South Jersey's Premiere Photographer for Maternity Photography

Starting a family is sometimes everyone's ultimate dream in life and yes... it is scary, but there is nothing like bringing another human being into this world. Seeing those little feet and hands looking right up at you. There will be long nights of feeding and cuddling... and the lovely changing of those stinky diapers, but it's motherhood. It's a rite of passage, for a lot of men and women. It's something to be a part of and parenthood does get easier. I promise.

Mama in the ocean at sunset.

Just a girl and her husband... with her horse.

Pregnancy is that time to reflect upon what is to come and to expect. It's frightening, it's exciting and often times bittersweet. They often-say that life doesn't begin until you have children. I can attest, it's true. I feel like my life had no meaning until I had my two. They are my whole entire world. All I could ever ask for. The amount of joy children bring into your life, it's otherworldly and there's nothing I wouldn't do for them.

Why is it important to capture your pregnancy with a professional photographer?

Capturing pregnancy with a maternity photographer can be a wonderful way to document this special time in your life. Here are some reasons why:

1. Memories: Pregnancy is a unique and fleeting time in a person's life, and capturing it with a professional photographer can provide a tangible memory that you can look back on for years to come. You can share these images with your child as they grow up, or simply enjoy them as a reminder of this special time in your life.

2. Artistic expression: Maternity photography can be a beautiful and artistic way to capture the natural beauty of pregnancy. A skilled photographer can create stunning images that showcase the beauty and magic of this time.

3. Bonding experience: Having a professional photographer take pictures of you and your partner during this time can be a bonding experience. It allows you to focus on your love for each other and the baby you are bringing into the world.

4. Empowerment: Pregnancy can be a time of physical and emotional changes, and capturing images of yourself can be an empowering experience. It allows you to see yourself in a positive light and celebrate the changes happening to your body.

5. Celebration: Pregnancy is an incredible journey, and capturing it with a maternity photographer is a celebration of that journey. It allows you to acknowledge and honor this incredible experience.

In summary, capturing pregnancy with a maternity photographer can provide lasting memories, artistic expression, a bonding experience, empowerment, and celebration of this special time in your life.

Kisses and love.. is what it is all about!

Beautiful capture taken in Hammonton, New Jersey.

A true snow princess. Capture at Smithville in Mt. Holly/Eastampton, New Jersey.

Maternity sessions aren't just photography to me and just another paying client. They are MEMORIES. There's nothing more special than then being "allowed" to capture this time in your life. It's a true honor to be chosen to be hired for this important time.

Mama and her first baby in images. With one on the way in Philadelphia.

Pregnancy can mean the beginning of a new stage in a woman’s life. Let Shooting Star Photography capture this important time in your life. We have hundreds of locations at your disposal.

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

First Holy Communion Session With An Epic Longwood Gardens shoot!!!

As we all know, April and May were pretty wet months... here in South Jersey. I have had to do a ton of rescheduling due to our wonderful Mother Nature.  I knew that the time of our session, it would be rather rainy out, so I suggested we do Longwood Gardens in the Conservatory for a photo session.. and boy was I happy we made that decision because these photographs came out PHENOMENAL.I find it truly inspiring what we have here in our Delaware Valley.  We have so many vast options and locations to choose from... from mountains to lavender fields to the Jersey shore. It's a joyous wonder how beautiful our backyard is!!!!

First holy communion photo shoot at Longwood Gardens!

Enjoying the conservatory at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.

Longwood Gardens: A Captivating Wonderland for Photo Shoots

Introduction
Longwood Gardens, located in southeastern Pennsylvania, is a mesmerizing destination that seamlessly blends natural beauty with stunning man-made landscapes. For photographers seeking an unforgettable photo shoot location, Longwood Gardens offers an abundance of breathtaking backdrops. Here's why Longwood Gardens is unquestionably an awesome place for a photo shoot.

1. Diverse and Vibrant Gardens
Longwood Gardens boasts a diverse collection of meticulously cultivated gardens designed to captivate the senses. From vibrant flower beds and perfectly pruned topiaries to tranquil water features and enchanting woodland trails, the gardens offer an endless array of picturesque settings for photo shoots. Whether it's the iconic Italian Water Garden's elegant fountains or the dazzling Orchid House, Longwood Gardens provides a plethora of options to suit every photographer's vision.

2. All-Season Appeal
One of the remarkable aspects of Longwood Gardens is its year-round allure. In every season, the gardens offer a magical landscape that provides unique opportunities for captivating photographs. In spring, vibrant blooms blanket the gardens, making it an ideal time for capturing nature's renewal. Summer brings lush greenery and outdoor concerts, creating a lively ambiance. Fall transforms the gardens into a kaleidoscope of rich autumnal hues, while winter showcases the splendor of dazzling holiday lights illuminating the gardens' enchanting paths.

Sweet kisses for making communion!

3. Versatile Indoor Spaces
Longwood Gardens isn't limited to its exceptional outdoor beauty alone. The conservatory and indoor spaces offer equally magnificent opportunities for capturing stunning photographs. The four-acre indoor conservatory, home to an extraordinary collection of plants, serves as a haven for exotic flora enthusiasts. The Main Fountain Garden's grand architecture and ethereal water displays create a majestic setting for photo shoots regardless of the weather conditions. These indoor spaces provide versatility and artistic inspiration, ensuring that a photo shoot at Longwood Gardens can be successful rain or shine.

4. Endless Scenic Possibilities
Photographers thrive in environments that present an abundance of possibilities, and Longwood Gardens certainly delivers. The vastness of the gardens lends itself to endless exploration, allowing photographers to discover hidden nooks and expansive vistas. Whether your aim is capturing delicate details up close or bringing depth to your compositions with vast landscapes, Longwood Gardens provides the perfect canvas.

We included the whole crew in this lady’s first holy communion session at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square.

5. Professional Support
Longwood Gardens understands the needs of photographers and provides valuable support to ensure their success. The photography policy at Longwood Gardens permits both amateur and professional photographers to share the beauty of their images. They encourage photographers to inquire about advanced access hours, workshops, and special events tailored to their needs. The expertise and guidance provided by the Longwood Gardens staff can elevate any photo shoot to new heights.

Last beautiful photo of the day!

Conclusion
Longwood Gardens is undeniably an awe-inspiring place for a photo shoot. Its stunning gardens, versatile indoor spaces, year-round appeal, endless scenic possibilities, and professional support make it an irresistibly attractive choice for photographers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding enthusiast, Longwood Gardens promises an unforgettable experience, resulting in breathtaking photographs that capture the magic of this extraordinary destination.

Seriously! IF cuteness could kill, eh?  IF you are looking for a cool location on a rainy day... THIS is the place for you in the Delaware Valley. Heck, even a sunny day it would be beautiful!!! Thanks for being a big support South Jersey!  I love you! You rock!!! I am excited for upcoming beach mini sessions and a field of gladiolas!!! Stay Tuned! IT will be epic!!! Thanks for riding along! I love capturing families, maternity and basic portrait sessions!!!  I am DYING to do a maternity session here!!! DYING!!! Please contact me if interested!!! We would utilize both indoor facilities and outdoors! Did you know they have a meadow of wildflowers? Gah!!!  Also, found this gorgeous meadow of wildflowers in Medford, NJ of all places! Can't wait to share my locations with all of you and show more future sessions!!! Wahoo!!! 

Happy Shooting my friends!!! 

Dee

New Maternity Dresses! For this South Jersey Photographer. Woo hoo!

It's OFFICIAL South Jersey!  MATERNITY GOWNS ARE HERE!

For a very long time, I have been wanting to do this and offer this as part of my maternity packages!  So... here is my first shipment in a plum color! Please do not judge on the backyard setup as I had a pregnant relative model this for me right away!  As you can see it is a lovely gown and I will be ordering a bunch more in different colors and styles!  I will also have a few crown options available!I truly want to show off those beautiful South Jersey pregnant belly bumps and this is a definitely a very elegant way to do so!!! Maternity photography is my absolute favorite to capture as I'm sure you can tell all over my blog pages and portfolio!!!  I never shut the front door about it! I will be ordering in a few more jewel tones and then some neutral colors!  All of these gowns are handmade in the GOOD OL' USA!!!

Maternity gowns are not only practical for expecting mothers, but they can also add a touch of elegance and glamour to photoshoot sessions. These gowns are specifically designed to showcase the beauty of a woman's baby bump in the most flattering way. With a wide range of styles, colors, and fabrics to choose from, maternity gowns allow photographers to capture stunning images that highlight the natural glow and radiance of the mother-to-be. Whether the session takes place in a lush outdoor location or a cozy studio, these gowns effortlessly transform the atmosphere, creating a dreamy and ethereal ambiance. The flowing fabrics and delicate details of maternity gowns beautifully complement the glowing mom, resulting in breathtaking photographs that capture this special moment in her life!

One of my new maternity gowns. Modeled by my aunt (who was only one year older than me and we went to the same high school at Lenape) LOL

Darker edit and light and airy. Beautiful Vanessa at Cooper River Park in NJ! Modeling a beautiful boho maternity dress!

  I am awaiting for that snow princess to book with me and have been talking with a few expectant moms in doing a winter wonderland theme! I see gorgeous color among the white South Jersey landscape! And boy do I have some wonderful locations for all of you!!! From private farms, gardens, lakes, streams, and hundreds of scouted locations throughout the area... Well, I have you covered!!!I love when expectant moms come to me and we discuss the process in what we will be doing and I also love including the dads in on the action (as you can see from my work)!!! I will also be going to a maternity workshop in Florida this late fall! It will be 3 days of hardcore learning about the specialty of maternity and will be learning from an Internationally published photographer!  I truly can't wait!

As my dreams are becoming a reality, I truly want to wish all of you for supporting me... as I have not even been in this business for a year now and have been booking non-stop! I must be doing something right for you to want to hire me and invite me into capturing some precious moments and also into your lives!!!I'm very fortunate that this year, even with all the sessions under my belt... we have had only one rescheduling due to the weather!! Oh well, stay tuned as we are heading down to the path of capturing the true joys of motherhood and creating a name for myself in this area!  Watch out South Jersey! I'm on the loose and ready to conquer!  I have invested thousands of dollars in equipment and education in order to keep bettering myself and will continue to do so!I want to give the VERY BEST to my clients and I work very hard!!! I believe that going into a specialty will truly allow me to do this!  

Looking Forward To The Future Of More Maternity Sessions!

Oh my goodness! I can't wait for what is to come and even with all the sessions I have lined up the next few months! I am really excited for this next chapter!  Thanks for following along and being a part of it!I truly LOVE what I do and I hope that it shows with my work and interaction with others!!!  SO Thank you! Thank you and thank you!  I have decided to stop offering weddings going forward and have one more left this year with will be on rocking New Year's Eve (how cool is that?!!} That way I can move forward and be focused on a few specialties!!!I'm here to make this special for you!!!  I guarantee you will love working with me! My process is as easy peasy as it comes!!!

Happy Shooting, my friends!!!  And thanks for reading my ramblings, as that's what they truly are anymore!!!

Dee Giumetti

owner of Shooting Star Photography

Author of two books on South Jersey

Married to a workaholic husband (hmm... we have something in common) and the two most adorable little kids...)  ages 1 and 4.

Also, the founder of southjerseyexplorer.com in which I have over 7100 current subscribers!Woo hoo! As you can see, I have been all over South Jersey and I know South Jersey! I have a true love for it!