Meet Rocky and Jake. Two of the coolest brothers under 10 I’ve ever met. The boys came to downtown Hollywood with their parents for a Fall mini session. Both brothers were super cute and super comfortable in front of the camera.
Winter mini session dates have been announced. Downtown Hollywood Urban mini sessions are February 4 and the 18. The cost is $125. All studio products; prints, gallery canvases, coffee table books, and DVD’s of high resolution images are available a la carte or as part of a package. Call or email the studio for more information. courtney@courtneyortiz.com 954-558-6893
We are two days away from Christmas and I have to say my stress level is unseasonably low. Presents are all wrapped as of last Saturday, Holiday cards went out in the mail a week ago, all client orders are out and delivered, and to top it off, at this moment, both my kids are napping! I have to say that this has been a pretty stress free December compared to Christmases past. Last year was a doozy for sure. I was so busy that I didn’t get around to sending out my own personal cards, and it really upset me. This year I sent out a total of 127 cards, and unfortunately it wasn’t nearly enough, and I didn’t rush and order any more. I don’t even have one left for myself. So if you didn’t receive one from me, and do truly apologize and will definitely up my order for next year. I’m just happy that I did, for the most part get them out.
Online shopping this year has definitely taken ALOT of the stress out of the holidays. Being that I’m due at the end of the month, my husband and I were serious about getting as much done as early as possible. Online shopping and starting the shopping early for us, definitely had its benefits and its downfalls. But for the most part, it was super convenient. The only downfall really, was having to breakdown and dispose of all the boxes that the UPS driver delivered. Plus, we are now Amazon prime members, which for a flat yearly fee, the majority of things sold on Amazon are available for FREE two day shipping or overnight for $3.99. And honestly, if Amazon doesn’t carry it, do you really need it? But that being said, all presents are wrapped, when I know a majority of my friends are hunkering down tonight with a bottle of wine and attempting to begin what can be a very daunting task.
So now its just a matter of playing the waiting game. Waiting for Christmas to come. Waiting for the baby to come (hopefully at this point, not until Monday. Gotta stick it out through the weekend). Having a bit of downtime this week has really given me a time to reflect as I think back on last Christmas, and how my life/my family’s lives have changed over the last year and will continue to change in 2012. We’re really very very lucky. It has been an amazing year for me both personally and professionally. I’m truly grateful for all that I have and all that I have to look forward to.
I want to share a few of the images I took in my attempt to create our Christmas card. The first attempt was in the studio. Tried to go for something a bit more traditional. The second attempt was on our quest for a Christmas Tree. Unfortunately, South Florida doesn’t have Christmas tree farms covered in snow, as its always been a vision of mine to do a session with a family as they cut down their tree. But for the first time, my favorite plant nursery, Flamingo Road Nursery, sold fresh cut trees. So it was there we went to “cut down” our own tree. I used a mix of both sessions for our card this year.
Another great family who came by during the Holiday mini sessions. We first met last year when I went down for a lifestyle session at their house; which is an amazing mid century modern ranch down in south south Miami. (check out last year’s session here!)
This year’s mini session was a race against the rain. Probably one of the rainiest days we’ve had all season, but we definitely made it work.
I have been capturing this family for three years now. I first visited them when these little twinkies had just been released from the NICU after being born 10 weeks early. In these three years, we’ve done all sorts of different sessions at different locations, but they finally came to visit me in my ‘hood; the streets of Downtown Hollywood. I truly look forward to watching these two adorable kiddos grow.
Till next time,
court
ps-Don’t forget to “like” us on facebook and be the first to learn about the mini session dates that are in store for 2012.
Meet Mitch and Michael. Two brothers who came by the studio a couple of weeks ago for some fun and funky downtown portraits. I first photographed these two guys and their mom and dad four years ago. (where does the time go?) These two boys couldn’t be more different and I think their personalities really shine through.
That being said, we are well in the thick of the holiday season here at the studio. We’re busy getting out client orders and holiday cards, but all in all I’m really pleased with how everything is going. We had a number of new families take advantage of the mini sessions, as well as a few familiar faces. I’m truly thankful for all our clients, both new and old (returning would be a better word than “old”). So we have lots of great sessions to post on the blog once things calm down here in the studio. The studio will be closed from Dec. 19-January 31. Feel free to call or drop us an email, someone will get back to you. We’re currently booking sessions starting in February. So if you were too busy this Fall/Winter to schedule your family portraits (which is definitely the case for many of us) there’s always the spring!
This little guy came by the studio for his two year old portraits. He’s got quite a presence in front of the camera. In fact, I think he can give Zoolander a run for his money with his own distinct “look” (scroll down to the last picture).
This past Saturday, was the first of two Downtown Hollywood mini session dates. It was a great time, and I was so happy to be back in what I felt was my element. I have posted a couple of quick sneak peaks on the courtney ortiz photography facebook page. The second and last mini session date is this Saturday, November 5. I actually have a couple of spots available. Call the studio at 954-558-6893 or email courtney@courtneyortiz.com for more information.
Meet Julian and Jack! The youngest of 4 kiddos. We spent an afternoon together on Hollywood Beach. A special thanks to the Atlantic Sands Beach Suites who let us run rampant on their property and gave us a spot to change and freshen up.
I’m super excited to announce I’ll be back at the Haircut Hangout for Kids for the two remaining mini sessions, Saturday, October 29 and Saturday, November 5. The mini session is a 30 minute family photography session in and around downtown Hollywood, $125. Prints and studio products are available either a la carte or as part of a package. Please email courtney@courtneyortiz.com or call the studio at 954-558-6893 for more information.
The 2011 Holiday Card catalog is now online! Click here to see what we have in store!!!
One of my favorite little girlies just turned ONE! So for the special occasion we jetted off to Paris for the afternoon. No one, and I mean no one, knows how to throw a party like her momma! Marlow’s big brother is celebrating the big 3 in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to attend.
The last two Downtown Hollywood mini session dates of 2011 have been announced, Saturday, October 29 and Saturday, November 5. For more information please contact the studio 954-558-6893 or email courtney@courtneyortiz.com.
“Her work is distinct and holds a special place in our home.”- Marcy Hirsch -
“Courtney's photographs had a huge impact on NCLR and helped us raise over $1 million in December 2014. Her work is beautiful and engaging and shows the central goal of the fight for marriage equality -love."”- Ace Portis, Major Gifts Officer, NCLR -
“Courtney truly captured the uniqueness of our family and created beautiful, original works of art that we will treasure always.”- Darlene Giol -
