When the kiddos want chicken nuggets, you give them nuggets... The Golden Nugget Tavern... that is!

There’s something about tradition, local watering holes and about a place that captures the local flavor of real people. I truly believe, The Golden Nugget Tavern captures this essence. You walk into this place and it is a friendly, no frills, down to earth atmosphere. You’ll see families, old, young, small kiddos, teens, blue collar, among white collar individuals. It is the true flavor of South Jersey. 

It’s not a cookie cutter boujee establishment. Unlike, a lot of new restaurants or even pubs and you see these new guys trying to keep up with the trends. Often times, these new restaurants are missing character or a comfort/familiarity/ambiance. Nope, this is a place that transports you back in time. 

Three kiddos having fun in the meadow in Winslow.

This place is right around the corner from the GOLDEN NUGGET. Get your family session and then head over to, "The Nugget" after!

From the old collectibles in the glass display cabinets, to the 2010 Kenny Chesney concert advertisement on the wall, down to the animals, most likely hunted from around South Jersey and proudly displayed around the bar. It’s an atmosphere that actually makes you feel at ease, there’s a true comfort and I truly feel it captures the feel of South Jersey. 

All smiles during her photo session!

Cutie smiles. Love my families!

Hugs with the family!

Absolutely beautiful location.

Not only do they have shuffleboard (and I haven’t seen sawdust shavings at an establishment in a long time) as most don’t keep up with maintenance usually. To the pool table, that was actively being played by a father and son (maybe 10 years old and beating his dad), it’s an establishment that you could get use to. 

Often times greeted by staff, as you enter, like it is Cheers. You sit down and immediately are handed a menu and asking for what you would like to drink. Anything on the menu, does not disappoint. In fact, their buffalo chicken salad is a star, as well as their Golden Nugget bites (need to get wet, with your choice of sauce). You will not leave this place hungry. Nor disappointed. 

Ring around the Rosie fun!

Ring around the rosie fun! This was the real sky that night. It was awesome!

You’ll most likely leave with happy faces, from you and your kids and full bellies, wanting to come back again and again. 

We haven’t tried the outdoor bar/dining area yet because it has been hot the few times we’ve gone this year. We prefer air conditioning in 90 plus degree weather. Hehe. However, the outdoor area looks very nice. As well as numerous and maintained horse shoe pits, all over the place and most have tournaments often. 

A fall photo session shoot! In South Jersey!

Forest fun!

This is an establishment that has been a part of the South Jersey landscape for decades. It’s not to be missed. It really should be on everyone’s bucket list to just try out once, if ever in the area. I think you’ll enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, lively patrons (I love hearing people laugh and just having a good time) we saw a lot of young and old families gathering while here, good food, cold drinks and great staff. If wanting to see what South Jersey is about, this is the place.

If ever wanting a great restaurant recommendation for after your fun shoot with us! We got you covered!

Have a magical day, my friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

I love when I am able to look back on photographs of the families that I have photographed, since the beginning and see how they’ve grown.

Softball photo session at Haddon Township, NJ.

Twinkle lights and sisters at the Jersey Shore.

Girls in front of the Wildwood Pier.

Audubon girl, celebrating her softball. LOVE this little lady!

With the current state of affairs, everything from violence in our schools, to food supply issues and down to the war in Ukraine. It makes you wonder if the world has gone nuts. However, I do strongly believe that with the bad we see, there is so much more good in the universe. If we can just look around and see. 

It starts at home. Look around and see the blessings around you. You are loved, you have a place to stay, you have food in the fridge and clothing (hopefully, you are wearing right now). It’s sometimes hard to see all the good and joy and live in the present. 

Time doesn’t seem relevant some days. Each day kind of wanes by, but then time adds up. One day, becomes two weeks, becomes a few months, then a few years. It is constantly changing. 

That’s why it’s important to capture these memories of your family. We all get caught up in the day to day, but we forget to try and cherish this exact moment and time. 

It’s my job to give you the best. I always do. Whether it is locations, posing, beautiful imagery, I am here for you. Let’s create that magic!

Have a magical day, friends!

Dee

Capturing the Magic of First Holy Communion Sessions in Philly

Taking pictures of this beautiful little girl has been awesome! We loved capturing her First Holy Communion Session!

Communion season is in full swing here in Philly, and we couldn't be more excited to capture the magic of this special time. First Holy Communion is a significant milestone in a child's spiritual journey, and we believe it's essential to capture these precious moments with your loved ones.

We've had a great communion year so far, with many different styles and settings for our photo sessions. From traditional all-white outfits to non-traditional Michael Kors suits, we've captured them all. We've used a variety of settings, from flower fields and blooming trees to gardens and even more urban backdrops, to create the perfect atmosphere for each individual shoot.

It's our job to help make your communion session special and memorable. We love what we do, and we're dedicated to capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments with your children. The right of passage that comes with first holy communion is something that should be cherished and remembered forever.

