Fine Art Family Photography Stories & Resources
A journal for families seeking timeless portraits across South Jersey, Philadelphia, and the surrounding region.
This journal shares fine-art family photography stories, session inspiration, and location guides for families throughout South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. Each post is designed to help parents plan meaningful portrait experiences while exploring the artistry behind Shooting Star Photography’s heirloom approach.
Explore Portrait Experiences:
Peony Farm Sessions- At a private peony farm in Gloucester County, NJ
Peony Farm Sessions- At a private peony farm in Gloucester County, NJ
Our award-winning exclusive peony sessions have been released. These are sold out every year. We are the only photographer permitted to shoot here since 2015. We will have it exclusively to ourselves. Peonies are one of my favorites to photograph. As you can see, many color options and many fields. This is our only weekend date availability until Late October and we only have two weekend dates left for the entirety of the 2023 year. After this next week, we have absolute no availability until mid-September (not even weeknights).
Peony Farm Sessions- At a private peony farm in Gloucester County, NJ
Shooting Star Photography LLC
Hey there, flower enthusiasts and photography lovers alike! As we welcome the blossoming season of 2024, Shooting Star Photography is absolutely thrilled to introduce our much-awaited Peony Styled Shoot Photography Sessions.
Step into a world where the delicate charm of peonies meets the artistry of photography as we unveil an exclusive opportunity to capture the sheer beauty and timeless elegance of these enchanting blooms. Our styled shoot sessions will present a captivating blend of nature’s allure and artistic finesse, promising to be an unforgettable experience for both photographers and their muses.
Stay tuned for this captivating opportunity as we share further details and booking information in the coming days. Get ready to immerse yourself in a realm of floral wonder and photography magic with our 2024 Peony Styled Shoot Photography Sessions. Let's capture beauty in full bloom!
Our award-winning work and peony sessions will be held May 18th and May 21st for the 2023 calendar.
Our award-winning exclusive peony sessions have been released. These are sold out every year. We are the only photographer permitted to shoot here since 2015. We will have it exclusively to ourselves. Peonies are one of my favorites to photograph. As you can see, many color options and many fields. This is our only weekend date availability until Late October and we only have two weekend dates left for the entirety of the 2023 year. After this next week, we have absolute no availability until mid-September (not even weeknights).
A small collage of some of our work over the years.
Peonies can be a beautiful addition to portrait sessions, adding color and texture to your photos. They come in a range of colors from crimson, magenta, pinks, peaches and whites.
Peonies are a popular flower for many reasons. Here are some of the reasons why peonies are great flowers:
Beautiful Appearance: Peonies are known for their large, showy blooms with vibrant colors ranging from pure white to deep reds and pinks. The fluffy petals create a romantic and elegant look.
Fragrance: Peonies have a sweet, pleasant fragrance that fills the air, making them an ideal choice for weddings, gardens, or any occasion where you want to add a touch of natural beauty.
Longevity: Peonies have a long blooming period, usually from late spring to early summer, and they can last for a week or more in a vase. They are also a hardy perennial, meaning they will come back year after year with proper care.
Versatility: Peonies can be used in a variety of ways, including as cut flowers, garden plants, or as a centerpiece. They also complement other flowers and foliage well in floral arrangements.
Symbolism: In many cultures, peonies symbolize romance, prosperity, good fortune, and honor. In some cultures, they are also believed to bring good luck and happiness.
Overall, peonies are a great flower because of their beauty, fragrance, longevity, versatility, and symbolic meaning. They make a great addition to any garden, bouquet, or special occasion.
Happy Shooting, my friends!
Dee Giumetti
Shooting Star Photography
NJ Farm Photo Sessions For Families- August 6th
New Jersey is a small state, but it boasts a thriving agricultural industry, with around 9,900 farms and 734,000 acres of farming. It's no surprise that New Jersey is a top 10 producer of various fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including blueberries, peaches, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes, and cranberries. As a photographer, I love photographing farm sessions because they are one of our more popular photography sessions.
New Jersey is a small state, but it boasts a thriving agricultural industry, with around 9,900 farms and 734,000 acres of farming. It's no surprise that New Jersey is a top 10 producer of various fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including blueberries, peaches, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes, and cranberries. As a photographer, I love photographing farm sessions because they are one of our more popular photography sessions.
But farm sessions aren't just about taking beautiful photos. They can also be a great way to engage children in learning about animals and how to care for them. By spending time with farm animals, children can develop a love and appreciation for creatures in our world. It's an opportunity to teach them that animals also need warmth, food, and care, and that this translates into caring about others and where our food comes from.
Observing children interacting with farm animals can be a magical experience. Animals are naturally curious, just like children, and they often enjoy the attention and affection they receive from little ones. During farm sessions, we generally interact with a variety of animals, including ponies, donkeys, horses, goats, cows, pigs, and sometimes even chickens and bunnies.
To prepare for a farm session, I recommend wearing cotton or vintage-style clothing, and boots are a must, especially if it has rained recently. It can get very muddy, but that just adds to the fun of the experience.
