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!

TOP 10 THINGS ON WHAT NOT TO WEAR/DO FOR YOUR SESSION

TOP 10 THINGS ON WHAT NOT TO WEAR/DO FOR YOUR SESSION

I may be opening up a can of worms here, maybe not, but I can't express how important it is to discuss what you will be wearing prior to your photo session with your photographer.  I want to explain why this is so important.What you wear is one of the most IMPORTANT aspects to your session.  What you wear is a huge aspect to what the overall composition will look like in regards to your final product.  People pay good money for their memories and certain things you wear can affect your session and your end product.Here are a few suggestions on... 

Check out the beautiful baby bump!

Momma to be maternity session in the cherry blossoms in Cherry Hill, NJ.

TOP 10 THINGS ON WHAT NOT TO WEAR/DO For your session

1.  No Flip Flops

I don't know what it is, but they just do not photograph well or look well in regards to a session.  Unless, it is a beach session, I see no need for them. I see a lot of maternity sessions ruined by flip flops with these beautiful fabric flowing gowns.  It does not look pretty! I see photographers trying to cover these flip flops up in editing with this flowing fabric because of this. Flip flops are great for the beach and great for hanging out with friends, but they honestly don't photograph well or look well on camera. 

2.  Consider where you will be getting your photographs done... and your location

Are you going to be getting photographed in a garden?  Well, don't wear green! There's a ton of green all around and well, you'll blend in like Waldo.  You want to wear something that will be complimentary to your surroundings.  Obviously, if you are being photographed in front of a red barn, you aren't going to be wearing red or a similar color.  You'll be lost!  You'll want to wear complimentary colors to your environment.  

With a garden scene, you'll want to wear light or natural clothing to blend in with the environment. Pastels also work well against greens. Obviously white or black clothing can be complimentary to almost any location.  However, if going for a vintage feel or more modern, consider what you will be wearing for that session and the look you are wanting to go for.

3.  Please, please, please... Do not show up with graphic tees with heavy wording on them.. It does not photograph well. 

4.  No sweat pants.

It's sad that I even have to mention that... but no one looks great photographed in sweatpants.  I couldn't even imagine beautiful Beyonce being photographed in them.  Just please don't!

5.  No Ripped or stained clothing.

Are these images you want to remember and see for the rest of your life? You want to show that pizza stain that you couldn't get out from a few weeks ago and decided to wear again.. go ahead!  I think folks don't get that the camera sees everything.  It sees things that the human eye can't see. Yes, if you think that stain is unnoticeable try again. It will be magnified by a hundred times on camera!

6. Wear clothes that fit.  

Please... I beg of you.If you are a size 10, but trying to fit into your much tighter size 8, it is not going to look pretty.  It will just magnify your back fat and any bulges, rolls you may have.  Take into consideration your bra, so that your bra line is not showing. These simple things go overlooked and people wonder why they look like a stuffed sausage or even bigger than they really are because they are not wearing the proper clothing.

7.  Heavy makeup.

 Heavy makeup does not photograph well.  You can still wear makeup, but try to make yourself look more natural and don't cake it on.

8.  Be cautious of wearing hairbands on wrists.

I've seen many of my photographer counterparts have to Photoshop it out.  It doesn't look pretty in the end result.

9.  Be Well-Groomed 

IF you do decide on wearing flip-flops (please don't), but if you do... make sure your feet are well-manicured. Make sure your nails are trimmed as well as  goatees/beards. Make sure you have no hair roots. If not taken care of, they are even more magnified on camera.

10.  No chewing gum, smoking (yep, folks do that).

Make sure you're bathed and the kids are bathed. You don't want dried snot on camera. It looks hideous. Mismatched socks.. hairy legs (especially women).  Just make sure you are well-groomed for your camera debut!  AND yes, unfortunately all these things happen! If you are spending your hard-earned money on having yourself photographed, please don't do the above.  Everything comes up like a microscrope when you are being photographed.

Talk to your photographer! They will help you decide on what is appropriate for your session.  We know what photographs well and doesn't, due to our experience in the field.  Trust us! Don't be shy with discussing it! We want to make this the best streamlined process ever. You can dress casually if this is the look you are going for, but remember pick your attire in good taste!  

If you search the net, you can find great color schemes and outfits to wear.  Especially, for a family session or a particular theme. If you want the best for your session, please don't do the above!  Obviously, you are the paying customer and can wear what you want.  However, there are some things that you should be aware of to make your photographs more beautiful! 

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee