Color, color, color, everywhere! Defining your style... What's it going to be?

I love the summer and spring and the colors of the lush greens, blooming flowers and trees.... the long sunny days!  The pastels and lots and lots of color! I love sunlight! This is my style. Bright, vibrant and colorful!Let me tell you how long it has taken me to get to where I currently am... I can't tell you how hard it is to be a photographer... It really truly is!  I had NO CLUE what I was in for. None, whatsoever.  I knew editing was involved. I knew you needed to know your camera settings and how to work in certain scenarios... and I knew poses.. but I have learned a lot since them!Within the last few months, I have truly tried to define MY STYLE.  It took a ton of practice and hard work. I live and breathe photography. It's really sad. I know.On a typical day.. say I don't have clients... I will probably go out and shoot for an hour, I usually edit for 1-2 hours on old photographs to brush up on skills and keep them fresh, and then I top the night off with about an hour of learning from the greats by watching videos... and/or reading... that's a regular day. Now, when it is busy, like now... I may spend up to 3-4 hours editing a night... with about an hour of education... Still.  Not to mention, back and forth communication with clients. Scheduling session days and times.

Kids having fun in a peony field.

Little tongue pusher!

An engagement session I did a looong time ago.

 Confirming and consulting on locations, what to wear, props and the business side of things. It can be a full 12-14 hour day that you put into this.My greatest asset thus far in this photography journey has been education, education, education.. hands down!  Whether it be a new technique in camera or learning how to edit.. It has been the best investment in this journey... NOT CAMERA EQUIPMENT.  In fact, I just upgraded AGAIN... My third camera upgrade within about 8 months and I've barely taken it out yet. I'm still comfortable with my old one and will gradually ease my way into the new with photo sessions... The new camera is technically the more "superior" camera... cost three times more than the one I am replacing it with... but you see I know my old camera much better... so until I start practicing a bit more with the new one and it becomes an extension of my body, like my old one.. then I will start to utilize it more.

Anywho, in terms of finding your style as a photographer... Honestly, it's all practice.  I would say try not to emulate what you see out there and try doing your own thing... you don't want to look like everyone else. Just learn to perfect your own thing...I use to play it safe and then realized I wasn't happy. I did clean edits. It was just blah to me and it kind of sucked my creativity and joy. Once I started to just not care what others thought or should I do this or that... basically, not second guessing yourself... Is when you will see your style to emerge. It's about breaking your barriers.Your style is going to take some time and probably at least 200-500 hours of just work. Then all of a sudden one day... it hits you like bam! Then you have it!I look back at some of my older work and I can see the direction I wanted to go, but it was difficult  for me to fully execute.  I saw the "look" I wanted to go in my head, but I just couldn't figure it totally out in Photoshop.  I didn't have a clear sense in what I wanted from beginning to end.. from the first click.. to the end.   Now, I can shoot from start to finish with the look I want.  I go into every shoot knowing what I want to do and how I want it to look.

Thus far, it's been a great year and I look back and see the growth I have done in just a short amount of time, but I finally feel that I have a style... My style.  There's honestly no looking back. Business is busy and I'm enjoying what I do.. I'm enjoying learning (as I always will) and I genuinely feel warm and fuzzy inside when folks want me to capture their engagement sessions, weddings, maternity photos... They trust me to be behind the camera. I feel honored and blessed to do those things for them.So here is my style... I don't like staged cheesy smiles... I will do some of these from time to time... however, I like natural poses... natural smiles, I like when someone naturally sits... or when someone looks at their significant either with just "that look".. in what I call the look of love.  My style is playful..

