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.

Philadelphia Teen Photo Session: City Lights & Winter Vibes

Fun and festive Philadelphia teen photo shoot on 13th street, capturing sibling bonds, city lights, and holiday magic—discover why winter sessions are a must!

Bright Lights, Cozy Coats: A Philadelphia Teen Photo Shoot Adventure

Winter Magic Meets Teen Vibes

Philadelphia in winter? Absolute perfection for a teen photo shoot. The city transforms into a wonderland of twinkling lights, festive vibes, and—let’s be honest—some seriously cool backdrops. No stiff, awkward poses here. Just three stylish teens, wrapped in cozy coats, laughing their way through the city, proving that sometimes, the best portraits are the ones filled with personality.

Three siblings smiling and having fun during their portrait session in Philadelphia.

Three siblings laughing and enjoying their portrait session in Philadelphia, dressed in stylish winter coats with city lights glowing in the background. Their bond and energy shine through as they pose together in a fun and candid moment.

Teen smiling at the camera among festive decorations in Philadelphia.

A happy teen smiling at the camera, surrounded by festive holiday decorations in Philadelphia. Twinkling lights and seasonal décor set the scene for this vibrant and joyful portrait session.

Style on Point: Dressing for the Shoot

Rule #1: Stay warm. Rule #2: Look good doing it. These teens nailed both. They ditched the idea that you need formalwear for a stunning session and instead rocked layered winter fashion that kept them comfortable and chic. Philly’s streets may have been cold, but their confidence (and those sibling giggles) kept the energy high. Who needs a runway when you have South Philly’s vibrant streets?

Teen sibling posing on 13th Street in Philadelphia with festive holiday lights.

A teen sibling poses confidently on 13th Street in Philadelphia, surrounded by glowing holiday lights and festive decorations, capturing the magic of the season.

The Ultimate Holiday Backdrop

Christmas in Philadelphia is like stepping into a snow globe (minus the actual snow because, let’s be real, Mother Nature does what she wants). Miracle on 13th Street lit up like a dream, with glowing lights draped across row homes and festive decor at every turn. The city pulsed with holiday cheer, making it the perfect setting for this trio’s urban adventure.

Three siblings posing together on a Philadelphia street for a portrait session.

Three siblings stand together on a bustling Philadelphia street, dressed stylishly for their portrait session. The city lights and urban backdrop add a vibrant touch to their fun and candid moment.

Sibling Shenanigans & Candid Moments

If you’ve ever tried to get siblings to take a serious photo together, you know it’s a challenge. But that’s the beauty of it! The playful teasing, inside jokes, and spontaneous bursts of laughter made for the BEST shots. From impromptu dance moves under the streetlights to dramatic "model" poses in front of city murals, this session was pure gold. Philly’s charm mixed with their sibling energy? Unbeatable.

Teen girl posing for a portrait in Philadelphia.

A teenage girl confidently poses for a portrait in Philadelphia, with the city’s urban charm and festive atmosphere enhancing the scene.

Children smiling and posing for a portrait surrounded by Christmas decorations in Philadelphia.

A joyful moment captured in Philadelphia as children smile and pose in front of festive Christmas decorations. The holiday spirit is alive in the city with bright lights, sparkling ornaments, and a backdrop of seasonal cheer. This portrait highlights the warmth and joy of the season, creating a timeless memory for the family to cherish.

A Session to Remember

The best part of any photo shoot isn’t just the images—it’s the experience. These teens didn’t just stand in front of the camera; they owned the moment. Exploring the city, finding hidden gems, and creating memories that will last well beyond the winter season. And let’s not forget the parents—because these photos? Absolute wall-hangers.

Girl posing for a portrait among the Christmas decorations on Miracle on 13th in Philadelphia.

A beautiful portrait of a girl posing in front of the stunning Christmas decorations on Miracle on 13th in Philadelphia. The vibrant holiday lights and festive ornaments create a magical backdrop, capturing the spirit of the season and the joy of the moment in this iconic Philly neighborhood.

Ready to book your own winter teen session? Whether it’s the holiday glow or the city skyline, Philly is waiting to be your next backdrop. Let’s make some magic!

Book Your Session/ Pricing

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

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Navy Yard Philadelphia- Teen Photo Shoot!

Navy Yard Philadelphia- Teen Photo Shoot!

Oh the Philly Navy Yard… How I love thee!

I love my clients. I love seeing them grow and in this case, I have photographed this lady since she was around 8 or 9 years old! She will be going off to college this year! Isn’t that crazy?

Oh the Philly Navy Yard… How I love thee!

I love my clients. I love seeing them grow and in this case, I have photographed this lady since she was around 8 or 9 years old! She will be going off to college this year! Isn’t that crazy?

