Upcoming Beach Mini!

Jersey Shore Beach Photographers

Whew it's really been busy here in the Milky Way (get it? Shooting Star Photography?)!!! But as promised, here is my limited beach session offering for this summer!!!!  Grab the family, hop in your car, and come on down to the Jersey shore!I'm very excited and happy to announce that I will be offering a limited and discounted one day Jersey shore beach mini session! I only offer special rates maybe 2-3 times a year so this day will sell out quickly!  This beautiful scouted location is in the Sea Isle City area and location will be revealed when you book!

beach promotion for Sea Isle, NJ.

 Enjoy the gorgeous South Jersey sunset, while enjoying your session with yours truly!!!!  It will be a special and fabulous day! This will be around peak time at the Jersey shore!!! We will be starting at 4pm all the way up to around 7:30.  Please bring comfortable shoes and dress for the environment!  We will provide a blanket and additional seating!Come on out and enjoy the best of South Jersey!  I'm known for my beautiful locations throughout our gorgeous state and I never disappoint!  You will love this spot!!  Get those needed  family photos done... or some maternity photos!  Enjoy watching the sunset and feel the cool breezes coming off the Atlantic Ocean!  Hear and surrender to the waves crashing ashore!  And best of all... you'll be at the gorgeous Jersey shore at the height of summer!Contact us today! This will book fast!  As they always do!  All my mini's always sell out!!!!

Happy Shooting, my friends! 

Best,

Dee

What To Wear Tips... By Shooting Star Photography!

It doesn't matter whether you have a family session, maternity session, or a single portrait session, South Jersey... What you wear... MATTERS...  MOST.... and it can genuinely make or break your session!

Normally, people hold onto these photographs for decades so you don't want to look back and say to yourself...  "What in the hay was I thinking?" So here are a few tips to get you going! Let me take you back to my decorating days... The color wheel!  Fun! Fun! Fun! But guess, what? It makes perfect sense!

Below, are my tips for a flawless shoot!

The color wheel is your friend for matching and pairing up colors to your scenery!

Happy puppy and momma!

A beautiful baby bump!

The Color Wheel... 

When choosing your outfit... choose one side.. of this wheel.. If you are doing family photos... stick the the same side... Easy peasy.  I would also take into consideration the environment as well.  IE.. a forest scene... I don't think it would be in your best interest to wear green... Unless, you would like to blend in... Yes, I know camouflage is coming back... but I'm sure that's not what you are trying to go for!  Also, to take into consider try not to have everyone in busy tones.  I think mom in a print dress is fine and then can play off of it... but you don't want Johnny in stripes, and then Ted.. then mom and dad...

I think you see where I'm going with this! Also, you don't want to go too matchy matchy!  The everyone in jeans.. thing and white t-shirt... I can admit can be cute to see once in awhile.. but how about everyone wear's jeans and to coordinate it up with nice shirts? My biggest thing is to be comfortable.. If you are uncomfortable, it is going to show in your photographs!

 Makeup!   

Your makeup should be simple! A little concealer, powder, eyeliner, blush... is all you need!  The heavy makeup does not look pretty especially after a hot sun beach session! Just take the environment you will be into consideration! Also, you don't want to wear too much trendy jewelry However, some scarves at hats look beautiful. In regards to a beach session, you'll want some shoes you can easily slip on and off.. IE.. you probably don't want to wear heals. Ha! 

What to Bring

If kids are involved with your session, bring a favorite toy or a baby blanket, if a little one!  It will help them to feel more comfortable. Bring a drink so you can have a sip between small breaks and any props you would like to incorporate!  I also supply props and furniture too!

Time To Shoot

The best time to shoot is in the summer/spring before 10am and after 6pm.. This allows for the most beautiful golden light!!!During the fall and winter months, anytime after 2 until sunset is usually great! 

Posing! 

My posing is extremely natural. Everything you see, is very casual and relaxed, thus allowing for your genuine beauty to shine through! Any questions, let me know! I always consult with my clients prior-hand into what they will be wearing to their session!  I will make you shine in your photographs, I promise! 

Happy Shooting, my friends! Dee   

Mommy & Me Mini Session!

Mommy and Me Photo Shoot in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

There's something really special about a mother and daughter relationship!  There's a certain bond and understanding as to the emotional side of things. The relationship you have with your mother is probably the best relationship you will ever have in your life.  The relationship sparks your future relationships, as well as it affects how you will choose to parent one day!  Mothers and daughters are what this world is made of and makes it special! I love my mother and I cherish every day and moment I have with her! 

We recently had the pleasure of capturing a heartwarming mommy and me photo shoot in the charming town of Cherry Hill, NJ. As the camera clicked, the love and bond between the mother and child shone through every shot. Against the picturesque backdrop of Cherry Hill's pristine landscapes, the mom's nurturing nature and the child's innocent joy created a perfect harmony. From tender hugs and giggles to shared secrets and stolen glances, this photo shoot captured the essence of their precious relationship. These portraits will be cherished reminders of the beautiful moments that unfolded on that sunny day in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Mom and daughter smiling away for their beautiful portrait session in Cherry Hill, NJ.

This little cutie was a photography ham. I loved her!

The two amigas… mom and daughter smiling pretty!

Holding hands on Chapel Ave, Cherry Hill among the cherry blossoms.

Another pose for this cutie.

We had to see how “tall” she could get on her stool

Among the tulips in Cherry Hill, NJ.

The Chapel Ave… Cherry Hill cherries!

Hi smiling one!

Last shot among the cherry blossoms in Cherry Hill!

All of my locations are scouted and I have scoured all over the South Jersey area to provide the best for my clients!  Anywho, back to this session!  This was a mini session that was done here in South Jersey among the gorgeous cherry blossoms!  These trees are the same as the ones in Washington D.C.!   I was so excited to offer this type of session this year and can't wait to do it again, next year! Woo hoo!  

My mini sessions usually sell out fast, since I do not offer these too often! As this one was! I had a great time meeting these two gorgeous ladies!  And we had an absolute blast in our time together! My big thing is doing pastels lately. I love soft a vibrant colors!  And love being different from other photographers in the area! I am sure these photographs will be truly cherished for years to come with these two! We got a ton of great photographs from this session (I just decided to pick a few at random to post up on here).  I hope that you can enjoy them as I have! I find it to be my greatest joys in working with people and capturing the true emotion and essence of folks!

 I have a way of relaxing my clients so that they feel comfortable and at ease and this shows throughout my work and with my photographs!I truly can't wait to do this event  again next year, South Jersey!  

I have a few more I would love to get up here and to show you all from this session! I've truly been very busy and I guess that's a good thing!  I can't wait to show you what is to come and other sessions that I have done and have not posted yet!I see myself doing this cherry blossom session for many years to come!  

These blossoms go on for a few miles and folks come from all over to see and enjoy them!

Until we meet again, my friends!

Happy Shooting,

Dee    

My absolute FAVORITE time of the year... Spring!

Spring has arrived, South Jersey!

 Isn't it just wonderful?! This was a very very cold winter!  It at times felt like it was not going to leave, but it did... and now everything is blooming away! For April, the weather has been rather blissful! Yes, we've had some rain, but the majority of days have been filled with sunshine!!  Throughout this text here, I am showcasing some photos I took recently in the Shooting Star Garden!

I hope you like and as always, it is an offering on a photo location to my clients!   I've been sooooo busy! I think I have a total of 16-17 sessions (I'd have to look in my planner) scheduled until June right now. I'd say for a new business to the area, that's a great start!  Every single day, I am working hard to improve myself and just get better. I hope to be a "shooting star" in 10 years and known worldwide.  Yup, that's my goal... and if you truly knew me, you'd know that this will happen, hahaha!  Anything I put my mind to, I have accomplished tenfold so I'm adding photography to medley.  I am looking to grow this business to one of the bests in the area!

If I'm not working or doing sessions, I'm investing my time in education,, spending time with my kids and well, spending time with my kids! They're also excellent models when I want to try something new!  Of course, as a mom I take pride in them too. Well, duh!   

Dogwood lovin Spring in South Jersey!

Weeping cherry blossom in background for spring photo shoot.

Garden baby and all smiles.

Boy having fun near the stream in Salem County, NJ.

Little boy having fun.

Little boy on a bench posing for a photograph.

Little girl in on the moss in the spring garden.

Checking out her boots and enjoying the garden.

Daffodils in Salem County, NJ. Coming to life.

Bleeding hearts blooming.

Weeping Cherry Blossom.

The grounds here at Shooting Star have been nothing but superb this spring.  Right now, the weeping cherry and magnolias are blooming, tulips, hellebore, grape hyacinths, standard hyacinths are blooming.  The daffodils are still in bloom.  We have hundreds of them EVERYWHERE.  All the perennials are rising to the surface... It's definitely spring!I actually saw a hummingbird trying to feed off of our cherry the other day! It was a great start to the season!! The Kwanzan cherries have popped open some blooms and should be fully alert in a day or two.  I love it! If I had to choose between my garden or photography, it would destroy me. Both are my absolute favorite hobbies.

 I could never decide between the two!These last few weeks, I've been taking the kids out to play in the garden and to try some new tricks on them!  They've also "helped" me a little to prepare it for this spring by cleaning out all the flower beds and weeds!  I am so blessed to have these gorgeous grounds.  It is a true oasis and right here in South Jersey!  Sometimes, I need to pinch myself because it is just so magical!  I love strolling through the grounds and walking down the terraces to the stream.  I find it to be my garden of Eden and I am so very blessed to be able to offer it to my customers for their photo sessions.  

