The Peony Blooms in South Jersey: A Fragrant and Beautiful Backdrop for Photography

Picking the beautiful peonies in South Jersey. We love these sessions and the puffs of colors they provide.

The Enchanting Elegance of Peonies

Peonies, with their exquisite beauty and captivating fragrance, hold a special place in the hearts of photographers and flower enthusiasts alike. Known as the "King of Flowers," these blooms exude an enchanting elegance that is truly one-of-a-kind. Here's why a photo shoot with peonies is so special:

Timeless Beauty

Peonies epitomize timeless beauty with their lush and voluminous petals that unfurl in captivating layers. Their delicate hues vary from soft pastels to vibrant crimsons, offering a versatile range of colors to complement any setting or theme. Whether used as a standalone subject or incorporated into a larger floral arrangement, peonies exude an air of grace and sophistication that can elevate any photo shoot.

Symbolism and Meaning

Peonies are rich in symbolism and meaning, making them a meaningful choice for a photo shoot. These exquisite blooms are often associated with romance, compassion, prosperity, and honor. Consequently, a photo shoot featuring peonies can evoke emotions of love, grace, and appreciation – resonating with viewers on a deep and personal level.

Versatility in Styling

With their versatility in styling, peonies offer countless opportunities for creative expression. From whimsical and dreamy to bold and dramatic, these blooms adapt effortlessly to various themes and concepts. Whether used in bridal portraits, fashion editorials, or still-life compositions, peonies bring an unmatchable allure to the frame.

Ethereal Fragrance

What sets peonies apart from other flowers is their breathtaking fragrance – a sensory experience that transcends imagery. The intoxicating scent of peonies can transform a photo shoot into a multisensory journey, adding another layer of magic to the overall experience. As a photographer, capturing this ethereal essence can transport viewers to a world of fantasy and beauty with just a single glance at the photograph.

Short-lived Splendor

One of the unique aspects of peonies is their ephemeral nature. The blooming season of these beloved flowers is relatively short, typically lasting only a few weeks in late spring or early summer. By planning a photo shoot centered around peonies, you can capture the fleeting beauty and delicate nature of these blossoms, freezing their splendor in time. This speaks to the transient nature of life, reminding us to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, even if it is temporary.
In conclusion, peonies hold a mesmerizing charm that makes them an ideal choice for a photo shoot. Their timeless beauty, symbolism, versatility, captivating fragrance, and ephemeral nature all contribute to making them an irresistible subject for any photographer seeking to create captivating and emotive imagery. So, embrace the allure of peonies and embark on a visual journey that encapsulates their enchanting elegance.

Spring has sprung, and with it comes the annual bloom of the peony flowers. If you've never experienced the intoxicating fragrance of peonies before, you're in for a treat! These large puffs of flowers resemble enormous roses, but their smell is so much better.

For myself, this is a spot I have been shooting at since the beginning, in 2015. My treasured friend has a backyard that is home to these beautiful peonies, and they typically have a BBQ here every year at the peak of bloom. It's the perfect opportunity to capture memories with loved ones amidst the stunning flowers.

The family who owns the property actually sells the flowers to markets and customers all over the country, making these blooms not just a beautiful sight, but also a valuable crop.

Peonies are not just popular for their beauty and fragrance, but also for their longevity. They are hardy plants that can last for over 100 years, making them a great addition to any garden. They are also a popular choice for weddings, with their vibrant colors and size adding a touch of elegance and romance to any ceremony.

For photographers like myself, the peony blooms provide a stunning backdrop for family portraits, maternity shoots, and even sessions with older teens. With so many options, the peony fields of South Jersey are truly a photographer's paradise.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a beautiful and fragrant location for your next photography session, the peony blooms are definitely worth considering. With their stunning beauty and longevity, they are not just a sight to behold but also a valuable addition to any garden. So, grab your family and I’ll grab my camera and let’s head out to the peony fields of South Jersey for a truly memorable experience!

Some of our favorite peony sessions throughout the year. We love it here. This is why New Jersey is called the Garden State!

Hope you’ve enjoyed some of our award-winning captures over the years, in the peonies.

We welcome you to come out to these sessions, in May of this 2023 year. They are such a joy!

Have a magical day, my friends!

Dee Giumetti

Shooting Star Photography

A Blog A Day Challenge.

With this ever changing daily economic market (and boy,  is it crazy out there). From the lack of baby formula, to the craziest gas prices,  that I have ever seen in my lifetime ($73 to fill up my tank yesterday), to a possible recession. The world has gone bonkers. 

