Owen spent the first two weeks of quarantine in an arm cast due to a skateboarding accident and somewhere in between now and then Charlotte broke her ankle and wore a hot pink cast for two weeks. Cast is already off. Way too much time spent in doctor’s offices during this pandemic, grateful none of it Covid related. Fingers crossed the next time I walk into the pediatrician’s office is to pick up our health forms on the way up to Camp Starlight. Sleepaway camp or bust!!
I took these portraits of Charlotte right after her cast was put on, while it was still clean. I only had to bribe her with a seven dollar Disney Doorables toy from Amazon. Truth be told I would’ve paid more. And of course, any excuse to show off my quarantine DIY project:hand stenciled carport/patio. Stencil by Royal Design Stencils.
I’m two days late with my official Star Wars “May the Fourth be with you” post. The studio website is just recovering from it’s own bout of “coronavirus” – Malware! The Courtney Studios website was infected with malware and after a week of back and forths between Bluehost (my hosting company) and SiteLock (my new security company) we are back in business. I did send out a Studio Newsletter last week, you can read that here.
We are in week WHATEVER of quarantine, and I’m trying to take the time to create and be creative on the daily. Some days are easier than others, and some days it doesn’t happen at all. Let’s face it, my kids aren’t as cute and cooperative as they were when they were toddlers. The days of cute candid images of my kids playing are OVER. Sometimes is takes serious bribery, and I’m not ashamed to pay their price.
However, on May the Fourth (be with you) Charlotte, 8, was a willing participant and gave me a few minutes to photograph her in this custom Princess Leia inspired costume. She wore it proudly ALL DAY .
To see more of my personal antics at home, I’d love it if you took a minute to follow me personally on instagram @courtneyortiz and while you’re at it, make sure you’re staying current with studio @courtneystudios.
As soon as non-essential business is given the green light to open, I will create art with you again.
PODCAST REC!!!!! If you’re looking for a smart and fun Podcast to add to your library definitely give “Gurl, You Are Not Alone” a listen. Gurl, You Are Not Alone is hosted by my dear friend Tonya Seavers Evans. I’ve known Tonya for 8 years. We met at FemCity networking events as bushy bright eyed entrepreneurs. Tonya is smart and classic and collaborating with her on new custom brand photography was a dream. We completed 7 different looks in our full day together, and truly created a comprehensive image library that showcases Tonya’s brand.
I’ve been giving my time to Taylor’s Closet since 2012. Taylor’s Closet is an amazing non-profit in Fort Lauderdale whose mission is to create a community in which girls will be empowered to live happy, healthy, and productive lives, realizing their God given destiny, right there in the hallways of their high school campus. Taylor’s last “Bloom” meeting at Fort Lauderdale High School was at the end of May. To see more of this amazing after school program click here.
“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 -