Breakfast at Tiffany's Shoot!-Philadelphia Photographer

Breakfast at Tiffany's Inspired Photo Shoot in Philadelphia @Tiffany's

Greetings from Shooting Star Photography LLC! We are excited to share that we recently had a wonderful opportunity to capture a Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired photo shoot right at Tiffany's in Philadelphia. The iconic elegance and charm of the timeless classic was brought to life against the backdrop of this historic city.

Our team was thrilled to play with the sophisticated styles and classic glamour reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's iconic character. From the elegant black dresses to the statement accessories, every detail exuded a touch of vintage charm blended with modern sophistication.

The shoot captured the essence of a luxurious breakfast setting, with the beautiful Tiffany's store as the perfect setting. The soft morning light filtering through the windows added a dreamy quality to the photographs, enhancing the overall elegance of the scene.

The models exuded grace and style, perfectly embodying the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's aesthetic. Their poses and expressions conveyed a sense of timeless beauty and sophistication that truly brought the theme to life.

As photographers, it was a delight to work in such an iconic location and bring a beloved story to life through our lens. The juxtaposition of classic elegance and urban chic in the heart of Philadelphia provided a unique and unforgettable backdrop for this special photo shoot.

We are eager to share the final images from this enchanting Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired photo shoot and hope that they capture the essence of this timeless tale in a fresh and captivating way.

Thank you for joining us on this creative journey as we continue to explore new inspirations and push the boundaries of our artistry.

Warm regards, Shooting Star Photography LLC

Such a classic black and white portrait. Our Breakfast at Tiffany’s Philadelphia photo shoot!

Close up of this natural beauty!

Twirling around in front of Tiffany’s!

Breakfast at Tiffany's: An Iconic and Enchanting Photography Session

Breakfast at Tiffany's, the classic 1961 film directed by Blake Edwards, has captivated audiences for decades with its timeless charm and sophisticated aesthetic. The film, based on Truman Capote's novella of the same name, tells the story of Holly Golightly, a free-spirited young woman living in New York City, and her unlikely bond with a struggling writer.
With its romanticized portrayal of the glamorous Upper East Side of Manhattan, Breakfast at Tiffany's has become an iconic symbol of elegance and style. The film's visual allure, enhanced by the enchanting presence of Audrey Hepburn, is the perfect inspiration for a photography session that seeks to capture the essence of sophistication, grace, and the allure of the city.

First and foremost, Audrey Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, epitomizes quintessential elegance. Her iconic little black dress and timeless updo have become synonymous with the epitome of chic fashion. A photography session inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany's allows photographers to recreate this stunning look, capturing the beauty and grace of Hepburn's character. The session could showcase the model in a dazzling black dress, with carefully styled hair and accessories, echoing the film's signature style and creating a visual feast for the eyes.

Moreover, Breakfast at Tiffany's offers a wealth of stunning settings that lend themselves effortlessly to photography. Hepburn's visits to Tiffany & Co's flagship store on Fifth Avenue represent not only her own love for luxurious treasures but also the allure of the gleaming city itself. The session could incorporate elements of the enchanting window displays, with the model gazing captivatingly at the sparkling jewelry, capturing a sense of wonder and romance. Additionally, incorporating New York City's iconic landmarks, such as Central Park or Grand Central Terminal, would infuse the photography session with a touch of urban sophistication, transporting the viewer into the heart of the city that never sleeps.

Furthermore, the themes explored in Breakfast at Tiffany's resonate deeply with a wide audience. Beneath the glitz and glamour lies a story of longing, personal transformation, and the search for true love and identity. A photography session inspired by the film can beautifully encapsulate these themes, evoking a sense of mystery, vulnerability, and romance. Photographers can capture the model lost in thought, perhaps perched elegantly on a fire escape, as Hepburn's character often was, revealing an air of contemplation and curiosity.

In conclusion, Breakfast at Tiffany's is an iconic and captivating film that continues to inspire and enchant audiences to this day. Its timeless elegance and portrayal of New York's sophisticated allure make it a perfect source of inspiration for a photography session. By capturing the essence of Audrey Hepburn's character, the luxurious settings, and the underlying themes of romance and self-discovery, photographers can create a visual masterpiece that transports viewers to a world of timeless style and glamour. A Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired photography session is an opportunity to capture the magic of this iconic film and create images that will endure for a lifetime.

 Who doesn't love the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's? Audrey Hepburn in an elegant updo... Classy and sophisticated clothing. It was a dawn of the new age in the 60's. A booming economy after World War II.  The start of the baby boomer generation. I love true elegance. It's what our photography company in the Delaware Valley is all about. This is why we offer the styling and dress selection for all our clients. We have tremendous offerings. From vintage, to classic, to elegant, to maternity.. from headpieces... right down to the socks to wear.

