Lenny & Charlotte

She’s two weeks, two days old.  Charlotte was just a week old when I caught this moment between daddy and baby.

How lucky am I?

courtney ortiz photography

modern family photography

 

Merry Christmas! | Ft. Lauderdale Photographer

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.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Much love!

Till next time,

court

courtney ortiz photography

modern family photography

Aimee & Jack | Ft. Lauderdale Wedding Photographer

Lenny and I took a little trip to the Central Coast of California to attend our dear friends, Jack and Aimee’s wedding.  Aimee is originally from Santa Maria, California, and it was only natural that she wanted to say “I do” back at home.  And it gave the rest of us an opportunity to take a little trip across country to share their special day with them.  Not only are the bride and groom special people to my husband and I, but we got to travel with a group of some of our closest friends as well.  And I’m talking oldest and closest friends.  Two of which have been my best buddies since elementary school.  My husband has been friends with these guys since high school, and as we have gotten older and gone away to college and gotten married our group has gotten bigger and bigger.  These are friends that we can call on any time of day or night.  Will always be there if we need them.  It made the whole experience so special.  I want to say that I was NOT the photographer for this wedding.  The photographer was Micki Salazar, but being a photographer myself, and being surrounded in beautiful new territory I couldn’t help myself.  I traveled “light”.  Just my camera and my 50mm f/1.2 lens.  The Friday before the wedding was spent wine tasting at two wineries in the Santa Maria Valley, Rancho Sisquoc and Cambria.  Saturday morning we traveled to Solvang, California (Remember the movie Sideways?) had an amazing Danish breakfast and did a little shopping before the wedding itself.  The ceremony was held in an amazing old barn in the middle of an orange, lemon, and lime grove.  Lots of amazing details that would make my wedding photographer friends drool!

 

Lenny and I arrived in LA on Thursday and drove up the Pacific Coast Highway.  We stopped for lunch in Malibu!

Friday Wine Tasting!

Being a Native Floridian, I’m no stranger to citrus fruit, but I just loved all the lemon trees!

WEDDING TIME!

All of our peeps (minus the bride and groom).

“The boys!”

I wasn’t able to take photos of the bride and groom solo, but I love having friends who are willing participants!

courtney ortiz photography

modern wedding photography

North Carolina | Ft. Lauderdale Family Photographer

The kids and I jetted off to the mountains of North Carolina last week for a couple of days of family time and r&r.  Although there’s not much r&r when traveling with two kids without my hubby.  It was a last minute trip to visit my grandparents.  The last time I was up there was late June and it wasn’t exactly for the best circumstances. (I blogged about that trip here!).  We usually go up right after Christmas for a few days, but because of the baby being due right at that time, I knew I had to go now, or wait till spring.  Anyway, it just kind of worked out that last week was available, so off we went with my dad.  We stayed with my Aunt Libby and Uncle Bill and got to spend lots of quality time with my grandparents. The weather was amazing and the fact that we got to experience a real “fall” was nice too.  It was really one of the best family trips I’ve had in a long time.  My grandmother is looking and feeling great.  My kids had a great time and were friendly and nice (which is sometimes an issue with family that we only see twice a year, if that).   I also got to see my cousin Kym (owner and photographer of Kym Drum Photography), but unfortunately it was only for a few hours.   The only request I had was to take the kids apple picking.  Thankfully apples are still in season.  Sky Top Orchard, if you’re ever in Western North Carolina in the fall.  We’re already planning our trip for spring.  This time with THREE kids and my husband in tow.

There’s just something about kids dressed for cooler weather and the colors of autumn that make for great images.  I could shoot in fall all season long.

Till next time,

court

courtney ortiz photography

modern family photography

Family Friday | Ft Lauderdale Family Photographer

I’d love to start this post off and declare that every Friday from here on as “Family Friday” and dedicate it to images of my kiddos, but I know better than to do something like that.  My follow through isn’t that great.  I remember a year or so ago I started “Photo of the Day”.  That lasted about a week, if that.  So instead of declaring every Friday “Family Friday”, I declare just today “Family Friday”.  That way if I’m able to continue it then it’s just an added bonus, and if not, well, I never promised you a rose garden.

These images of my daughter were taken over the summer.  I love them all.  There are about 30 total in the gallery.  I’d like to do a super super large “Signature 16” storyboard for her room.  But as most personal images, they unfortunately have sat way too long collecting dust on the hard drive…until now.  She’s really become quite a little ham for me, when she’s in the mood.  Which I really enjoy.  My son isn’t so much a willing participant.  Of course each quick session has to end with a lollipop, but I don’t mind obliging when I’m able to look at what she gives me in return.  Melt my heart!  Owen will come over eventually when he’s tired of her getting all the attention.  I’m one lucky parent.

Till next time,

court

because I can’t help myself

top and jeans: JCrew Crewcuts

shoes: China Doll purchased at Buy Buy Baby

courtney ortiz photography

modern family photography