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.

New Scheduling Feature for Shooting Star

New Scheduling Feature for Shooting Star Photography

Introducing Our New Scheduling Feature

We are excited to announce the launch of our new scheduling feature at Shooting Star Photography! Now, booking a photography session with us is easier than ever.

With our intuitive scheduling system, you can browse available time slots, select a date and time that works best for you, and book your session in just a few clicks. No more back-and-forth emails or phone calls to find a convenient time – everything you need is right at your fingertips.

Whether you're looking to capture precious family moments, professional headshots, stunning portraits, or any other special occasion, our new scheduling feature streamlines the process, giving you more control and flexibility in securing your photography session.

Introducing Our New Scheduling Feature

We are excited to announce the launch of our new scheduling feature at Shooting Star Photography! Now, booking a photography session with us is easier than ever.


With our intuitive scheduling system, you can browse available time slots, select a date and time that works best for you, and book your session in just a few clicks. No more back-and-forth emails or phone calls to find a convenient time – everything you need is right at your fingertips.
Whether you're looking to capture precious family moments, professional headshots, stunning portraits, or any other special occasion, our new scheduling feature streamlines the process, giving you more control and flexibility in securing your photography session.


To take advantage of this convenient new feature, simply visit our website and navigate to the scheduling page. From there, you can choose your desired session type, view available dates and times, and lock in your appointment with ease.


We're committed to making your photography experience with us as seamless and enjoyable as possible, and our new scheduling feature is just one way we're delivering on that promise.
Try out our new scheduling feature today and take the first step towards capturing your timeless moments with Shooting Star Photography.

photographers in south jersey, photographers in philadelphia, urban shoot in the philly, kid on skateboard, boys portrait session, new york, bushwick photo shoot, photographers in new york,

I love the urban vibe of this image and this cute little boy in Bushwick NY.

We all know that going back and forth with your photographer in the Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware region, with certain dates to hold your session can be quite daunting. All the back and forth with emails takes up your valuable time and even the photographer's (for this time of year... DEFINITELY!)  I wanted to streamline my service offerings and I did try out a scheduling feature in the past.. and had a bad experience with it. It was still very daunting and old school and it even messed up some scheduling with clients.. which is no bueno. Of course, I did reach out and resolved the issue as any business person would do! I tested out Big Cartel recently and so far am very happy with the results. I am able to make easy changes and it's a simple process for my clients.. so it's a win win in my book.. The simple the better for everyone! This service will allow customers to book and reserve their sessions and to see what dates are available. Big game changer for everyone involved.

 After retainer is paid, I follow up with client to schedule their time, discuss locations and wardrobe for their session. If you haven't heard I provide gowns, dresses, some suits for boys etc etc.  It's a fun little option for my clients.These are the only dates available for next year as I told folks I was doing about 40 of them for 2017 and that's it! Enjoy, the simplicity my friends! I'm in love with this new feature! Here's a link to check it out!

Happy Shooting my friends and have a great day! Best, Dee New Scheduling Program

Read More

New Pretties Arrived Today!

New Pretties Arrived Today!

Great news! We've just received a new collection of dresses for our styled shoots, this time from Dollcake! The latest arrivals boast stunning designs and exquisite details that are sure to elevate the elegance and charm of our upcoming photo sessions. Stay tuned for a sneak peek at these gorgeous creations!

Great news! We've just received a new collection of dresses for our styled shoots, this time from Dollcake! The latest arrivals boast stunning designs and exquisite details that are sure to elevate the elegance and charm of our upcoming photo sessions. Stay tuned for a sneak peek at these gorgeous creations!

dollcake dresses, photo shoot, photographers in south jersey, best photographers, styled shoot, photographers in new york,

Pretty in blue. These are great for the beach.

dollcake dresses, photo shoot, photographers in south jersey, best photographers, styled shoot, photographers in new york,

Swooning over this dress!

dollcake dresses, photo shoot, photographers in south jersey, best photographers, styled shoot, photographers in new york,

Dollcake rocks!

dollcake dresses, photo shoot, photographers in south jersey, best photographers, styled shoot, photographers in new york,

Pretty as a princess.

dollcake dresses, photo shoot, photographers in south jersey, best photographers, styled shoot, photographers in new york,

Pretty in lavender.

