Yesterday was a momentous day for the Heart Gallery of Broward. They celebrated their 100 and 101st adoptions. The Heart Gallery is photography exhibit of children that are available for adoption. All portraits are taken by volunteer professional photographers. I’ve had the honor and privilege of being a photographer for the Heart Gallery of Broward for the past 4 years, and this year I sit on the board of directors for the Florida Association of Heart Galleries. Every child that is available for adoption in the state of Florida has a picture in a database online for prospective adoptive parents. For most children, this picture is taken by a social worker with a cell phone. Children that are photographed for the Heart Gallery have their professional portrait in the database rather than a government issued cell phone picture. I don’t have to tell you the difference between the quality of an image taken by a cell phone and an image taken by a professional photographer. The difference is profound. As much as are taught not to judge a book by it’s cover, we also know that first impressions are everything. And for many prospective adoptive parents, its the initial photograph of the child that is the main attraction. The entire existence of the Heart Gallery is based on the power of photography. A picture says a thousand words, and for parents who first see their future child in the Heart Gallery I can’t even begin to imagine what that portrait says to them. There are Heart Galleries all across the United States. Each Heart Gallery is independent yet all with the same goal – To find forever families for children. Out of all the organizations and charitable groups to get involved in, what is more important that finding homes for children??!! I urge every photographer to explore their local Heart Gallery and get involved. It takes so little of your time, and yet can make such a profound difference in the life of a child. I’ve been fortunate to have four children that I’ve photographed for the Heart Gallery be adopted. One of which I attended and photographed the adoption proceedings. Besides giving birth to my own children, it was one of the most emotional and happiest days of my life. You can see images from that amazing day here.
This next family really speaks to my heart. These parents have been champions in the fight for same sex couples to have the right to adopt. Love is love, and this family is bursting with it.
I am so excited that for the second year in a row I had the opportunity to walk in the annual Buddy Walk sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society and the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization. This year I attended as the event’s official photographer. The Buddy Walk took place at the end of October on Hollywood Beach. It’s an overwhelming experience to be surrounded by families celebrating their children and the love they have for each other.
For more information on Down Syndrome and how you can get involved in the next Buddy Walk click here!!!
Another installment from the 2011 Gridiron Grill-Off lineup: Miami Dolphin alumni and now NBC-6 sports anchor, #80 Joe Rose and owner/chef of Casa D’Angelo, Angelo Elia.
The Gridiron Grill-Off is Friday, November 18 at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. 20 teams compete for top grilling honors with proceeds to benefit 4Kids of South Florida. For more information check out the Gridiron Griller website.
Ladies and gentlemen, here’s another amazing Gridiron Grill-Off team. #40 Dick Anderson and Executive Chef at Steak 954 at the W Hotel Ft. Lauderdale, Jason Smith. #40 Dick Anderson played on the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins, a feat yet to be repeated by any other team in the NFL. He played his entire 10 year career with the Dolphins. In the 90’s Dick Anderson became a Florida State Senator. So he’s got a long and very impressive resume. And what do I say about Chef Jason Smith, except that Steak 954 is my favorite steak house EVER!!!!!! EVER!!!!! I’ve been lucky enough to eat there a couple of times as well as shoot a few events. Looking for an amazing restaurant in a very chic and trendy location? Then go no further. Can you say “Jellyfish Tank”?
The second annual Gridiron Grill-Off, hosted by Dolphin Alumni John Offerdahl (THE Gridiron Griller), is Friday November 18 at the Pompano Amphitheater. Proceeds go to 4Kids of South Florida. For more information on the event and how you can buy tickets and attend please check out the Gridiron Griller website.
Another installment of the Gridiron Grill-Off. Today’s team is #29 Dolphin alumni Sam Madison and Executive Chef at the Blue Moon Fish Company Brian Cantrell. First of all, I want to say that Sam Madison is the most photogenic and good looking football player that I have met thus far and the entree that is going to be prepared by Chef Cantrell at the Grill-off is one of my favorites to date. Now Sam participated in the first annual Grill-Off last year and actually won the “corn hole” portion of the competition. (which really I think is a red-neck way of saying “bean bag toss”) He’s planning on sweeping both portions of the competition this year, and honestly, with Chef Cantrell on his side, I think his chances are pretty good.
The Gridiron Grill-Off is on Friday, November 18 at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. 20 celebrity teams pair up to raise money for 4Kids of South Florida. I’m really looking forward to attending. Great Food, great drinks, great music all for a great cause. Tickets go on sale soon. For more information click here!
Another Gridiron Grill-Off team today; the unmistakable football phenom, Miami Dolphin Legend, #13 Dan Marino and restaurateur Anthony Bruno, of Anthony’s Runway 84 and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza (my favorite!!!!!) fame. They are pairing up for the November 18 Grill-Off. The last couple of weeks have been really interesting for me as I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the greatest football players to have ever played the sport. Truth be told, I’ve never been a huge football fan, but being a native Floridian growing up in Miami, I have an appreciation for the Miami Dolphins. And no one is a more quintessential Dolphin, in my lifetime, than quarterback #13 Dan Marino. So it was very very cool, to be able to sit down in a very intimate environment and be able to ask him questions about the game and his career. I know grown men who would cut off limbs to be given that same opportunity. In fact, I’ve been privy to some really wild and amazing football stories over the last month or so. It’s given me a whole new appreciation for the game and what these players have experienced over the last 40 years. I even watched the Dolphin game last night. Sadly they lost, but I watched it, and I felt good about that.
Dan guaranteed me that if he touched my belly that my baby would be born knowing how to throw a football. I wonder if I can get that in writing?
For more information on the 2011 Gridiron Grill-Off check out the website. It’s going to be an amazing time. I’m really looking forward to it.
I’m back from a nice, long, well deserved three-day weekend. We’ve been so busy here the last couple of weeks as we prepare for the second annual Gridiron Grill-Off. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been working with Dolphin Alumni John Offerdahl to get ready for this amazing charity event that takes place on Friday, November 18, to benefit 4Kids of South Florida. On this particular rainy afternoon, I had the privilege to meet #67 Bob Kuechenberg who holds two Super Bowl rings and was a member of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins under coach Don Shula. Now granted, I was born in 1976, but having grown up in Miami being a Florida native (few and far between these days I know!), I truly have an appreciation for who he is and what the Dolphins have accomplished. In fact, over the past few weeks I’ve had the chance to meet a number of Dolphin greats that I will be posting over the next couple of weeks on the blog. So for the Gridiron Grill-Off, “Kuech” (as he is lovingly and respectfully referred to) is paired with Chef John Schupbach, the executive chef at the Casablanca Cafe on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Which by the way if you’re looking for a unique and delicious dining experience. Do yourself and favor and go. I’ve eaten there a number of times and have never been disappointed. The ambiance alone is worth the trip. The restaurant is actually located in what was the first house on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. For more information on the Gridiron Grill-Off or 4Kids of South Florida please check out their websites.
In other studio news, courtney ortiz photography now has a facebook fanpage. I’ve held out long enough, trying to use a personal account for both, but the time has come. Please “like” us on facebook. Also, check out the wonderful interview of me on the waytutucute.com blog. I’m featured as a “way tutu busy mommy“. And ain’t that the truth.
As I had mentioned before in a past blog post, I’ve been fortunate enough to get involved in an amazing charity event hosted by former Miami Dolphin All-Pro linebacker and restauranteur John Offerdahl. For those of you who don’t know, John Offerdahl is now “THE Gridiron Griller” and this year will mark the second annual “Gridiron Grilloff” where celebrity, competition, and charity collide. The Gridiron Grill-Off takes place on Friday, November 18 and proceeds to benefit 4Kids of South Florida. Twenty celebrity teams will face off against each other to see who will take home the honor of becoming the new Gridiron Grill Champion. Over the last couple of weeks and to continue through the month of August, I’ve been working with John to photograph each team prior to the event. The first is team #11 Crash Jim Jensen and Chef Toby Joseph, executive chef at the Riverside Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. They have an amazing dish in store for the competition. I won’t give anything away, but lucky for me I’ve had the privilege to sample. For more information on the Gridiron Grill-Off or 4Kids of South Florida check out their websites.
Keep checking back as more celebrity teams will be posted!
Feel free to click “like” at the end of this post!
Till next time,
court
As a Florida/Miami native, had to step in for a picture!
A couple of months ago I got a call asking if I would be willing to donate a gift certificate for the Greg Wohrle Foundation‘s “The Feel the Love Fest” fundraising event. Kim Heller, began telling me about Greg Wohrle and the mission of the Foundation. Taken from their website “The Greg Wohrle Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide funding and education for brain tumor research and respite to those most in need.
Our efforts are focused on enhancing the everyday lives of families, affected with brain tumors, through emotional, financial and physical support.” I dig that! But as our conversation continued and she told me about the man/father Greg was and just about how awesome “The Feel the Love Fest” event is for families, I knew I wanted to do more, get involved. Anyone can stick a gift certificate in the mail. So I went. Took my camera and took casual portraits of the families and kids really spending quality, wholesome time together. I was blown away by the scope of the event. Hundreds of people coming together to celebrate the life of Greg all while raising funds for such an amazing cause. I was kicking myself that I didn’t bring my own kids. It was really a fun family time for everyone.
So that being said, the complete online gallery from the event can be found on pictage.com. All monies earned from sales of the images will go directly back to the Greg Wohrle Foundaton.
I first met “K” back in January 2009 during a Heart Gallery shoot. “K” was in the foster care system. Her portrait was going to hang in the Heart Gallery. During our quick 15-20 minute session she asked me, “Do you know when I’m going to find my forever family?” I had to look her right in the eye and honestly say, “I don’t know.”
This past summer, “K” was adopted! I had the honor and privilege of being able to attend her official adoption proceedings. (See images from that day here!)
And now, almost two years since “K” and I first met, I was able to photograph and capture her first family portrait session.
For more information on the Heart Gallery of Broward County and how you can get involved or contribute, please check out the Heart Gallery website.
“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 -
