believe in the extraordinary. Beyond their ethereal beauty, unicorns are also known for their innate ability to bring joy and happiness, making them beloved by people of all ages. Whether it's in mythical tales or modern folklore, unicorns hold a special place in our hearts as a symbol of hope and fantastical adventures.

Even though you tend to see similar themes in the industry, I try to make those themes unique and my own. It's the distinctive style that folks hire me for. It's something I have strived and worked on and with only 2 years in this business (Yep, incorporated in February 2015), I still have a lot of growing pains to work out. For example, overbooking, charging not my worth with the quality I continue to push out. I purchase these high end designer gowns in the $500-$700 range and then charged $250 a session with all digitals.

This will wear anyone out.. but this is also the story of anyone new in this industry. Who hasn't figured things out and needs to make adjustments as you move forward... to just be overall BETTER.This July we are doing Magical Unicorn Sessions.. in a Winterland theme. Lots of winter greens will be used. Winter capes, furs, the whole nines. Today, after a few issues in getting the correct converter for the output of our heavy duty snow machine, we finally put things through the ringer and everything is working as planned. So for our upcoming unicorn sessions, we will have snow. REAL SNOW. Not a snow overlay.

We want folks to have a magical experience whenever we come to us and we feel this will be an added benefit.  Here's a video of the snow machine hooked up to our vehicle for our test run... It was a success! We can't wait to use it for upcoming sessions! 

Another thing I wanted to stretch on...

With Facebook’s new algorithm of changes that occurred last month, it’s more and more important as not just photographers, but overall small business owners to keep their websites up to date with the most current information. Facebook has made it harder and harder for you to reach your audience because they want you to PAY to be seen.

This is where blogging comes into play. You should be updating on current work, projects, or happenings. Most say people don’t read this stuff, but they do. This is important and vital. I receive a about 30% of my business via web searches. Facebook was the majority last year, however with recent changes, it’s become fewer in between. The reach is abysmal especially when launching specials, mini sessions, or honestly anything across the board these days. This is a dawn of a new age and it’s time to start thinking smarter not harder.You can’t continue on doing the same things if you aren’t getting anywhere.

It’s a new way and era and if you think Instagram may be the answer.. it isn’t. They are also making changes. What you need to focus on is in person meetings and encounters, trade shows, word of mouth (which is HUGE,this is where a majority of my business comes from) or via different marketing means.. like Sue Bryce’s voucher program.

One thing with me is consistency. Consistency is key. RARELY and I say this wholeheartedly.. Rarely do I have a bad session and not like the results. This is how picky I have become though.. in regards to shooting times, locations, outfits.. It’s something you learn and keep learning to bust out the best results for your clients.

It’s been a CRAZY year.. with mini sessions and full sessions, we’ve done about 550 sessions. Which is a tremendous volume especially for an outdoor photographer and whose months are March to November as their busy season.

As it starts to get slower, these next few months I am going to happily share more of this gorgeous sessions. It’s been a pure joy to be the best of South Jersey. Okay, maybe not the BEST, however we feel our work is different and doesn’t look like every photographer out there in the area. It seems everyone is doing the same things. Why be mundane when you can have something different and marvelous. We are all about elegance, light and true emotive captures. We’ve worked hard to separate ourselves and hope this shows in our work. We love every family that comes our way and have worked with the same families… often times 5/6 times per year.

 If you would like the last spot in this winter wonderland unicorn session or more information, you can find this here! Hope to see you here!

Unicorn Session Information

Remember we travel the entire Delaware Valley region.. all of South Jersey (Moorestown, Cherry Hill, Pitman, Jersey Shore, Cape May, Vineland, Moorestown, Marlton, Medford... Philadelphia suburbs mainline Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, and up to Bucks county (north) and as far west as Lancaster, Northern Delaware, Parts of Central NJ (for example Princeton area), and northern Maryland. Let us create something magical for you!  We're in for a huge 2018!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee  

Unicorn Sessions-Photography is EASY. Not.

Unicorn magical sessions in south Jersey

Unicorn photography is a unique and specialized skill that requires a keen eye, creativity, and technical expertise. Capturing the enchanting essence of these mythical creatures demands the ability to harness and enhance their mystique through the lens. Unicorn photography requires a deep understanding of lighting, composition, and perspective to bring out the ethereal beauty in each shot. The responsibility lies in the photographer's hands to emphasize the magical qualities of the unicorn while capturing their grace and allure. To possess the skill of unicorn photography is to possess the power to transport viewers into a world where dreams come alive, igniting a sense of wonder and awe that only these majestic creatures can awaken.

Photography is simple everyone can do it.

I am going to explain to you in rich and lavish detail.. It is not. In fact, it's been one of my hardest jobs of my life. It's time to get a little personal and about business here! :)

First off, I got into photography while running a travel blog many moons ago. I worked in corporate America previously. You can google me if you want, you'll see me pop up in a few news articles and probably see the books have written. Bleh bleh bleh.. right? I am boring you. Hold on!

I LOVED taking photos. Didn't know much about light and would just snap this, that, and the air. It honestly didn't matter. I didn't edit them either. I just loved it. For me, it was the thrill of exploring that particular place or landscape and taking a picture as a token that I've been there.

Well... out plops my son and then my daughter. At this point, I decided to flip tables, change things up a bit and to photograph them. These important moments because they change SO FAST were important for me to capture. So like many photographers, I got into portrait photography because of them.