One of our favorite locations this season has been the Versailles look alike estate, which was modeled after the French palace. The stunning gardens and intricate architecture make for a perfect setting to capture the magic of your little princess's communion day. Can you imagine your child in a beautiful ball gown, posing in front of this gorgeous backdrop? We'll be shooting at this location all through the summer, and we can't wait to capture more magical moments.

If you're interested in booking a Princess at Versailles session, please let us know. We would be delighted to help you create lasting memories of this special time.

In conclusion, first holy communion is a significant moment in your child's spiritual journey, and we believe that capturing it with a professional photography session is a beautiful way to commemorate the occasion. With so many styles and settings available, we can help you create a unique and memorable session that will be treasured for years to come. Let's work together to capture the magic of your child's first holy communion.

First holy communion session in South Jersey and Philly! We’ve photographed everywhere.

Her first holy communion session rocked! She was a princess!

We have flower fields, blooming trees, gardens and even more urban settings for all that you want to capture for this special time. Here’s a look at what we have been working on this season. Isn’t this location gorgeous? WE LOVE IT! Can you imagine a princess in a ballgown? We will be shooting here all through the summer!

Close up of the South Jersey beauty.

The water garden is to die for! Italian water gardens rock!

First Holy Communion in front of "the castle".

My favorite in this whole series!

Love this elegant look! “Picking” tulips!

If you would like to book your Princess at Versailles session (that’s what this estate was modeled after), please let us know! 

Have a magical day, my friends!

Dee Giumetti

Owner of Shooting Star

A Blog A Day Challenge.

With this ever changing daily economic market (and boy,  is it crazy out there). From the lack of baby formula, to the craziest gas prices,  that I have ever seen in my lifetime ($73 to fill up my tank yesterday), to a possible recession. The world has gone bonkers. 

Families all over the world are flabbergasted at the past 3 years. Hello, covid and we are still dealing with this epidemic. It most likely will never go away. That families and small businesses are encountering new glass ceilings to overcome. We continue to feel the crunch. 

Beautiful wildflower field in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

I have to say, that I am truly blessed with what I do. I enjoy taking families to a magical land. What I mean to say about that, is I want families to be in the moment with me. I want them to feel happy. Be happy and feel joy. I want them to feel the 

magic and boy do we try, that we create and as you see in our images, but also to feel this behind the scenes.  

My goal is for you to not feel pressured or anxiety going into your session… I do get that it is a lot of preparation and it sure is, getting the children ready, convincing the husband to come along and that this will be quick, hair, makeup… kids rested (especially, the littles) a cranky kid at a session is never fun. We have all been there. Trust me. it can all be overwhelming and daunting… in that most want or try to get everything to be perfect and go perfect, right? The goal is for us to worry for you. That is our job. 

I am going to try and get a blog up everyday. It’s going to be a social experiment. I may just post a photo and talk about it. I may just talk about nonsense or real life, I may just highlight a certain family, talk about my kids, or possibly, just sharing some local South Jersey history, but it will hopefully, be fun. 

New Things Ahead! Let Us Create Some Magic Together!

You are going to see a slightly different editing style going on here for 2022. Lots of more bold tones, earthy browns, neutrals and deviating from the norm. Down to earth magical vibes. That’s what sets our style out from the public, you know? 

I TRULY love creating every single image as a piece of art.

I go into every session like its a fresh new canvas. I know how hard it was to wrangle up outfits, get everyone cleaned up, groomed, travel and to hopefully, everyone’s cooperation at the session. I know kids and even adults can be cranky pants. It's our job to turn that cranky upside down.. into an awesome frown!

Beautiful country road in my home state of New Jersey.

I really want people to just relax and have a good time. It’s what it is about. If I can take an ounce off of someone’s stress, I’ll take it. 

Magical Unicorn Sessions we have been creating for over eight years!

We love creating magical unicorn sessions for our clients! We have had folks travel all over the East Coast for these one of a kind unicorn portrait sessions.

For one thing, I don’t like to waste anyone’s time, including my own, so I am going to go into every session with a plan and workflow. We get right to it. We’ve been doing this for so many years and have had thousands of sessions at this point, that we’ve essentially seen it all. The good, the bad, the ugly lol. Hey, it’s life. Life happens, but we're here to document it!

Make a wish. Part of our 2022 cherry blossom series.

I’ve seen cranky kids, crying kids, tired kids, (even my own kids have gone through this stage), we tend to just not sweat things and go with the flow and it kind of makes everyone at ease. 

Hey, I love what I do! Whether it’s dining out at Collingswood, shopping in Collingswood, frolicking in Mullica Hill downtown, soaking in the sun in Ocean City, New Jersey.

I have you covered for that most magical South Jersey portrait session, that you have ever seen!

Tell us what you are looking to do and we will make it happen!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Deirdre Morgan (Giumetti)