Valentine’s Portraits | NJ & Philadelphia

Valentine’s Portraits in New Jersey & Philadelphia — Coming Soon 2026

Some love stories don’t need words.

They live in the quiet moments — a small hand reaching for yours, a shared laugh, the way someone looks at you when they think no one is watching. That feeling is the heart behind my Valentine’s Portraits, returning in 2026.

Set against a timeless stone staircase and framed by soft red florals, these portraits are designed to feel romantic, refined, and enduring — never themed, never overdone.

A romantic Valentine’s portrait backdrop featuring a heart-shaped arrangement of red florals on a timeless stone staircase, used for fine-art Valentine’s portraits in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

A Valentine’s Experience Designed to Last

This isn’t a backdrop you’ll outgrow.

The floral heart installation was created intentionally — classic textures, rich reds, and an editorial feel that lets emotion lead. The result is a portrait that feels like it belongs in a frame, not just a seasonal post.

These sessions are about love in all its forms:

• Children in their sweetest years

• Siblings with an unspoken bond

• Couples who want something elegant and natural

• Families who simply want to remember this season of life

Timeless Styling, Thoughtful Design

Valentine’s portraits are styled with simplicity and intention:

• Romantic florals without visual clutter

• Neutral tones that complement the stone setting

• Gentle guidance that keeps expressions natural and relaxed

The focus stays exactly where it should — on connection.

For Children, Couples & Families

This experience is perfect for:

• Children’s Valentine portraits with a fine-art feel

• Mom and child portraits (because you belong in the frame)

• Couples looking for romantic imagery without pressure

• Sibling portraits that feel genuine and timeless

Every session is approached with care, patience, and artistry.

A Meaningful Alternative to Valentine’s Gifts

Flowers fade. Chocolates disappear.

Portraits become heirlooms.

Valentine’s portraits make a thoughtful gift for partners, grandparents, or yourself — especially if you’ve been saying “we really need new photos” for years.

Serving South Jersey & Philadelphia

Based in South Jersey and serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas, I specialize in fine-art portrait experiences that are elegant, relaxed, and emotionally driven.

Each session is created to feel effortless — no stiff posing, no rushing — just beautiful, honest moments.

Coming Soon — Valentine’s Portraits 2026

Valentine’s sessions will be offered in limited availability on January 24th to ensure each family receives a fully curated experience.

Details and booking can be found via the button and it will take you to our booking site!

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

Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer- Ben Franklin Bridge

A Picture-Perfect Day.

As a South Jersey photographer, I’ve always believed that the setting of a portrait session can add as much to the photograph as the subject itself. This belief was wonderfully affirmed during a recent Ben Franklin Bridge photo shoot, where the iconic bridge served not just as a backdrop, but as a character in its own right. The star of the show, however, was a little girl in a blue dress, clutching gold balloons, her joy and innocence perfectly encapsulating the essence of childhood.

CLose-up of this lady!!! :) Hair blowing in the wind and all.

This little one was happy to have her birthday portraits at the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Why Choose the Ben Franklin Bridge for a Photo Shoot

Choosing the Ben Franklin Bridge for portraits offers an unparalleled blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty. The bridge stands as a majestic symbol between Philadelphia and New Jersey, with sweeping arches and stunning views that add a unique dimension to your family photoshoot. It’s a location where history and nature collide, making it a top choice for photographers in Philadelphia and South Jersey.

All smiles at sunset this one on the Ben Franklin Bridge!

Planning the Perfect Session with Minimal Effort

Planning a memorable portrait session can be stress-free with the right approach. For our Ben Franklin Bridge session, we kept things simple by choosing the golden hour for the best natural lighting. With a blue dress and gold balloons, we made minimal but impactful choices that allowed us to focus on capturing spontaneous moments of joy and wonder.

Got to get those baby face profiles!!!

The Little Girl in the Blue Dress – A Portrait Session That Sparked Magic

The true highlight of our shoot was the little girl, full of energy and curiosity, wearing a vibrant blue dress that contrasted beautifully with the industrial architecture of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Her laughter and joy were the perfect complement to this stunning location, and every moment was filled with whimsy, making this portrait session truly unforgettable.

All smiles for this twirling little monkey!

She’s thinking of summer and ice cream here.

Overcoming Challenges with Creativity

Every portrait photographer knows that photo shoots rarely go as planned. During our session on the Ben Franklin Bridge, we embraced unpredictability, letting the natural elements (like a playful breeze) and the energy of our subject guide the flow of the shoot. The results were enchanting, turning challenges into opportunities for creative storytelling.

All chill and relaxed. Wish I could be this chill!

Looking all cute as the sun is setting.

The Joy in a Child's Unscripted Moments

One of the biggest rewards of shooting with children is the unscripted moments that unfold naturally. The little girl’s spontaneous expressions and curious explorations led to photos that felt genuine and heartfelt. These moments are the heart of portrait photography, and they shine through in every image.

She’s looking out on the Delaware at a helicopter flying by, but made it look like art.

We switched to colored balloons now. Hey, got to love it.

Conclusion: Cherishing the Memories of Childhood

Reflecting on this day spent on the Ben Franklin Bridge, I'm reminded of how precious childhood moments truly are. The gold balloons, the blue dress, and the unforgettable backdrop of the bridge all came together to tell a beautiful story—a story that will be cherished forever in these timeless photographs.

Love this magical shot and this little birthday girl!!!

Give us a ring (I don’t even think people talk on the phone anymore), but contact us if you would like to schedule a magical and unique birthday photoshoot!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

Dreamy Cherry Blossom Sisters Shoot in Philadelphia

Behind The Lens: A Cherry Blossom Sisters Shoot in Philadelphia

As a photographer based outside of Philadelphia, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing all sorts of amazing moments around this beautiful city. But when I was approached to photograph a sisters' shoot surrounded by the blooming cherry blossoms at Fairmount Park, let’s just say I might have done a happy dance. (Don't judge me—it's a photographer thing.) This dreamy, pink-tinted shoot was everything I dreamed of and more, so I’m here to share a behind-the-scenes peek into the magic!

A beautiful young girl holding a delicate cherry blossom in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

The Concept of the Sisters Shoot: Sibling Goals, Am I Right?

When the idea for this sisters' shoot came to me, I was so on board. There’s something special about capturing the bond between siblings, and I was excited to showcase each sister's unique personality in a dreamy, fine-art style session. With the cherry blossoms in full bloom, I knew the backdrop would be nothing short of breathtaking.

I wanted to make sure we caught both the candid moments of them interacting and the pure joy that comes from sibling love. Plus, I mean, who wouldn’t want their childhood memories immortalized next to these stunning pink blossoms? It’s like the definition of romantic spring goals.

We even styled the shoot with soft pink tones to match the pastel-hued cherry blossoms, ensuring everything was as dreamy as a fairytale. The lush green of Fairmount Park and those gorgeous pink trees made it feel like a scene straight out of a movie, minus the special effects. (Well, minus most of the special effects.)

Two sisters share a joyful moment, smiling at each other while wearing elegant pink couture dresses during their photoshoot in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

Scouting the Perfect Spot at Fairmount Park: Nature's Hidden Gems

Finding the perfect location for a shoot is crucial—especially when the subject is a pair of sisters and the setting is a giant park with an insane amount of options. After a little wandering (okay, maybe a lot of wandering), I found the spot where the cherry blossoms were in full, Instagram-worthy bloom. The soft pink flowers were just begging to be in a shoot, and the combination of these flowers and the sisters in pink dresses? Absolutely picture-perfect.

As we got ready to shoot, I adjusted the lighting, moved a few branches (we photographers never touch the flowers, I swear), and made sure the frame was as dreamy as the sisters’ bond. Because in photography, it's all about making magic happen—whether it's with light, flowers, or a killer pair of dresses.

A young girl twirls gracefully in her pink dress, surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms and daffodils in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The vibrant spring flowers and soft pink hues create a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere during this dreamy photoshoot.

Capturing the Magic of Sibling Love: A Blossoming Bond

As the shoot progressed, I took full advantage of the gorgeous cherry blossoms and the playful chemistry between the sisters. Every smile, every little moment of them just being themselves made my job easier. Their pink dresses matched the surroundings way better than I had imagined. I was snapping shots left and right, making sure I captured everything from their giggles to the moments of sibling-seriousness (because, let’s be real, those happen, too).

Cherry blossoms gave us this magical atmosphere, and every picture radiated it. The sisters' personalities? They shone through in every frame—so much love and fun! Plus, golden hour was throwing in its two cents, casting this soft glow over the entire scene. It doesn’t get more photography-fairy-tale than that.

A close-up of a young girl with a radiant smile, surrounded by soft golden light during a cherry blossom photoshoot in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The warm glow enhances the enchanting and joyful atmosphere of the moment, capturing her beauty and the serenity of spring.

Golden Hour Magic: When the Light Turns Everything into Gold

If you don’t know what "golden hour" is, it’s the time just before sunset when the sun is casting the perfect soft, warm light over everything. It’s basically the photographer’s equivalent of winning the lottery. And lucky me—during the cherry blossom sisters shoot, golden hour was on my side. The sun made everything glow like it was dipped in honey (if that’s a thing), and I was able to play around with angles and shots to make sure we got that perfect shot.

A young girl joyfully twirling in a flowing pink couture dress amidst blooming cherry blossoms and daffodils in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The soft petals and vibrant flowers create a dreamy backdrop, highlighting her playful and carefree spirit during this magical photoshoot.

I experimented with lighting and composition (because that’s what cool photographers do), and the result was pure magic. From soft, romantic moments to the final frames as the light faded, it was the kind of shoot that made me look at the camera and think, "Did I just capture the best thing ever?"

The Challenge for Busy Parents: Trust Me, I Get It

I know how crazy life can be as a parent. Finding time for a photoshoot, scheduling, wardrobe coordination—it’s a lot. But capturing those memories? Totally worth it. So, I do everything I can to make the process smooth and stress-free. I work with parents to customize each session to meet their needs, ensuring it’s as simple as possible for everyone involved. And hey, I might even be able to throw in a few jokes to lighten the mood. (No guarantees, though.)

Two sisters sharing a joyful moment, posing and smiling in their elegant pink couture dresses surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The soft pastel hues and natural beauty of the park create a timeless and heartwarming portrait of their bond.

The Rewarding Experience: A Magical Day with Magical People

Looking back, I can confidently say this cherry blossom sisters shoot was one for the books. Capturing the sibling bond in such a breathtaking setting made this shoot one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. From the glowing golden hour to the timeless cherry blossoms, it was a session that felt like an enchanted memory in the making.

A magical fine art portrait of a young girl gracefully twirling in a pink dress, surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms in Philadelphia. The dreamy atmosphere captures the elegance and whimsy of the moment, showcasing the beauty of both the subject and the enchanting setting.

The final images are filled with laughter, love, and all the things that make siblings (and photography) so special. As a photographer, there’s nothing quite like giving families memories that they’ll treasure forever. And for me, that’s the real magic.

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

Check Out Some more cherry blossom portraits in Pennsylvania and NJ!