Philadelphia Magical Communion Photography

A Philadelphia Garden Communion Session — Sunlight, Faith, and Family

There’s something so timeless about photographing a First Holy Communion. It’s one of those milestones that feels both sacred and full of childhood wonder — a moment that lives in both the heart and the family photo album forever.

A quiet, heartfelt moment in the garden — hands folded, eyes closed, and the sunlight wrapping everything in warmth. Her First Holy Communion day was filled with peace, joy, and a little sparkle of magic in the golden Philadelphia light.

This session took place in a quiet garden in Philadelphia, where the light was nothing short of heavenly. The kind of golden sunlight that filters through the trees and makes everything feel soft and peaceful. Between the laughter, the little nervous smiles, and that proud sparkle in their parents’ eyes, it was one of those days that reminds me why I love what I do.

As a New Jersey portrait photographer who often works throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey, I adore outdoor sessions like this. They let kids just be kids — running barefoot through the grass, adjusting their dress or tie, and sharing giggles with their parents between shots. The garden gave us a naturally elegant backdrop without ever feeling posed or stiff.

Just a beautiful day in a Philly garden, full of light and laughter — the kind of moment that reminds me why I love outdoor sessions so much.

Whether your child’s Communion day is coming up or you’re simply dreaming of a timeless portrait session, these are the moments worth preserving. We can create something just as magical — soft light, natural beauty, and all the joy that comes with this special milestone.

A quiet, dreamy moment in the garden — soft light, fresh blooms, and a sweet smile that says it all. This Philadelphia Communion session was full of warmth, peace, and that little bit of magic I love to capture.

Now booking Spring 2026 Communion sessions in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Let’s make it simple, relaxed, and full of heart — just the way it should be.

Dee
Shooting Star Photography
Serving Philadelphia, Mainline, Northern Delaware, and all of Southern New Jersey.

If you’re planning a First Holy Communion portrait session in Philadelphia or South Jersey, you can explore more information about my Communion photography sessions here.

→ First Holy Communion Photography

Sunflower Sessions in South Jersey

A beauty in the sunflower fields in South Jersey.

Sunflower Sessions in South Jersey

I absolutely love sunflower sessions! They bring me pure joy to each and every single family I work with. There's something very special and becoming of those beautiful yellow, orange and red beauties. It wouldn't be called the Garden State, if we didn't grow them!

You normally can find a range of farms anywhere from North Jersey to South Jersey this time of year. As I am preparing my Maple Shade, New Jersey, studio, I will also be servicing my usual Salem and Gloucester counties in my area. It will be a very busy year! However, I am greatly looking forward as to what is to come!

A sunflower photo shoot can be special for several reasons:

1. Vibrant Beauty: Sunflowers are known for their striking, vibrant yellow petals and large, captivating blooms. Their bright and cheerful appearance adds a burst of color to photographs, creating a visually stunning backdrop that can instantly uplift the mood of the image.

2. Symbolism: Sunflowers often symbolize happiness, positivity, and a sunny disposition. Incorporating sunflowers into a photo shoot can evoke feelings of joy, warmth, and optimism. They can serve as a powerful visual representation of these emotions, making the photos more meaningful and uplifting.

3. Natural and Organic Setting: Sunflower fields provide a natural and organic setting for a photo shoot. Being surrounded by rows of tall sunflowers creates a picturesque and serene environment. The combination of nature's beauty and the human presence in the photographs can create a harmonious and captivating composition.

4. Seasonal and Timeliness: Sunflowers are typically in bloom during the summer and early fall seasons. Planning a sunflower photo shoot during this time allows you to capture the beauty of the fleeting season and the essence of the particular time of year. It can be a way to commemorate the summer or embrace the transition to fall.

5. Versatile Themes: Sunflowers can be incorporated into various themes and styles of photography. Whether it's a casual and playful shoot, a romantic couple session, a family portrait, or even a maternity shoot, sunflowers can add a unique and eye-catching element to the composition. Their versatility allows for creative exploration and expression.

6. Connection to Nature: Sunflower fields offer a connection to nature and the outdoors. They provide an opportunity to escape the urban environment and immerse oneself in the beauty of the natural world. This connection can enhance the overall experience of the photo shoot and create a sense of tranquility and harmony.