Families all over the world are flabbergasted at the past 3 years. Hello, covid and we are still dealing with this epidemic. It most likely will never go away. That families and small businesses are encountering new glass ceilings to overcome. We continue to feel the crunch. 

Beautiful wildflower field in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

I have to say, that I am truly blessed with what I do. I enjoy taking families to a magical land. What I mean to say about that, is I want families to be in the moment with me. I want them to feel happy. Be happy and feel joy. I want them to feel the 

magic and boy do we try, that we create and as you see in our images, but also to feel this behind the scenes.  

My goal is for you to not feel pressured or anxiety going into your session… I do get that it is a lot of preparation and it sure is, getting the children ready, convincing the husband to come along and that this will be quick, hair, makeup… kids rested (especially, the littles) a cranky kid at a session is never fun. We have all been there. Trust me. it can all be overwhelming and daunting… in that most want or try to get everything to be perfect and go perfect, right? The goal is for us to worry for you. That is our job. 

I am going to try and get a blog up everyday. It’s going to be a social experiment. I may just post a photo and talk about it. I may just talk about nonsense or real life, I may just highlight a certain family, talk about my kids, or possibly, just sharing some local South Jersey history, but it will hopefully, be fun. 

New Studio for 2022! Located at Soha Arts in Haddon Township, New Jersey!

Thanks for stopping by!! 

2022 is looking awesome. I cannot stress how wonderful my customers are. It really is a blessing.

There’s a ton of changes going on here at Shooting Star Photography. We have a new studio, in Collingswood/Haddon Township in South Jersey! I still can’t believe I’ve been photographing since 2015, and was just a freshie in the game. Willing and eager to learn. We've gone from shooting in our home, to perfecting outdoor photography, to moving into a studio in Maple Shade. Now, we were able to get a coveted space into the Soha Arts building. It has been my ultimate goal, since I started photography to get a studio there. Now, we serve around 165 sessions per year and typically see the same customers a few times a year! See? That’s why I am blessed!

We are centrally located in South Jersey with access to the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges within minutes!

• unicorn photographer in South Jersey. WE love capturing memories and magic for our customers!

We will be offering studio sessions, year round and cannot wait to show you what is to come. A ton of new ideas are brewing. From glamour photography, to teens, maternity, families, adults and babies, we plan to offer it all. We can also offer hair and makeup. :)

As far as our outdoor sessions go, we’ll have a cherry blossom launch, tulips, peonies and wildflowers soon. As well as offer a few Sea Isle and Ocean City sessions. All my locations are generally in South Jersey. However, we have a few garden sites and other site offerings in Pennsylvania and Delaware. 

South Jersey beach photographer in Ocean City New Jersey.

Stay tuned for new creative ideas and offerings as we start to brew things up in the studio. We cannot wait to show you what is in store for the 2022 year!

Farm sessions in south jersey. A little boy and his goat.

As always, feel free to reach out at our number at 8568577299 we pick up the phone! I know, but we like to talk to our customers and want to hear what you envision for your session and would like to get to know you! As always you can email us at shootingstarsouthjersey@gmail.com 

Have a great day and keep on rocking!

Yours truly and happy shooting!

Dee 

Winter/Christmas Special at Shooting Star Photography

My little girl smiling away at her Christmas Portrait!

Christmas time is here. It’s not about giving gifts, but for being with those important and remembrance of who Christmas was named for. It’s a birth. I look at it every year as a rebirth, as the new year starts to arrive on the horizon. 

Why is celebrating Christmas with family important?

Christmas is traditionally a time for families to come together and celebrate, and there are several reasons why celebrating Christmas with family is important. Here are a few:

1. Tradition and Culture: For many people, Christmas is an important cultural and religious holiday. Celebrating with family is often seen as a way to honor these traditions and keep them alive for future generations.

2. Bonding and Connection: The holidays provide an opportunity for families to spend quality time together and strengthen their bonds. In the busy and fast-paced world we live in, it can be difficult to find time to connect with loved ones. Christmas offers a chance to slow down and focus on the people who matter most.

3. Memories and Nostalgia: Many people have fond memories of Christmas celebrations with their family from childhood. Recreating those experiences can bring a sense of comfort and joy, and help to create new memories for future generations.

4. Support and Encouragement: The holiday season can be a difficult time for some people, and having the support and encouragement of family members can make a big difference. Celebrating with loved ones can provide a sense of belonging and security during a time that can otherwise feel stressful or lonely.

Christmas sessions in south jersey. We love these two little ladies!

