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 newborn post, although not my newborn. I’m officially 39 weeks today. One more week to go. Ideally I wanted to have the baby yesterday so that I could be in and out and home before Christmas. So at this point, the baby can’t make an appearance before Monday. That way I can be home for Christmas with my kiddos. Hopefully this little one will cooperate.
That being said, I had the honor and privilege to photograph this little newborn when she was just 5 hours old. Introducing little Sophia. Photographing newborns while still in the hospital is my absolutely FAVORITE way and place to capture these tiny brand new little miracles. You can’t ever relive those first few hours between a mother and new baby. This baby is the first for mom. Being there and capturing those first moments between them is amazing. As I mentioned in my last blog post regarding newborn photography, it really enables me to tell a story, to truly be a photographer. Plus, there’s just something about the light that floods into hospital rooms that warms my heart.
If you’re interested in having photography capture those first few hours/days of baby while still in the hospital, don’t hesitate to call the studio.
As I’m sure many of you know, “newborns” are pretty much on the forefront of all my thoughts lately, being that I’m a week out from having baby #3. Being a photographer, there is always the thought of “who”, if anyone, is going to take this new one’s newborn photographs. I could definitely do it myself. I’m lucky enough to know, and call friends, some of the best photographers in the industry. But it’s really important to me, that these newborn photographs are very similar in style to what I love in newborn photography. There are a many different styles of newborn photography out there to fit your tastes and needs. Some photographers will bring an actual home studio to your house, along with lots of cute props, hats, and backdrops, and do all sorts of cute little things with your baby. Not so much what I’m looking for personally. I want a photographer who can really tell my story. Freeze that moment in time, so that when I look back on these images in years to come I can remember the sights and sounds and smells of what our life was like when bringing home baby #3. It’s exactly the way that I approach newborn photography with my own clients; real, natural, and in the moment. Images that capture that new relationship between all family members. I always consider it a privilege when a client seeks me out for their own newborn photography, because they value the same things that I do. It’s such a special and unique time in their lives, and there is a plethora of photographers and styles to choose from.
That being said, meet baby Liam and his proud new parents. Liam, is the first for this gorgeous couple. What made this sessions even more special, is the fact that mom and I actually knew each other 10+ years ago. So to hear from her again was really special. I drove over to Naples for the shoot.
Well today is the Monday before Christmas. Kids are out of school, and the countdown is on in full force.
How do I love this family? Let me count the ways…. Well first of all, their oldest daughter’s name is “Courtney”. SCORE! Both girls were full of personality, and I had the privilege of working with their dad during all the Gridiron Grill-Off shoots that we did during the late summer/early fall. He was a member of the production team. So I was thrilled when he asked me to shoot his family portraits right before Thanksgiving. What originally started as an idea to just photograph the girls as a surprise for his wife, turned into a shoot for the whole family, which really I prefer.
The studio is officially closed for the Holidays and won’t officially re-open till February 1. We will be checking messages daily, so feel free to leave a message, someone will get back to you. We just are not scheduling new sessions until February.
“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 -