Our goal for 2018, is to provide girls, women and boys this service from head to toe and offer the best boutique offerings in the South Jersey region.I truly believe that what you wear, can make or break your photography session. For me, it's all about the details.   We want you to truly look your best. This young lady came out for a themed Breakfast at Tiffany's shoot in Philadelphia, which is attached to the cosmopolitan Bellevue Hotel.

I find the Bellevue hotel one of the most beautiful hotels in the city. Go in and just look at their bathrooms.. they are even out of this world. A bathroom, folks!!! You could probably literally eat off the floor..  and I find bathrooms disgusting! I'm sure most do. However, this would be an exception.This precious girls mom and I got together for a shoot in the city and we had this concept for a long time. The only thing I regret is not getting the traditional baby blue/Tiffany bag to do a shoot with and utilize as a prop. We planned to and they were closed.

This session was done on a whim!I used a different focal length for this shoot. I traditionally like to use my 200mm 1.8L lens, but I decided to pull out my 55mm Zeiss, which I fall more and more in love with every time I use it! Ifind it works beautiful in tight areas and less chromatic aberration, across the board aka CA in the industry. I tend to work with both Sony and Canon bodies anymore, but traditionally I love Sony bodies in the city. I just think they perform better in low light situations.

If you would like to plan or book your Breakfast at Tiffany's shoot.. in Philly.. I would love to plan something for you! I could see even two sisters going all out in black (which I love black clothing in the city, fyi) decked out in the classic black glasses.. cigarette lighter (which I have a few on hand to use as props) and gorgeous princess-inspired updo! Let us create something special and magical for you and your beautiful family!  

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

NJ portrait photographer

Breaking The Mold As Artists- Take Some Risks!

As a photographer, it is important to try new things to continually grow and evolve in your art. Experimenting with different techniques, styles, and subjects helps expand your creativity and keeps your work fresh and innovative.
Trying new things also allows you to discover your strengths and areas for improvement. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you can uncover hidden talents and develop new skills that can enhance your photography.
Furthermore, embracing new challenges and experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities and breakthroughs in your work. Whether it's exploring a different genre of photography or utilizing new equipment, stepping into the unknown can spark inspiration and ignite passion for your craft.

Ultimately, trying new things as a photographer not only fuels personal and professional growth but also ensures that your work remains dynamic, engaging, and relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

I recall the saying of, "life is not that simple in black and white." That sentence speaks volumes to me. It's profound and has a very deep-rooted meaning. Well, for one life truly isn't. We deal with constant reality on a daily basis and often find ourselves in gray areas of a story or in our own lives. What's truly right? What's wrong?

Often times, toying with our nurture vs nature or common values and what "the media" states is right and wrong and you want to run in the opposite direction as if you were fleeing from fire or the media itself. Hahaha. Burn baby burn. I honestly can't watch the news anymore.With photography, the saying can mean just the opposite. I find black and white photographs to be very simple. It balances out all the distractions and color and leaves you with the emotions or gestures of one's face or can perfectly describe or portray the moment... That exact moment in time. Black and whites also (to me anyway) really capture the light and what was available at the time or lack of (some of those moody portraits can be extracted by flat light photographs). What I am saying is, I feel I've done it all wrong.

I'll explain...Dancing in Cherry HillI find this picture awesome in the way it captured the emotion of dancing/twirling and also how the sunset "highlights" them.Variety is the spice of life, right? Or so they say? I honestly haven't done a black and white photograph for the longest time and have RARELY done them for my clients EVER. Recently, I started to get back into doing more black and whites on my personal images after my year hiatus of hardly converting anything to a black and white format and I have to admit... I was missing out.

Some great moments that I have captured, truly look better as a black and white photo. And... I find it freeing for myself as have been stuck in a color rut or same editing routine and it's good to spice things up once in awhile (see what I did there? Look at the beginning of this paragraph... Oh and if you've gone this far reading... Well, God bless you South Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia, or wherever you came from .. No seriously.... I just heard you sneeze. God bless you again.)

I finally feel free as an artist lately. I'm trying new things and editing techniques and gasp! Some of those new things include good ol' black and white photography. It's worth giving a shot, eh? I mean... I haven't gotten this far without taking risks and wahoo am feeling alive again.Southern New Jersey PrincessHere's another I took a risk on and is not my usual editing style. This image was actually published today.

Come and join me for the ride because it's going to be fun!! But please... Put on your seatbelt. Hey, I like risks, but never can be too safe, eh?Until we meet again my friends!

Happy Shooting!

Dee

Our Stylized Sessions Have Been a Hit!!!

Stylized Sessions: Elevating Family Portraits

When it comes to family portraits, capturing the genuine warmth and connection among loved ones is the ultimate goal. However, incorporating stylized photography sessions can add a unique and artistic touch to family portraits, elevating them to a whole new level. Stylized sessions offer the perfect opportunity to infuse creativity, personality, and flair into family photos, creating timeless and captivating images that go beyond the traditional. Here at Shooting Star Photography LLC, we believe that stylized sessions provide a wonderful way to celebrate the individuality of each family member while creating a visually stunning and memorable collection of portraits.

This was our feather dress! It had feathers and lots of tulle for mom.

vintage mint green dress for this little spunky lady.

Hi there! As stated a long, long, long time ago on this blog of Neverland... that I would be offering stylized sessions this year... and guess? We did it! We launched it!!! It has been a blast!  I receive sometimes a few new dresses a day that ship in and it's pretty crazy.  I have now over a 100 different dresses in sizes ranging from 12 months up until 14 years old. I have just started receiving and collecting some adult gowns... as one is shown below..  A few more selections have come in a champagne with sequins (its gorgeous, trust me, not ugly) It would fit a size 4-6 individual and has a built in bra.  I also have a black gown for size 12.

Our Wardrobe Selection

 A pink gown that will fit most folks from a size 6-10.  I will feature that down the road.One thing I have noticed this year is the girls and boys, when they are dressed up, they seem to cooperate much more easily.  I honestly believe it is because they are playing dress up and feel like the little princesses or princes that they are.A few things that I need to change this year, is my turnaround time. I am at about 8 weeks now. Last year's was about 10-12 weeks and at least I have managed to cut that down efficiently this year, but would like to try and keep it at a simple 4-6 weeks.  

Even sooner if possible.For the little girls, I have dresses in all sizes and colors and hundreds of hair pieces and crowns for you to choose from.  We bring a little pop up changing tent with us on location and about 4 different dress options that you can choose for during your session.  It's been a hoot and I'm in love!!! A lot of moms and dads will ask what types of shoes their children should bring. I always recommend neutrals, silvers, blacks, whites, golds, something that will still film well on camera.Some new locations I have scouted are in Medford, Deptford, Vineland, Pedricktown, Sewell and Monroeville for this year.

I am now looking into locations in Delaware and the Chester County area to kind of branch out for my clients.  I've got a few private properties that I use as well to make it a fun and enjoyable experience for all.  Thanks for being a huge support for me and my business this year. A few kinks to still work out as have only been in business a full calendar year, but think we're well on our way!!!!

More coming.. even maternity dresses!

 I'm enjoying this roller coaster ride. It's been pretty unreal!!!!  I've been traveling up and down South Jersey and into Philly lately... It's been rough and it's been very busy. Our calendar is pretty full into November this year... for that is a blessing in itself. One goal going forward, is to provide even better customer service then what we are providing now.  We're working out the details for our future endeavor!!!  

Stay tuned! It's going to be fun! Will be featuring more of our selections! About half our inventory hasn't even been worn yet!!! Can you imagine?? Happy Shooting, my friends!!! Dee          

Behind the Scenes with Shooting Star's Post Processing!

Before and After Post Processing Editing.

The secret is out of the bag South Jersey! Photographers aren't just great behind the camera these days, they are often magical wizards when it comes to the post-processing department (meaning editing your photographs)!  I'm spilling a little beans at what goes on in my editing process.I am a firm believer in getting my photographs correct in camera. In fact, that's what I always strive for.  

I never want to have to later rely on Lightroom or Photoshop to "fix" my issues or problems. I go into every shoot with direction.  I know how I want things to go, what poses we'll be doing, and if using props, utilizing them to their full potential (I'm not the biggest fan of props, fyi.)I am not bossy, but I know how to give great direction and how to pose people to show them in their best light.  I think some new photographers don't know how to take charge of the situation at times and that can be a new and difficult learning process, especially how to photograph toddlers. They can often-times be the most difficult. 

 I went a little off-track up there, but a lot of these editing programs can sometimes make photographers lazy because they always have that in the back of their minds... "Oh, well I can Photoshop that out."  That's all fine and dandy, but It takes up too much valuable time.  I don't know about you, but my time is highly valuable and I try to utilize it to the best of my ability.  I'm a multi-tasker and I'm fabulous at it!  If you get it right in camera, you will only have to do minimal editing. It makes you a better photographer overall. Good images make for the best and final products. Also, it makes you more aware of details and getting things right as you are doing the session.The point I'm trying to make is, there is a dividing line these days.  

Are we photographers or are we graphic artists?  I've even seen graphic artists turn to photography.  Some folks are both... Some photographers are shoot and burners where they upload and hand over the images to their clients. In a sense, they are like myself perfecting it right in camera and they don't want to spend time editing. I consider myself somewhat of both.  

My goal is getting it right artistically in camera and then I try to "enhance" and edit it in post processing. I feel that as photographers these days you have to put on two faces in a sense. You need to be up to date, improve and perfect your skills, and know at least the basic Photoshop functions.  Hopefully, you can later expand on those functions where it is second nature... but you at least need to know what everything is, and what they do, when it comes to your editing software.  It's expected nowadays.  

 If you do not stay on top of your game, in this ever-changing very saturated career field, you'll be dust in the wind.The photography field is one tough market and we need to be on top of our toes. This is why during downtime, that I partake in new editing classes.  I also will take standard photography camera classes to learn new techniques.  This is what I admire in when it comes to photography and why I've always had an interest in it. You could be a professional photographer for over 20 years and still not know everything there is to know.Photography is a challenge and I was born and bred for challenges. 

  I started professionally in October 2014.  I registered my LLC, purchased insurance, props, took classes, figured out my cost of doing business, painstakingly chose the best photo processing lab by printing samples of my work, and I purchased numerous books about different aspects on photography, and they are presently expanding and taking over my library. I've studied up on new gear and purchased this gear and have seen myself grow in such a short amount of time.  I love that! I see the end result of hard work. 

 I am still not where I want to be and NEVER will be.I will always strive to learn from each photo session and make the next one better.  

I'm 23 sessions in from when I started in October (and I keep booking) and from what I hear with the veterans, that have been in the game longer than myself,  I'm headed off to an excellent start.  However, I've been a serious hobbyist for many years and have years of experience. 

 Improving myself and challenging myself, is just who I am and I always strive for the best customer service, product and photographs!

Before.

After.

I figured I'd write this blog post to share a bit into my post-processing and what I can do.  I do firmly believe that you need to learn how to edit and edit well as part of being a photographer these days.  

 I was able to otherwise bring this almost dark and useless photo back to life!  I exposed for the sky which made the subject a bit dark. This is a common mistake. Some actually prefer to do this, others will expose for skin tones (and my current process this is what I do now), but when you do expose for skin tones, you can also commonly "blow out your sky." Also, the sun was shining behind them which made their faces darker. This was harsh mid-day sun. 

I shot directly into the sun. Now, I use a reflector and by using the reflector it would have made this a perfect photo in camera.. But I didn't use it here.  See learning process!!!However, I was able to use my editing skills to bring this photograph back to a viable, useable and fabulous photo! It turned out to be one of my favorites from this session!  It's also another great example of why you should shoot in RAW. If this was a JPEG, I'd probably just toss this photo and deem it as unusable. 

 Here's another before and after. I always shoot in RAW, so things look a little funny right out of camera. That's just what those RAW files do, but if you look... my focus and the overall composition is great in this shot.  However, with a RAW photo, you always have to make adjustments. 

Before.

After… the firefighter.

Hope you enjoyed seeing this and a what goes into my post-processing. Most photographers, are skilled at both taking photographs and are wizards in the editing department these days!  

The top photographers in the industry can sometimes edit up to 5-6 hours to produce just one image nowadays!  Editing is a skillset just in itself and it takes a lot of patience... trial and error!  We are practically magicians these days and it's expected!!! 

 Happy Shooting, my friends!   -Dee

Fall Family Photo Shoot- Woodstown, NJ Edition.

Woodstown, NJ family photo shoot.

The stunning kiddos!

Another great family moment!

Fun family shot! Kids being..kids with mom and dad!

Another great capture of mom and dad.. and the kids throwing leaves in the background!

The kiddos :)

I love getting single images of the kids too.

Mom with her little one.

What a handsome fella!

And we end with the cutest little pumpkin picker, ever!

Family Photography is Always so much fun!

I am attempting to get some of my work up on here.  I've been truly very busy! I'm writing two books and have been booking for this upcoming Spring and Summer for the photography business!  I'm truly glad that the weather is starting to get a little warmer because I love working outdoors!  I find that to be the most fun. Studio work is fine, but there is nothing like being outside! I just love most outdoor images. Am I wrong in feeling this way? Here's a family I did back in the fall!  We had so much fun!  Mom likes a little creativity so we tried to capture that!  Our session was done here at our studio in Salem County! 

The family is from the Pitman area. Here a few photographs from that session!By doing these posts, it's fun to see the progress I have made in such a short amount of time!  I really put in the hard work to learn and educate myself. A day doesn't go by that I'm a student and learning new things! I think this is why I love photography so much, it's a continuing process of love and learning. 

You could be a professional for twenty plus years, and still not know everything!  It truly is something really exciting to get into and boy, it's a challenge! The good thing is I love a challenge:)  I also love seeing how far I've come from when I first started this journey. I love growing! Anyway, enough of my ramblings... hope you enjoy some of these images! Many great things to come!  Just you wait!!  I am so passionate about photography and I love making people smile!  And Whew!  I have to get more work up on here, I have plenty more to share! 

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee