The Naturals Collection By Shooting Star Photography

Editing in natural brown tones will always be a beautiful addition to any family or child’s photo album. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we specialize in capturing rich neutral photography tones that add a touch of elegance and timelessness to our work. We understand how to manipulate light and shadows to create a stunning visual narrative. We understand the importance of natural light in photography, and our ability to harness beautiful sunlight enhances the mood and atmosphere in our images. Whether it's a golden hour portrait session or a sun-drenched landscape, we strive to capture the essence of each moment, using the interplay between light and rich neutral tones to create truly captivating photographs.

Mom and her newborn. Flipping her hair… Like a boss! Set among the sunset in natural vintage outfits and tones. Taken in Woolwich Township, New Jersey.

Why is vintage the way to go for family portraits?

When it comes to family portraits, capturing the beauty and essence of your loved ones is of utmost importance. Many people are now turning to vintage aesthetics to create timeless and sentimental family portraits. There are several compelling reasons why vintage is the way to go for this cherished tradition.
First and foremost, vintage family portraits exude a sense of nostalgia and evoke warm emotions. They transport us back to a simpler time, reminding us of the precious moments shared with our families. By choosing a vintage style, we can infuse our portraits with the same timeless quality and sentimentality enjoyed by our ancestors. These portraits become heirlooms that can be cherished and passed down through generations, creating a strong connection to our family's history.
Moreover, vintage family portraits have a distinct artistic appeal. The soft, muted tones, grainy textures, and classic black and white effects add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the photographs. They create a sense of timelessness, allowing the focus to be solely on the family members and their relationships. Vintage aesthetics have a way of capturing the essence of family life, portraying the love and bond shared between family members in a truly beautiful manner.

The beautiful light and vintage feel will make this a classic for a lifetime.

Another advantage of choosing a vintage style for family portraits is its versatility. Regardless of the setting or clothing choices, vintage editing techniques can beautifully adapt to any situation. Whether you prefer a rustic outdoor location, a cozy indoor scene, or a grand formal setting, vintage edits can enhance the overall mood and ambiance. This versatility allows for greater creative expression while still preserving the nostalgic charm that vintage portraits are known for.

Vintage clothing and styling is a lifetime classic. This little girl is strolling along the fall leaves in the South Jersey forest.

In addition, vintage family portraits are a refreshing departure from the highly retouched and heavily filtered images that have become commonplace today. The natural imperfections and aged appearance lend an authenticity to the photographs, capturing the genuine emotions and personalities of each family member. In a world where perfection is often the norm, vintage portraits offer a refreshing and genuine representation of family life.

Watching the sunset in the fall. Vintage warm tones and lush light make this a classic photograph.

Little cowboy at the farm.

Lastly, opting for vintage family portraits can be seen as a conscious choice to slow down and appreciate simple joys amidst the fast-paced digital age. By embracing the past through the vintage aesthetic, we create a sense of timelessness that transcends trends and technological advancements. Vintage family portraits serve as a beautiful reminder to cherish the present moment and the loved ones who surround us.

More beautiful light at the farm. Vintage is always the classic approach to go in photographs.

In conclusion, vintage is the way to go for family portraits due to its ability to evoke nostalgia, its artistic appeal, versatility, authenticity, and its encouragement to embrace the present moment. By choosing a vintage style for your family portraits, you are creating timeless heirlooms that will be treasured for generations to come.

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Deirdre Giumetti

Shooting Star Photography

My First Little Newborn!

Outdoor Newborn Session in Alloway, NJ: A Serene Capture of Motherhood

Date: July 1st

We recently had the incredible opportunity to capture the precious moments of a newborn's first outdoor session in Alloway, NJ. The session unfolded beautifully, complete with tender moments between a loving mother and her newborn daughter. The picturesque location, combined with the pure innocence and beauty of the little girl, resulted in a collection of breathtaking photographs that will surely be treasured forever.

Alloway, NJ served as an idyllic backdrop for this outdoor newborn session. With its tranquil countryside charm and captivating natural scenery, it was the perfect setting to capture the essence of motherhood and the delicate beauty of a newborn. Surrounded by vibrant trees, rolling hills, and the soft whisper of a gentle breeze, the atmosphere added an ethereal touch to the photographs.
Accompanied by a team of skilled photographers from Shooting Star Photography LLC, we embarked on this magical journey to encapsulate the special bond between mother and child. As the session began, the love and joy radiating from the mother were undeniable, filling the air with warmth and tenderness.

I carefully orchestrated the poses and ambiance to create enchanting moments worth cherishing for a lifetime. Against the backdrop of nature's splendor, we captured the mother cradling her newborn daughter in her arms, their eyes locked in an unspoken connection. The soft sunlight filtering through the trees cast a warm glow on their faces, accentuating their radiant smiles.
As the day progressed, we ventured into various spots, taking advantage of the breathtaking scenery around us. A picturesque meadow added a touch of whimsy, while a gentle stream became the perfect setting for some serene and candid moments. With each click of the camera, we managed to encapsulate the purest emotions evoked by this fleeting stage of motherhood.

The outdoor session not only created a visually stunning narrative, but also reflected the bond that had already formed between mother and child. The gentle touches, affectionate whispers, and adoring gazes spoke volumes about the unbreakable connection this pair shared. Every photograph became a precious memory etched in time, conveying a story of love and cherished beginnings.
The beautiful capture achieved during this outdoor newborn session in Alloway, NJ undoubtedly exceeded our expectations. Through skillful composition, impeccable timing, and the enchanting charm of nature, we managed to preserve an extraordinary chapter of life. The little girl, with her innocence and vulnerability, was the star of the session, embodying the wonder of new beginnings.