When planning a sunflower photo shoot, consider visiting sunflower farms or fields known for their blooming sunflowers. Coordinate the timing of the shoot to coincide with the peak bloom of the sunflowers. Experiment with different angles, poses, and compositions to make the most of the sunflowers' beauty. Whether it's capturing close-up shots of individual sunflowers or incorporating them as a backdrop for larger compositions, the presence of sunflowers can transform ordinary photographs into something truly special.

Sunflower sessions held in Salem County, New Jersey. Near Mannington, New Jersey.

I am offering these last minute sunflower sessions. I had to offer these last minute due to our schedule and what we could allow. However, we are actually running AHEAD of schedule this year. Also, the sunflowers are now in peak bloom in the South Jersey area.

Momma and her little girl in sunflowers in Vineland New Jersey. We work with a lot of growers in the area and always are aware of blooms in the South Jersey area.

Momma and her little girl in sunflowers in Vineland New Jersey. We work with a lot of growers in the area and always are aware of blooms in the South Jersey area.

Dresses by Little Dreamers tutus. Photo session taken in a Sunflower field in Mantua, New Jersey Gloucester County. All these dresses will be on display in our maple shade new jersey photography studio!

Dresses by Little Dreamers tutus. Photo session taken in a Sunflower field in Mantua, New Jersey Gloucester County.

We can provide dresses, if needed for these sessions. Just let us know. We're happy to provide the best experience for all our customers!!! Every session is unique and will be held at golden hour to fit our editing aesthetic.

Another beautiful dress by Little Dreamers Tutus. Love the pink sky added for some extra pop. It is all about the light!!

Another beautiful dress by Little Dreamers Tutus. Love the pink sky added for some extra pop. It is all about the light!!

I hope to see you out Monday or Wednesday next week!

Info can be found here! https://shootingstarphotographyllc.bigcartel.com/product/last-minute-sunflower-sessions-september-28th-and-september-30th

Brother and sister looking out at the sunset in gorgeous South Jersey! Don't you just love fall ya'll? maple shade new jersey, photographers in south jersey, south jersey family photographers, sunflowers in moorestown new jersey

Brother and sister looking out at the sunset in gorgeous South Jersey! Don't you just love fall ya'll?

Until we meet again South Jersey... Happy Shooting!

With love XOXOXO,

Dee

Unicorn Sessions-Photography is EASY. Not.

Unicorn magical sessions in south Jersey

Unicorn photography is a unique and specialized skill that requires a keen eye, creativity, and technical expertise. Capturing the enchanting essence of these mythical creatures demands the ability to harness and enhance their mystique through the lens. Unicorn photography requires a deep understanding of lighting, composition, and perspective to bring out the ethereal beauty in each shot. The responsibility lies in the photographer's hands to emphasize the magical qualities of the unicorn while capturing their grace and allure. To possess the skill of unicorn photography is to possess the power to transport viewers into a world where dreams come alive, igniting a sense of wonder and awe that only these majestic creatures can awaken.

Photography is simple everyone can do it.

I am going to explain to you in rich and lavish detail.. It is not. In fact, it's been one of my hardest jobs of my life. It's time to get a little personal and about business here! :)

First off, I got into photography while running a travel blog many moons ago. I worked in corporate America previously. You can google me if you want, you'll see me pop up in a few news articles and probably see the books have written. Bleh bleh bleh.. right? I am boring you. Hold on!

I LOVED taking photos. Didn't know much about light and would just snap this, that, and the air. It honestly didn't matter. I didn't edit them either. I just loved it. For me, it was the thrill of exploring that particular place or landscape and taking a picture as a token that I've been there.

Well... out plops my son and then my daughter. At this point, I decided to flip tables, change things up a bit and to photograph them. These important moments because they change SO FAST were important for me to capture. So like many photographers, I got into portrait photography because of them.

This little lady enjoed being photographed with her puppy the unicorn.

Again... easy peasy, right? Hold your horses, will ya?

I started taking photos and learning my camera settings. Learning about light. Lots of trial and error. Friends saw these photographs and wanted their pictures done. Now, at this time... I thought I was dabomb.com. I wasn't. I was terrible. I'm now doing some of my friend's photographs and thinking hmmm.. this is easy maybe I should start a business....

