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.

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Wisteria Cottage Sessions

Life should be simple. It should be grand. We often get caught up in the day to day and forget to be present. We forget to enjoy and make time with the people who love us and that we surround ourselves with. Before you know it, it's a year later. A year that just whizzed by. Or a year that someone is no longer here with us and we miss their presence. We realize life is short and need to fill it more with laughter. More joy, more smiles, more moments. Time, unfortunately, does not stand still. This is why it's important to cherish each and every single day, as today, may be the last day you have.

And... this is precisely why I do, what I do and I enjoy every single second, in what I do for a living. I cannot tell you how blessed I am, that people hire me to capture this time, this moment in their lives. As time is fleeting. Kids grow. We age. Sickness approaches. Those we love and then one day they are no longer here. This is why it's important to capture and cherish as much as you can. This is what I love creating for every single family that I work with. Memories burned and captured forever in time.

As Kool & the Gang (I recently saw them in concert), puts it, the world is always changing. Nothing stays the same. We should cherish the life we live and cherish the love. That's my goal, personally this year and to bring that love over to my clients and capture that love of my families.

One place that truly encapsulates such timelessness and love, is the wisteria cottage. I fell in love, with this special place, over 8 years ago. Every single year, the wisteria puts on a dazzling and aromatic display of beauty. The cottage also reminds me of something you would see over in Europe. Time standing still, but here in New Jersey.

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Please join me for my special Wisteria Cottage series from April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd. As we take a step back in time and enjoy the sweet smell of spring. Hope to see you here for this very special series, near and dear to my heart.

If you would like more information in how to book, please go to this link! Hope to see you here!

https://shootingstarphotographyllc.bigcartel.com/product/wisteria-cottage-series-275

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Merry Christmas and New Year!

2020 Wow. Can you even freaking believe it? I can’t even express what has happened in the past decade. Lots of ups and downs and sadness/death. Happy times, bad times and all those in between.

My decade was a whirlwind.. from being twice-published (you can actually find my books on Amazon and at Barnes and Nobles) to of course tragedy. However, I am still alive and kicking and I am not finished yet!

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  • Lollipop lady in Philadelphia

I think on days like today... New Year’s Day, we take a moment to reflect on our past and reassess our needs and what we want dearly in our future. In life, I want happiness and I also wish for happiness for every family that comes my way. Everyone goes through life's challenges and everyone has suffered losses. My goal is to just try to make each and every day better for myself, my family and my friends!

This 2020 year, I have a burning desire to just do better. Do better for my clients, my family and just in life. A healthy mind and healthy body sort of thing. I've already started the process a few weeks ago and took time for myself to just get in a healthy place. I'm now working out and losing weight. I feel happier and lighter... and have learned to eliminate stress. I honestly feel like a brand new person. I feel like I can offer a different kind of energy moving ahead, to better my services and my clients. It's amazing what positivity can bring and how it can change your life!

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Little girl twirling in her red dress on the Streets of Philadelphia

As I look back on all the families I have worked with, it's pretty incredible to see each family grow. I mean grow like 6 feet tall growth, from a little boy and to essentially a man. I had a recent session like this and it made me step back and look at my life and to make the changes I need personally to move ahead. I virtually took off a few weeks (of course still working behind the scenes), but this time off, was a great time of reflection and for inner peace.

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Lollipop licks on a Christmas day!

I truly hope everyone in the Philadephia area had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! My goal is to post one blog post a day for at least this month of January!

Thanks for stopping by and talk soon! I am truly humbled to be here and have another great year! Happy New Year!

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Lover of all things- bad ass!

It's no wonder I love this job and what I do! I love being one of the best magical photographers around in the South Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware and Jersey Shore areas! I have so many awesome locations I love to shoot at. However, there is one spot that is near and dear to me as a photographer and it is WHY I chose to move to good ol' Woodstown in New Jersey!

My lovely little historic home use to be on garden tours of the great Garden State of New Jersey. It's why I chose this lovely place. I saw the garden in the snow. Yes, we purchased our home on a look-through from a snow storm and immediately saw the potential of the garden. It's beautiful arrangement of perennials, I couldn't wait to get my hands in the dirt. I also love Woodstown. I wrote about this little gem of a town in my Salem County book. I am originally from Camden/Burlington Counties, but when I stumbled upon this county in New Jersey. I fell in love.

I also moved to my place because it resides on a dead on street. I was pregnant with my second little babe and wanted a home that I could live in forever and raise my family. This perfect little home was on a dead end street and in my budget. I wanted my kids to feel a little safe playing outside. Plus, it's very quiet and peaceful.

Sooooo... every Halloween, I take my kiddos out on the street for their annual pictures. I love dressing them up every year and this year it did not disappoint.

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  • It's ride or die time.. Rock on.

  • My baby is looking like a big kid!!!

  • Bad to the bone... I always say!

This year they were Harley Biker kids and had to buy the bike to make these look even more bad ass! Hey, for a little dead-end street, it did its job.

I will post more sessions in the next few months to show you all what this year had to offer! It was truly amazing. It was a sold out year and I am forever grateful to every single client.

Thanks for choosing us... we really strive to give our customers the best in South Jersey!

Happy Shooting my friends! Dee

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Enchanted New Jersey Unicorn Session in an Orchard.

Experience the magic of a New Jersey Unicorn Session in a serene orchard. Spring 2025 brought enchanting moments at a hidden gem in Cumberland County.

This past spring in 2019, I got to hold some beautiful orchard unicorn sessions. Every single session we offer, we try to offer something unique in terms of a variety of locations. Tucked away on a farm on the outskirts of Cumberland County, New Jersey sits this little piece of farm paradise. We had to pleasure of doing our spring orchards sessions here. Our first time!

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As you enter the enchanting peach orchard in New Jersey, a sense of magic fills the air. The sunlight filters through the vibrant green leaves, casting a golden hue over the orchard. The soft fragrance of blooming peaches tickles your nose, and you can hear the gentle rustling of leaves and birdsong in the distance.

As you wander further into the orchard, a faint giggle catches your attention. Turning your gaze towards the sound, you spot a whimsical unicorn frolicking among the peach trees. Its pristine white coat glistens in the sunlight, adorned with a shimmering mane and a horn that glimmers with all the colors of the rainbow.

Meet Drifter: Our Beloved Unicorn

Drifter, our star unicorn, was a joy to work with throughout these sessions. His pristine white coat and shimmering rainbow mane made him the perfect companion for our little adventurers. Drifter’s gentle, curious nature put everyone at ease, allowing us to capture authentic moments of joy and connection. We take pride in ensuring every unicorn session is not only magical but also safe—we are bonded, insured, and take every precaution when working with live animals.

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Twirling in a Southern New Jersey Peach Orchard!

The Magic of a Unicorn Session

From the moment families arrived, they were transported into a fairytale. Children’s laughter echoed through the orchard as they played hide-and-seek among the trees, chased fireflies, and danced in the golden light of sunset. Drifter delighted in weaving through the peach trees, his horn occasionally brushing the branches, as if sprinkling a bit of extra magic on the orchard.

Every unicorn session is crafted to bring out the best in our clients, whether it’s capturing the wonder in a child’s eyes or the pure joy of a family experiencing a day unlike any other. Our goal is to create timeless portraits and unforgettable memories that families will cherish forever.

girl in a pink dress in a peach orchard for a magical photo session

Magical session in the peach orchard in South Jersey!

Why Choose Shooting Star Photography?

At Shooting Star Photography, unicorn sessions are one of our specialties. We’ve been voted the premiere unicorn photographer in New Jersey, and our dedication to creating magical, stress-free experiences sets us apart. Whether it’s a session in an orchard, at the beach, or on a private farm, we pour our hearts into every detail to ensure your photos are as extraordinary as your experience.

behind the scenes of our magical orchard unicorn sessions!

behind the scenes of our magical orchard unicorn sessions! It is a whole production!

Looking Ahead

While our 2019 season was completely sold out—including fall, unicorn, and Christmas sessions—we’re excited to welcome new clients in 2020! Don’t miss your chance to book one of our coveted unicorn sessions and step into a world of imagination and beauty.

We love capturing the peach orchard when it is in bloom, but when it is filled with green it can be magical for your unicorn session too!

A Tale of Whimsy: “Unicorn Whispers”

Inspired by the magic of our unicorn sessions, we’ve imagined a heartwarming story of Lily and her unicorn companion, Sparkle. Together, they navigate the challenges of protecting an enchanted orchard, reminding us all of the power of friendship, bravery, and belief.

As the seasons change, Lily and Sparkle’s tale comes alive, much like the magic we strive to capture in every photo session. It’s a story that reflects the joy, wonder, and beauty we hope to bring to each of our clients.

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Book Your Magical Session Today

Ready to create your own enchanted memories? Book your unicorn session with Shooting Star Photography today! Whether it’s springtime in a peach orchard or another unique location, we can’t wait to bring your fairytale to life. Visit Shooting Star Photography or check out our Facebook page for more information.

Check out more of our unicorn work!
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Magic Gardens Philly Urban Photo Shoot!

Ever since I was A KID, I have been fascinated with the Magic Gardens on South Street. Not sure if any of you remember a store called, "ZIPPERHEADS" and the "TOWER THEATER", but they were some great go to's in my childhood for Friday night fun with purchasing some CD's/records and shopping!

South Street, in Philadelphia, was always a great street with a collection of great art, galleries, places to eat, places to shop. One of these very art galleries is the Magic Gardens.

This place took decades to complete and now it's one of the most sought after places to see in the city. Ever since I started photography, it has been on my bucket list to do a photography session here. This year, I finally made it happen!!

It was a May Day and we purchased a permit before opening hours. Not the most optimal lighting and it made me go outside of my comfort zone by using wider angle lenses. However, it was still a fun time and truly enjoy the results from this session!!

I've worked with these little ladies for the past two years and they always do a wonderful job!

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Fun at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens for a children's shoot!

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Two sisters enjoying the art in Philadelphia!!!

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Enjoying the art at the Magic Gardens in Philly!

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Strike a pose little cutie!!

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Thanks little ladies for making this a wonderful shoot!!!

If ever wanting a truly unique venue to get your photos done in Philadelphia, this is the place! If just visiting the city for a few days, definitely go and check this place out. It's a place you could spend hours looking at every nook and corner.

Happy Shooting, my friends!!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

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Follow our journey around the Philadelphia Area.