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 Personal Pledge

People want to have personalized experiences and want to feel important in this modern-day world. Service has truly become abysmal, no matter where you go. I am grateful for being a new business (almost 30 sessions in and booking and growing from my initial start date of, October 11, 2014).

 I am grateful that these clients come to see me and some have even come back to see me already. They make it possible for me to make my living in an agreeable way.  In that regard, I am going to give them, the very best I possibly can! I give my best to each family/child session and my work becomes better and better because of it!

My little lady in my backyard!

  Starting this 2015 year, I have made it a mission to put customer service as my number one priority.  You matter to me! You are important! Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today!  I am here not only as a professional, but in a way to gain new life-long working friendships!  

And if you want to make friends, you got to put yourself out to do things for other people- things that require time, energy, unselfishness and thoughtfulness.  This is the passion I put into my business and give to my clients.  This is what separates myself from most and why folks WANT to work with me and are even coming back, here in South Jersey! 

 This is what I can offer you! 

Availability... Yes!  I will answer the phone when you call, I will answer your emails or questions in a timely fashion.  I value your time, your inquiries, I value you!  I will have a quick turn-around time for your photographs! I have never gone over 4-5 days (even at my busiest of times) to have them available to you! 

EVERY CUSTOMER gets a personalized thank you card after each session.  

Yes, I personally write out a note for each and every one of my clients (even if it was just a mini-session).  I offer high-end products as well as a boutique level of service and try to make it affordable for everyone. I feel people are deserving of beautiful memories, no matter what income or demographic you are from. 

Photography is a passion of mine and nothing is better than seeing laughter, seeing a smile and holding on to those memories forever. They are treasured for decades!

  You will also gain my respect. Respect, in this day and age, is very few, far, and in between.  If you do not want a child's photo listed on the internet, or are uncomfortable with that (some parents are), I will respect your decision and not post them!   

 Service has been forgotten in these times.  It has not been forgotten on my end. I want to stand out from the crowd and among my South Jersey cohorts.  I feel this is what will help me grow.

Let me have the chance to show you what true professional service is about!  I feel that if I can understand my clients and their needs, I will become successful. You cannot have success, if you don't treasure your clients because that's what I do, I sincerely treasure each and every client of mine.  

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee

Another Easter Mini Photography Studio!

Last weekend, we had spring Easter mini's at the studio in South Jersey.  We were suppose to celebrate this beautiful season by going outside, but the weather would not allow it! The ground was too mushy from the snow we received on Friday (I also did a wedding on Friday and am almost complete with the editing). I elected to do them indoors.  I had 4 families arrive throughout the day and this was my first session of the day.

I will add more when they get completed!  This session here, lasted about 20-25 minutes and were able to get a nice variety of captures within this time frame.  I truly believe that kids this age really can't go much longer and this is why mini sessions are the way to go sometimes.  

Easter sessions in full swing!

Come and buy my bunnies! They are gorgeous!

I'd buy bunnies from her!

This was one of my favs!

The most adorable smile!

Pretty as a princess!

Easter eggs, anyone?

More easter eggs?

Holding up her Easter Basket!

And that's all folks! See you next time!

Ages 1-3 can often times be difficult for parents as well.  Mini sessions allow the kids to get some cute photos without having temper tantrums!  You all know how this age goes!My Trick?  Well, I ask parents to sign a getting-to-know-you questionnaire prior to the session. It helps me to get to know the kids and parents with this. I also let the kids warm up a bit before I start shooting away.  I don't immediately go snapping away.

 Some kids get scared of this and of course a stranger clicking in their face is never a fun time! I'll usually do some "test shots" and I tell them this. I will also show the children the shot I took of them.  It seems to ease them into it for an enjoyable session all around, for both photographer and mom and dad!  It works!  I have yet to see it not!I tried out new lighting this time and I'm in love with the soft feeling of it! I will have to give it a whirl for the future. It's also very easy to set up!  

Thank you Gary Fong, photography pioneer, on this effective lighting suggestion! Seriously, Mr. Fong, you rock!  I really love the soft feel of this new lighting. It's not as harsh as before and I'm EXTREMELY picky when it comes to my photography because I expect and want nothing, but the best for myself and my clients!I'll post some more mini photos here soon! I also have a few weddings (yup, testing that avenue out!)  and a few family/single sessions that I need to get up here on the blog ASAP!  Plus, update the portfolio.  We truly have been busy!!!

We're attempting an extreme marketing campaign by offering very reasonable fees for sessions right now!  Since we are a new business, to South Jersey, we are really trying to get our name out there! Please look at our new pricing menu!  We are also going the route of a boutique experience, where we will consult with the client in regards to what they wish  out of their session.  

Also, by discussing our options, props, time of day, types of poses, etc. We also offering a beautiful high-end (yet keeping it affordable) product line.  I also have scouted locations all throughout South Jersey... From Camden County to Cape May County, we've got you covered!!! 

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee Giumetti  

A Tisket, A Tasket... A Strawberry Baby In A Basket

Baby wearing a strawberry hat and in a strawberry basket.

Such a little cutie!

She wants nothing to do with this.

I got a leaf mom.

She wants out…

Now… she definitely wants out.

Photographing Babies

We've been having some very odd spring weather... Well I guess "normal weather" in what we see this time of year in South Jersey. Some days it gets hot out and up to 60+ degrees and then other days call for snow.I took advantage of the warmer weather the other day and I found a "strawberry" growing in our garden at Shooting Star!  The baby girl I worked with is 11 months old and we put a strawberry cap on her with a green diaper cover... put her in an adorable basket and magic happened!  She was such a doll to work with!The Shooting Star garden grounds are starting to come alive! 

Snowdrops are blooming, crocuses and daffodils are just about to bloom.  It's a beautiful site! In fact, we are hosting a weather here tomorrow... and yes, the weather is calling for snow... This will get interesting, but I think it will be a blast!  I love naked babies!  I know a lot of kids and young adults don't appreciate seeing themselves naked when they're older, but I think it captures the innocence and sweetness of them! Plus, I just adore babies!  I have two of my own and they'll always be my little babies in my eyes, no matter how old they get!

I have my first wedding shoot this weekend and will most-likely be in the snow and then Easter mini's this Sunday!  It is looking to be a very busy weekend!  I have also just ordered a bunch of new props for this upcoming Spring/Summer and will probably be offering outdoor mini's at one of my beautiful scouted locations next month!  I am so excited for what this year is going to bring!

I am also excited about our garden! We planted over 1,000 new perennials last year and I can't wait to utilize it for photo sessions!  I love that I can offer my clients that privacy... rather than going to a park and to be disturbed!!! However, my scouted locations also offer that privacy as well!   Give us a call!  We would love to welcome you to our garden and create lasting memories for you!

Happy Shooting, my friends! -Dee

It's a Dog EAT Dog... Photography World

Playing in the snow in Salem County.

Photo edited to inspire Alice In Wonderland... As sometimes the photography field can look like!

Maternity sessions are awesome!

Breaking Into The Tough Business Of Photography

This is going out to any new photographer out there. The photography world is a dog eat dog, competitive field my friends. They will literally eat you up and spit you out alive and then double that! For anyone just getting into it, it's a whirlwind of information and a bizarre Alice In Wonderland experience.

I'll explain my reasoning. There are actually different levels one attains on this photographic journey. One is getting your new camera.  You get excited and start snapping away. Folks start to see your "snapping" and then want you to take pictures of them and their kids and then the ego slllllowly builds up and before you know it, you'll start to add special "effects@ with your new editing gear, buy some presets and actions.  You'll order business cards, open up a facebook page and website and voila you are a professional, but guess what you're so wrong!I understand we all start somewhere and yes, I am not perfect by any means (but at least my work is in focus and people don't look like Oompa Loompas, you know with orange over-saturated skin).

You need to learn your principals before you ever start to charge or call yourself a professional.With principals, I mean by your rule of thirds, composition, the exposure triangle, light and being able to read it. Plus, there are so many other factors and expenses that come into play.  Editing software, good quality lenses, registering your business, obtaining insurance, paying taxes, calibrating your monitor, SD Cards, filters, props, expodisc, learning how to edit and to do it properly...

All these items add up.  It soon becomes very overwhelming to a beginner.It's amazing that folks think they can take a picture and because they think they have great equipment and they are professionals, but have no clue about most of what I speak of above.Yes! We all start somewhere and I'm not knocking anyone down because they want to pursue their passion... But... If you don't know what I am talking about, when I listed all the items above... YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS. 

You should be gaining and learning these skills and at least understanding your basics as mentioned above.  When you learn them, yes... By all means open a business...But guess what? There are hundreds of others of professionals opening their doors every single day and you better have a plan... A business strategy and marketing plan (and guess what, you can't rely on facebook for your marketing anymore as they changed their algorithms when it pertains to businesses.)

You will soon find out that sometimes your work and what you produce doesn't matter and that 90% of this field requires a business plan to last. This is an extremely saturated field. What are you going to do to separate yourself? What's your plan? Because you sure do need one if you are going to last.

This is not an easy field and one must develop thick skin to keep going forward.You just really need to want this, if you decide this is the path for you. It requires getting your hands dirty with no acknowledgement sometimes or praise. It means hitting the pavement and sometimes knocking on doors to get your name out there.

Business cards and a website are just not going to cut it, in this field.You may get very busy and keep getting busy when you first start out, but eventually you end up hitting a road block.  From there and what you do from there, will determine your future success. 

There will be many times when you'll just want to throw in the towel and give up in these moments.What you need to do is sit down and develop a plan and strategy, follow it through and you just may have a chance as a successful photographer.  Getting started is not an easy feat and I wish you the most luck in your endeavor.

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee