So how’s it been going over there? Things have been going surprisingly well here in the Ortiz household. The kids have complained very little about being home, and everyone’s still alive after two days of virtual school FTW!!! We’re all healthy, weather’s been beautiful, we’re stocked on the TP…I’m lucky. And grateful.
Finding the gratitude and stillness through all of this.
I made a long “to do/project” list that I’m slowly chipping away at. I have tons of beautiful client portrait sessions from this fall that I’m eager to share on the blog.
And most important I’m going to focus on photographing my kids. Working on photographing for me. I’m on a hunt for the spark that photography lit in my heart 13 years ago.
So here’s a little glimpse into what’s been going on in my family room…LEGO MADNESS. Charlotte is a builder/creator and has been working on this for three weeks (started before the quarantine). Grateful for an activity that keeps her busy for hours, in an area that can’t be seen when you walk in the front door. My glass is always half full.
Sharing just a few pictures I took of Charlotte’s build, if you’d like to see more you can view those on facebook.
Thank you for coming on this journey with me. You’ll be seeing more personal posts on the blog so keep stopping by.
Yesterday, I received and delivered a client’s custom album — one of the last orders to be filled since the quarantine. (Fortunately, the client lives in my ‘hood, and I was able to deliver it on a short bike ride).
It got me thinking…do photographs bring comfort during these crazy times? I sure hope so. My goal is always for the art we create together to spark joy. When you’re ready to tear your hair out because your kids are driving you crazy after hours of isolation and attempted homeschooling, I hope a glance at your family portrait brings a smile to your face. I want them to serve as a reminder of happy times and encouragement for the future.
Get out those albums, curl up on the couch with your kiddos, and get warm and fuzzy. Reminisce over past vacations, laugh over funny haircuts and missing teeth…and if my work is somehow a part of this…mission accomplished.
Be safe, sane, and take lots of pictures. We will celebrate soon.
It’s a crazy world out there folks. In times like these curling up on the couch with your littles and taking comfort in a good book is the perfect medicine.
Meet Lauren Bercuson. Lauren, a media specialist is passionate about children’s literature. It was with this passion that she founded Happily Ever Elephants . a blog dedicated to Children’s Literature. Lauren has curated lists of children’s literature titles to teach and explain certain topics/themes and these can all be found on her blog.
Want to talk to your kids about feelings? Lauren’s got a list of books for that.
Want to talk to your kids about gratitude? Lauren’s got a list of books for that too.
In these uncertain times, a book can explain complicated issues to kids better that I certainly can. Now would be a great time to check out Lauren’s list of books about Hygiene as well as her list of resources for parents on “virtual learning.” Which is quickly becoming a reality for us with school aged kids.
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Lauren on new branded photography for the Happily Ever Elephants website, marketing and social media. If you’d like to see more from Lauren’s branding session click here.
I started Courtney Studios in 2007 dedicated to creating a custom family portrait experience with the end result being beautiful portrait art; tangible prints and frames to touch and feel. Portraits that would “make your heart skip a beat and take your breath away every time you walked into a room.” I wanted to cover my home with custom family portraits of my own children, didn’t everyone else??!! Well, yes they did and do, but as time and technology marched on, digital files are becoming a “want” of my clients. I’ve heard you and I’m listening. I resisted for as long as I could and I’m happy to now offer digital files as part of my Custom Family Portrait packages. My passion still lies in designing and creating portrait art to hang and enjoy, but now offer three portrait packages each including digital files.
Your edited, high resolution digital files will be presented in this beautiful acrylic USB by Design Aglow.
This past Saturday, February 8 was the 6th Annual I EXTRA Love You Portrait Day. I EXTRA Love You is a portrait exhibit that showcases all that is EXTRA unique in people with Down Syndrome. This year’s exhibit will be on display starting Saturday, March 21 at Art Serve in Fort Lauderdale, on World Down Syndrome Day.
I’m grateful for the day my friend Daniela came to me with this “great idea” she had. Daniela was 10 when her brother Alex was born with Down Syndrome. Alex, now 20, is a yoga instructor and and shares his love of yoga with people of all ages and abilities. Daniela is an advocate for her brother and the Down Syndrome community as a whole, and I’m proud to collaborate and bring her vision to life. A vision that started with 25 people and over the past 6 years has grown to the 60 people who participated in Saturday’s portrait day.
I hope you will join us at the exhibit opening, Saturday, March 21. More info to come. Perfect for the whole family.
I photographed Brooke and Parker for the first time 9 years ago, so of course I was thrilled to see them again. This portrait session was just for mama. Every mama deserves to have beautiful portraits of her AND her kiddos. Being both a Mom AND a photographer I’m rarely in pictures with my kids and I truly value the ones I have (which admittedly most are iphone selfies).
Excited to announce that I will be once again offering Natural Light Studio Portrait sessions on weekends. I just couldn’t stay away. Get in touch for more information.
Happy New Year! The end of 2019 was extremely busy and exciting. Love connecting with old and new clients. I have so much to share over the past three months. Keep checking out the blog for client sneak peaks and upcoming events.
This family definitely has a piece of my heart. This was our fourth custom family portrait session together. Always a fun time, these three kids keep me on my toes. The bright colors of the Miami Design District are a fabulous backdrop for their custom family portrait session. I love this one particular street; the multi-colored windows, great natural light, and minimal traffic are PERFECT.
The Miami Design District is a hidden gem of a location for custom family portrait sessions. Now that the holidays are behind us and 2020 is well underway, it’s a great time to schedule a family portrait session without the pressure of sending out holiday cards or ordering gifts. Now is the time to do it for YOU…for your family. You love your family, you love your house, and you’re tired of looking at the blank walls. Together let’s create beautiful, one of a kind custom portrait art that celebrates your family and turns your house into a home. Whether it’s on the streets of Miami or any of the hundreds of great portrait spots throughout South Florida, let’s create custom family portraits that showcases the beauty that is your family.
Downtown Hollywood Mini Sessions are back. When I first started Courtney Studios (I celebrated 12 years this September!), Downtown Hollywood mini sessions were my jam! 30-60 minutes in and around the streets of Downtown Hollywood. The landscape was and continues to be ever changing, so each family portrait is a complete and totally different experience. As a photographer, the landscape is just as much an inspiration as my subjects. After a few years away from these fun family custom portrait sessions, I’m excited to bring them back in time for the Holidays.
The Downtown Hollywood Mini Sessions are Sunday, November 17. The cost is $250 and includes an 8×10 mounted print ($65 value). Your custom family portrait mini session includes a 30 minute walk around Downtown Hollywood, an online proofing gallery to share with family and friends, an 8×10 mounted print ($65 value), and an in person order session where we will go over all your finished portraits to create the portrait package that best suits your family’s portrait photography needs.
Follow us on Instagram @courtneystudios and my personal page @courtneyortiz (for headstands and running and recipes and kids and life…). On the studio’s page, I’m going back in the vault to share some of my favorite family portraits taken in Downtown Hollywood. Many of the murals and favorite spots are no longer there, but with new incredible art and secret spots to still discover.
There are a limited number of Mini Sessions available and you must have an appointment to attend. Please don’t hesitate if you have any questions or are ready to schedule your custom family portrait session today.
Meet Blanca and Joaquin. We spent the morning exploring the Miami Design District during their custom family portrait session. Their mama, Angela, is a clean beauty advocate with Beautycounter, the founder of Ama Consulting, and a friend.
I don’t venture into the Miami Design District for family portrait sessions very often, so it was fun to see what was behind every corner. The Design District didn’t disappoint. Lots of amazing natural light, big bold colors, and on a Tuesday morning, not many other people (which is always a plus!).
Halloween is just a few days away. Your family portrait session must be scheduled before December 1 to guarantee Holiday Delivery. Holiday mini sessions in Downtown Hollywood are Sunday, November 17. There are still a few appointments available.
I’m really lucky that I have time to volunteer. Being able to do what I love to support organizations that I love is an amazing gift, and it’s really cool. Nothing beats spending time with the actors at Exceptional Theater Company. There are no words to describe their passion and excitement for the theater, because you have to feel it.
ETC is a theater program for teens and adults with special needs, with locations throughout Broward County. The theater experience for the actors allows them to be the best, confident versions of themselves, and its beautiful.
If you’re not doing anything Saturday, October 12, bring a friend and buy a ticket to ETC’s Third Annual Hero’s Gala at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale. I’ll be there! Open bar! It’ll be fun and you’ll be supporting an amazing organization at the same time. Win Win!!
And if you’re looking to schedule a custom family portrait session give me a call.
“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 -