This little lady enjoed being photographed with her puppy the unicorn.

Again... easy peasy, right? Hold your horses, will ya?

I started taking photos and learning my camera settings. Learning about light. Lots of trial and error. Friends saw these photographs and wanted their pictures done. Now, at this time... I thought I was dabomb.com. I wasn't. I was terrible. I'm now doing some of my friend's photographs and thinking hmmm.. this is easy maybe I should start a business....

And I did. Decided to incorporate my business in February of 2015. At this time, I STILL thought I was awesome. 

There were no clients. It was crickets. I'm like oh $45 is too expensive... let me lower them to $35 and give a ton of images. I continued to blog and at this point is when things got busy for me. I was taking workshops and learning online. I was building my lens collection. My work was starting to get noticed.

Then things got super busy. So by end of fall season.. I am practically ripping my hair out. $100 sessions (yep, raised them from those whopping $35 sessions) and I am spending 2 hours on one photograph editing. A total waste of time and resources. Time away from my own kiddos she family. It was awful. At this time, I continued to book like crazy and am virtually winging it and going day by day.

So tax time comes around... and this was my ah ha moment. Seeing how much money owed and realizing I wasn't charging enough to even make minimum wage and that I technically wasted so much of my time for PENNIES. I was seriously working for PENNIES and this was the second year. The numbers don't lie.

The first year, was even worse I was basically paying myself to work. I put the family virtually in debt because always wanted the latest and greatest shiniest things. You eventually realize you don't need those things.

We always need to get a nice pet in too. With our beautiful unicorns.

So come 2017... those few years have learned and learned well. I had to make a decision to either start making a profit... or I need to quit.

What I am trying to say is this. There are so many folks that end up burned out in this business. They have no real plan. They love what they do, but they often lack on the business side. They have no business plan m or marketing set in motion. They lack motivation because it can be a frustrating and very confusing start.

Now, one thing with myself. I am a go getter. I always had a plan. My plan wasn't enough when I started.I was super busy and was afraid to raise my pricing to where I should be priced at with my talent and worth.

I made it a point to offer a full session experience this year. Offering high end custom made gowns for my company.

We also tackled on limited series sessions. Such as unicorns, mermaids and princess castle sessions. Because I was so busy.... I ended up hiring my mom to come onboard full time to be my assistant. I love working with my mom. Not many daughters can say this and I'm sure would love the opportunity to work with your own mom.

I noticed office work starting slugging behind. When that happens, customer service starts to slip... so have had to hire an office manager to keep things running smoothly, so that we can provide our customers with the service they expect and honestly the best. We don't like offering anything less than the best...asWe are completely full service.

So... for now and going forward we have a concrete plan. I have a team at my disposal to insure I give my clients the best and they are your team, too. We have your back.

This is not an easy job, I work 24/7 at every waking hour to make my business better. No one told me going into this, that I would spend most of my time on the business end and not shooting/editing. A huge misconception most photographers have getting into this.

What I am saying is if you want a well-organized and run photography business. That will WOW you from beginning to end in the Philly area.. you've found it. We're right here. We're not going anywhere. We've only just started!

Upcoming Unicorn Sessions! South Jersey Photographer

South Jersey Photographer- Unicorn Sessions A Captivating Experience!

Experience the enchantment of a unicorn session in the picturesque landscapes of New Jersey. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we believe in capturing the pure magic and whimsy that surrounds these mythical creatures. Step into a fairy tale world as you adorn our exquisite dresses and sparkling tiaras, transforming into a princess ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure. We will skillfully capture your moments of wonder and awe as you interact with majestic unicorns, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Let us enchant you with a unicorn session that will transport you to a realm where dreams come true.

Unicorns are often celebrated for their mythical and magical allure. Their symbolization of purity, grace, and enchantment captivates the imagination of many. With their majestic horn and iridescent mane, unicorns spark joy and wonder in both children and adults alike. The allure of unicorns lies in their ability to transport us to a world where endless possibilities exist, where dreams come true, and where magic thrives. The enchanting charm of unicorns is a delightful reminder to embrace the whimsical side of life and indulge in the fantastical mysteries that the world has to offer.

Little girl in a blue dollcake dress… smiling for a unicorn portrait session in New Jersey!

As we get into the cooler weather, here in South Jersey, we have some exciting sessions coming up! We're giddy with excitement! The first one that is up is UNICORNS. That's right. In two weeks, our once again, 3rd time sell out of unicorn sessions will take place. Many girls and boys will gather for this beautiful fall-inspired.. yet pastel theme. Our unique "unicorn" will have her own unique look as well. New horn, beautiful floral halo. Etc. Etc. Etc. New flowers.

New pretty much everything for this shoot. I think it's going to be gorgeous with the already changing leaves outside. As this will be another dreamy magical forest location!We're excited to hold these and can't wait to do these next year! I have also purchased unicorn inspired gowns to go along with this September's theme! 

Stay tuned as we post more information as Fall comes along! It's going to be a rocking end of year! No one does it better in South Jersey as we truly do make it a distinctive session for every boy and girl and with every single session we do. We give 100% from start to finish. We do this because we really do love what we do. To me sessions are all about bringing magic to a child's eyes and making each and every child feel special! If you would like to get on next spring's list for the magical unicorn experience, feel free to reach out! 

Happy Shooting, my friends! 

Dee Owner of Shooting Star Photography