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.

It's been a busy year! Miracle on 13th Street Philadelphia Photo Shoot

It's been a busy year! Miracle on 13th Street Philadelphia Photo Shoot

Miracle on 13th Street Philadelphia Family Photo Shoot

Shooting Star Photography LLC had the honor of capturing a heartwarming family photo shoot on the iconic 13th Street in Philadelphia. The session was nothing short of a miracle as the family came together after years of living in different cities.

The neutral backdrop of the urban street provided the perfect canvas to showcase the genuine love and connection between the family members. Our experienced photographers skillfully captured the laughter, embraces, and joyful tears that filled the air during the session.

Despite the bustling city around them, the family was in their own world, soaking in the precious moments of togetherness. Each photo taken was a testament to the resilience and strength of their bond, a true miracle unfolding before our lenses.

As the sun set on 13th Street, we wrapped up the shoot knowing that we had witnessed something truly special. The Miracle on 13th Street Philadelphia Family Photo Shoot will forever hold a place in our hearts at Shooting Star Photography LLC.

Miracle on 13th Street Philadelphia Family Photo Shoot

Shooting Star Photography LLC had the honor of capturing a heartwarming family photo shoot on the iconic 13th Street in Philadelphia. The session was nothing short of a miracle as the family came together after years of living in different cities.

The neutral backdrop of the urban street provided the perfect canvas to showcase the genuine love and connection between the family members. Our experienced photographers skillfully captured the laughter, embraces, and joyful tears that filled the air during the session.

Despite the bustling city around them, the family was in their own world, soaking in the precious moments of togetherness. Each photo taken was a testament to the resilience and strength of their bond, a true miracle unfolding before our lenses.

As the sun set on 13th Street, we wrapped up the shoot knowing that we had witnessed something truly special. The Miracle on 13th Street Philadelphia Family Photo Shoot will forever hold a place in our hearts at Shooting Star Photography LLC.

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Family having fun in the middle of miracle on 13th street in Philadelphia.

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Collage of our photo shoot in Philadelphia.

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Little lady braving the cold in Anna Triant Couture in the city.

Wow! I can't believe it's been a few months since I even updated this blog here. It has been SUPER DUPER LOOPER BUSY.  That's why. We're having so much fun this year! Lots of great new locations, some new and old faces.. lots of neat themes, dresses the whole nine! We're now heading into our beach season.  Beach is one of my favorite things to capture and am fortunate to live by a beach that is 20 minutes from my own house!  We're also doing some mermaid sessions this year and have teamed up with a local photographer out of Lancaster, Pa.

Elliebelly Photographer. (CHECK HER OUT) She is plain amazing and am fortunate enough to call her one of my best buddies!! Another of my favorites from this session.. wearing an Anna Triant couture dress!!  As the season progresses, we head into doing more family-type more portraits.  I figured I would start off with this sweet little family that I was fortunate enough to photograph back in December.  

Yep, that's how far I am behind in getting sessions up on here!  I love capturing the essence and personality of families and all members! We usually have a great time! Although this one was tough. I believe it was under 20 degrees out, haha. You wouldn't really know it by the look of how they are posing, but trust me there were shivers galore going on here!We set off  to our journey... in City of Brotherly LOVE, in Philly and it was probably one of the COLDEST sessions to date.  This is an awesome street around Christmas season (generally, after Thanksgiving) as there are Christmas lights everywhere and I mean everywhere.

However, it was so cold we kind of made this a VERY VERY VERY quick session as our plan was to stay near sunset/dusk when they came on.  The kids shown here,  I have to say... were tremendous troopers as they were photographed without their jackets off.  My very own assistant got frost bite from this day and had to sit out of this session.  

Me... PFFFFT I laugh at the cold and hot temperatures. I love photography so much that I could do this every hour of every day!!! Excited for our upcoming Hippy Van/Ice Cream Shoot, Peonies , Mermaid and Beach sessions in South Jersey!  All have been sold out!  It's going to be an AWESOME Summer! Thanks again for stopping by and talk to you later!!!! Hopefully, it won't be another two months to get a blog up on here! PS. I'm more excited on my newest beach spot and will show on an upcoming blog... no more crazy shore traffic!

I get to enjoy a quiet country ride to the beach!!!       

Happy Shooting my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography  

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A Maternity Session at Greenwich Lake, New Jersey

A Maternity Session at Greenwich Lake, New Jersey

South Jersey Maternity Photographer going strong!

Everyone knows I go a bit over the top with everything! I like fancy, crazy and whimsical things and I don't half-ass anything. I give 110% to everything I do. My work is my blood. I love photography with a passion and enjoy learning new things about this art every single day. This is one expensive "hobby" to get into.. Gear, education, the works...