In terms of children, I capture childhood.. In terms of when I work with adults, I capture true moments, their hearts, their personalities.. their dreams.I love bokeh.. and my style is all about it... If there is not bokeh... there's probably something wrong with me that day.I get everything right in camera.I love sunlight... I have a way of capturing it...and I love color.. vibrancy, warmth, pastels.and once in awhile... that dark and moody edit...and I love skies.. colorful gorgeous skies.And that's it.. that's me!What's your style!?!?! Are you a clean edit type... or are you bold and daring?! What is it that you will offer to the table.. that others in your area don't?!Aha.. you see that right there!! All my blabbering got you here! Take that last question in right now.. seriously take it in...It's going to be your aha moment!  As it was for me!

Happy Shooting, my friends!-Dee

Just A Dog With His Mom!

A photoshoot with this dog mom and her puppy in New Jersey!

This has been an insane year South Jersey! Business has been growing and we've been very very busy, which is why you don't normally see too many blog postings up on here often!  I am loving all the newness that has occurred this year!  We've been a business since October 2014 and it just continues to blossom and grow!  It has been such a tremendous and exciting journey.  

We've already done two weddings which is a new offering and we have more approaching in the pipeline in this upcoming year!  We really can't wait! This is a very exciting time!It's such a joy to be be able to photograph precious memories for people.  I feel honored! I truly do! I am definitely not in it for the money as it is very hard to make an entire career out of it (some day!), but I do find great joy in this.  It's a lot of fun!

This pup.. cracked me up the entire session.

Taylor was a behaved little pop and you can tell he loves his mama!

Pet portraits in Salem County, NJ.

Just mommy and me having fun in the garden.

This is my favorite photo of the bunch of Taylor and his mom!

These photos are from a recent session in our private garden! Mom wanted to get photos of her and her “son” wink wink furry baby and I said "Sure, why not!?!"  I've worked with dogs before and love it! My favorite is doing family sessions with the furry love muffins! I'm always prepped with treats and sparkling water for my wet-nosed clients!  

So... meet Taylor.. He is a dachsund mix and mommy said is a bad dog from time to time, but he was great during his entire session! He smiled the whole entire time!!!This session was such a blast to do!  I truly enjoyed working with mom and Taylor!  I think mom and Taylor did too!  They even came all the way from out of state (Delaware) just to get their photo taken with me!  I feel truly blessed to have been able to capture these moments and I know mom will treasure them for a lifetime!  Here’s their story… below!

Fun Times Photographing Taylor the Dachshund Mix and His Human Mom

I had an absolute blast capturing the adorable moments between Taylor, the charming Dachshund mix, and his delightful human mom during a recent photo shoot in my picturesque garden here in South Jersey.

As the sun bathed my garden in warm, golden hues, it created the perfect setting for this heartwarming session. Taylor, with his long ears and expressive eyes, exuded an enchanting charisma that was impossible to resist. From the moment he arrived, tail wagging with excitement, I knew we were in for a real treat.
Taylor and his mom shared an undeniable bond. It was enchanting to witness the genuine love and affection flowing effortlessly between them. They were an inseparable team, a dynamic duo that radiated joy in each other's company.
Throughout the photo shoot, we explored various locations in the garden, allowing Taylor's playful spirit to shine. Everywhere he went, he spread happiness and infectious energy, making it nearly impossible to resist capturing those whimsical moments on camera.

The garden's vibrant flowers and lush greenery served as a captivating backdrop, enhancing the beauty of both Taylor and his mom. Their chemistry was palpable, and every click of the shutter seemed to encapsulate their unwavering connection.
Taylor's mom was an absolute superstar, too. She embraced the session with sheer enthusiasm, effortlessly radiating love and pride for her furry companion. Together, they laughed, snuggled, and shared countless tender moments that made my job a real joy.

Time flew by as we captured an array of candid and posed shots. From playful games of fetch to gentle cuddles under the shade of a blooming tree, Taylor and his mom showcased an incredible bond that melted hearts.

