Portraits in the Snow. Beautiful Light Found in South Jersey.

There is something truly enchanting about capturing portraits in the snow. As delicate flakes gently cascade from the heavens, they create a dreamlike ambiance, transforming the surroundings into a winter wonderland. The mesmerizing white blanket serves as a magical canvas, enhancing the beauty of every subject. The crisp chill in the air adds a rosy glow to cheeks, making smiles shine even brighter. Against the serene backdrop, the vivid colors of scarves, hats, and mittens pop with vibrancy, creating striking contrasts. Snowflakes delicately kiss eyelashes, evoking a sense of whimsy and enchantment. In the realm of winter portraiture, the photographer becomes an artist, skillfully capturing the ethereal magic that lies within snowy landscapes.

Capturing children's portraits in the snow is an exhilarating and endearing experience that truly encapsulates the joy and wonder of childhood. As the snowflakes gently fall from the sky, creating a pristine white canvas, the children's rosy cheeks and bright smiles light up the wintry landscape. Each photograph becomes a timeless moment frozen in time, a testament to their innocence and boundless energy. Against the backdrop of snow-covered trees and sparkling winter light, the children's playful nature is showcased as they build snow forts, throw snowballs, or embrace the beauty of the season. With every click of the shutter, the magic of childhood and the ethereal beauty of the snow merge, resulting in portraits that are full of warmth, delight, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Addison Street is a beautiful setting for snow photography.

Snowing at Weymouth Furnace.

Wow! We did not expect this, for this year! Boy, have things changed and quickly! It was going to be a great year for Shooting Star Photography. A lot of changes were made. A new studio location was about to be open. Then... in a matter of days.. ALL of our lives changed. Which seemed to happen overnight. We changed our clocks forward, but if only we knew what the week would be ahead, after the change. I don't think anyone could have ever predicted such craziness.

Most small businesses are shut down and not permitted to operate in these crazy times. I feel for anyone going through the struggle right now. The stimulus package will not help most of us small business owners.

Who knows when this will end. Some states have shut down schools for the rest of the year. My neighboring state, of Delaware, has shut down everything until May 15th. These are very scary times that we now live in and a lot of us are stressed, due to the unknown.

A beautiful portrait taken in downtown Haddonfield, New Jersey

All we can do is band together to do what needs to be done. Help each other in these times. Be kind.

I don't know what is to happen with my business in the future. I have been able to operate for the past five years. Who knows what will happen? I am unable to take on any sessions right now. This is our busy time of year and most of us small business owners do not qualify for any stimulus $$$$. Most of us are operating (because we still have overhead/operating costs) on savings at this point. I know wedding photographers that have been left bankrupt from this. Due to weddings being cancelled. I know studio owners that may have to close their doors. It's a sad situation for all us small business owners right now. We just need to truck on by and stand together. This won't last forever.

Stay in there. Use this time wisely. Brush up on skills. Eliminate and go over expenses. We're all in this together. Stay strong!

The Magic of Childhood

The Magic of Childhood

I love talking about people’s childhoods. When it comes to photography a lot of my childhood, I like to bring forth and to create a story. In my eyes, my childhood was magical and I wish that today's kids could enjoy the same childhood. 

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Wildflowers and moon watching at a gorgeous photo session in Mullica Hill, New Jersey.

My kids are at the ages of 7 and 4. They are now starting to inquire and ask how my childhood was and the things I did. Almost everything I talk about, my kids say they wish they could do this stuff today.

In a way, I feel bad for my children. I feel they are missing out on a real childhood. Everything just seems so planned and no surprises. With my childhood, I’d come home from school, do my homework, then head on out until the lights came on.

There was no need for texts or phone calls. You’d pop into a friend’s house and say hey, Mrs. so and so... is Jenny home? Jenny would come to the door and you’dsay, “come on, let’s go ride our bikes.” The next thing you hear is Jenny saying, “bye” to her mom and her mom screaming back, “come back before dark!” And off we went!

It was a time before the internet. We’d ride our bikes, usually in a big group. Head up to the school. Maybe play some basketball, or suicide (it’s a game with a tennis ball). When those Street lights came on, it meant it was time to head home. Have dinner. Wash up. Go to bed.

Through all these activities, it was very rare to see any parents around...

Weekends, we’d go the the mall, movies, dances, sleepovers (a ton of them) or roller skating.

If winter, you’d find us at Flower’s Hill.

Love my little monkey!

Snow portraits are the best!

If it was summer, we’d explore the forest, make forts, go crick stomping, hit up every friend’s pool, play knock knock zoom zoom, jailbreak and flashlight tag.

Of course there was sports, but today things are very competitive. We joined mostly to be social and to be with our friends.

Our only rule..was to stay out of trouble and to be home when the lights came on.

It was frowned down upon to be home and play video games all day long. We were generally encouraged to explore and be kids. I know some parents use to go as far as locking their kids out of the house until it was nighttime when I was growing up!

In a way, I feel sorry for how things are these days. It’s all about play dates and parental supervision. Sleepovers are rare, unless the parents REALLY know each other. Popping in, or stopping by, without a text, or a call is frowned down upon and basic blasphemy to do to anyone.

In my day, if you traveled to an area and knew someone and DIDN’T try to stop by... you were considered rude. It was okay to just show up and knock... if they weren’t home, it showed effort on your part and was respected.

Kids are now left at home to their own devices. Whether it be reading, video games etc. they miss the exploring and natural curiosities of just growing up and learning things on their own. I feel these kids are missing out with bonding with friends and exploring their own environments.

Don’t get me wrong, kids still do things, but I think they lose the social connection and there’s a big disconnect. Some kids are struggling with anxiety and lacking how to be social.

We didn’t need Facebook or the internet because trust me, if you did something bad... word somehow got back to your parents and hell would be leashed.

I mean kid parties now.... Parents are required to stay there. In my day, drop off, have fun, get picked up... or walk home afterwards..and that was that.

What the heck happened? Now, if kids did this stuff these days, most likely cps would be knocking. This is the crazy past, but it is what it is.

I understand a lot of it is becausebad things happen to little kiddos and there are bad people in this world. However, statistically we’re much safer than we ever have been. Due to technology.

So I guess my question would be... what happened? And why the shift?

More kids are staying indoors more than ever and obesity is going through the roof because of it.

Do you think things could ever go back the way they were? Even on a small scale?Or are we just all doomed? 😂