Fall has been INSANITY.  It pretty much is for every photographer... but I have been exhausted and have been traveling all over the country the past month and throughout this current fall season..  it's about to get even nuttier around here, but I'm a rockstar and and I will rock out this season!!! It's okay, as of this past weekend, no more traveling for awhile! So.. this means I get to stay in good Ol' South Jersey for a bit... well, until late November.. but will be HOME!!!

Sessions excite me.. I truly do enjoy working with families and people! It's going to be a great fall foliage season! The leaves are already changing and the weather has been staying pretty mild!Anywho!   I received 4 new dresses in today... The first two, I will showcase.. They are from the lovely DOLLCAKE company located in Australia and I have collected probably about 20 or more of their dresses this past year. I love them..

The reason WHY... Well, they are very, very, durable from kiddo's abuse.  I mean they are kids.. they're suppose to have fun.. get messy right? It is a part of this job and it happens, but these make me swoon everytime a kid wears them!I had my daughter model this for me as it came in today.. So please see attached for in person video.. I apologize for the grain.. as I did take it on my iphone, but figured you may like to see it on a REAL LIFE person.. This is a size 4.. It should fit a size 2 1/2- up to about a 4.. possibly a size 5..

Dollcake is a bit tricky with their sizing from time to time.. but it does allow a bit of stretch and the straps can be configured tight or lose with a ton of leeway. WARNING.. You will hear bribery for lollipops.. in this video.. be forewarned![wpvideo ULkAaqS5] Second Dress.. is this lavender long number.. Also, another gorgeous one.. This I purchased in a size 5. This should fit a bigger 3 year old up to possibly a size 6... A

gain, lots of leeway and can make adjustments!  Here's another live view of the dress.. However, not taken with professional equipment so please don't kill me!More bribery.. and she's "all done. I'm very excited for this year! If I had more time... I would be blogging more sessions and getting them up here, but my goal has been to get them out the door for my clients!  However, I am doing sessions in Delaware and Pennsylvania this end of year and am excited! I love new locations and spots! Hey, I love South Jersey, but it's nice to switch things up from time to time, right?

For those who are signed up to see me this season, I look forward to working with you!!! More goodies coming in too!

Have a great night and happy shooting! Dee

Read More

Breaking The Mold As Artists- Take Some Risks! 

Breaking The Mold As Artists- Take Some Risks!

As a photographer, it is important to try new things to continually grow and evolve in your art. Experimenting with different techniques, styles, and subjects helps expand your creativity and keeps your work fresh and innovative.

Trying new things also allows you to discover your strengths and areas for improvement. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you can uncover hidden talents and develop new skills that can enhance your photography.

Furthermore, embracing new challenges and experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities and breakthroughs in your work. Whether it's exploring a different genre of photography or utilizing new equipment, stepping into the unknown can spark inspiration and ignite passion for your craft.

As a photographer, it is important to try new things to continually grow and evolve in your art. Experimenting with different techniques, styles, and subjects helps expand your creativity and keeps your work fresh and innovative.
Trying new things also allows you to discover your strengths and areas for improvement. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you can uncover hidden talents and develop new skills that can enhance your photography.
Furthermore, embracing new challenges and experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities and breakthroughs in your work. Whether it's exploring a different genre of photography or utilizing new equipment, stepping into the unknown can spark inspiration and ignite passion for your craft.


Ultimately, trying new things as a photographer not only fuels personal and professional growth but also ensures that your work remains dynamic, engaging, and relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

I recall the saying of, "life is not that simple in black and white." That sentence speaks volumes to me. It's profound and has a very deep-rooted meaning. Well, for one life truly isn't. We deal with constant reality on a daily basis and often find ourselves in gray areas of a story or in our own lives. What's truly right? What's wrong?

Often times, toying with our nurture vs nature or common values and what "the media" states is right and wrong and you want to run in the opposite direction as if you were fleeing from fire or the media itself. Hahaha. Burn baby burn. I honestly can't watch the news anymore.With photography, the saying can mean just the opposite. I find black and white photographs to be very simple. It balances out all the distractions and color and leaves you with the emotions or gestures of one's face or can perfectly describe or portray the moment... That exact moment in time. Black and whites also (to me anyway) really capture the light and what was available at the time or lack of (some of those moody portraits can be extracted by flat light photographs). What I am saying is, I feel I've done it all wrong.

I'll explain...Dancing in Cherry HillI find this picture awesome in the way it captured the emotion of dancing/twirling and also how the sunset "highlights" them.Variety is the spice of life, right? Or so they say? I honestly haven't done a black and white photograph for the longest time and have RARELY done them for my clients EVER. Recently, I started to get back into doing more black and whites on my personal images after my year hiatus of hardly converting anything to a black and white format and I have to admit... I was missing out.

Some great moments that I have captured, truly look better as a black and white photo. And... I find it freeing for myself as have been stuck in a color rut or same editing routine and it's good to spice things up once in awhile (see what I did there? Look at the beginning of this paragraph... Oh and if you've gone this far reading... Well, God bless you South Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia, or wherever you came from .. No seriously.... I just heard you sneeze. God bless you again.)

I finally feel free as an artist lately. I'm trying new things and editing techniques and gasp! Some of those new things include good ol' black and white photography. It's worth giving a shot, eh? I mean... I haven't gotten this far without taking risks and wahoo am feeling alive again.Southern New Jersey PrincessHere's another I took a risk on and is not my usual editing style. This image was actually published today.

Come and join me for the ride because it's going to be fun!! But please... Put on your seatbelt. Hey, I like risks, but never can be too safe, eh?Until we meet again my friends!

Happy Shooting!

Dee

Read More

All you need is light!

All you need is light!

Light is a crucial element in photography, influencing the overall mood and visual impact of an image. The interplay between light and shadow can bring depth, texture, and emphasis to a subject, creating stunning visual effects. In this image captured in Deptford, the play of beautiful light creates a captivating scene, showcasing the artistry and technical skill of the photographer. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we understand the significance of light in photography and are dedicated to capturing moments that harness its full potential.

Light is a crucial element in photography, influencing the overall mood and visual impact of an image. The interplay between light and shadow can bring depth, texture, and emphasis to a subject, creating stunning visual effects. In this image captured in Deptford, the play of beautiful light creates a captivating scene, showcasing the artistry and technical skill of the photographer. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we understand the significance of light in photography and are dedicated to capturing moments that harness its full potential.

photographers in south jersey, new jersey photographers, philadelphia photographers, deptford nj,

Yep, that's right. All you need is great light... LIGHT IS PHOTOGRAPHY. It doesn't matter the location or the subject... without good light.. your images will be horrible. That's the name of the game in this business.  Here's one I recently stumbled on and never posted... but decided to edit this beautiful winter light wonder.This was taken in the Deptford/Blackwood area, here in NJ.  The location was picked for its great light. Here's the thing. Winter is TOUGH.. Everything is dead... Everything essentially. It's cold, damp and miserable. However, the image still speaks because there was pretty winter light and the location that was chosen was perfection for this.

Lately, I've been going back and looking at old work to see if any images may speak to me that perhaps that I never posted and this was one of them. I decided to edit it in my current ways and feel like the image speaks to me a bit. I love the wind in her hair and the rim lighting around her hair and backside and how she is interacting with the dogwood stems.Find the light... and you will have beautiful images. No matter what and where.Thanks for stopping by and have been a bit dead on this blog here and decided to post a bit today!

Ha! Happy Shooting, my friends! 

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

Read More
photographers in South..., South Jersey Photographer Shooting Star Photography photographers in South..., South Jersey Photographer Shooting Star Photography

Another session in the books!!

Another session in the books!!

From Vintage to Vibrant: A Two-Year-Old’s Style in a New Jersey Tulip Photo Shoot

As a photographer in South Jersey, I've had the opportunity to capture some truly beautiful moments. One of my recent favorites was a two-year-old photo shoot set in a New Jersey tulip field. The spring photoshoot was full of fun and energy, and the little girl was the star of the show. In this blog post, I'll share some of the highlights of the session and the beautiful moments we captured.

From Vintage to Vibrant: A Two-Year-Old’s Style in a New Jersey Tulip Photo Shoot

As a photographer in South Jersey, I've had the opportunity to capture some truly beautiful moments. One of my recent favorites was a two-year-old photo shoot set in a New Jersey tulip field. The spring photoshoot was full of fun and energy, and the little girl was the star of the show. In this blog post, I'll share some of the highlights of the session and the beautiful moments we captured.

DSC09588-Edit

The Two-Year-Old Star of the Photo Shoot

As the photographer for this two-year-old photo shoot, I was excited to work with such a lively and spirited little girl. She had an attitude that was infectious, and both her mom and I loved it. She was full of life and energy, and I knew from the start that she would be the star of the show.

One of the things that I love about working with young children is their ability to express themselves freely. This little girl was no exception, and she wasn't shy in front of the camera. Her personality shone through in every shot, and it was clear that she was having a blast.

One of my favorite moments from the shoot was when she was playing with the tulips. She was so curious and playful, and the joy on her face was infectious. Another moment that stood out was when she was running through the tulip field with her mom. It was a beautiful moment that captured the bond between them perfectly.

Throughout the shoot, I was constantly inspired by the little girl's energy and personality. She was full of surprises and kept me on my toes, which is exactly what I love about working with young children. It was an absolute joy to work with her and capture her spirit on camera.

Overall, the little girl was the star of the show, and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to work with her. As a photographer in New Jersey, I'm always grateful for the chance to capture these special moments, and this photo shoot was definitely one of the highlights of my career.

Setting the Scene in a New Jersey Tulip Field

As a photographer in New Jersey, I'm always looking for beautiful locations to set the scene for my photo shoots. For this two-year-old session, I knew that a tulip field would be the perfect backdrop for the spring photos we had planned. The field we chose was located in New Jersey and it was in full bloom with bright, vibrant tulips. The colors of the flowers were absolutely stunning and they really added to the beauty of the photos.

On the day of the shoot, we were blessed with perfect weather - plenty of sunshine to light up the field. The warm, natural light was perfect for capturing the little girl's joyful energy. The tulips provided a colorful and unique setting that really made the photos stand out. It was such a pleasure to capture the little girl playing amongst the flowers and having fun. The tulips were a great way to add an extra element of whimsy to the shoot.

As a photographer, I always try to find locations that are both beautiful and practical. The tulip field offered plenty of open space for the little girl to run around and explore. It also provided some great photo opportunities, with the tulips adding a touch of magic to every shot. Overall, the tulip field was the perfect setting for this two-year-old photo shoot. I'm so glad that we were able to capture these special moments in such a beautiful location.

The Vintage Outfit: Elegance and Simplicity

As I planned this two-year-old photo shoot, I knew that the outfits were going to be an important aspect of the shoot. For the first part of the session, we decided to go with a vintage outfit. The outfit was a beautiful white dress with lace details, and a small flower crown. The simplicity of the outfit was perfect for the tulip field, and it allowed the little girl's personality and energy to shine through.

When I first saw the little girl in her vintage outfit, I knew that we had made the right choice. The outfit was elegant and timeless, and it really brought out her natural beauty. The lace details added a touch of sophistication to the outfit, and the flower crown was a beautiful accessory that tied the whole look together.

One of the things that I loved about the vintage outfit was how it looked against the backdrop of the tulip field. The white dress was the perfect contrast to the bright colors of the flowers, and it really made the little girl stand out. The simplicity of the outfit allowed the focus to be on the little girl's personality and energy, which was exactly what we wanted.

Overall, the vintage outfit was a great choice for the first part of the photo shoot. It was simple, elegant, and timeless, and it allowed us to capture some beautiful moments with the little girl. From playing with the tulips to snuggling with her mom, the outfit was versatile enough to work in a variety of settings. As a photographer in New Jersey, I'm always looking for ways to bring out the best in my subjects, and the vintage outfit was a great way to do just that.

