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!

Pretty in blue. These are great for the beach.

Swooning over this dress!

Dollcake rocks!

Pretty as a princess.

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

Before and After Photography Edits

Before and After Photography Edits at Shooting Star Photography LLC

At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we understand the importance of capturing the true essence of a moment through photography. Our team of skilled professionals combines artistic vision with technical expertise to ensure that every photograph reflects the unique beauty of its subject.
In our "Before and After" series, we showcase the transformative power of our editing process. Each photograph undergoes careful enhancement to bring out the best in every detail, while maintaining the authenticity of the original moment.

Our dedication to precision and quality is evident in the striking differences between the "Before" and "After" shots. From subtle adjustments in lighting and color balance to more intricate retouching, our edits are aimed at elevating the visual impact of each image in a natural and seamless manner.

Whether it's a portrait, a landscape, or a special event, our Before and After Photography Edits exemplify the skill and expertise that define the standard of excellence at Shooting Star Photography LLC.

Before and after edit at the Jersey Shore!

As you can see, I exposed for the subjects and the sky in this one to retain the orange vibrancy as you see in the final image.  I then in post added the sun flare from another photo I took from that very same day and very session, but I did keep most of the detail in the sky and played with the coloring in post. As you can see very subtle changes in post as I am a stickler for getting it right in camera and then adding some of my secret sauce to them. I LOVE capturing a story and is a big deal to me. 

Before and after in the sunflowers in South Jersey. I love vintage style!

One of the things I have worked very hard on this year was editing and taking a ton of workshops! I have been everywhere from South Carolina, to Virginia, New York, Northern New Jersey and beyond for workshops (including a ton of webinars) this year. They mean everything to me and to the type of photographer I wish to become and am working hard to get to.  I believe in education wholeheartedly in this business! I wanted to share a few before and afters up on here to see the type of magic I put into some of my sessions. Some are more simple than others, but hopefully you can see my creative vision that I put into every SINGLE ONE of my images.

My goal is to be the leading fine art photographer in the Philadelphia area and vicinity.  I love my backyard and am very excited for the opportunities that folks have afforded me this past year in a half in business. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I love to do EVERY SINGLE day! For this guy here I just warmed it up and added some vibrancy. Nothing major, but small little fixes can make or break an image! As always a good image starts with a great SOOC (means straight out of camera) as we photographers like to say. Here's another one. I did not add a sky overlay.

I hope you enjoyed a little “behind the scenes” of our editing process here!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee Giumetti

Shooting Star Photography

Golden Hour Glow: A Stunning Sister Photoshoot Amongst Tall Pines in Sewell

Embracing Sisterhood: A Photo Session Amongst Tall Pines in Sewell

Introduction:

Step into the enchanting world of sisterhood amidst the towering pines of Sewell. Join us on a journey through a mesmerizing photoshoot, where golden hour light and the bond between siblings create unforgettable moments.

Setting the Scene: The Majestic Tall Pines of Sewell

Nestled within the serene beauty of Sewell lies a hidden gem - the tall pines that stand majestically against the sky. As the sun begins its descent, casting a warm glow across the landscape, these towering trees become the backdrop for a sister photoshoot filled with love and laughter.

Golden Hour Magic: Bathing the Landscape in Ethereal Light

Golden Hour Glow: As the golden hour approaches, the landscape transforms into a scene of ethereal beauty. The soft, golden light bathes the tall pines in a warm glow, creating a magical atmosphere that enhances the bond between sisters. It's during this fleeting moment that we embark on a journey to capture the essence of sisterhood amidst nature's splendor.

Sisterly Love: Moments of Joy and Connection Amongst Tall Pines

Moments of Sisterly Love: As the sisters laugh and play amongst the tall pines, their bond shines brightly in every frame. Whether sharing secrets under the canopy of trees or twirling in the golden light, each moment is a testament to the unbreakable connection between siblings. Through candid shots and genuine smiles, we capture the essence of sisterhood in its purest form.

Preserving Moments: The Importance of Family Photoshoots

Conclusion: As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a final, golden glow over the tall pines of Sewell, we reflect on the beauty of sisterhood and the power of photography to preserve precious moments. Through laughter, love, and the enchanting light of golden hour, we've created memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Natural smiles and this cutie showing off her missing teethers!

Twirling around in the beautiful sunlight.

This light is just heavenly!

Something more posed. This kid cracks me up, but is a natural at posing!

Another one!

Sisters being nice to each other! :)

Love these girls!

Super cute!

Kiddos playing and having fun in the beautiful sunlight!

Hello there! It's time to share another session on the blog! Recently, I had the pleasure of conducting a mini session right here in South Jersey, more specifically in Sewell. These were 15-minute sessions held at a stunning location blessed with incredible light. The lighting at this spot is simply exquisite and never fails to leave me in awe.

This location in Washington Township, Sewell, offers a rustic charm that serves as the perfect backdrop for photography sessions. In an area where options for photographers are somewhat limited, stumbling upon this gem was a stroke of luck. Its east-to-west orientation ensures optimal lighting conditions, making it a prime choice for any photographer.

As photographers, we're accustomed to working in various conditions, adapting to whatever the circumstances may be. While I'm a firm believer in the magic of golden hour lighting, I also understand that perfect conditions aren't always guaranteed. Sometimes, you simply have to embrace the moment and make the most of it.

During this particular session, I had the pleasure of photographing two lovely sisters. Despite the limited timeframe, I'm thrilled with the results we achieved. It's always a joy to see how well sessions turn out, especially when working with such wonderful subjects.

Since then, I've had the opportunity to conduct more sessions at this location, and I'm eagerly anticipating returning, especially as autumn approaches. With the vibrant colors of fall foliage on the horizon, I can only imagine how stunning the photos will be. I've made an effort to capture that essence in the images shared here, but rest assured, there's much more to come!

Stay tuned for updates on future sessions and exciting photography adventures. Until then, happy shooting, my friends!

Warm regards, Dee

Breaking The Mold As Artists- Take Some Risks!

As a photographer, it is important to try new things to continually grow and evolve in your art. Experimenting with different techniques, styles, and subjects helps expand your creativity and keeps your work fresh and innovative.
Trying new things also allows you to discover your strengths and areas for improvement. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you can uncover hidden talents and develop new skills that can enhance your photography.
Furthermore, embracing new challenges and experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities and breakthroughs in your work. Whether it's exploring a different genre of photography or utilizing new equipment, stepping into the unknown can spark inspiration and ignite passion for your craft.

Ultimately, trying new things as a photographer not only fuels personal and professional growth but also ensures that your work remains dynamic, engaging, and relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

I recall the saying of, "life is not that simple in black and white." That sentence speaks volumes to me. It's profound and has a very deep-rooted meaning. Well, for one life truly isn't. We deal with constant reality on a daily basis and often find ourselves in gray areas of a story or in our own lives. What's truly right? What's wrong?

Often times, toying with our nurture vs nature or common values and what "the media" states is right and wrong and you want to run in the opposite direction as if you were fleeing from fire or the media itself. Hahaha. Burn baby burn. I honestly can't watch the news anymore.With photography, the saying can mean just the opposite. I find black and white photographs to be very simple. It balances out all the distractions and color and leaves you with the emotions or gestures of one's face or can perfectly describe or portray the moment... That exact moment in time. Black and whites also (to me anyway) really capture the light and what was available at the time or lack of (some of those moody portraits can be extracted by flat light photographs). What I am saying is, I feel I've done it all wrong.

I'll explain...Dancing in Cherry HillI find this picture awesome in the way it captured the emotion of dancing/twirling and also how the sunset "highlights" them.Variety is the spice of life, right? Or so they say? I honestly haven't done a black and white photograph for the longest time and have RARELY done them for my clients EVER. Recently, I started to get back into doing more black and whites on my personal images after my year hiatus of hardly converting anything to a black and white format and I have to admit... I was missing out.

Some great moments that I have captured, truly look better as a black and white photo. And... I find it freeing for myself as have been stuck in a color rut or same editing routine and it's good to spice things up once in awhile (see what I did there? Look at the beginning of this paragraph... Oh and if you've gone this far reading... Well, God bless you South Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia, or wherever you came from .. No seriously.... I just heard you sneeze. God bless you again.)

I finally feel free as an artist lately. I'm trying new things and editing techniques and gasp! Some of those new things include good ol' black and white photography. It's worth giving a shot, eh? I mean... I haven't gotten this far without taking risks and wahoo am feeling alive again.Southern New Jersey PrincessHere's another I took a risk on and is not my usual editing style. This image was actually published today.

Come and join me for the ride because it's going to be fun!! But please... Put on your seatbelt. Hey, I like risks, but never can be too safe, eh?Until we meet again my friends!

Happy Shooting!

Dee

All you need is light!

Light is a crucial element in photography, influencing the overall mood and visual impact of an image. The interplay between light and shadow can bring depth, texture, and emphasis to a subject, creating stunning visual effects. In this image captured in Deptford, the play of beautiful light creates a captivating scene, showcasing the artistry and technical skill of the photographer. At Shooting Star Photography LLC, we understand the significance of light in photography and are dedicated to capturing moments that harness its full potential.

Yep, that's right. All you need is great light... LIGHT IS PHOTOGRAPHY. It doesn't matter the location or the subject... without good light.. your images will be horrible. That's the name of the game in this business.  Here's one I recently stumbled on and never posted... but decided to edit this beautiful winter light wonder.This was taken in the Deptford/Blackwood area, here in NJ.  The location was picked for its great light. Here's the thing. Winter is TOUGH.. Everything is dead... Everything essentially. It's cold, damp and miserable. However, the image still speaks because there was pretty winter light and the location that was chosen was perfection for this.

Lately, I've been going back and looking at old work to see if any images may speak to me that perhaps that I never posted and this was one of them. I decided to edit it in my current ways and feel like the image speaks to me a bit. I love the wind in her hair and the rim lighting around her hair and backside and how she is interacting with the dogwood stems.Find the light... and you will have beautiful images. No matter what and where.Thanks for stopping by and have been a bit dead on this blog here and decided to post a bit today!

Ha! Happy Shooting, my friends! 

Dee

Shooting Star Photography