And I did. Decided to incorporate my business in February of 2015. At this time, I STILL thought I was awesome. 

There were no clients. It was crickets. I'm like oh $45 is too expensive... let me lower them to $35 and give a ton of images. I continued to blog and at this point is when things got busy for me. I was taking workshops and learning online. I was building my lens collection. My work was starting to get noticed.

Then things got super busy. So by end of fall season.. I am practically ripping my hair out. $100 sessions (yep, raised them from those whopping $35 sessions) and I am spending 2 hours on one photograph editing. A total waste of time and resources. Time away from my own kiddos she family. It was awful. At this time, I continued to book like crazy and am virtually winging it and going day by day.

So tax time comes around... and this was my ah ha moment. Seeing how much money owed and realizing I wasn't charging enough to even make minimum wage and that I technically wasted so much of my time for PENNIES. I was seriously working for PENNIES and this was the second year. The numbers don't lie.

The first year, was even worse I was basically paying myself to work. I put the family virtually in debt because always wanted the latest and greatest shiniest things. You eventually realize you don't need those things.

We always need to get a nice pet in too. With our beautiful unicorns.

So come 2017... those few years have learned and learned well. I had to make a decision to either start making a profit... or I need to quit.

What I am trying to say is this. There are so many folks that end up burned out in this business. They have no real plan. They love what they do, but they often lack on the business side. They have no business plan m or marketing set in motion. They lack motivation because it can be a frustrating and very confusing start.

Now, one thing with myself. I am a go getter. I always had a plan. My plan wasn't enough when I started.I was super busy and was afraid to raise my pricing to where I should be priced at with my talent and worth.

I made it a point to offer a full session experience this year. Offering high end custom made gowns for my company.

We also tackled on limited series sessions. Such as unicorns, mermaids and princess castle sessions. Because I was so busy.... I ended up hiring my mom to come onboard full time to be my assistant. I love working with my mom. Not many daughters can say this and I'm sure would love the opportunity to work with your own mom.

I noticed office work starting slugging behind. When that happens, customer service starts to slip... so have had to hire an office manager to keep things running smoothly, so that we can provide our customers with the service they expect and honestly the best. We don't like offering anything less than the best...asWe are completely full service.

So... for now and going forward we have a concrete plan. I have a team at my disposal to insure I give my clients the best and they are your team, too. We have your back.

This is not an easy job, I work 24/7 at every waking hour to make my business better. No one told me going into this, that I would spend most of my time on the business end and not shooting/editing. A huge misconception most photographers have getting into this.

What I am saying is if you want a well-organized and run photography business. That will WOW you from beginning to end in the Philly area.. you've found it. We're right here. We're not going anywhere. We've only just started!

BEFORE AND AFTER EDITING PROCESS - Southern New Jersey Photographer

Before and After Edit

At Shooting Star Photography LLC, witness the transformative power of editing in our before and after images. Our skilled editors enhance the raw beauty captured in each photograph, bringing out the best in every shot. See how subtle adjustments can make a world of difference, elevating ordinary snapshots into extraordinary works of art. Trust us to perfect your precious memories and turn them into timeless masterpieces.

Southern New Jersey portrait photographer, family photographer in new jersey

Before and After Editing Process- behind the scenes.

As a photographer, it is crucial to show before and after edits of our work for several reasons. Firstly, it allows us to demonstrate our skills and expertise in post-processing techniques. By showcasing the original image alongside its edited version, we can highlight the artistic decisions made and the enhancements achieved. This helps potential clients understand the level of creativity and attention to detail we bring to our photography. Additionally, displaying before and after edits helps in managing expectations. Clients can get a realistic understanding of how editing can elevate and transform an image, ensuring they are satisfied with the final result. Ultimately, sharing before and after edits not only showcases our abilities but also builds trust and transparency with our audience.

Every year, we generally use my friend's peony field in Gloucester County, NJ. Most folks ask... what is a peony?  A peony flower resembles huge rose flowers... They bloom for maybe two weeks tops and they are extremely fragrant. Peak time is generally at height around Memorial Day weekend. There's a few farms in the area. Our Outer Coastal plan in New Jersey allows great growing conditions of plants and vegetables and is why it is called the Garden State. However, this past year with the weird warmup we had in the winter.. Bloom times were heavily affected. We had to cancel our annual peony farm sessions this year.

