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.

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Falling for Family Mini Sessions In NJ: Capture Your Favorite Moments

Falling for New Jersey Family Mini Sessions: Capture Your Favorite Moments This Autumm

As the leaves begin to change and the crisp air sets in, it's the perfect time to gather your loved ones and capture some precious memories. Fall is known for its stunning colors and cozy atmosphere, making it the ideal season for a family photo shoot. And what better way to do it than with a family mini session?

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Upscale family photography is where we shine at Shooting Star Photography..

As the leaves begin to change and the crisp air sets in, it's the perfect time to gather your loved ones and capture some precious memories. Fall is known for its stunning colors and cozy atmosphere, making it the ideal season for a family photo shoot. And what better way to do it than with a family mini session? These short and sweet sessions are perfect for busy families who want to capture their favorite moments in a down-to-earth and relaxed setting. In this blog post, we'll take you on a journey through a fall family mini session in New Jersey, where the beauty of the season and the love of family intertwine to create magical memories. Fall is the most popular time of year for outdoor family photo sessions, accounting for 40% of all seasonal photo shoots, according to PPA's market research.

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Love taking single portraits of each individual kiddo.

As always, we can provide dresses for our photo shoot. This is a Butterfly Closet dress.

The Irresistible Appeal of Fall in New Jersey

There's something truly magical about the fall season in New Jersey. The vibrant colors of the changing leaves, the crispness in the air, and the sense of cozy warmth that fills the forests. It's the perfect backdrop for capturing the essence of your family. Fall in New Jersey offers endless opportunities for family photography, from fun-filled sessions in pumpkin patches to picturesque portraits amidst the golden hues of the forest. With the breathtaking beauty of nature as your backdrop, you can create timeless images that capture the smiles, laughter, and family togetherness that make your family unique. These moments will become treasured memories, a part of your family legacy, forever.

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The three amigos in a beautiful portrait for mom and dad.

Capturing the Essence of Your Family

In the beautiful backdrop of South Jersey's fall forest, we will capture the true essence of your family. The laughter, the love, the moments that make your family unique. Through my lens, I'll freeze those candid interactions and genuine smiles, ensuring they are forever etched in your hearts. The vibrant colors of the fall foliage will only enhance the warmth and joy that radiates from your family. With every click of the camera, I will encapsulate the love and connection that brings you together. Trust me to create stunning images that you and your loved ones will cherish for a lifetime.

The Art of Crafting Lasting Memories

Preserving precious memories is an art form in itself. With the click of a camera, moments frozen in time become cherished memories that can be treasured for generations to come. As a photographer, I understand the importance of capturing not just smiles and poses, but the genuine love and connection that make your family unique. My goal is to create images that tell a story, that evoke emotions, and that transport you back to that moment in time. Every detail, every glance, and every laugh will be carefully preserved, ensuring that these memories will last a lifetime. Trust me to craft lasting memories that you and your loved ones can hold close to your hearts forever.

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Love this blazer and color combo.

Embracing the Magic of Mini Sessions

As you dive into the magic of family mini sessions, you'll quickly discover the joy they bring. These sessions are designed to capture the essence of your family in a short amount of time, making them perfect for busy schedules. It's about embracing the magic of the moment and creating memories that will last a lifetime. With the click of a camera, you'll be transported back to that special time, reliving the love, laughter, and connection that defines your family. Embrace the opportunity to freeze these fleeting moments and hold them close to your heart forever. It's time to fall in love with the magic of mini sessions and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Inviting You to Fall in Love with Family Photos

Fall is the perfect season to embrace the magic of family photos and create lasting memories with your loved ones. There's something incredibly special about capturing those genuine moments of love, laughter, and connection that define your family. With the beauty of the fall season in New Jersey as your backdrop, you can freeze these fleeting moments and hold them close to your heart forever. Whether it's a playful session in a pumpkin patch or a serene portrait amidst the golden hues of the forest, family mini sessions offer a down-to-earth and relaxed setting for capturing your favorite moments. Let me invite you to fall in love with the power of family photos and create timeless memories that will be cherished for generations to come.

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

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10 Fun Facts About South Jersey - From a Photographer

Top 10 facts about South Jersey.

Jersey is a special place to our residents. Come and visit for a spectacular location of a photoshoot. We have everything from “city like vibes”, to the beach and down home “country vibes.” Visit South Jersey today for your unique portrait experience with an amazing photographer.

I get a lot of clients who travel out of state. It can be like a mystery of the unknown to navigate South Jersey so I devised some little fun facts: 

South Jersey (the better half of Jersey, haha), located on the Atlantic coast of the US, is an incredible vacation destination known for its stunning beaches, diverse culinary options, amusement parks, celebrity residents (hey, shooting star wink wink.. kidding) and historical landmarks. I made it my life’s mission to showcase South Jersey. Check out my blog here.. if you don’t believe me. I have explored every nook and cranny from the bayshore to the Atlantic!

Check out my old South Jersey Adventures Blog!

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From Cape May to Camden in between.. there’s always an awesome place for shooting locations. It’s why I love South Jersey and love being a family photographer.


2. South Jersey residents love spending their summer days on the beach and refer to their beach excursions as "going down the shore." Visitors should try the local ice cream Maple Shade custard, a treat from Moster Softee or deliciousness from Cabana water ice. Take note that the topping of rainbow-colored candies are called "jimmies" instead of sprinkles.

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We love our soft custard and iconic Mister Softee. We also love doing photoshoots with them!

3. South Jersey has many diners that serve delicious food at any time of the day. Some are open 24 hours like the Westmont Family Restaurant. Many other great spots to try are Ponzio’s (a Cherry Hill tradition), Black Horse Diner, Vincentown and the Colonial Diner for locally sourced options.

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There’s always a magical flower field to be discovered in South Jersey.

4. The Wildwood Boardwalk offers amusement park rides, concerts, and street food, making it a fun summer destination for people of all ages. Sea Isle has a promenade due to the boardwalk being washed away during a bad storm in the last century. Atlantic City, which is famously mentioned in Bruce Springsteen's song, is another must-visit destination in South Jersey. Angelo’s Fairmount is a must to eat at (and a hot spot of Frankie Valle’s). Let’s not forget Cape May, Ocean City, Stone Harbor with its upscale restaurants and of course the quiet little beach island of LBI. 

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A family session in Ocean City, New Jersey is always a delight!


5. Visitors should try our famous hoagies (not a sub or submarine) a type of sandwich unique to South Jersey. Italian hoagie it is.. unless, in Atlantic City, you may call it a sub from White House Subs. The only exception. 

6. Don't let the stereotypes fool you; South Jersey is like a completely different state than North Jersey. We like different teams, call things by different names.. Acme is pronounced “ ackamee” and water is “wooder”. We have very different ways of life. In addition, South Jersey residents are known for their love of NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles and their ability to navigate the area's eccentric road features with ease.

7. History buffs- During the Revolutionary War, more battles were fought in New Jersey than any other state. There are many historical sites to visit. National Park, Hancock house, Indian King Tavern and the Gabreil Daveis Tavern are to make a few. 

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A maternity photoshoot at Batsto, NJ. (near the blueberry capital of the world).

8. We love our blueberries. Some of the most delicious little berries you will ever have in your life come from South Jersey. Named the official state fruit in 2004, blueberries were first cultivated in the town of Whitesbog, then later they spanned across many Pine Barrens towns, such as Hammonton, also known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World.” My kids eat these like they are going out of style!

9. We believe in a mythical creature that lurks in our forests. It is called, “The Jersey Devil.” It is a legendary creature said to inhabit the forests of the Pine Barrens in South Jersey. The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many variations and folklore about our beloved “monster.” 

10. The Delaware Bay (west coast of South Jersey) is home to the largest population of spawning horseshoe crabs in the world. Every spring, usually starting in May, warming waters stir the crabs from the depths of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the sandy coastlines of New Jersey’s bay shore. Horseshoes PREDATE dinosaurs. You also may be alive today due to this wonderful species. Horseshoe crab blood contains a unique enzyme called limulus amebocyte lysate, or LAL. It causes the blood to coagulate when exposed to bacterial endotoxins, which can be deadly. Biomedical companies use this special enzyme to test medicines, vaccines, implants, and more for endotoxins. It’s how they ensure medical equipment is safe for people. 

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Photoshoot over the Delaware River which is the origination of the Delaware Bay!

Overall, South Jersey offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, a wineries hike in the Pine Barrens or an exciting amusement park adventure. There’s always something to do in my home of South Jersey. Wink wink.. how about a photo session? 


Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

South Jersey lover, resident and aficionado.

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