My customers LOVE it!  It's truly a splendid and unique offering that most photographers don't have.   So if you ever want to have a beautiful private session... look no further! I can offer that too you... including a stream!  Our hundreds and hundreds of lilies are starting to break through too! Ohhhh, I cannot wait! I time everything so there is always something in bloom from early spring all the way through fall! It's incredible! 

Happy Shooting, my friends! 

Dee  

Top 5 Reasons To Work With Me (Only Click Here... if you are awesome)

Enjoying lollipops!

Playing with pumpkins.

There are a gazillion photographers out there and they all look all the same, they put out the same product and well, it gets a little boring, but there are a few things that will set me apart and why you (yup, you're awesome, did you know that?) would want to work with me!So.. I gathered up a spectacular top 5 list and hope you enjoy the quirky humor and maybe have a good laugh?

1. PersonalityThat's me, Mrs. Personality. In fact, I was class clown for many years in my youth and even had aspirations of being on Saturday Night Live "when I grew up."  I light up a room and make people laugh and feel at ease. I swear they made that song... "They call you Mr. Personality because you're so ugly"  about me! Humor is a huge component of my life and I'm able to laugh even in the darkest moments.  I realized very young that life is too short and one must live it and enjoy it! You should know that I'm endlessly cheerful and full of giddiness!I have two kids myself and apply this humor into everyday life with them. My kids are laughing and happy all the time and are very well-behaved and adjusted little monkeys. I apply this love and humor when I work with kids and babies. Many folks are amazed how I get the kids to cooperate and even can get a genuine smile out of a child who doesn't like to smile much. I'm not afraid of making myself look like a fool to get those beautiful photos! I truly have a way with people and I love people!You are seriously going to have a great time during your session!  Everyone that I have worked with says it is the most fun they ever had being photographed! That means being relaxed and having the time of your life! Seriously, I love capturing life and smiles! My clients are just like you!  Happy, cheerful and funny!

2.  I'm A Big Nerd.

I don't know what happened to me and I use to be considered "cool", but something happened and switched in my adult life! Haha! I enjoy Dr. Who, I can laugh at the Big Bang Theory and understand what comes out of Sheldon's mouth. I know weird facts that a lot of people don't know, I like going on adventures (like hiking an old pirate highway here in South Jersey where the Pirates were known to roll their rum barrels on) and discovering unique places all over SJ (I share them on my South Jersey History & Adventures Website),I'm a wanderlust and have traveled all over the world (heading to Ireland this year). I like reading and have a large library in my home and like to collect books. I love gardening. I am a huge nut! Give me a Latin name of a plant and I'll tell you all about it.  I have one of the most beautiful private gardens in South Jersey and welcome my customers here all the time for sessions. It's my Garden of Eden and I love to share it.However, being a wanderlust has allowed me to find really neat locations for my customers!! I strive to be different and to offer a different experience! Yup, a huge dork... Told Ya!

3. PeopleI

love people and am actually one of those who actually loves working with people. This is why I believe I was bred for being a photographer. You won't get any unnatural, awkward photos from me.  Fake smiles... Sheesh, no way that's not even in my vocabulary! I am a bit like a chameleon (as have been told by friends) in which I can fit in with the corporate president/CEO types (I worked with a Fortune 500 company) and can hang with the average "working man."I have friends from all walks of life! From doctors, pharmacists, to CEO's, to the friend that works at Walmart. I love people and I'm not one to judge's anyone's character. I truly believe every one is uniquely special and I treat every client with the upmost respect and as a queen! I think this is why people are comfortable in working with me. My bubbly personality and my attention to detail!

4. Attention to Detail/Preparation

I am one of those who is ALWAYS prepared!  I always bring a backup camera, batteries, memory cards with me. I plan out each session and discuss with my clients which direction they are trying to achieve and what they truly want out their session. I think it's my true attention to detail.. That makes me a bit of a perfectionist and I'm the hardest critic when it comes to my work. I strive for great communication and customer service.  I also send every customer a thank you card after each session. When you choose me, you are getting my experience  (I’m reliable, organized, and great under pressure.)You don't want to go bowling with me though, I'm lucky to score in the 30's), but I'm a great cheerleader! Before your session day, I work hard to make this experience easy! From locations, to what to wear and offering tips of advice... I'm here for you along the way (and even after)!

5. I'm Here For You!

Yup, that's me! I'll be here for you every step of the way from start to finish. If you're camera shy, a little goofy/awkward behind the camera, no one will ever notice... If you work with me! I'm all about the experience in what I can give my customers. It's all what it is about and a positive/fun one in that!  I have yet to have any boring sessions.  They are all so much fun!

Does this sound like something you are looking for? If you think that I what I offer is perfect for you, please contact me via this form right away!https://secure.jotform.us/form/50975540422151