A lot of bloom times were affected. Peach crops were apparently going to also be affected another year in a row. It was a strange spring. I hope that 2018's spring will be much different.I wanted to show a little bit of what we do behind the scenes on the editing process. We don't just take a photo and hand it over to you. We lovingly go over every single image to make it truly shine. This is why we take the time we do, to have them back to you. I am at home working most nights until 3 am to 4 am in the morning. 

Our schedule is very busy and this part time business, has turned into almost a 24/7 operation.I have trained under some of the best of the industry to give my clients the very best. I believe in education and that is key at all times to continue to grow, learn and provide the best for customers. I am constantly learning new things. In regards to the peony sessions, I rarely show my before and afters... but wanted to show you what things look out of camera and what your final product may be. Some of our specialty sessions, like our unicorn sessions.. tend to be even more work. I don't believe in changing children's faces or features. I have seen this done many times in our industry. Everything, tends to get "cooked to death" as I like to say or completely Photoshopped to death.

My goal is just enhancement. EVERYTHING is edited by hand. Peony field. Southern New Jersey. Before and after editing process.Top left is out of camera. It was actually overcast and raining during this session. Full image is the final edited product in which my clients received. I would say not my BEST WORK. However, it still goes to show the in depth process of what we do.I want my clients to look back on their photos (years from now) and see art and beauty, but see their children and themselves as they truly are. I don't like to lose skin texture or affect features.

This is why we take the time we do to make sure each and every photograph that you choose in the editing process.. looks like a superstar, but not overly processed.  We also stylized this shoot. The color white and vintage ALWAYS looks beautiful virtually anywhere. It reflects timelessness. Most likely, you won't look back at this image in 5 years and say it is out of style or clothing choices.. what was I thinking? This image was taken two years ago and still just as beautiful today! 

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

NJ Portrait Photographer

Upcoming Unicorn Sessions! South Jersey Photographer

South Jersey Photographer- Unicorn Sessions A Captivating Experience!

Experience the enchantment of a unicorn session in the picturesque landscapes of New Jersey. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we believe in capturing the pure magic and whimsy that surrounds these mythical creatures. Step into a fairy tale world as you adorn our exquisite dresses and sparkling tiaras, transforming into a princess ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure. We will skillfully capture your moments of wonder and awe as you interact with majestic unicorns, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Let us enchant you with a unicorn session that will transport you to a realm where dreams come true.

Unicorns are often celebrated for their mythical and magical allure. Their symbolization of purity, grace, and enchantment captivates the imagination of many. With their majestic horn and iridescent mane, unicorns spark joy and wonder in both children and adults alike. The allure of unicorns lies in their ability to transport us to a world where endless possibilities exist, where dreams come true, and where magic thrives. The enchanting charm of unicorns is a delightful reminder to embrace the whimsical side of life and indulge in the fantastical mysteries that the world has to offer.

Little girl in a blue dollcake dress… smiling for a unicorn portrait session in New Jersey!

As we get into the cooler weather, here in South Jersey, we have some exciting sessions coming up! We're giddy with excitement! The first one that is up is UNICORNS. That's right. In two weeks, our once again, 3rd time sell out of unicorn sessions will take place. Many girls and boys will gather for this beautiful fall-inspired.. yet pastel theme. Our unique "unicorn" will have her own unique look as well. New horn, beautiful floral halo. Etc. Etc. Etc. New flowers.

New pretty much everything for this shoot. I think it's going to be gorgeous with the already changing leaves outside. As this will be another dreamy magical forest location!We're excited to hold these and can't wait to do these next year! I have also purchased unicorn inspired gowns to go along with this September's theme! 

Stay tuned as we post more information as Fall comes along! It's going to be a rocking end of year! No one does it better in South Jersey as we truly do make it a distinctive session for every boy and girl and with every single session we do. We give 100% from start to finish. We do this because we really do love what we do. To me sessions are all about bringing magic to a child's eyes and making each and every child feel special! If you would like to get on next spring's list for the magical unicorn experience, feel free to reach out! 

Happy Shooting, my friends! 

Dee Owner of Shooting Star Photography