It’s a day of reflection and being with those who are dear and to think about why we are put on this earth. Are we here to do good? Have I lived the best version of myself for the past year? Most often, that is a no. I make mistakes and am an imperfect being. I try to always do better. I try to treat others with respect and love. I really do think we do try as humans, but negativity can get the best out of us. That’s why it’s important to learn positive ways of thinking or to try to live a healthy lifestyle, which will often times create positive thinking. 

Twirling among the trees in South Jersey for Christmas photos.

Sisters in their vintage Christmas dresses.

As far as Christmas photography sessions go, or any session I do in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. I always try to show up and do my best. It doesn’t matter what is going on in life. I could be having the greatest day of my life or the worst day, but I will always bring it. I pick locations that are suitable for every client’s taste and I truly try to give 100% and perfection with every session I walk into. Not only on the scene, but as far as images go, I want you to have the best images for years to come, to look back on. The best of memories and look at those images and say.. “Wow, THAT WAS A GOOD AND HAPPY DAY” in my life. That was a day my family laughed and smiled and we were together. 

A South Jersey Christmas.

As far as locations go, this holiday location is gorgeous. Lots of greenery for this time of year and the light is perfection at any time of day. It’s a spot in Gloucester County that is symbolic to me. My husband planted these trees in Boy Scouts.  I am able to do mini sessions here at any time of day. I won’t do bad lighting. It’s not for me. Thats why am picky on the locations I choose. Again, it’s about the best for clients. 

My little lady in her vintage dress. Her daddy planted these trees in Boy Scouts!

In summary, celebrating Christmas with family is important for honoring traditions and culture, strengthening bonds and connections, creating new memories, and providing support and encouragement during a potentially challenging time of year.Let’s treasure this time of year. Let’s make those happy Christmas or Holiday memories. Treasure those who are near and dear to your heart. We only have one life. Let’s make the best of it. 

Happy Holidays!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography 

PS. I love being able to look over at my family portraits on the wall. It brings a smile to my face. My children love it too. I had these last year and they were a huge hit.

Addison Street- Philadelphia/Fall Family and Christmas Sessions are almost gone!

It's that time of year again and it has been BUSY. I am so blessed for each family that has hired me this year. Especially, with corona virus. I know a lot of businesses didn't make it. I've tried to push through even with my own struggles, but if you are reading this. WE ARE HERE, WE MADE IT. Hopefully, 2023 will be even better!

Family sessions are the way of the land and we would love for you to book with us!

Everything has been epic this year! Woo hoo!!! This will be my final fall offer for the year. Every single year, folks sign up for these and they NEVER disappoint! I just love this magical setting in Philadelphia. It's great for little kids and not having to worry about them running out into the street. As always, safety first in this business!

The magical lights make it beautiful. The lighting, no matter what time of day, is exceptional! Here's a full session I did here, not too long ago. YES, these are the types of images to except for a full family session!

Welcome to Addison Street in Philadelphia. Where magical lights twinkle on all the trees and it is a lovely place to shoot at, at any season! It always creates a magical and dreamy look. It’s safe for kids and it is along Rittenhouse. I love walking around and finding new nooks to shoot in!

Enjoy this session below! It’s one of my favorite places in the city of Philadelphia!

Philadelphia a place of magic. NOTHING like dancing with your daddy!!!!

Dance to the music and joy of Philadelphia.

My job is to capture laughter and joy. That is exactly what I try to do. I put 110% into every single session that I do!

Happy natural captures is my middle name! :)

Love creating that magic little touch for my families in South Jersey!

A boy and his magic lantern.

Love children being their own natural selves!!!! They are only little for so long. It's so important to capture these times!

Magic on Addison Street!

Handsome sauce in Philly! Mom did a great job styling this guy!

Dance to the music little lady!!!

Twirl and be little, little one!

As you can see, this south jersey family session, is just getting started!

Strike a pose.

Nothing to see here, just twirling and creating memories with my daddy.

Dad and his children.

Mom and her little boy. It's these sweet moments to be treasured forever.

Brother and sister.

Mom and her children.

Family is everything.

Big brother kisses.

The cutest family, every!

Dad and son in their finest!

Sweet Smiles.

Pretty Portrait.

Fun twirls.

Will you have this dance?

Time to smile for mom, right? Hehehe

Addison Street in Philly NEVER disappoints. It’s a wonderful location for any one!

I think this one is my favorite.

As you can see, one of my favorites to shoot at. We got a lot of variety and captures in and got to capture this special time in this lovely family’s love.

I hope you enjoyed this family session. It was a magical day. Great weather, great smiles... and a great family I got to capture.

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee Giumetti

Shooting Star Photography