Fine Art Family Photography Stories & Resources
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.
Explore Portrait Experiences:
New Jersey Beach Sessions almost sold out!
New Jersey Beach Sessions almost sold out!
New Jersey Shore Beach Photographer
At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we are fortunate to call the stunning coast of Ocean City, NJ our summer home. From the picturesque shores of Margate to the tranquil beauty of Sea Isle and the vibrant charm of Wildwood, we are privileged to capture timeless memories through our lens from May to September. Check out the photographs below of all our coast cities that we see every single summer!
New Jersey Shore Beach Photographer
At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we are fortunate to call the stunning coast of Ocean City, NJ our summer home. From the picturesque shores of Margate to the tranquil beauty of Sea Isle and the vibrant charm of Wildwood, we are privileged to capture timeless memories through our lens from May to September. Check out the photographs below of all our coast cities that we see every single summer!
As with each summer, we eagerly await the opportunity to photograph beach sessions at the beloved Jersey Shore. As the golden sun bathes the coastline in a warm glow and the soothing sound of waves provides the perfect backdrop, we strive to create breathtaking photographs that embody the essence of summer bliss.
From candid moments of laughter and joy to serene portraits against the backdrop of endless ocean horizons, we wholeheartedly embrace the unique character of each beach town to create a diverse and captivating collection of images for our clients.
Whether it's a family gathering, a romantic couple's shoot, or a fun-filled session with friends, we are committed to preserving the unforgettable moments and emotions that unfold along the Jersey Shore. Our passion for storytelling through photography drives us to craft timeless and evocative images that seamlessly blend the natural beauty of the coast with the genuine connections shared by those we photograph.
For those who seek to encapsulate the magic of a Jersey Shore summer, we invite you to join us as we embark on an unforgettable journey of capturing the essence of coastal living through our lens.
Hey there, beach-loving families!
Gather up your loved ones, bring along your beach towels and sunglasses, and let's create beautiful memories against the backdrop of the sun, sand, and waves. Whether you're looking for candid shots, playful moments, or classic family portraits, we've got you covered. Now, let’s go party!
Twirling on the beach is always so much fun!
Brother and sister photo shoot in Wildwood, NJ.
The bond between a brother and sister is truly special, and capturing it against the stunning backdrop of Wildwood was a magical experience.
Keep sharing your special moments with us, and if you ever need our photography services, don't hesitate to reach out. We'd be honored to help you capture more beautiful memories.
I’m ready to rock and roll… as it is that time of year again when things start to pick up and get busy! This year am offering a bunch of fantastic and great things coming your way! Our beach sessions for the year are almost at FULL capacity.. so if you are looking to do a beach session this year, I highly suggest we lock in you in ASAP. Our fall sessions are starting to book up as well!
What we include in your family beach session at the Jersey Shore:
Access to our boutique wardrobe. For beach sessions, we typically use tutu du monde styles or dollcake as they fall into the color line that we like to use for portraiture. We also have some outfits for boys and dresses for mom. However, you are free to wear whatever you like at your session. We do recommend for family sessions to arrive dressed and if have time at the end, we can get you changed!
Online proofing gallery: After out session, we upload all the images from your session.. these will include every single photo taken.. so you can choose between 200-400 images... Most clients love this as there are "no missing photographs." These are the good, the bad and the ugly from our session! Please allow 48-72 hours for proofing gallery to be sent to you!
Turn around once photos are chosen and completed for album is typically two weeks. All photographs are edited in our "signature work and style." Beach photography is one of our favorites to do and our specialty and we have changed our policies this year to offer a complete customer experience!
I love blues on the beaches of New Jersey! This was taken in Ocean City, NJ.
Mint works well against a purple sky and sunset! This was Sea Isle!
Maternity Photo Session In Ocean City, NJ. I loved this session!
Brother and sister photo shoot in Sea Isle, NJ.
Twirling on the beaches of Sea Isle, NJ.
beach boys photo shoot in Sea Isle.
In terms of our locations, we have scouted everywhere (since we have lived here our whole lives) from the Delaware bay.. to Asbury Park, New Jersey, Long Beach Island, down to Tuckerton area, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Margate, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle, Wildwood and down to Cape May! We are all about great beach light and locations definitely play a role in this factor! As you can see we really LOVE beach photography and we will be posting photographs and work shortly! We have about two years of work to get up here on our South Jersey blog!!!Whether it is a family session, extended family session, or just want to get portraits of the kids... We are here for you!
Until our next adventure, my friends!
Dee
Owner of Shooting Star PhotographySouth Jersey and Philadelphia photographer.
Why Work With Shooting Star Photography?
Why Work With Shooting Star Photography?
People that come to Shooting Star Photography and live in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area have a unique eye for great photography. Every single image that goes out our door, we make sure is top-notch. We do not approve of producing low quality work. There are many photographers out there who do this. Quality over quantity is our motto with EVERYTHING WE PRODUCE.
People that come to Shooting Star Photography and live in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area have a unique eye for great photography. Every single image that goes out our door, we make sure is top-notch. We do not approve of producing low quality work. There are many photographers out there who do this. Quality over quantity is our motto with EVERYTHING WE PRODUCE.
OUR SESSIONS
Sisters enjoying their beach photo session at the Jersey Shore!
To insure the best out of every single session, we have an assistant on hand to run in there with any little flying/straying hair. Maybe a garment needs to be fixed or adjusted, makeup on the teeth.. WE NOTICE THESE THINGS and we will fix them for you. You'll see us stop for a moment to recompose.
YOU BECOME PART OF THE FAMILY
It's not ALWAYS business when you work with us. We do have fun personalities. YOU WILL LAUGH and enjoy your session with us. I think that's what makes our photos very special and unique. Children are caught in their most natural and joyful moments. Parents have natural interactions when doing family sessions... OUR SESSIONS ARE ABOUT JOY and we wish to keep it this way. We have a method and it works. Our work shines through with this.
WE ARE CRAZY ABOUT LIGHT
We are crazy about our light. This is why our images pop. Sometimes a little bit too crazy, but this is why folks come to us. They are going to be presented in the best light of their true selves that we can give them.
WE ARE CRAZY ABOUT OUR LOCATIONS
I have a pet peeve in going into a setting and you are running into another photographer doing a family session. Now, I understand this happens (depending on location chosen). However, our locations are from years and years of research. We even published a few books on places to see and local South Jersey history. One book took three years of research because we scoured every little area. This is one of our most popular books we wrote. https://www.amazon.com/Guidebook-Beautiful-Salem-County-NJ/dp/1484154916/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1519195659&sr=8-5&keywords=salem+county+nj+book. Every location is chosen for a reason. First on light, then on general setting. We don't suggest locations until we have shot and seen what we have produced at that particular location. We have secret beach spots, rustic spots.. you name it from our research over the years. Other photographers, come to us and ask us on locations.
WE HAVE A FABULOUS WARDROBE
Brother and sister in Wildwood, NJ for their photo session.All laughs and giggles.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to dress your best or present your best self in photographs. It shows every little flaw and detail on camera. We do our best on posing and giving you that most thin and flattering pose, BUT... showing up in torn shirts, a barney costume, or fluorescent clothing that you can see from space.. is unfortunately, going to affect the outcome of your photographs. We have so much clothing collected over the years for sessions, that we haven't even used 50% of what we have. Our inventory is huge. If you want to borrow pieces or have us coordinate something of ours for you... let us know. If not, we will happily oblige in assisting you with your wardrobe choices for our family session.
WE LOVE PHILLY AND SOUTH JERSEY
There is a certain level of appreciation if you live outside the area for a little bit and then return home. The discoveries you find that you may have taken for granted come to life. IE, for me it's our beaches and our food. The people. I love our quick, straight to the point, direct attitude and we generally love working with people. The Shooting Star Lifestyle is Real. We are often imitated in the area and honestly, we take it as a compliment. It means we are doing something right.
Happy Shooting, my friends!
Dee Giumetti
Shooting Star Photography
Creativity as a Photographer
The Importance of Being Creative as a Photographer
Being creative as a photographer is of utmost importance for several reasons. It not only allows you to express your unique vision and artistic voice but also helps you stand out in a saturated field. Here are some key reasons why creativity is vital for photographers:
1. Unique Perspective: Creativity enables you to see the world through a unique lens. It allows you to capture ordinary subjects or scenes in extraordinary ways, presenting them in a fresh and engaging manner. Your perspective and artistic choices can make your photographs stand out and resonate with viewers.
The importance of being creative as a photographer
Being creative as a photographer is of utmost importance for several reasons. It not only allows you to express your unique vision and artistic voice but also helps you stand out in a saturated field. Here are some key reasons why creativity is vital for photographers:
Unique Perspective: Creativity enables you to see the world through a unique lens. It allows you to capture ordinary subjects or scenes in extraordinary ways, presenting them in a fresh and engaging manner. Your perspective and artistic choices can make your photographs stand out and resonate with viewers.
Visual Storytelling: Photography is a powerful medium for storytelling. Being creative allows you to convey emotions, narratives, and messages through your images. By incorporating creative elements such as composition, lighting, colors, and visual techniques, you can elevate the storytelling aspect of your photographs, making them more impactful and memorable.
Personal Expression: Creativity as a photographer allows you to express your personality, experiences, and emotions through your work. It becomes a means of self-expression and a way to communicate your thoughts and ideas visually. It gives you the freedom to experiment, take risks, and explore different styles, genres, or techniques that resonate with you personally.
Innovation and Adaptability: The creative process encourages innovation and pushes boundaries. It inspires you to think outside the box, experiment with new techniques, and adapt to changing trends and technologies. Creativity allows you to continually evolve as a photographer, staying relevant and pushing your own limits.
Differentiation: In a world where anyone can capture an image with a smartphone, being creative sets you apart from the crowd. It helps you develop a distinct style and visual identity that distinguishes your work. Clients and viewers are often drawn to photographers who bring a unique and creative perspective to their images, making you more marketable and in demand.
Inspiration and Exploration: Creativity fuels inspiration and encourages you to explore new subjects, locations, and concepts. It pushes you to go beyond your comfort zone, seek inspiration from various sources, and continuously expand your creative horizons. This constant exploration keeps your work fresh, exciting, and continually evolving.
In conclusion, being creative as a photographer not only enhances the quality and impact of your work but also allows you to express yourself, stand out in a competitive field, and continually evolve as an artist. It is an essential ingredient in creating photographs that resonate with viewers, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression.
A lady in the flower gardens of South Jersey.
Kids on the beach in Wildwood.
Sisters photo session with TWO unicorns. In the forest of South Jersey.
Here's a little fun video we made last year of our travels from around South Jersey and Philly. Some of the kids and locations we encountered. As we like to say... a little bit of Philly, a little bit of South Jersey rock n' roll. FYI, You may want to keep volume down. Or turn it up and groove on out on! Let' s party! [playlist type="video" ids="4543"]As you can see we have a lot of fun and are a little goofy. However, it's always about our clients. WE love them! Our goal is to make everyone feel at ease and I think we truly accomplish this!
Warm Regards,
Dee & Deb (Dee's mom and assistant)
The Shooting Star Photography Team
50 PACK Sky Overlays For Sale- Photographers in South Jersey!
Sky overlay pack for photographers. Offering natural looking skies to go with any photograph. These are sky overlays to purchase.
SKY OVERLAYS FOR SALE
Jersey shore beach photographer, southern new jersey photographer
Southern New Jersey Beach Photographer
If anything on this little big planet of ours, I would say that Shooting Star Photography is predominately known for their sky work in the New Jersey and Philadelphia Area. Bright vibrant skies overlooking a gorgeous wildflower field... or beautiful pastel beach skies. I have been photographing landscapes as a hobbyist since 2011 and some of these photographs went into two published books that you can find at Barnes and Noble or via Amazon. A lot of the skies I am selling in this pack, are my most recent. It's my goal to try to capture a sky photo every time I am out at a photography session. BEFORE IMAGE. This image is straight out of camera. AFTER IMAGE
THOSE NATURAL SKIES
This is our sky overlay pack!
These skies are special because they are actually blurred in camera. They aren't toppled with a fake and photoshopped blur overlay. The in camera blur is for a natural effect. More of a drop and drag into your image so that it blends nicely with your natural depth of field and to make your work look more realistic, as they aren't overly saturated skies. Simply create a multiply layer, or mask around your subject.. or plop these overlays on in there and create a mask into the image. Either mask on or mask off... after proper alignment.
New Jersey skies are tough to keep looking natural, unless you are at the beach for sunrises. In this day and age, more realistic and vintage styles tend to be more the trend as we go into 2018. If you look at my work, skies are a huge portion of the type of creative and artistic work that I specialize in. What makes the images stand out as they aren't stock sky overlay photographs. They are original one of a kind sky overlays that can be used for a multitude of different images.
Even in the forest they can be used in between trees. I hope you enjoy these skies for years to come!!! I can't wait to see what sunsets bring me this year!!! To order the new sky overlay pack, you can purchase it via this link here! Includes over 50 natural looking sky overlays in this pack!!! http://shootingstarphotographyllc.bigcartel.com/product/real-sky-overlays
Have a great day my friends and happy shooting!
Dee
Shooting Star Photography
Whimsical-Sessions with Shooting Star Photography
Whimsical Photo Sessions in South Jersey. If you're looking for whimsical photo sessions in South Jersey, there are several charming locations that can provide a magical backdrop. Here are some ideas:
Shooting Star Photography LLC: Magical and Whimsical Session Collection
At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we are thrilled to introduce our new Magical and Whimsical Session Collection. Step into a world where fantasy meets reality, and where your imagination knows no bounds.
Capture enchanting moments with our skilled photographers who specialize in bringing dreams to life through their lenses. Whether you envision a mystical forest setting, a fairy-tale inspired backdrop, or a cosmic journey through the stars, we are here to make it a reality.
Embrace the ethereal beauty of our Magical and Whimsical Session Collection and create timeless memories that will sparkle and shine like the brightest stars in the sky. Contact us today to book your session and let the magic begin.
Shooting Star Photography LLC - Where every picture tells a story beyond imagination.
A beautiful sister session and dancing in the magical light in Sewell, New Jersey.
We love creating magic with our whimsical sessions! I love making magic for our Southern New jersey Families! We are light seekers and light stalkers.. always providing THE BEST for our customers. It's what sets us apart from the rest in the Philadelphia area. If you're looking for whimsical photo sessions in South Jersey, there are several charming locations that can provide a magical backdrop. Here are some ideas of some of the whimsy we love to add to our sessions!
Another beautiful little whimsical fairy.
She’s wearing Anna Triant and made her into a beautiful fairy. These were birthday photos taken in Sewell, New Jersey.
Smithville mansion, in South Jersey, offers everything magical. From formal gardens to a lush forest. It’s great for family sessions and for simple and magical portraits.
As you see with the above session.. we allow our subjects to be relaxed and showcase their true beauty. Part of our signature work and style, is getting natural expressions out of our clients. If looking for cheesy smiles, we may not be the best fit for you. Whether it's fairy sessions, unicorn, princess, city, forest... we like to make it truly magical for our clients. EVERy single photograph we put out the door is genuinely special and different. We truly love fairy sessions. We love the magic it brings. South Jersey plays the perfect backdrop for these types of sessions. I am excited for also bringing some magic to boys sessions this year. We want to make them into pirates and vintage creek sessions and we love vintage for boys. What we are trying to showcase in this post, is that every single session we do is unique to the families we work with. We capture kids for who they truly are. Personalities and everything. NOTHING is forced posed. We like relaxed. The kids stay relaxed.. The parents feel relaxed. When we do sessions, we don't force anything. We let the magic come alive and speak for itself.
South Jersey Photographer
If looking for something different and will stand the test of time, than look no further than this South Jersey photographer! We would love to add that extra bit of magic to your session and to your photographs. We wish for you to enjoy them for years to come!
Happy Shooting, my friends!
Dee
Shooting Star Photography
South Jersey Photographer
