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I’m so excited to announce that I will be in New York City for a limited number of portrait sessions on October 9 and 10th.
Let’s make it happen because family portraits in the City are AMAZING!!!
courtney@courtneystudios.com
954-558-6893
See you soon,
court
Who doesn’t love a good book? Books have often been a subject during a portrait session. Lauren, creator of Happily Ever Elephants (a premier guide to children’s literature…btw) knew that incorporating favorite title’s into her family portraits was a MUST and the results are fun and whimsical. These unique details are what make your family YOU! Don’t be afraid to go outside the box when planning your family portraits. Even something as simple as a children’s book can have maximum impact.
What will you incorporate into your portraits?
Portrait sessions are available both in studio and on location. Reach out and schedule!
See you soon,
court
National Read A Book Day was this week, and a perfect time to share this fun collaboration with Happy Camper Live and Wimpy Kid book series. Wimpy Kid remains my children’s favorite to this day. 
Hi! After a long blog hiatus I’m happy to report that I am back in the studio. The last school year, 2020-2021, I found myself back in the classroom after 14 years, attempting to be a part of the solution to the teacher shortage issue at my kids’ school. I spent the year teaching my daughter’s third grade class and I finished out the year taking over my son’s eighth grade American History Class. It was a school year for the record books for sure. Grateful that we were able to spend the summer at Camp Starlight (that’s a whole blog post in itself).
We’re now two weeks into the new school year, camp now seems but a distant memory, and I’m excited to be back in the studio and focused on the upcoming busy fall season.
The first weekend I was back in town from camp I was lucky to photograph this family on Miami Beach. These are just a few of my faves.
See you soon,
court
ps-I’m in NYC the weekend of October 9 and taking a limited number of commissioned portrait sessions. Contact me for more information.
The school year has started and high school seniors are sending out college applications and trying to do all the normal high school “senior stuff” that they’re supposed to. One of the most important rites of passage…the Senior Portrait. We will not let Covid interfere with the Senior Portrait portion of the program. So let’s chat about it. Let’s collaborate on Senior Portraits that capture the true essence and personality of your Senior.
From now until November 15, make a $100 donation to Calder and Caleb’s Awesome Foundation and receive a complimentary mini session at the studio. Message me for more information.
Sunday is the start of November (OMG!) and the last full month to schedule a custom portrait session. Your session must take place before December 1 to guarantee holiday delivery. Custom portrait sessions at the natural light studio in downtown Hollywood are available on limited weekends through the end of 2020.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
xo,
court
I first met Caleb in 2016 at Lehrman Community Day School during their annual school portraits. When you’re photographing 400 students for school portraits you only have a few seconds to make a connection with the kids. Every moment counts. Caleb definitely made our moments count during each one of his school portraits over the last 5 years. He’d bring an extra hat or accessory for a few extra poses. Caleb is truly an awesome kid. So when I find out that his favorite holiday is Halloween of course I had to make a visit.
As I’ve gotten to know Caleb and now his mom Carla I am so excited and proud to support Calder and Caleb’s Awesome Foundation. Calder and Caleb’s Awesome Foundation is really making a difference in our community. Donate $100 to Calder and Caleb’s Awesome Foundation from now until November 15 and receive a complimentary mini session at the studio. Perfect way to support an amazing cause and get your holiday portraits done. WINNING! Email or call for more information. courtney@courtneystudios.com 954-558-6893
See you soon,
court
Thank you to my amazing clients, old and new, who generously donated to Mobile School Pantry during this month. September is Hunger Action Month and there are still two days to take action. Make a $100 donation to Mobile School Pantry before the end of the month and receive a complimentary mini session; for yourself, or give as a gift.
“Mobile School Pantry is a 501(c)3 volunteer driven, non-profit organization established in 2013 to help alleviate hunger through the provision of nutritious food to children and their families at Title 1 Schools in South Florida. Our Pantry affords the chance to reach a greater number of schools and families, allowing us to serve those who are unable to access a food pantry in their neighborhoods with little burden for the school.”
Volunteering with Mobile School Pantry on Fridays is incredibly rewarding especially mid pandemic. The music is great, the company greater, and the cause; feeding children in our community…the greatest.
Hunger Action Month is over in 2 days, but the need in our community is ongoing. Volunteers are ALWAYS NEEDED. If you’re thinking about updating your family portraits, make a $100 donation before October 1, and the custom mini session is on me.
See you soon,
Courtney
“They say it’s your birthday…..” and somehow through it all, the fact that this month marks the 13th anniversary of Courtney Studios, wasn’t on my radar until a “Happy Anniversary” message came through on LinkedIn. This business that I started 13 years ago as Candids by Courtney, nourished and grew has really taken a back seat since March.
This is for sure an interesting time to run a small business. Shut down in spring as non-essential, heading into summer which is traditionally a slower time for my industry in Florida and heading straight into facilitating my three kids’ “eLearning” experience (which in itself is a full time job). I completely forgot about my business birthday. Coming off of 7 months of extremely slow growth (and I’m being very generous here), it’s time to start from scratch and ask myself some really important questions about purpose. What does the future of Courtney Studios look like? How can I, one small business, effect real change?
Baby steps. I commit to support non-profits and causes that fuel my passion. So my 13th Anniversary falls nicely in line with my support for Mobile School Pantry this month (Hunger Action Month). Make a $1o0 donation to Mobile School Pantry and receive a complimentary mini session. My gift to you. The mini session is good through the end of the year. A mini session gift certificate is always a great idea.
Mobile School Pantry needs our help in their efforts to provide nutritious, healthy grocery items to students and families at low-income schools throughout South Florida. When students have bellies full of healthy food it affords them the ability to concentrate and learn with a higher level of self-esteem.
Celebrate my 13th Anniversary with a donation to Mobile School Pantry. Together we can make a difference.
See you soon,
courtney
ps-and because I’ve been dying to share this custom family portrait session on the blog here it is. These three crazy kids planned this beach portrait session as a gift for their mom’s 50th birthday. I was lucky enough to spend two summers with these sisters at Camp Starlight and I am so grateful to spend an evening with them during this very “non traditional” summer. You can see more from their custom portrait session here.
September is Hunger Action Month. I am excited to support Mobile School Pantry in their efforts to provide nutritious, healthy grocery items to students and families at low-income schools throughout South Florida. When students have bellies full of healthy food it affords them the ability to concentrate and learn with a higher level of self-esteem.
With Public Schools still virtual, the work of Mobile School Pantry is more important than ever. There are a number of ways you can help. First, you can volunteer. Check out the Mobile School Pantry website. There are opportunities to volunteer each week, but during, September, Hunger Action Month, it’s “all hands on deck”. Second, you can donate directly. When you make a $100 donation to Mobile School Pantry during September, you will receive a complimentary Mini Session as my gift. Just show proof of donation, and your complimentary Mini Session can be scheduled anytime during the remainder of 2020.
Together we can make a difference.
I can’t wait to see you soon.
Warmest,
court
I’m really humbled by your participation in this Creativity Project. Thank YOU! I’m inspired by you. Maybe the lesson this first week is it’s important to stay outside the “LINES” every so often. This week’s challenge/project is all about COLOR! Watch this week’s video for all the deets. I’m sharing a few of my favorite LINE images from the week. You can catch the first challenge on Youtube or IGTV.
It feels good to flex that photography muscle outside of my “specialty”; kids, families, faces… and find inspiration in my own backyard.
I’m currently booking custom family portrait sessions both in the studio and on location. Let’s chat about it.
954-558-6893 courtney@courtneystudios.com
See you soon,
court
I have a lot of time on my hands. Time that I would be spending creating portraits for parents and campers at Camp Starlight or creating portraits for clients. I’ve realized that I can’t stop creating just because the traditional clients are fewer during this crazy time. There’s a new client now. ME! I am choosing myself as my next client. The toughest of all my clients. Never satisfied. It’s never good enough.
But I’m doing it. I’m facing my fiercest critic and creating photographs for myself, and you know what I’m finding? My passion. That spark that’s hiding under years of running a business. Years of creating for others. The feeling is warm and familiar and it really wants to come out and play. The passion I discovered almost 14 years ago, photographing my Owen for the first time. I was home and a first time mom. And now I’m home again, three kids, and I’m discovering a new beauty in my kids as I start creating for the most important client of them all. It’s sparking joy and I’m all here for it.
Let’s all give ourselves permission to be creative. Creative moments are as important to our health as diet and exercise. So here it is. A simple creative photography challenge. Use your phone. Keep it simple. Let’s hold each other accountable and spark some creativity.
This week’s challenge is on my personal instagram’s IGTV and YouTube.
Can’t wait to see what inspires you.
See you soon,
court
ps- A huge shout out to Claudia, an amazing teenager and the brains behind Splattering Smiles. All money raised from her sale of these amazing custom painted T shirts goes to Whole Family Mental Healthcare; supporting mental health needs during Covid-19 and beyond.
