Get to know me!

I am completely open to our clients all the time. If they want to know my whole life story you should know they will get it!

So I want to share a bit of my side.. My life.. Behind the lens.
I promise to never hide any piece of me throughout this journey.

I'm YOUNG .. Older than what you might think when you see me but yes I'm very young.
I have FOUR kids believe it or not! Shocking for some,I know.
I have 3 boys and 1 girl.
Photography became a fascination and passion for me around I guess 13 years old. I wanted a camera all the time ..
Then when I had children I found myself taking more and more photos and trying to position the children correctly. If I didn't get the right shot I would not be satisfied. I also had to edit perfectly!! I started using photoshop when I was 15 creating graphic designs and editing photos.

I started really getting into photography when we bought a bloggie camcorder/camera .. Not much I know but I started realizing "hey I've got a knack for this!"
I bought my first dslr in February of 2011 a canon rebel t1i !
My first few shots were horrible so I played with the settings and the same day I realized "hey you are not suppose to use the flash "etc etc

So there it began .. (And by the way I do believe in karma in a sense but with Gods hand.. Because someone sabotaged my previous business but look at us now)

Here I am again today thinking I would've NEVER picked a camera back up again and run a business but God had other plans.
I initially started the business to get a bit of extra gas money.. I never in a million years think we would be here where we are today just 3 months after launching once again! Having at least 5-8 regular sessions booked a month!! All I can say is praise The Lord!

I've made so many amazing friends and clients since September .. This even opened up prayers and support for my sweet Isabel ! This business has brought me several NURSE friends who honestly help to keep me grounded and guided on things I should do for Isabel. Thank The Lord for this opportunity :)
Thank you Missi Philips and Robyn Gillenwater!!! You guys are amazing!!

Robyn who constantly is following Isabel and just supports in every way possible! I know we haven't known each other long but I believe God places people in our lives for a reason and when we ran into each other at food city and met for the first time it was planned by him I believe! Lol geeky I know as it sounds.

Missi I met through the photography page she was wanting MY advice on a sticky situation with another photographer but man she has given me more than I ever gave her :)

Amy Cole.. Where do I begin??! She was one of the first families I photographed and now she is just like my family. Her support is amazing .. She is seriously an angel lol

Jennifer Bradley she is just always uplifting and can lift your spirits through anything!!! I'm so thankful for our friendship :)

Bre Allen - we became friends just because I took up for her in a situation! Although we have not met in person yet she is wonderful! So Godly! Her support and caring words are so wonderful

Rebecca grindstaff can listen to me ramble on and on about nothing lol. She's given me great advice and always has my back!!!
I also am going to point out a few clients who regularly check up on Isabel and pray for her! It touches my heart!!
Donya and Tracie - just met them last month but since learning about Isabel they have followed her and prayed for her!!

The Witt family - seriously Melanie is just AWESOME she's constantly conversing with me and checking on us.. Sending up prayers etc. she helped us in a dire time of trouble. I can't thank her and her family enough!!

Lemmons & the Robinson family - everytime we have a session the first thing that's asked is how is Isabel and "we've been praying for her" they've spread the word about us and I'm very thankful

Brittany Stanley! This girl and her family have been with us since 2011
She is SO GREAT! So supportive and amazing .. Praying for Isabel constantly watching for updates! I love her

Kimberly & her family- seriously.. Just love her!! We met before the business started and she's became a great client! She's referred so many to us and has prayed and supported Isabel
Thank you Kimberly for being here

Tina Mosley- I'm in love with Tina and her little mikayla
She's such a special friend to me now
I enjoy so much taking her photos for her ! She's just awesome!!

I know I'm missing a few people if I missed you I'm sorry!

I know you all seen posts about my daughter and some of you have claimed she's captured your heart.
She is the reason I'm continuing this journey and why I'm specializing in children with special needs .
I believe you can never have enough photos of your children.
Life is a gift and those gifts can be taken away in an instant without warning.

I pledge to continue making memories for all of the tri cities area as long as I live!! I will never stop..
Everyone should have the opportunity to be able to come to us care free .. Without burdens of money etc this is why we're budget friendly!
We will never ever turn you away because of money issues . Memories are worth more than a million dollars.

You wonder why I take a bazillion photos of my children? Because after Isabel's diagnosis and the many deaths pertaining this diagnosis in 2012 haunted me. You never know when The Lord will take back his precious gifts... I need to make every day a memory and I hope I will Inspire you to make it one as well!

If you kept reading all the way through to the bottom I thank you for putting up with my rambling!!

I hope each of you have a wonderful night!

- Heather

Snowstorm 2013

Oh, The beautiful snow!

I for one love snow but only in small amounts.. Nothing for a long period of time.
We finally had our first snowstorm in a LONG time!

So naturally I took advantage of it.
Here's a few shots I got during the snowstorm of 2013!
My kids enjoyed it so much!

