Fine Art Family Photography Stories & Resources

little girl in a vintage dress hugging a pony in an orchard outside of Philadelphia for a sweet moment

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.

Marlton New Jersey | Fine Art Photography Blogging

A Marlton NJ portrait photographer's journey into daily blogging—62 days in and counting! Follow along as I share insights, fun stories, and my passion.

Why I Started Daily Blogging as a Photographer

Welcome to my corner of the internet, where pixels meet passion and snapshots tell stories. As a portrait photographer with ten amazing years in this industry, I’m on a mission to capture life's fleeting moments.

Since December 26th, 2023, I’ve embarked on a daily blogging adventure, pouring my heart and soul into every post. Some days, I’ve even written two or three posts! My goal? To make it to a full year. Today, I’m 62 days in. What is it they say? It takes 21 days to form a habit. Well, I’m at 8 weeks now, so hopefully, this habit will stick—even when things ramp up during the busy photography season from spring to fall!

Graceful teen girl in a flowing yellow dress posing for a professional portrait session at a photography studio in Haddon Township, NJ.

Bloggy blog blog blog lol.

The Unexpected Benefits of Blogging Daily as a Photographer

1. Unleashing Creativity and Reflection

Behind every portrait lies a narrative waiting to unfold. Through daily blogging, I find solace in weaving stories, sharing insights, and reflecting on the beauty around me. Each blog post becomes a canvas where I paint with words, immersing myself in storytelling while uncovering new depths in my craft.

2. Embracing Imperfection & Authenticity

In photography, perfection is an elusive muse. But through blogging, I’ve learned to embrace imperfection. From candid anecdotes to behind-the-scenes bloopers, my blog offers a glimpse into the messy, marvelous world of portrait photography—where the imperfections often create the most memorable moments.

Whimsical image of a young girl twirling in a dress at sunset, with golden light casting a magical glow over the field.

3. Building Community & Connection

Despite the vast and sometimes impersonal digital landscape, daily blogging has allowed me to connect with fellow photographers, clients, and enthusiasts. Through comments, shares, and conversations, my blog has become a space where kindred spirits celebrate creativity and inspire one another.

4. Boosting SEO & Website Traffic

Let’s talk business! Blogging daily has significantly improved my website’s search rankings. Google loves fresh content, and consistent blogging has helped attract new visitors looking for South Jersey photographers, NJ family photographers, and portrait photography near me—all key phrases I naturally include in my posts.

5. Strengthening My Writing & Storytelling

Just as every photoshoot presents an opportunity for growth, daily blogging has sharpened my writing skills. Whether I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes moment, a lesson learned, or a client’s heartwarming story, each post strengthens my ability to tell a compelling narrative.

Portrait of a young boy standing tall at the Naval Air Station in Cape May, with vintage aircraft in the background.

How Daily Blogging is Helping My Photography Business

Blogging isn’t just about storytelling—it’s also about strategy! Here’s how blogging daily has positively impacted my business:

  • Increased Website Traffic: Regularly updated content attracts more visitors and improves my search engine rankings.

  • Building Brand Authority: Sharing insights and expertise consistently establishes me as a trusted photographer.

  • Generating More Client Leads: The more content I put out, the more potential clients find me.

  • Enhancing My Workflow: Blogging in the morning sets a productive tone for the rest of my workday.

  • Confidence in My Voice: Blogging daily has given me the freedom to express myself, boosting my confidence in my writing and storytelling.

My Workflow: How I Fit Blogging into My Day

People often ask me how I find the time to blog daily. Here’s the simple truth: I make it a priority.

My typical workflow looks like this:

  1. Morning Routine: Start my day by blogging with a fresh cup of coffee.

  2. Check Emails & Client Inquiries: Stay connected with clients and upcoming projects.

  3. Editing Sessions: Dive into retouching and fine art edits for client galleries.

  4. Client Communication & Social Media Updates: Engage with my audience.

  5. End-of-Day Review: Plan content for the next day’s blog post.

By incorporating blogging into my workflow, I ensure that I’m doing at least one great thing for my business every single day!

Laughter and joy as children enjoy vibrant ice cream cones on a warm summer day, captured in a candid, playful moment.

The boy at the end… Doesn’t look like he’s happy lol. Maybe a brain freeze? Hahaha

Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Keep Blogging

Blogging has been an unexpected joy, a personal challenge, and an incredible business tool. It has given me a space to reflect, refine my voice, and connect with others who share a passion for photography and storytelling. As I continue this journey, I invite you to follow along, whether you’re a fellow photographer, a curious reader, or someone who simply loves beautiful stories.

So, here’s to many more blog posts, to finding joy in the process, and to growing as both a photographer and storyteller. If you’re a photographer thinking about starting a blog—do it. You might be surprised at the magic you create along the way.