As Shooting Star Photography LLC, it was an honor to be part of this intimate journey and to capture the essence of this special bond between mother and child. The photographs obtained during the outdoor session will be cherished by the family for generations to come, serving as a timeless reminder of the beauty and joy that accompany welcoming a new life into the world.

Go to sleep little baby!

Stunning mama with her newborn baby!

Precious llittle newborn. Sound asleep.

Sweet baby snail in the cornfields of Alloway.

Passed out and sleeping in this new world they came into!

I LOVE capturing moments and I love being a photographer here in South Jersey! I enjoy working with people and putting smiles on their faces!  There is something as a photographer you feel all giddy inside about and sometimes it brings you to tears!  I had a recent newborn session that did that.

This location is on private grounds and have permission to shoot here! There is a cornfield and open sky and is just lovely here in South Jersey!  I can't wait to do fall shoots here among the corn! 

A family member just had their little one arrive into the world and they asked me to personally do this for them... The only thing is... I do not do newborns, but they entrusted me to do this for them.Normally, before each session I am as calm as a cucumber.  It's true... I feel at ease and am confident going into every session... but for this one... I was a mess! I think it was because I did not want to let my family down and really wanted to create beautiful images like all the other newborn photographers out there!

 Of course, I'm not going to be like the ones who have done it for a very long time, but I was set out to do the best I could do... Oh and try it outdoors!  Not in the studio as most do in our area!I wanted to challenge myself fully on this... and that I did!  I wanted to give beautiful photos that I know will be treasured and I hope to have captured that!When this little gal showed up for her session, she was just 12 days old! She was alert, but I told mama to give her a good feeding (milk coma) and to make sure her diaper was dry. Then we took her outside!One thing is, if doing in the studio, you have to make sure it is HOT.  

I mean scorching hot to where you are sweating to get a baby to sleep sometimes!  This is why outdoor is great this time of year! It's summer and we had some heat!As soon as she came outside... ZONK! She went out like a light! She did not wake up at all!  We were able to get some great shots for mom and dad that they will treasure forever and they love their images!!!I wanted to do it among a cornfield that we have in South Jersey, in natural light, and I'm very odd, but I love 4 o'clock sun. Now this is the time when we had that nasty storm come through and by 5pm everything went dark and the wind came howling through! So within one whole hour we were able to get this finished and complete!  

With different sets!I may have to try this again sometime as it was a lot of fun and I loved utilizing our great outdoors, here in New Jersey!  This little girl is going to be so loved by our family and am so grateful to welcome her to it and to see her grow!As a photographer, I love being able to gift to those I care about!  I am so thrilled that they had faith in me to do this for them as this was my first!  For my first, I think I did pretty decent, considering some of the work I've seen out there for first timers! Every session, I just try to get better and better and learn from it... Who knows? Maybe I'll be a premiere tog in the area someday!I want to be a great maternity photographer here in our area... and am working on it being my specialty!  Stay tuned for that! I have a ton of great concepts that I will be utilizing soon and am very, very, very, excited for what is to come! Woo Hoo!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Do You Know What Natural Light Photography Really Means?

In studio session with a little baby girl.

Fill flash used here to separate kid from background and was getting dappled light on his face.

I also had to use fill flash here. The sun was casting hard shadows on their faces. This was a 1pm photo session, here in Salem County.

Ruh Roh!  I'm about to open up a can of worms here! I may even make some folks a bit upset who say this is their profession locally in South Jersey... But here we go...Have you ever heard someone mention that they do all natural light photography?  Sometimes they use the word "organic" oooh and ahhhh... Since organic is the cool thing these days... But did you ever wonder what the hay this actually means?  Well... Here we go!

When someone says they are a natural light photography that is explicitly what they mean... They know only natural light and how to photograph in it.  And.... Yes!  Natural light is the best type of light you want in most situations!  It caresses, it emphasizes,  hey, it is just beautiful... BUT... And I'm sure you were expecting a BUT at some point. There are limitations to where you can go in this natural light photography genre.Okay, I'll explain...

What does a natural light photographer do on a cloudy day?  Outdoors, cloudy days are the best days you can ask for, but let's say... What happens when you have an indoor photo shoot that day? Do you call it off?What I'm trying to say is... When folks say they are natural light.. They are LIMITED in their photographic skills.  For myself, being a photographer is knowing how to adapt to any situation... Whether sunshine or lack of any light. It's knowing how to use natural light, artificial light and shooting in very low light situations. 

I respect natural light photographers in how they market themselves, but they are also limiting themselves on educating themselves about other aspects in this crazy profession of photography.Here's the dilemma I have with natural light photography (and yes, I use it as much as I can), but in South Jersey, we only get limited days that are sunny or partly sunny.  Our yearly average, we get 94 sunny days and 111 partly sunny days (these days are most ideal when photographing). Here's the kicker.  This leaves you with only 205 days to utilize what the weather is giving you.  There is an average of 365 days/year. Which means you are seriously limiting yourself and your business, if you are strictly a natural light photographer.

There are such things as "bouncing light", fill flash, using strobes or continuous lighting, ice lights and many other products on the market. Photography is definitely an art. Folks who have been in the business for over 20 years are still learning. That's the depth photography surmounts.I just think photography just isn't a cut and dry business.

If all you use is natural light, so be it!  Just try to be the best you can be in it. However, I think in the natural light arena itself (especially in New Jersey since our sun is lacking), you are severely limiting your overall potential as a photographer. There are just so many other arenas of photography to learn and you are just hurting yourself, if this is all you shoot in!

Well... happy shooting, my friends!

Dee