Photography has organically woven itself into the culture of camp. Twice a day, in the morning and evening, around the flagpole, just a few minutes is set aside for “sibling pics”. They are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE times of the day to photograph and I took ownership. Fresh faces, the smiles, the light… perfect combination, and 9 times out of ten my own three kids we’re in the line waiting their turn. Now usually it takes large bribes and maybe even some tears to get them to cooperate with me for photographs, but during the summer at camp, in the spirit of tradition, they joyfully and eagerly oblige for a photograph. Sometimes even twice a day.
This is a different summer for sure. Camp didn’t go on as planned, but I’m grateful for the 10 days I spent at camp with my kids. During the summer, each of our experiences are very different. Coming together and sharing a camp experience is incredible. No words really.
And in the spirit of camp they happily obliged me a sunset sibling pic almost every night.
total number of images published this summer at Camp Starlight.
570 campers,
50 days,
263.07 miles walked,
621,701 steps
I’m the first to say, “Quantity is definitely NOT quality,” but I wear that number as a badge of honor.
Each day, step and shutter click was an opportunity. An opportunity to remember another name. I cried during performances, cheered during games, and celebrated accomplishments. I gave every camper a little piece of my heart. I loved those genuine smiles. The way you smile at a friend.
“My Favorite” images of summer 2019 are now on my website HERE. After two summers at camp, my favorite images are more about the people in them rather than the photograph itself. These only skim the surface. With 107,515 images to comb through, I’m finding new gems everyday.
I promised myself I’d be in more pictures this summer. These are a few of my favorite.
As the excitement builds for our upcoming trek to Camp Starlight, here it is…a kind of BEST OF SUMMER 2018. I ain’t gonna lie, I could look at camp pictures all day. So this was a fun project to work on throughout the past 10 months. And honestly, this doesn’t even scratch the surface of images that take my breath away. But this tells the story, and hopefully stokes the excitement in you for the summer ahead.
In less than a month, I’ll be back to do it again. This time some of those smiling faces that come bouncing off the bus on arrival day, may actually be that excited to see “me”. And that makes me feel pretty special. Something really incredible happens during those 7 weeks. My experience was unique in that I got to experience ALL of camp. Not just isolated with one age group, gender, or activity. I was with every age group, every gender, every sport, every activity…EVERY DAY. I saw it all. Incredible and exhausting all at the same time.
In just about 12 hours the first bus load of campers is going to roll through the gates of Camp Starlight. I sit here in the photography office of camp looking at photographs I took during this past week, and I’m full of nervous excitement. The kind of energy you feel the night before a birthday and you know sleep is no where close. I’ve been here for a full 8 days for staff orientation; learning, growing and taking it all in. There are 300 staff here at camp between counselors, support staff, maintenance. It’s amazing. The staff is from all over the world. I’ve met wonderful people who I already care deeply for. People that quickly are becoming my family at this new home away from home.
But tomorrow is when the real fun begins. When I capture that first smiling face getting off the bus, it’s going to take everything I have not to cry happy tears. And when I capture my own kids’ expressions getting off the bus and seeing all that is Camp Starlight for the first time. Forget it…let the waterworks begin. I get emotional just thinking about it. Tomorrow is the culmination of all I’ve been waiting and planning for for the last 7 months. Heck, for the last two years, when I first had the idea of working at a summer camp. With each day I’ve been here, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that Camp Starlight is going to blow my kids’ minds. It continues to blow my mind. They have no idea what they’re in for and that just escalates my excitement. Excitement for them and for me. Even for campers who come summer after summer, I know that each summer at Starlight is a new experience. This week I’ve heard stories from staff members who are back year after year. Staff who’s own children grew up running around camp as babies and are now Upper Seniors. Each summer is full of new surprises, friendships and adventure. But more than that, what brings campers and staff back year after year is the sense of family. I’ve been here 8 days and I know it; I feel it. The love and support I’ve received this week is incredible and overwhelming in the most wonderful way.
Camp photographer days will be long and it won’t always be easy, but when I fall asleep with a smile on my face and a full heart, I know it will all be worth it.
“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 -
