Shooting Star Photography 2023 Prep Sheet

If you're booking a stylized session with Shooting Star Photography, here's some information to help you prepare for your photo shoot.

See how mom styled for this session? She knew that there would be browns and natural textures.. plus the animals and everything came together. Kids are laughing, throwing grass at each other, the goat is having the time of his life eating grass. The wardrobe and styling made this session.

OUR SIMPLE PREP SHEET

Hi good ol' Shooting Star family! I have pretty much everything up here on this website. We sure like to blog and stay current! We wanted to write out a little prep guide for our clients to make the most of your session. I do get questions, from time to time, about how our stylizing services work. I try to be as cohesive as possible to make the experience fun for my customers, and I keep the process very easy and convenient for everyone.

COMPLIMENTARY WARDROBE OR WARDROBE STYLING

* I provide dresses for girls and a few for moms. I also have some style prep you can use for the men and boys. These are all courtesy items for our customers. It does not mean you need to wear them. Often, many customers show up dressed and ready to kill.

If you do wear our offerings...

* I send out a questionnaire to all customers, even for special/mini sessions. It helps me get to know you and your family a little better. I like to capture people's personalities, and this helps me understand my clients better.

* This questionnaire is also pretty awesome because you can tell me what you expect to get out of your session.

* I ask for sizes.

* I often can email a client what I'm thinking of having their child wear. If that's not the case, I bring a whole truckload of dresses to choose from based on the theme and setting.

Holding her precious chicken. She’s wearings something neutral and natural that goes with the setting. Highlighting her features and surroundings perfectly.

HOW TO ARRIVE TO YOUR STYLIZED SESSION

* I do recommend a very fresh-faced look (for children). No makeup, well-moisturized skin. Lip gloss or chapstick to keep your lips moist and prevent cracking during our session.

* In terms of hair, I like long and loose curls. Nothing crazy or dramatic. I honestly love capturing kids for who they really are, and I prefer a more natural approach. No long hair, no problem. We love short hair, too! A simple and fresh cut is always a plus about a week before your session. I can provide headpieces that will coordinate with your dresses. Just ask!

* I do suggest leggings if it's cold out. We can generally hide them under the dresses. I also provide shawls or furs for extra comfort during the cold winter months.

* For shoe choices, I prefer neutrals like silver, gold, black, brown, or taupe. They will go with anything and not be too distracting in your photographs.

* Try to wear neutral undergarments so that you won't have any crazy patterns or colors bleed through your clothing. For example, no black bras with a white T-shirt, unless you're a rebel. Then rock it!

Maternity Preparation

* I will bring three gowns for you to choose from. Please avoid flip flops as they do not photograph well. Closed toe shoes, boots, going barefoot, or neutral-colored sandals are preferred.

* I will also provide some headpieces for you to choose from. Please wear your hair the way you like it. However, what photographs best and my personal preference hair down, either straight or curly.

* Please bring nude boy shorts or underwear, and a nude strapless bra or nude bra in general. I do not provide these items due to hygiene reasons.

* Please keep makeup as simple as possible. Dark/heavy makeup does not mix well for outdoor portraits, as you will be moving around and may sweat a little. You do not want heavy makeup dripping all over your face.

* Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated.

* We include immediate family (if you have other children) and the father in the beginning of your session, so plan your outfit accordingly. Towards the end, we will ask you to change (if you want) and do some formal shots with the father, and then some formals of yourself.

* We will have an assistant on hand to help you with whatever you need.

Children's Prep Sheet

* At this time, we only have dresses and gowns for girls ages 1-14. We do have a few boys' items - please inquire.

* We pull about 3 items for a half-hour shoot and about 5-7 items for an hour shoot. We cycle our dresses frequently, so we aren't photographing the same dress all the time.

* Please arrive 15 minutes early, so we can dress your child in a wardrobe prior to the start of the session.

* Make sure your child is wearing neutral undergarments and is clean. Also, check for any boogers.—- you think I’m joking, but I’m not!

* Please bring a few pairs of dress shoes, preferably white, silver, gold, black or neutrals, as they can go with anything. We do not provide shoes for our clients.

* Makeup is not recommended for any child, as I like them to be children. I do not alter appearances as other photographers do and will not alter a child's appearance other than skin correction.

* We also have a wide selection of headpieces to choose from.

* We will not liquify ribs, alter ears, eyes, give nose jobs, or slim a child under any circumstances. We want your child to have a fun experience and feel like a princess. They will be treated as one!

* Bring water and snacks so that we can take breaks throughout the session, and your child can take a few moments for themselves.