Check out this beautiful teen session that we photographed at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. She danced, we posed. We brought in her brother for a few portraits, but most of all, we had fun! That’s what it is about here at Shooting Star.. FUN AND GORGEOUS PORTRAITS.

The Philadelphia Navy Yard is an absolute gem when it comes to choosing a perfect spot for a photo shoot! With its captivating architecture, stunning waterfront views, and abundant green spaces, the Navy Yard offers endless possibilities to capture breathtaking photographs. Recently, we had the pleasure of photographing Eden, a talented dancer, at various sites within this historic location. From the iconic shipyard cranes to the lush gardens, each setting provided a unique backdrop that perfectly complemented Eden's grace and creativity. The Navy Yard truly proved to be an ideal location, offering a blend of urban and natural scenery that allowed us to capture truly enchanting moments.

Check out a little history below and a little rock n roll!

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Love this little lady! I’ve know her momma for quite some time. We use to work together back in the day before I became a photographer. It’s been an honor to see her grow into the lady she is today. Super smart, down-to-earth, and a great baker, too!

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The sun was setting behind her and had to get a capture of it. The light was fantastic!

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Fly little lady! Fly!

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I loved all her costumes and outfit choices! They were great!

The Navy Yard in Philadelphia has a long and storied history dating back to the early days of the United States. Here is a brief overview:

  • The site of the Navy Yard was originally purchased by the federal government in 1776, during the American Revolution. It was used as a shipbuilding and repair facility during the war.

  • The first ship built at the Navy Yard was the frigate USS United States, which was launched in 1797.

  • During the Civil War, the Navy Yard played a key role in the Union's naval blockade of the Confederacy. The ironclad USS Monitor was built there, and many other ships were repaired and refitted.

  • In the years following the Civil War, the Navy Yard continued to be a hub of activity, with ships being built and repaired for both the Navy and commercial customers.

  • During World War I, the Navy Yard played a critical role in the war effort, building and repairing ships and producing ammunition and other supplies.

  • In World War II, the Navy Yard was once again a major center of activity, producing a wide range of ships and supplies for the war effort.

  • After World War II, the Navy Yard continued to be used for shipbuilding and repair, but its importance declined as the Navy's needs changed.

  • In 1995, the Navy announced that it would close the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and the site was turned over to the City of Philadelphia. Today, the Navy Yard is home to a variety of businesses and organizations, and it is a hub of innovation and economic development in the city.

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Twirling in front of the ships!

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Love this old factory that adds a lot of beautiful texture. She’s super cute and graceful!

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Loved how the light was coming in softly and the mirrored image at the Navy Yard.

The Navy Yard in Philadelphia can be a great location for a photo session for several reasons:

  1. Historical significance: The Navy Yard has a rich history, spanning over 200 years, which can provide a unique and interesting backdrop for photos. The buildings and structures at the Navy Yard have a distinctive style and character, which can add depth and texture to photos.

  2. Variety of settings: The Navy Yard offers a range of settings for photos, from urban landscapes to natural settings. There are historic buildings, parks, and waterfront views that can provide a diverse range of options for photographers and clients.

  3. Accessibility: The Navy Yard is easily accessible from downtown Philadelphia and has ample parking, making it a convenient location for a photo session. Additionally, the Navy Yard is relatively quiet compared to other busy locations in the city, providing a more relaxed and peaceful environment for a photo shoot.

  4. Flexibility: The Navy Yard is a large area with plenty of open space, providing ample opportunities for photographers to experiment with different angles, lighting, and compositions. This can allow for greater creativity and flexibility during a photo session.

Overall, the Navy Yard in Philadelphia can be a great location for a photo session due to its historical significance, variety of settings, accessibility, and flexibility.

As you can see with miss “E” we had a blast. We also included her twin brother in this shoot! We love getting to incorporate the family!

If you would like to schedule your little dancer’s shoot, bring the costumes and lets have a fun time!

Teen/Senior Photo Shoot at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia.

Aren’t these photos gorgeous. There is so many places to photograph here. It’s a photographer’s dream at the Navy Yard. You have to go!

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Both just posing and having fun in front of the historical buildings at the Navy Yard!

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Of course we had to get one of this guy! He’s an awesome baseball player, too!

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Brother and sister having fun!

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Last shot of the evening and loved the texture and lighting here!

We did a few outfit changes and got to tour the grounds all over. It was so much fun! To schedule your teen photo shoot, contact us today for the 2024 season! Bring in your sibling or fam for a quick impromptu at the end of your special session! We encourage to bring wardrobe changes and look to just fun for the day!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

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