I did not get any photos of my youngest son though due to his sledding accident! :(

Mini Sessions TWENTY-13

Hi everyone!
I'm going to post some info on 2013 themed mini sessions. This is to keep you informed , etc.

What's a mini session?
A mini session lasts anywhere between 20 minutes and 45 minutes.
The price depends on the amount of time spent creating your portraits.
For example:
20 minutes = $20.00
30 minutes = $30.00
So on , so forth !

Our themed mini sessions this year will be THE BEST!!
We love props , you love props!! So let's do this!

These are the mini sessions (not in order as the will go)

Valentines Day Minis - decked out WITH LOVE

Easter Mini Sessions - we're talking LIVE ANIMALS!!!

Mothers Day Minis - mommy and me sessions

Father's Day minis - daddy and me

Tea Party sessions - focused towards little girls

Gone country mini sessions - for children 10 and under

4th of July minis- red,white and blue!!

Spring Minis -

Fall mini sessions

FUN IN THE SUN MINIS

Christmas Mini Sessions

Tutu minis-

Fairy tale minis - for all ages

Family minis

Additionally we may hold benefit minis to help the needy. So lookout for those!!

Welcome!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11.

Hi Everyone! We hope you are doing well. I know we are having a FANTASTIC start to the new year! Here’s to 2013!

• We serve the Tri-cities area of Northeastern TN,and all surrounding counties. We serve Knoxville,TN as well.
• We offer TWO shooters to every session.
• We are specializing in children with special needs and sensory disorders,Families,Newborns,Children,Couples,Maternity,Birth Stories and Weddings.
• ADDITIONALLY we offer shooting Birthday Parties,Senior Portraits,Animal Portraits, etc.

What do we currently shoot with?

• Nikon D70 and Nikon D40
• 55-200 mm lens, 50 mm 1.8 lens,35-80mm lens mainly

What’s coming to you different in 2013?

OH BOY! We’re switching back to canon! The BEST ever too! ALL FOR YOU GUYS!!!!

What can you expect during a session with us?

• LOTS OF LAUGHTER AND FUN!!!
• Relaxing experience! NO STRESS!
• Unique experience..we promise you’ll want to return

HOW DO WE SHOOT?

Well we shoot in Manual Mode of course and MOST OF THE TIME our lenses our set in their own manual mode as well… which means WE do all the focusing!!!!!!We have to specifically configure the lighting,aperature,shutter speed, and ISO to perfect your memories!

OUR GOALS?

• bring you the BEST unique experience ever!
• Give you CLEAN CUT PORTRAITS!
• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERY PHOTO ON YOUR CD THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED PRINTABLE!! (there are so many times I see a photo that just couldnt be placed on a wall!!! this is how we are different! you need the most out of your money! you should be able to print every picture given to you! )
• the best most affordable shoots!
• budget friendly photography
• UNIQUE MINI SESSIONS!!!
• tons of props!!!!

WHAT IF WE CANT SET UP YOUR SESSION FOR YOU?

sometimes circumstances arise to where we can not set up a date for you BUT not to worry!!! We have a LOT of friends in the area we HIGHLY recommend! who are they you ask?

• JENNIFER BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
• BRE ALLEN (Allyooop Photography)
• REBECCA GRINDSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHY
• SWANKY5STUDIOS
• MEL-RAMEY PHOTOGRAPHY

and a few more 

What’s Up With SHOOTing Star Photography??

Well we began our journey back  in December 2010! The idea and passion sparked… Why not run a photography business since we LOVE it so much??

So that’s how it began… We stopped back in 2011 due to circumstances that arose and pushed us out of the photography world! What a shame it was! We thought we’d never ever return. But GOD had other plans for us… Everyday, every second.. my heart ached to get back behind the camera.

Then on April 24th,2012 my whole life changed… I knew immediately after spending the first month of my daughters life in the hospital and upon finding out her diagnosis what I NEEDED to do! What I HAD TO DO! She is the reason I began again. I need to help her to THRIVE in this world.

Expenses rose and rose… With all her medical emergencies and trips down to knoxville that I decided back in Spetmeber 2012 I WOULD DO THIS AGAIN! WHAT I LOVE FOR WHO I LOVE!!!

I am so thankful too for the ONLY reason I am doing this now is because my sweet friend who I love SO much got me started again. She GAVE me a camera..GAVE me lenses.. FIXED MY COMPUTER.. and helped put my name out there.. And for that I can never thank her enough! Thank you Amy my sweet friend! She deserves so much credit in this business because I could not have done it without her!!! In all the darkness she was the angel who lifted me up and out of a finicaial struggle! So, if you see Amy out there THANK HER for her amazing kindness! She never gave up on me… and never will. I love her DEARLY!

I thank you for reading this! I guess Ive wrapped it up 

Look here soon for more blog posts!

-Heather