Family Sessions

* At this time, we do not have a full inventory to style an entire family session. However, we can provide you with some great tips.

* Attention to detail is everything, including socks! Especially for men, we can see your socks in certain posing placements. Also, please keep phones out of pockets and hair ties off of wrists. We will do a quick check before we start our session.

* Wear neutral colors, pastels, or jeweled tones. Prints are okay, but nothing too loud.

* Textures film well. So if you have silks, chiffons, feathers, tulle, these are great choices to wear on camera!

* Please keep makeup light and fresh.

* Bring snacks and drinks for the kids, and make sure they are well-rested prior to their session.

* You can always contact me if you're undecided about a wardrobe selection. We're here to help!

* Dad’s- watch the color of your socks and bulging pockets full of keys or phones. Never a good look. Clean dress shirt or polo works wonders. Usually khaki’s or gray neutral pants go well. Neutral dress shoe.

He’s wearing just about anything you could pull from a boy’s closet, but as you can see the colors compliment perfectly with the overall setting. Making this another stunner.

The Big NO NO's!

My typical no no's are: 

1. Black or very dark colored clothing.  They do not look flattering on film. Weird right? As they always tell you it looks slimming. Black doesn’t do well on the beach. However, sometimes it can be appropriate for a moody effect, a field, forest or city or very formal portraits (which that can be killer).

2. Dark makeup. It may look pretty in person, but can have you looking freaky on camera.  Light makeup and a more natural look always looks best.

3. Bright colors and heavy prints. Lighter prints are okay.  Anything too crazy is going to be too distracting and it honestly looks awful in most situations.  Bright colors often times give color casts on skin which is why I usually don't recommend them. Jewel tones are great, neutrals, soft complimentary colors. When I say bright.. I mean the really saturated magentas, the fluorescent greens and oranges. They are usually a disaster.

.All outdoor sessions will take place about an hour to an hour and a half prior to sunset. On particular beaches, we may start about a half hour prior to sunset and work with the light when it has set.

As you can see above, it's a straight-forward simple preparation guide. I provide a wardrobe tent when on location for privacy when getting changed. I truly want my customers to have a seamless experience from start to finish, and I'll pretty much take care of everything. All you need to do is show up and smile. Hopefully, this was a nice little article for you, and I hope to see you soon! Feel free to reach out with any questions. I'm always here to help.

Happy Shooting!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

A Birthday Session in Moorestown, New Jersey

A Magical Birthday Photo Shoot in Moorestown, New Jersey

Birthdays are meant to be celebrated, and what better way to capture the magic of childhood than with a stunning birthday photo shoot? Recently, I had the joy of photographing an adorable third birthday session in the charming town of Moorestown, New Jersey. The golden light, the picturesque landscape, and, of course, the sweetest little birthday girl made this session one to remember!

All smiles with this beautiful little lady!

The Perfect Location with the Best Light

As a photographer, I am incredibly picky about where I shoot. Location is everything, but light? Light is EVERYTHING! I seek out dreamy, golden light and stunning landscapes to create timeless portraits. Moorestown, NJ, provided the perfect backdrop with its rustic charm, open fields, and serene atmosphere. From country-barn inspired settings to urban vibes, I always make sure my clients get the absolute best locations for their sessions.

Magic again! Having fun at her third birthday photo shoot!

She’s definitely got a personality!

Why South Jersey Is a Dream for Photography

South Jersey is filled with hidden gems for photo shoots, and I’ve spent years exploring every county to find the most picturesque spots. Whether it's Gloucester County, Camden County, or beyond, I know where to find those magical, light-filled locations that make photos truly special. In fact, I’ve even written books on the best photography locations in Southern Jersey! That’s how passionate I am about finding THE perfect spot for every session.

Look at this little lady and the beautiful light at Boundary Creek in Moorestown, NJ!

I really do love the lighting at Boundary Creek in Moorestown at sunset!

Making magic in Moorestown with her wand on the bridge! Little fairy girl!

We had to add the fairy wings and a little magic!

Making Birthday Sessions Fun & Stress-Free

Photo shoots should be fun, not stressful! That’s why I create a relaxed, playful environment where kids can just be themselves. Whether it’s twirling in a princess dress, running through a field, or laughing with their parents, I aim to capture those real, joyful moments. This third birthday session in Moorestown was filled with giggles, sweet moments, and, of course, cake!

Book Your Child’s Birthday Photo Shoot!

If you're looking for a birthday photographer in South Jersey, I’d love to create a magical session for your little one! From Moorestown to Philadelphia, Bucks County, and beyond, I specialize in capturing childhood milestones in a way that feels timeless and full of joy. Let’s make memories together!

📍 Serving Moorestown, NJ, South Jersey, and the Greater Philadelphia Area
📸 Visit www.shootingstarsouthjersey.com to book your session!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

What An Image Means to a Photographer: Top 3 Reasons

What being a photographer means to me.

An image should speak to YOU the audience. It should delight, or make you sad... perhaps, even make you laugh.  An image should reflect an emotion for the viewer. This is what makes a photographer... showing emotion.. love, sadness, joy and in the moment... It's why we do the things we do.Every image I put out there is with my love, my passion, my heart. Every image is hand edited to give you the best in what I can offer and I don't like using any presets or actions. I've been trained in various editing techniques and it would be a sin to waste all this training by running an action. I spend hours among hours weekly learning my camera and bettering myself.My colors are vibrant, soft, dreamy and my posing is very relaxed and casual. I want to capture the true self at heart. I do tone it down a bit for family photos, but still add my flavor to them.  Everything else, in terms of the edit... depends on the light, the articles of clothing, props, time of year.

What An Image Means to a Photographer: Top 3 Reasons

As a photographer, an image holds immense significance and serves as a powerful medium of artistic expression and communication. Here are the top three reasons why an image means so much to those behind the lens:

1. Visual Storytelling: An image is a photographer's narrative captured in a frame. It represents their unique perspective, emotions, and experiences at a specific moment in time. Through composition, lighting, and subject matter, photographers weave compelling stories that resonate with viewers on a deep, emotional level. Each image is a visual testament to the photographer's ability to convey a message or evoke a specific mood, making it a profoundly personal and meaningful creation.

2. Artistic Fulfillment: For a photographer, an image is a tangible manifestation of their artistic vision and creative prowess. It is the culmination of their technical skills, aesthetic sensibilities, and conceptual ideas. Every aspect of image-making, from the initial concept to the final post-processing, reflects the photographer's devotion to their craft. The satisfaction derived from producing a visually stunning and thought-provoking image fuels their passion and drives them to continually refine their skills, seeking new ways to convey their artistic voice through photography.

3. Memorable Moments and Connections: Photographers cherish images as enduring reminders of significant moments, both personal and collective. Whether capturing a breathtaking landscape, a candid portrait, or a historical event, each image symbolizes a unique connection between the photographer and the subject. These photographic mementos serve as a testament to the fleeting nature of time, preserving otherwise ephemeral moments for posterity. Moreover, photographers often form deep bonds with their subjects, and the images taken become a testament to those relationships, fostering a sense of nostalgia and connection with the past.

In conclusion, an image holds profound significance for a photographer, representing their ability to tell stories, fulfill their artistic aspirations, and immortalize meaningful moments. It is a medium through which they share their perspective, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting imprint on the world.

absolutely stunning! A nude maternity shoot at the shore. Obviously, cannot show you the goodies, but it was a beautiful shoot!

A maternity silhouette… beautiful skies and clouds around.

Each image, has their own special sauce as you see and isn't like what you see out there.In moving forward with this photography business, I am cutting back a bit and have decided to go down to part time. I was going it at full time for a bit and it completely wiped me out. I will now reducing my sessions down to about 4-6 sessions a month to give myself a life and to also give 100% to my customers. Btw, I gave 100% to my last spree and it put me in the hospital! My body is telling me to slow down and I will now be listening to it!

As a photographer, I am realizing you can't always be the best... There are others who are better out there, who make more money and charge more, who have more experience... and then there are others just getting into the business and starting from scratch... maybe they're learning the insides and outs to their camera and starting manual.What I am getting at is, I am not the best.. I will never be the best and realizing I can only be the best I can be. As photographers, we see others' works out there and feel we can't live up, that we'll never be good enough and we feel like giving up. This whole field is about learning and growing! Don't give it up! Learn to just be you and do your thang!

Don't worry about what others are doing!! Once you do this and let that go, you will grow as an artist.And.... What I am telling you, my potential customers, is that I will do MY BEST for you! I will go above and beyond and always keep upping my game. I will keep investing in education and in workshops to be a better photographer for YOU. After all, it is YOU that helps to pay for this education, gear and workshops!!! It is you that has kept me in business for almost a year now... and it is YOU who motivates me to do better as I move forward!I want my images to speak to my clients!I have a game plan going forward and am now starting to head in the direction that I always envisioned!  Watch out South Jersey! Here I come!!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee