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:
Still Opening My Studio- 2020 Strong!
God gave you all a gift. He put that inside you. He gave you the gift of giving your absolute best with the minimal effort. Have you ever looked around you and said... "How did I get her in this point in life?" And where you can look around and see the blessings given all around you. Yes, you may have worked your booty off... but some of these gifts just come naturally in life.
Some of these gifts may include:
:Making people feel good
:Making people laugh
:Photography
:Intelligence- Always learning. Always growing.
:Writing
:Friendship
:Sunday Dinners
I believe the gift I was given was to make people smile. Make them laugh. I am a total comedian at heart. I love capturing moments behind the lens and love reveling in moments and being in the moment sans camera. It's just always how I have been.
Even in this uneasy, crazy time... I still find humor. It's dark as we don't know what the future holds, but I have hope.
As photographers, you need to find your passion and what drives you as the artist you are.
Even doing a YOU series. Like individual adult portraits telling people’s love story. Or capturing the joy of family life. Listen to your heart and let it drive you to great heights.
Remember.... in the midst of this Corona virus. The person you are today... isn’t going to be the person you are a year from now or 10 years from now. Radiate love in every area of your life. Even if its at home at the moment.
I still plan to open my studio and make 2020 THE KICK BUTT YEAR. I may have been delayed, but it won't stop me from pursing my dream. Maple Shade, New Jersey here I come. I can't wait to be a part of the community. I'm very excited for what the future brings!
Corona Virus and Small Businesses
This is an absolutely scary time. Not only for the virus, but for susceptible populations and small/large businesses. New Jersey has been completely shut down. Many businesses will start to suffer or struggle to even pay their lease or employees. People may be out of work for awhile for this virus to surpass.
One thing I am concerned about is that I am opening a studio location. I have spent five years building my business and brand. This business may all turn to dust in just a few months. I saved and saved and saved to open this store because I believe in what I do and I love servicing my customers. It's the memories made that I truly love.
It's so important to support our local businesses during this time. It's also a frightening as we don't know what the future holds or entails, as this virus is spreading and taking hold. Right now, all we can do is hold our babies and be there to support our families. Both physically and emotionally. These times are like nothing we have ever experienced. We can only make the best of this situation right now.
I hope that this will be a great year... after all this craziness. I hope that this will be a time to bring families closer.
As far as my studio goes, the remodeling process has been put on hold, since everything is shut down. Hopefully, we'll be up and running by late spring this year. Only we shall see.
The only thing that I can guarantee, is to just provide the best for my customers during this time. I hope that as we continue on, things look up for everyone.
This time really has been appreciating the past five years and all the clients I have serviced my way. Very fortunate and lucky.
Broad Street-City Dreams Sessions!
At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we specialize in capturing family memories that will last a lifetime. One of our favorite spots to shoot in Philadelphia is Broad Street. Not only is it an iconic location that showcases the city's stunning architecture, but it also offers a dynamic backdrop that enhances the beauty of any family portrait. With the bustling city as a backdrop, we can capture candid moments of families strolling hand in hand or laughing together. We cherish the opportunity to document the love and connection between family members and showcase the beauty of Philadelphia at the same time.
There is one type of session that I truly love and that is my city dream sessions. These photography sessions have been our signature style and most recognized pieces of work. These are the types of sessions that are exhilarating and so much fun to do... but also produce some very beautiful quality of images that truly capture this beautiful time in your life.
At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we specialize in capturing family memories that will last a lifetime. One of our favorite spots to shoot in Philadelphia is Broad Street. Not only is it an iconic location that showcases the city's stunning architecture, but it also offers a dynamic backdrop that enhances the beauty of any family portrait. With the bustling city as a backdrop, we can capture candid moments of families strolling hand in hand or laughing together. We cherish the opportunity to document the love and connection between family members and showcase the beauty of Philadelphia at the same time.
Broad Street Philadelphia Facts
Broad Street is one of Philadelphia's most famous and vibrant thoroughfares. Here are some facts about Broad Street that you might find interesting:
1. Length: Broad Street stretches 13 miles from the old Naval Yard in South Philadelphia to the northern edge of the city at the city line with Cheltenham Township.
2. History: Broad Street was originally called Sassafras Street by William Penn when he first laid out the city in the late 17th century. It was later renamed Broad Street because of its width.
As you can see, Broad Street offers a very dreamy and magical quality to your family’s photo session!
Philadelphia photography sessions! Classic, beautiful portraiture.
Look at all these beautiful families and children!!! I love these portrait sesssions!!! Timeless and classic is the way to go. We want you to look back years from now and truly enjoy these images. These are such a blast to do and all my families truly love it! I hope to see you out!
A beautiful maternity capture in Philadelphia. On Broad Street :)
South Jersey photography capturing magic in Philadelphia
Love this little guy!
Little guy jumping for joy.
The fire truck perfectly crossing at the time of this shoot. Was awesome!!! Made this image.
Beautiful family session in Philadelphia, PA.
If you would like more information on this type of session, you can go here to this link! Hope to see you here!
Happy Shooting my friends, Dee.
SATURDAY, MAY 2nd Magical Unicorn Sessions!
We are South Jersey's magical unicorn provider! Please join us for our only unicorn session planned for 2020. In a beautiful magical wooded location in the spring! These are all about your little princess!!!! It's such a lovely experience for all! We really try to make it a magical day!
We will provide dresses, as well as headpieces for this event to coordinate with the setting. Just shoot us your dress size. Sizes we provide are girls sizes from 2 to 16.
Session also includes 3 magical edits!! High resolution files!
Your choice of images and will be provided an online proofing gallery for you to choose the images you want edited.
Additional images may be purchased.
Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 will be rain date.
Please only book if can attend both dates listed. In the event of weather, we may have to utilize our rain date!
We hope to see you here!
$100 is to reserve spot. $250 will be due approximately one week prior to session.
Total for session is $350.
Session to be held in a magical forest location in Gloucester County, New Jersey, as shown here. Hopefully, some fall color during this time!
Hours will run from 5:30pm to 7pm.
Please only book if can attend both dates.
If you would like to book, you may do so at this link! https://shootingstarphotographyllc.bigcartel.com/product/unicorn-session-350
Hope to see you here!
Beach Sessions and Being Successful in this Photography Business
Beach photography is sooooo hard to master. Often times, many photographers struggle getting it right. There are a ton of elements that go into it. From the sun to the wind, to the sand an water. There is a lot of elements at play to get it right. This is why I have done beach photography justice.
Soooo what is really stopping you from trying? Or going out and doing it... ?
You’ll find yourself in situations and ask yourself, “How did I get here? How am I going to pull this off?”
But your confidence will grow.
You just need to walk past the emotional wall — the electrical fence — which paralyzes and imprisons 99% of people.
Because people remain imprisoned, they doubt themselves. They develop a victim mentality.
Their confidence crumbles.
Rather than building the life they want, the settle for the life they have.
Rather than living in an environment created by them, they live in an environment created for them.
If you want something different, you need to act different. It doesn’t matter how you feel in the moment.
If that life is different than what you have now, you can expect it will feel terrible. You haven’t yet adapted to your new life.
What do you expect?
Change is always an uncomfortable transition — until you develop a tolerance for change, uncertainty, and even fear.
Are you willing to go there?
How big is the emotional roller-coaster of life you’re going to ride? Small rises and dips? Or huge rises, drops, spins, and twists? Life is meant to be lived, emotions are meant to be felt and experienced. You get to design the roller-coaster.
Do you want the result bad enough that you’re willing to feel absurd, horrible, amazing, ridiculous, and stupid to get there?
Or, would you prefer feeling safe and regretful?
The choice is yours. But everything you want is available. And the more extreme the emotional shock you’re willing to walk through, the faster you’ll get the results you’re seeking.
No matter how “successful” you become, trusting yourself never gets easier. In fact, it only gets harder with more external noise and pressure. But you will never be happy with yourself or satisfied with your work if you don’t do what you truly felt inspired to do.
Your most honest work will always be your best work. More than likely, it will also be your most successful work. Sooooo... get on out there and make it happen. The worst you can do is try. It's the only way to succeed in this business.
Happy Shooting, my friends and until next time!
Love,
Dee
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