The farm I work with has some of the most incredible light, which makes for stunning photos, and they have a fantastic variety of animals. While you may not get perfectly posed photos during a farm session, what you do get is some of my best work.
If you're looking for a unique activity for your family and kids to do, I strongly recommend a farm session. It's an opportunity to learn, connect with nature, and have fun. Plus, you'll come away with beautiful photos that capture the joy and wonder of spending time with farm animals.
In conclusion, New Jersey may be a small state, but it has a thriving agricultural industry that produces a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Farm sessions are a fantastic way to engage children in learning about animals and how to care for them while having fun and making memories. And as a photographer, I can attest that farm sessions are some of the most rewarding photography sessions I do. So, if you're looking for a unique family activity that combines education, nature, and fun, consider booking a farm session. You won't be disappointed!
Here is the information for our next mini session. However, to get results and the best light (as shown above) we recommend a full photography session OR the last session booked for your mini session.
Happy Shooting, my friends.
Dee Giumetti
Magical Southern New Jersey Photographer
Magical Fairy Sessions in South Jersey.
A fairy photo shoot with children can be a magical and memorable experience for both the children and the adults involved. Here are some ideas to make the photo shoot extra special:
1. Choose a magical location: Find a beautiful outdoor location that has a fairy-tale feel, such as a forest, garden, or park. The location should have plenty of natural light and interesting backdrops for photos. We have a ton of excellent options to choose from!
2. Setting the scene: We can create a fairy garden or a fairy tea party setting with decorations like flowers, butterfly wings, fairy lights, and soft blankets. You could also add some props like fairy wands, flower crowns, and glittery fairy dust.
Fairy sessions are a real hoot! We love creating beautiful and captivating imagery.
As you can see this little lady had a fun time at her birthday photo shoot!
Fairy Photo Session In South Jersey
A fairy photo shoot with children can be a magical and memorable experience for both the children and the adults involved. Here are some ideas to make the photo shoot extra special:
Choose a magical location: Find a beautiful outdoor location that has a fairy-tale feel, such as a forest, garden, or park. The location should have plenty of natural light and interesting backdrops for photos. We have a ton of excellent options to choose from!
Setting the scene: We can create a fairy garden or a fairy tea party setting with decorations like flowers, butterfly wings, fairy lights, and soft blankets. You could also add some props like fairy wands, flower crowns, and glittery fairy dust.
Dress the children: Have the children dress up in fairy costumes or tutus, or provide them with fairy wings and accessories to wear during the photo shoot. Make sure their outfits match the setting and are comfortable enough for them to move around in.
Be playful: Let the children have fun and be playful during the photo shoot. I encourage them to dance, twirl, and play pretend. Capturing candid moments of them laughing and enjoying themselves.
Use natural light: Natural light is the best way to capture the magical feel of a fairy photo shoot. I try to schedule the photo shoot during the golden hour, which is the hour before sunset or after sunrise when the light is soft and warm.
Edit the photos: After the photo shoot, we edit the photos to enhance the magical feel. I’ll add some sparkle or fairy dust to the photos, or play around with the colors to make them look more dreamy and ethereal.
Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and create a memorable experience for the children. A fairy photo shoot is a wonderful way to ignite their imagination and create lasting memories!
I love photography. The love I have oozes into my photographs and with the families, I am blessed to work with. I love making magic for everyone I shoot for. There's always that ONE image in a gallery that makes your heart sing. I love capturing kids as they are and the innocence at this age. I have two children myself and is why I got into photography in the first place. Children love to dress up like prince and princesses. I enjoy bringing this magic to life... telling their story, or their "fairytale."
Most of the dress designers, I work with, are from the United States. I love being able to provide these dresses to my clients as part of their storytelling session. My daughter doesn't like to "dress up" so I also have shorter dress styles for children who aren't too much into it. We have accessories (IE, hairpieces that coordinate with each of our designer gowns). This 2018 brought out a lot of heart in me. With a lot of the adversary I had to face with medical emergencies with my own family. It helped me to truly value moments, in general.
I am proud to be able to offer that in return to the many families I have worked with in the past four years in business. I am honored if you choose us to photograph and allow us into your family's lives. Let us create something truly magical for you. For memories to be enjoyed for generations. Classic, dreamy-styled portraiture.. You'll have all your friends talking!!! I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and a blessed Holiday Season.
It's been a rollercoaster year! I hope for 2019, to be even better!!!
Happy Shooting, my friends!!!
Dee
Shooting Star Photography
A Charming Mullica Hill, NJ Engagement Session
Country Bumpkin Engagement Session in Mullica Hill, NJ! Capturing love and joy on a picturesque farm, filled with candid moments and heartfelt affection.
Country Bumpkin Engagement Session
We had an incredible time capturing the love and joy of this adorable couple during their engagement session. The picturesque farm in Mullica Hill, NJ, provided a stunning backdrop for the first part of the shoot. Surrounded by the charm of the countryside, we captured candid moments and genuine affection as the couple explored the farm together. From their sweet smiles to the way they looked at each other, it was clear they were meant to be.
Beauty in the horses!
Petting some horse babies at the farm!
A Perfect Setting for a Rustic Romance
There's something magical about the combination of nature and love. The rolling fields, rustic barns, and golden sunlight made for a dreamy, almost fairytale-like environment. The farm was not only visually stunning but also had a sense of serenity that added to the peaceful, intimate nature of the session. As the couple strolled hand-in-hand through the tall grasses, you could feel their connection growing deeper, and it was such a privilege to capture that for them.
We were able to play around with various shots, incorporating the beauty of the landscape into the photos. The barn doors, the worn wooden fences, and the overgrown pathways all created stunning frames for this engagement session. Every corner of the property seemed to offer a new angle, a new way to tell the couple’s love story.
Kisses on the hay. What can be a better day? Like how we rhymed there?
Sneaking into the barn. Bad bad couple LOL.
From Rural Charm to Urban Vibes
After soaking in the natural beauty of the farm, we decided to transition into something a little different—downtown Mullica Hill. The change of scenery added a fresh dynamic to the session, blending the rustic feel of the countryside with the vibrant energy of the city. The urban backdrop, with its quaint brick buildings and charming main street, was the perfect complement to the intimate moments we had captured on the farm.
As we walked through the downtown area, the couple’s playful energy shone through. They shared a few laughs and lots of loving glances, which made for some truly candid moments. The mixture of the quiet, peaceful farm and the lively, bustling downtown made for a unique and special engagement session that captured the essence of their relationship—one that balances calm with excitement, tradition with adventure.
Another kiss. I love this one! She’s so pretty!
Feeding the horses!
Hey there sweetie!
Capturing the Essence of Love
The resulting photos truly reflect the deep connection and happiness shared by the couple. From the rustic beauty of the farm to the vibrant energy of the city, every moment was beautifully captured, resulting in a session that perfectly encapsulates their love story. What I love most about this session is how well it represents their personalities. Their love is grounded in trust, warmth, and comfort, yet they’re also full of life and laughter, bringing energy into every space they occupy. Stay tuned for more glimpses from this amazing engagement session!
I love her boots!
A Love Story in the Heart of NJ
WOW, what a love story! I also love the country feel we captured right here in NJ! Check out the resulting images from this special engagement session below. There is nothing more special to capture than two people in love. While I absolutely adore capturing maternity moments and the blessed time in a woman’s life with her beautiful baby bump, there’s something extra magical about capturing love between two people. Engagement sessions allow me to capture the anticipation, excitement, and deep emotional bond that leads to a wedding day. There’s a certain energy in the air during these sessions that makes them unforgettable.
Now we are talking!
Customizing the Session for a Personal Touch
Upon initial inquiry, I always ask if there's a place that’s special to someone or if they want to incorporate an item that means a lot. My bride-to-be mentioned that horses were a significant part of her life growing up. I asked if she’d like to include this in her session, and she said yes! Knowing how much horses meant to her, I wanted to make sure this personal touch was incorporated in a meaningful way.
Making the Dream a Reality
As part of my job, I make it my mission to create memorable experiences for my clients. I reached out to my contacts and found a gorgeous private property with horses and a historic barn. The kindness of the owner allowed this special session to happen and made this couple’s dream come true. The property was absolutely perfect, providing a charming and picturesque setting for their photos.
I always love going the extra mile for my clients. Whether it’s finding a location that fits their vision or pulling together special elements for their shoot, it’s my goal to make every session as unique and memorable as possible.
A kitty saw us and had to photo bomb us! It was great! We love barn kitties!
Photo Bombed by Horses and Kitties!
The horses on the property have pens but are also allowed to run free. Throughout the shoot, we were joined by curious horses eager for attention. They photo-bombed us in the best way possible, bringing joy to my clients and giving us even more opportunities to capture some incredible images. The couple couldn’t stop smiling as the horses approached, and those moments were some of the best of the session. The joy and laughter shared by the couple and the horses created such authentic, joyful photos that they’ll cherish forever.
I can’t get enough of how cute they are!
Love the way they look at each other!
Some barn love!
A nice smackaraoo! I mean kissaroo!
That kick! Too cute!
We headed to downtown Mullica Hill after our barn session!
Engagement session in downtown Mullica Hill, NJ.
From Barn to Downtown
After our barn shoot, we had so much fun that I suggested heading into downtown Mullica Hill for some urban photos. Love was definitely in the air as the couple was stopped multiple times and received well-wishes from strangers. It was a beautiful day, and my clients had a fantastic time. We captured gorgeous memories that I hope they will cherish for years to come. I know I will! Each moment felt so genuine, and I’m so grateful to have been the one to capture these precious memories for them.
Twirling and dancing away in Mullica Hill!
The last shot of the session and a great one!
Let’s Capture Your Special Moments!
Every session and client holds a special place in my heart. Let me capture your precious moments with a session that’s fun, real, and sincere! I’m all about having a great time and capturing authentic love. Whether you’re looking for a rustic farm shoot, an urban city vibe, or something completely unique, I’ll work with you to create a session that’s perfect for you.
Until we meet again, South Jersey!