The Transition into an Anna Triant Dress

For the second half of the photo shoot, we wanted to switch things up and showcase a different style for the little girl. We chose to put her in an Anna Triant dress, a beautiful pink dress with a fun and vibrant pattern. As a photographer in New Jersey, I'm always looking for ways to add a pop of color to my photos, and this dress was the perfect way to do just that.

As soon as the little girl put on the dress, her energy level skyrocketed. She loved the dress, and it showed in her body language and expressions. The vibrant colors of the dress looked amazing against the backdrop of the tulip field, and it really helped to add an extra element of whimsy to the photos.

As we continued the shoot, I could see the little girl's personality shining through in every shot. Her energy and joy were infectious, and it was clear that she was having a great time. The dress allowed her to move freely and express herself, which made for some amazing photos. It was a joy to see her having so much fun and being able to capture those moments on camera.

Overall, the Anna Triant dress was the perfect choice for the second half of the photo shoot. It allowed the little girl's energy to shine through and added a pop of color to the photos. As a photographer in New Jersey, I'm always looking for ways to showcase my subjects in the best possible light, and this dress was a great way to do just that.

Capturing the Perfect Moments

As a photographer, my ultimate goal is always to capture the perfect moment. During this two-year-old photo shoot, there were so many amazing moments to capture, and I felt honored to be able to capture them. From the little girl's playful energy to her sweet moments with her mom, there were plenty of opportunities for beautiful photos.

As the shoot progressed, I was constantly inspired by the little girl's energy and personality. She kept me on my toes, and I never knew what she was going to do next. But it was that unpredictability that made the shoot so exciting and allowed me to capture some truly beautiful moments.

One of the things that I love about photography is being able to capture the essence of a person. And with this little girl, it was clear that her personality was what made her so special. She had an infectious energy and attitude that was impossible to ignore. It was an absolute joy to be able to capture that on camera.

Overall, capturing the perfect moment is what makes photography so special to me. And with this photo shoot, I felt like we were able to capture so many beautiful moments that this family will treasure for years to come. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it, and I look forward to capturing more special moments in the future.

Final Thoughts on the Photo Shoot

I've been fortunate to capture some truly special moments. This two-year-old photo shoot in a New Jersey tulip field was definitely one of them. From the moment I met the little girl, I knew that she was going to be a star. Her energy and personality were infectious, and it was an absolute joy to work with her.

One of the things that I loved about this photo shoot was the versatility. We were able to showcase two different styles with the vintage outfit and the Anna Triant dress. Both outfits were beautiful in their own way, and they allowed us to capture a variety of different moments.

The tulip field was the perfect setting for the photo shoot, and it really helped to make the photos stand out. The colors of the flowers were absolutely stunning, and they added an extra element of whimsy to the photos!

Final Thoughts

I LOVE photography! It is my dream to do and to capture these memories for folks!!! I will be honest, this age is the most difficult to photograph! I find that if you encourage your subject to interact with the environment then you can definitely get some great photographs!!! This session was a ton of fun as mom was up for anything. We drove to 4 different locations within a few miles of one another to give a little fun variety.  Which was near me in Salem County, in South Jersey!!! I LOVE where I live! Lots of country, lots of nature and forest!!  We started in our garden, then took a nice drive up Route 40 and then looped around to a field off of 45... and then made our way to the Nature Preserve near East Lake!!! It was a fun day!! I hope mom enjoys her very colorful photos!!! I just delivered these to her mailbox!!! I will post some more shoots soon!! Been very busy and my focus has been editing albums and getting them out the door!!! I am also scaling back real soon! I can't take on the workload that I have been currently undertaking. I will be going down to one per week starting NOW! My year is almost full, so you may want to book soon! Also, have a very Happy 4th this weekend!!! We will be celebrating our son's 5th big boy birthday!! Very excited for our family gathering!!! 

Happy Shooting my friends and New Jersey!!!!  Can't wait to share some upcoming plans and concept shoots with you!!! 

Dee  

Read More

Follow our journey around the Philadelphia Area.