As the sun began to set, tinting the sky with vibrant pinks and oranges, we knew our time together had drawn to a close. However, the memories we had created would last a lifetime – reminders of the love and happiness shared between Taylor and his mom.
Photographing Taylor and his mom in my garden was an experience that truly captured the essence of their beautiful relationship. It was a privilege to be a witness to their connection, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have frozen those magical moments in time through my lens.
As I reflect on that day, I cannot help but smile, knowing that the photographs we captured will serve as lasting mementos of the love, joy, and fun that Taylor and his mom share. It was a photo shoot filled with laughter, wagging tails, and a whole lot of love – a truly delightful experience that I will cherish forever.

Plus, I truly enjoy working with animals!  I've worked with them in family sessions in the past and it ha always been a great time!Hey, I know I will treasure them, too!

Happy Shooting, South Jersey!

Dee

Now offering Wedding Packages in South Jersey!!!

Check out this lovely wedding couple at the Levoy Theatre in Millville!

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful couple at the iconic Levoy Theatre in Millville. It was a truly magical day as they celebrated their special event amidst the rich history and artistic ambiance of this stunning venue.

The Levoy Theatre, with its grandeur and charm, provided the perfect backdrop for this couple's love story. The elegant architecture and vintage decor added an enchanting touch to their photographs, capturing the essence of their special day.
As the warm sunshine filtered through the stained glass windows, it painted a soft glow on the couple's faces. Their smiles radiated joy and happiness, reflecting the love they share. Their chemistry was undeniable, and every moment I captured felt incredibly genuine and heartfelt.

Throughout the shoot, their connection was evident in their laughter, gentle touches, and stolen glances. They embraced the historic beauty of the theatre, holding hands as they explored its corridors and posed under the marquee. It was a privilege to witness their love story unfold in such a remarkable setting.

Witnessing couples like this reaffirms my belief in true love. It reminds me of the power and beauty that can blossom when two people find their perfect match. Their love story is one that transcends time, and I have no doubt that their journey together will be filled with happiness, adventure, and countless treasured memories.

To this lovely couple, I wish nothing but the best. May your love continue to grow and flourish, and may every step you take together be filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day at the Levoy Theatre.

Iconic wedding at the Levoy Theatre in Millville, NJ.

We went for a little walk around the theatre and this bridge made for an epic photograph of this beautiful wedding couple!

weddingSaw these dandelions and thought would be cool to get a quick photograph!

Weddings in South Jersey

Hi South Jersey!!!

We are extremely excited for our newest and latest launch!  We are now offering Wedding Packages as a part of our many accouterments and we are VERY excited for this latest launch!  This is something that has been in the works for quite sometime and we just weren't willing to pull the trigger.  We have had many, many, many requests and unfortunately we had to turn most of these offers down.However, we are now ready to grow and to make it happen!Your wedding day is the most memorable day of your life!  Trust me, I know this!  I was married on 10-10-10... (awesome date, eh?  I mean you can't get any cooler than that) and I remember so many wonderful moments throughout the day.  

My mom flew in all the way from Arizona, all my family was with me,  and it was just complete CHAOS.. No, I'm joking.. it actually went very smoothly!  It went so smooth and flawless that we thought we were in the Twilight Zone! It was a great day!I remember folks telling me how fast it goes by... and golly gee, it does! It really does!  I was so thankful to have hired a fantastic photographer to capture these special moments!

I love going back through our album from time to time. It makes me smile and I just have truly fond memories of that day... and that's what I want to do for you!  Make these memories... memorable and everlasting!All packages will include TWO seasoned photographers (myself and a photographer whom I have teamed up with and has over 7 years of experience, we both are set in making this a very epic wedding experience!

See our price list for our latest wedding offerings!  We look forward to creating something genuinely unique for you and that you cannot find in the South Jersey area!!! It's going to rock and we are looking forward to it!

We are now accepting all brides and grooms... for this upcoming fall 2015 and then the following 2016 season. However, these booking will be very limited and exclusive with what we have to offer.  I am looking forward to what the future holds with Shooting Star.  

Great things are happening!

We are ready for this crazily bumpy and fun ride!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee