A Photographer's Tale in South Jersey

Ice Cream Sessions with Mister Softee in South Jersey!

A Photographer's Tale in South Jersey

Ice Cream Sessions with Mister Softee in South Jersey!

Once upon a time, in the heart of South Jersey, there was a photographer named Dee. Joking… I’m Dee! I’m passionate about capturing the pure, joyful moments of children and babies, all while showcasing South Jersey's enchanting landscapes. From magical forests and vast fields to blossoming orchards and serene beaches, my home provides the perfect canvas for artistic visions. Let’s take a tour of South Jersey and all the beautiful backdrops it has to offer for capturing memories that last a lifetime.

Kids posing for their ice cream portraits in Delran, NJ.

A toddler in the forest in Elk Township, NJ.

The Magic of Simplicity With Toddler Portraits

In photography, simplicity often creates the most impactful results. I choose minimalistic outfits and settings for my sessions, especially with children and babies. The natural world—whether it’s dappled forest light, a blooming orchard, or the golden hues of a beach sunset—offers all the magic needed to create timeless portraits. My goal is to let the children’s personalities shine through, with nature as their supporting cast.

Stop #1: Mystical Forests

South Jersey’s forests are nothing short of enchanting. The sunlight filters through the trees, creating a dreamy, dappled effect. Earthy tones and soft, organic textures in the children’s clothing blend seamlessly with this woodland backdrop. Candid shots of children exploring, their eyes wide with wonder, create magical memories.

Beautiful family in the forest for simple portrait session at the Jersey Shore.

A magical forest portrait session with a little girl in the forest in NJ.

Example: Magical Unicorn Sessions

The forest becomes even more magical during themed sessions, like my Magical Unicorn Sessions. Imagine a little girl dressed in a whimsical gown, surrounded by the serene beauty of the woods, with a unicorn prop as her companion. These moments feel straight out of a fairytale.

Magical Unicorn Sessions in the forest of South Jersey!

Magical Unicorn Sessions in NJ. Always a delight with Drifter!

Stop #2: Wide-Open Fields

The sprawling fields of South Jersey invite children to run freely, their laughter filling the air. Pastel-colored clothing and flowing dresses complement the natural, open spaces. Adding minimal props, like a kite or a basket of wildflowers, brings a whimsical touch to the shots without overshadowing the scene.

Example: Sunflower Fields

The sunflower fields at Dalton Farms provide an idyllic setting for photos. Picture a little boy getting his first kiss among the sunflowers or children twirling in a vintage landscape. The golden hues of the flowers make every moment feel magical.

A little boy’s first kiss among the vintage landscape of the sunflower fields in South Jersey.

Stop #3: Blossoming Orchards

Springtime in South Jersey means orchards bursting with vibrant blooms. These fragrant settings create stunning, colorful photos. Children in floral-patterned outfits playing among the trees perfectly encapsulate the joy and innocence of childhood.

Example: Orchard Adventures

A favorite session featured a little girl dancing among the blossoming orchard trees. Her carefree movements and radiant smile were a testament to the magic of childhood. These photos are treasures for families, preserving a fleeting moment in time.

Walking among the orchard in spring.

Beautiful little girl enjoying the blooms in South Jersey.

Stop #4: Serene Beaches

No South Jersey photography tour is complete without a visit to its stunning beaches. The tranquil backdrop of sun, sea, and sand makes for dreamy photos. Children dressed in simple beachwear play freely, building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and collecting seashells. Their joy is contagious and translates beautifully into photos.

Simple always works best. The children can play in the water and build sandcastles!

Example: Jersey Shore Magic

One of my favorite sessions featured two sisters enjoying the Jersey Shore. The genuine connection between them, paired with the soft colors of the beach at sunset, created an unforgettable series of photos.

Beautiful moment of two sisters enjoying the Jersey Shore and everything it has to offer.

The Secret to Genuine Smiles

Over the years, I’ve learned that creating a playful, comfortable atmosphere is key to capturing genuine smiles. I interact with the children, tell jokes, and make the session fun, so their true personalities shine through. No elaborate props or staged poses are needed—the natural surroundings and authentic emotions create the most captivating photos.

If you get the children to interact naturally, magic just happens right in front of the lens.

Crafting Memories Through Editing

After each session, I carefully hand-edit the photos to enhance their natural beauty while maintaining authenticity. The result? A collection of images that radiates happiness, showcasing South Jersey’s natural beauty and the fleeting magic of childhood.

This birthday portrait session was all about Winnie The Pooh!

South Jersey’s Beauty Through My Lens

My work is a reflection of South Jersey’s charm. From forest fairytales to beachside bliss, each photo tells a story of love, laughter, and connection. These portraits adorn homes, preserving cherished memories for generations to come.

Quirky Tip:

Always keep a Mister Softee truck nearby. Nothing beats bribing kids with ice cream for those last few smiles during a session. South Jersey summers and ice cream go hand in hand!

Grandpa and me...

Every single session we do for our clients is truly unique. Not one photograph will look the same because we truly love making every single photograph a true keepsake and piece of art.It's honestly what we we trained to do in this business. As I reflect back on this 2018 year, I have to say it was the hardest year of my life. As I look back, I almost lost my mother, who is my assistant.. She was hospitalized for over a month. It was a nightmare during this time. We thought she may not make it and that she may no longer be with us. She's a huge asset to this photography business. She's the best assistant I could ever ask for and am grateful for everything she does. I am so elated she is still here with us and recovered fully. About 10 days after my mom came home, it was my husband's turn. He had flu-like symptoms and his condition got worse and worse. He was then hospitalized. The doctors were baffled as to what was happening. Every specialist they had on hand, he saw. His condition got worse and worse to the point where we almost lost him. He lost all bodily functioning, he lost his ability to walk. It was a very scary time. They put him on every antibiotic known to man. It was within two weeks, he started to finally show some life again and slowly got better. He was later transferred to an inpatient subacute rehabilitation center to learn how to walk all over again. It was later found out by infectious disease that what he caught, only effects about 2,000 patients a year with about a 60% mortality rate. He's lucky to be here. When I look back on the year, I see myself. I see how strong I was. As a wife, daughter, mother.. and I honestly don't know how I got through it all. I kept every single photography session that I had scheduled.  I did not cancel on anyone. In fact, the sessions were very therapeutic for me as I was going through this. It's true how art can soothe the soul. There were some delays on editing galleries, but very understandable in the situation and I did inform customers of the situation. Under normal circumstances, most folks would be able to take a leave of absence from their jobs. However, as a single business owner, I unfortunately was unable to do that. I just trucked through.  I realized how strong I really am and how I kept it together. I know most folks would crumble. I just feel fortunate to have both the folks I love dearly still here with me. In any event... as I look back and everything I went through. I realize how very important photographs are. I made a point to get myself photographed with my children this past fall.. as I didn't have any. I also made an appointment with a photographer I admire for 2019 and I plan to make an appointment with another one as well. It's very important. This is why I am sharing this... This is grandpa. He doesn't live in the US (hopefully, soon though) and I told my customer it was important to bring her father so that he could be in some images. This will be a keepsake for the family for years to come to remember. Our children get older every day and the folks that we love.. we continue to lose, year after year. Time does not stand still. This is why it's important to capture these moments. I truly hope this mama got this blown up and proudly displayed in the house. It's beautiful. Get those photographs folks. Capture these precious moments. One day you may not have your loved ones with you.. and all you have left are these. This is why I love what I do and why I got into photography in the first place. If you would like to book your family session, please reach out. We would love to customize something special for you!!! Happy Shooting, my friends!!!! Dee Shooting Star Photography