Fine Art Family Photography Stories & Resources
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.
Explore Portrait Experiences:
NJ Shore Spectacular Family Portrait Session
Capture family memories with a Jersey Shore portrait session. Stunning beach backdrops and fun-filled moments in Ocean City, NJ. Book your session today.
A Photographer’s Dream at the Jersey Shore.
Playing in the sand at the New Jersey Shore. Loved this beach photography session!
The Jersey Shore is a popular vacation destination located along the coast of New Jersey. It offers miles of sandy beaches, a lively boardwalk, and a plethora of fun activities for the entire family. One of the best ways to capture your memories is through Jersey Shore beach portraits.
Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. Dolphins were dancing this night!
Love this beautiful capture of both sisters!
Capturing the Joy of Three Playful Siblings
We had the privilege of capturing the heartwarming moments of three remarkable children. Meet these incredible kiddos who radiate joy and innocence, making for a truly memorable photoshoot.
The kiddos enjoying their beach session and all smiles under Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ.
Double the Fun with the Twin Sisters
This dynamic duo shines brighter than the sun itself. These lovely twin sisters bring twice the joy, laughter, and fun to any adventure. Dressed in similar tutu du monde outfits that beautifully complement their blonde and brunette hair. Together, they exude a captivating energy that creates an effortless harmony in every frame.
The bond between these two sisters is undeniable; their smiles mirror one another, while their sparkling eyes are filled with pure mischief. You can almost hear their laughter echoing through the photographs as they splash in the crystal-clear water and build sandcastles with unwavering determination.
Smiling away on the Jersey Shore Beach.
The Energetic, Adorable Brother
In the midst of these incredible twins stands their charming brother, an uncontainable burst of energy and curiosity. While he may be older, his youthful exuberance matches theirs perfectly. With his sandy blond hair glistening in the sunlight and an infectious smile that radiates joy, this little gentleman grabs your attention from the moment you lay eyes on him.
The brother's enthusiasm for life is contagious. Whether he's digging deep into the sand, playfully splashing in the water, or chasing seagulls along the shore, his spirit is never dampened. His love for his sisters is obvious, always making sure to include them in his escapades while sharing secret childhood jokes and grinning mischievously.
We are all smiles for our magical beach portraits in NJ.
Atlantic City | An Unforgettable Adventure
Witnessing these three siblings together creates an atmosphere of magic and excitement. With sand between their toes and the soft sound of waves crashing against the shore, time seems to stand still as they create everlasting memories. Their laughter fills the air as they embrace every moment in their playful exploration, reminding us all to indulge our inner child.
You got to have fun on the Atlantic City Boardwalk!
The children enjoying the breeze at the Jersey Shore.
Our team at Shooting Star Photography LLC was honored to be part of this incredible day, capturing the magic of these three amazing kiddos. These photographs will forever serve as a testament to the precious bond shared by these siblings, an enduring reminder of the joy and love they radiate.
If you're looking for heartwarming moments frozen in time, contact us at Shooting Star Photography LLC. We exist to capture the beauty and treasured moments of life, just like we did for these wonderful children.
Love tutu du monde for beach portraits and I love how she’s looking out at the ocean in Atlantic City, NJ.
Ocean City, NJ Portraits
It is such a fantastic place to start your Jersey Shore vacation.
Known as America's Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City boasts a wide range of activities and attractions, including a 2.5-mile-long boardwalk, amusement parks, water parks, mini-golf courses, and excellent restaurants. The town also has one of the cleanest and safest beaches on the East Coast, making it an ideal location for a family vacation.
These kids… crack me up!
When it comes to Jersey Shore beach portraits, timing is everything. The best time to schedule your portrait session is during the golden hour, which is an hour before sunset when the sun casts a beautiful golden glow across the beach. The golden hour provides the perfect lighting for capturing stunning and memorable photos of your family.
There are several great beaches along the Jersey Shore that are perfect for beach portraits. Brigantine, Avalon, Ventnor, Margate, Longport, Sea Isle, Cape May, and Wildwood are just a few of the many options available. Each of these beaches has its own unique features and scenery, such as dunes, lighthouses, and jetties, providing the perfect backdrop for your photos.
Can you believe this kid is now over 6 foot tall? he sky rocketed after this session!
Need to twirl my sisters… Check.. Mom… you owe me!
Under the pier and beautiful lighting.
All smiles and a nice dip from a hot day with our beach photo shoot. We had soooo much fun!
In addition to beach portraits, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy along the Jersey Shore. Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Playland's Castaway Cove, and Morey's Piers are just a few of the amusement parks that offer a variety of rides and attractions for kids of all ages. The boardwalks are lined with shops, restaurants, and arcades, providing endless entertainment options for the whole family.
Overall, the Jersey Shore and Ocean City NJ offer an excellent vacation destination for families looking for a fun and memorable summer vacation. Be sure to book your beach portrait session during the golden hour to capture the perfect family photo and don't forget to explore all that the Jersey Shore has to offer!
Happy Shooting, My Friends!
Dee Giumetti
Shooting Star Photography
Becoming a Photographer in 2023
Being a South Jersey photographer in 2023, is fun yet challenging. Some facts and information if wanting to get into the photography business.
The year 2023 is bringing a lot of changes to the photography industry. With AI art being created with just a few keywords, the AI is actually pretty good and beats most composite work, which saves time. There are also AI editing software programs like Imagen, which is a game changer for most wedding photographers and high volume photographers. It essentially "learns your editing style" over time while using the program and can virtually mimic your work completely, then batch edit your work for you.
Imagen is not the only game changer in the photography industry; there are other top dogs like Luminar Neo, which comes highly rated. These tools will not cause photographers to lose jobs but will be another tool in the photography industry like Photoshop.
Social media is becoming a bit harder for its general reach, unless you pay Facebook or Instagram to promote your posts. If you are not constantly engaging with your audience, you won't get many likes. Your website presence is CRUCIAL in 2023. Having an effective SEO strategy is still the best way to reach a digital audience.
When you have a question, chances are you start with a Google search, right? If you're like 75% of other searchers, you’ll scroll briefly and generally stay on the first page of results. This is why keeping your website up to date with fresh content is critical. You can't just write five blogs and be done and revisit things in 2024. It requires consistent work and maintenance.
Google is also getting smarter at looking for BS content. They are aware people use tags in excess or if a site is manipulating its keywords to drive traffic. They want to see unique work and expertise in your chosen field. They do not want to see you posting your grandma's favorite cookie recipe when you are supposed to be a top financial planner. They want to see unique content for your line of work and also want you to engage with your specific audience.
As a photographer, running a business requires more than just creating beautiful images. We have to wear many hats and juggle multiple tasks to succeed. From web development and SEO to customer service and bookkeeping, the list of responsibilities can be daunting. We are not just artists, 95% of our tasks are business related. The other 5% “dedicated to our art.” On top of that, we have to deal with the public, which means we will encounter difficult clients from time to time.
However, the rewards of making lasting memories for families and being a part of their milestones make it all worth it.
To succeed as a photographer, you need to build a tough skin and develop a good business and marketing acumen. Most quit due to burn out within two to four years. THIS IS A STATISTICAL FACT.
In conclusion, running a photography business is challenging, but also rewarding. If you're passionate about capturing memories and helping families make lasting memories, it's a career worth pursuing. Just remember to build a strong foundation for your business, be resilient in the face of challenges, and always strive to deliver exceptional work.
Happy Shooting, my friends!
Dee Giumetti
Follow our journey around the Philadelphia Area.