Happy Shooting… I mean blogging… my friends!

Dee

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How To Elevate Your Online Presence: Mastering SEO for Photographers

How To Elevate Your Online Presence: Mastering SEO for Photographers

Having just completed a basic SEO certification and advanced SEO certifications from Google, I have learned some really interesting new things when it comes to SEO and for putting it into your business. I also received my certification in Advanced Digital Marketing as a way to improve my reach on the web and also to help others! Here’s some info I learned that I think will be beneficial to all photographers in 2024!

Having just completed a basic SEO certification and advanced SEO certifications from Google, I have learned some really interesting new things when it comes to SEO and for putting it into your business. I also received my certification in Advanced Digital Marketing as a way to improve my reach on the web and also to help others! Here’s some info I learned that I think will be beneficial to all photographers in 2024!

In the dynamic realm of online marketing, SEO emerges as a potent strategy for photographers, surpassing even PPC in lead generation.

According to the majority of marketers online, SEO is better than other marketing strategies. Of ANYTHING! Including your PPC (pays per click) for generating leads.

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Discover the keys to enhance your website's SEO with these insightful strategies:

  • Consistent Publishing for Success:

  • Boost your blog traffic by posting regularly—research suggests that having at least 24 blog posts increases traffic by 30%, while exceeding 50 posts results in a remarkable 77% boost. Opt for longer posts for improved SEO and enhanced visitor engagement.

  • Niche Focus Yields Results:

  • While exploring creative avenues is crucial, honing in on a niche can significantly benefit your photography business. Specializing allows you to stand out and be recognized as an expert in that specific field.

    Find your niche! They say riches are in the niches!

  • Timeframe Realities:

  • Understand that SEO results don't happen overnight. It can take three to six months, or even up to 12 to 18 months, to witness significant traffic growth. Patience is key as search engines need time to index and rank your content in the competitive digital landscape.

  • Harness the Power of Backlinks:

  • Backlinks are vital for SEO success. Regularly submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure effective crawling. Additionally, submit updates to keep Google informed about changes, especially after adding new content.

  • SEO Tailored for Photographers:

  • Explore dedicated SEO practices crafted for photographers. For a comprehensive understanding, check out my guide on SEO for photographers, covering the fundamentals.

  • TTC: The Key to Ranking Success:

  • Time, Content Quality, and Consistency—these are the pillars of successful SEO. Mastering these elements is crucial for navigating Google's vast universe.

  • Content Quality Matters:

  • Produce high-quality content that adds value to your audience. Research relevant keywords and strategically incorporate them to enhance your blog's visibility in search results.

  • Consistency is Key:

  • Regularly update your blog with fresh and relevant content. Consistency not only builds your audience but also improves your chances of ranking higher in search results.

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I picked this because eye-catching. The light is gorgeous and I love showing beautiful New Jersey!

For example statistics show that if you publish consistently (on your blog) after launch. Studies show that if you have 24 blogs to start with, it will increase traffic to your blog by up to 30%. If you up that and have more than 50 blogs, you will see a 77% boost in traffic. The more you blog on a constant basis (they say to start with two blogs per week). The longer your blogs and how informative they are, the more traffic you will see! Longer well-researched content is better for your search engine optimization and for your visitors coming to your site!

Remember, SEO success is a journey, not a sprint. By implementing these strategies, photographers can strengthen their online presence and attract a wider audience over time.

My keywords are an example below. I am a Southern New Jersey Photographer that lives right outside of Philadelphia, so below would be my main keywords to target. My keywords are generally based off the topic I write.

To kickstart your photography blog endeavors, consider focusing on keywords like photographers, south, Jersey, NJ, New Jersey, Philly, portraits, photographers in Philadelphia, photographers in Haddonfield (the shoot location), NJ photographer, family photo shoot. Additionally, showcasing the locations you've photographed at can enhance your Google keyword and location rank for your general area, giving customers insight into your capabilities at specific local sites.

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Showing my work.. Also, showing work repeatedly creates a mental image in your client’s memory bank! Post consistently even old stuff! Seriously, it works!

SEO For Photographers

Why is SEO for Photographers so important? 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is important for photographers for several reasons:

We will cover all these areas. 

  • Visibility

  • Competition

  • Targeted Traffic

  • Credibility

  • Local Optimization

  • Cost-Effective Marketing

  • Analytics and Insights

In summary, SEO is essential for photographers because it enhances their online presence, increases visibility, and helps them stand out in a competitive market, ultimately leading to more potential clients and business opportunities. I am going to help walk you through every single process and provide you with the tools to succeed!

Here is a PDF FREE for you to download that helps to walk you through the basic steps in getting started!


Happy Shooting, my photography friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

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