South Jersey Maternity Photographer going strong!

Everyone knows I go a bit over the top with everything! I like fancy, crazy and whimsical things and I don't half-ass anything. I give 110% to everything I do. My work is my blood. I love photography with a passion and enjoy learning new things about this art every single day. This is one expensive "hobby" to get into.. Gear, education, the works... However, I find it rewarding. I find it keeps my on my toes all the time. One day is always different from the next and is why it has held my interest for so long and why I turned this love into a business. I truly do, live, eat and breathe photography. I am always doing something whether it's shooting, marketing, taking a class, from morning to the wee hours of the night (and this is suppose to be a part time business).

 I'm getting somewhere I promise here... Last year, was my first full calendar year in business. Many ups and downs and twists and turns.  It's been a interesting business journey to say the least. The bad outweighs the good and would say very minimal bad occurred or happened and even that I take as a learning lesson to keep improving and doing and giving better.  

This 2017 year, is going to be probably my most exciting year.  New locations, new dresses and just a different way of doing business.. and it excites me, as it should excite you. Below, is my very dramatic "best of maternity" in 2016.

Maternity Photography Session at Greenwich Lake


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Dancing in the sunshine with mom and dad for their maternity session at East Greenwich Lake in Gloucester County, NJ.

Greenwich Lake in Gloucester County NJ served as the idyllic backdrop for a recent maternity photography session captured by Shooting Star Photography LLC. The session was infused with joy, laughter, and radiant sunlight as the two little ladies, along with their mom and dad, danced amidst the picturesque scenery.


The atmosphere was filled with a palpable sense of excitement as the expectant mom and dad arrived at the stunning Greenwich Lake. Nestled amidst nature's beauty, the lake provided an enchanting setting for this joyful occasion.

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Sisters looking all vintage for mom’s maternity shoot!


As the warm rays of the sun cascaded through the trees, Shooting Star Photography LLC seized the opportunity to capture the essence of this beautiful family. The delightful moments began with playful interactions between the two energetic little ladies and their doting parents. The children's laughter echoed across the serene lake, creating an atmosphere of pure happiness.

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Kisses for mom. I love these!!!


As the session progressed, the expectant mom and dad took center stage. Their love and anticipation radiated from their every movement as they gracefully danced to the rhythm of their own journey. The golden hour light danced upon their faces, accentuating their joyous expressions and highlighting the connection shared between them.


Shooting Star Photography LLC, renowned for their expertise in capturing authentic and heartfelt moments, ensured that this maternity session was a delightful experience for the entire family. With their skilled guidance and expertise, they effortlessly transformed ordinary moments into extraordinary memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.


The combination of the picturesque location, the glowing sunlight, and the palpable love between the family members resulted in a collection of remarkable images. Each photograph encapsulated the anticipation, love, and joy that filled the air that day at Greenwich Lake.

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Have to give my soon to be baby brother some love!


With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to capturing genuine emotions, Shooting Star Photography LLC succeeded in creating a maternity session that truly captured the essence of this beautiful family's journey towards welcoming a new member to their loving unit.


At Shooting Star Photography LLC, our goal is to create timeless photographs that transcend the boundaries of time and evoke cherished memories. This maternity session at Greenwich Lake stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence, craftsmanship, and an unwavering passion for capturing life's most precious moments.

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NJ Beach Sessions

NJ Beach Sessions

Unique Beach Sessions at the Jersey Shore

Ahhhh, since we just had a tiny little snow storm here and have been getting freezing cold weather, I am dreaming of the beach this year. It's too cold. Haha! However, one of my favorite types of scenery to capture with family, children and maternity sessions are images at the beach.There's nothing like the pastel skies, the wind in your face, the smell of the ocean, the sand between your toes... and when you incorporate a beautiful sunset, it's magical and surreal. Almost out of a fairytale.

Unique Beach Sessions at the Jersey Shore

Top 5 Reasons to Book Your Family Photo Shoot with Shooting Star Photography LLC

1. Experienced Professionals: Our team at Shooting Star Photography LLC has years of experience capturing magical moments, ensuring that your family photos at the Jersey Shore will be nothing short of spectacular.


2. Beautiful Beach Backdrops: The Jersey Shore offers a stunning and magical backdrop for your family photo shoot. With pristine sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and the sound of crashing waves, your photos will exude a sense of enchantment.


3. Personalized Approach: We take the time to understand your family dynamics and preferences, ensuring that your photo shoot is tailored to your unique style and tastes. Our goal is to capture the essence of your family in a natural and authentic way.


4. Memories to Last a Lifetime: Family photos are more than just images - they are cherished memories that you can revisit time and time again. By booking a photo shoot with us, you are investing in timeless keepsakes that will be treasured for generations.


5. Professional Editing and Quick Turnaround: Once the photo shoot is complete, our expert editing team will enhance the images to perfection. You can expect a quick turnaround time, so you can start sharing and enjoying your magical beach family photos without delay.
Book your family photo shoot with Shooting Star Photography LLC today and let us capture the magic of your moments at the Jersey Shore!

Ahhhh, since we just had a tiny little snow storm here and have been getting freezing cold weather, I am dreaming of the beach this year. It's too cold. Haha! However, one of my favorite types of scenery to capture with family, children and maternity sessions are images at the beach. There's nothing like the pastel skies, the wind in your face, the smell of the ocean, the sand between your toes... and when you incorporate a beautiful sunset, it's magical and surreal.  Almost out of a fairytale.

 As the saying goes, the weather outside is frightful... but the fire is so delightful... I know we are over the Christmas hump and getting into better weather territory. These last few weeks we will manage to survive with our very bipolar weather this year. 

This March has been probably one of the craziest months on record.. going from the 60s to 70s on some days, right back down to 30 degrees and snow!!!  I don't know about yourself, but this is the time I start thinking about the summer and spring... as I see lots of green starting to pop up in the garden bed.. and it truly is delightful. Presently, I am witnessing the dogwoods, daffodils, crocuses and the last of the lenten roses bloom and it has me itching and wanting to get out in the garden and the within the air is the essence of Spring and Summer right around the corner. 

This 2017 year... I am very blessed. EVERY SINGLE BEACH session has been sold out and we are officially booked out from April to August this year. We are currently only accepting sessions for this fall.. starting in September. Thank you all for being a part of it this year. We have some new offerings. New dresses, new accessories, new concepts and we are delighted to show them to the world.  We are also allowing our customers to choose out which photos they would like in their packages.I am very excited for this upcoming year. We just celebrated our two year anniversary and hope to continue on the next two years offering beautiful portraits in the Delaware Valley Region, Philadelphia and South Jersey.  

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Sisters having fun at the beach and what it is all about!

Shooting Star Photography LLC is excited to introduce our newest offering: Unique Beach Sessions at the Jersey Shore!


As we all know, the Jersey Shore is renowned for its beautiful coastline, pristine beaches, and vibrant atmosphere. It's a destination that captures the heart and soul of the East Coast. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we believe that every photoshoot should be a memorable and one-of-a-kind experience, which is why we're thrilled to bring a touch of uniqueness to our beach sessions.

Embracing Individuality

Our mission is to capture the essence of our clients and create images that reflect their unique personality and style. Our unique beach sessions at the Jersey Shore allow us to do just that, providing an opportunity to incorporate distinctive elements into each shoot. Whether it's showcasing your love for music, art, sports, or simply embracing your own personal fashion statement, we are here to bring your vision to life in a stunning beach setting.

Creative Concepts

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Having fun boho style. Dancing dancing dancing!

We believe that the sky's the limit when it comes to our beach sessions. From ethereal boho-themed shoots with flowing dresses and flower crowns to energetic and action-packed sessions that capture the excitement of beach sports, we are dedicated to creating imaginative and visually captivating photographs that exceed your expectations. Our experienced photographers pride themselves on their ability to think outside the box and work closely with clients to bring their creative concepts to fruition.

Expertise and Attention to Detail

At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we have a team of talented professionals who are well-versed in capturing the perfect beach shot. Our photographers possess a deep understanding of composition, lighting, and angles, ensuring that every image highlights the natural beauty of the Jersey Shore. With meticulous attention to detail, we strive to create images that tell a story and evoke emotions, making your beach session a truly memorable experience.

Memorable Keepsakes

Once your unique beach session is complete, we offer a wide range of high-quality products to help you preserve and showcase your cherished memories. From custom photo albums and framed prints to digital galleries, our selection ensures that you'll have a beautiful keepsake to treasure and share with family and friends for years to come.

Book Your Unique Beach Session Today!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to have a truly unique beach session at the Jersey Shore with Shooting Star Photography LLC. Whether it's a family session, engagement shoot, or a fun session with friends, we are here to capture those special moments in a way that reflects your personality and style. Reach out to us today to book your session and let us turn your vision into reality!

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This little sea sprite just cracks me up!

Enjoy the ocean breezes and tight squeezes at the shore!.So for today's photo of the day... I bring you this sweet little sea sprite. Simple.. and sophisticated... and a lovely portrait.  Can't wait for my Jersey shore beach sessions this year! It's going to be an incredible time!!!! 

Until we meet again! 

Dee   

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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.

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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

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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!

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Pretty in blue. These are great for the beach.

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Swooning over this dress!

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Dollcake rocks!

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Pretty as a princess.

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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

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