March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. What is Down Syndrome? Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, people with Down syndrome have a third copy of the 21st chromosome. Which is why 3/21 is recognized as World Down Syndrome Day. This past Saturday was the third annual “I EXTRA Love You” portrait exhibit. This portrait project is a labor of love between myself and dear friend, Daniela Roeder. Daniela’s younger brother, Alex has Down Syndrome. This year it was important to both Daniela and I to showcase the special relationship/bond between siblings. Daniela, being very close to her brother and an advocate for him and all individuals with Down Syndrome really wanted to show the love that is there. Myself as the photographer was always so interested in watching the dynamic between siblings when they would come into the studio for the actual “I EXTRA Love You” portrait day. The sibling always seemed to stand in the shadow of the one with Down Syndrome. So it was really exciting when Daniela and I met to discuss this year’s event and we both wanted to add a new feature and photograph the sibling groups together.
On Saturday, 55 gorgeous individual portraits were on display at Gallery 2014, as well as 19 sibling portraits, as a part of Downtown Hollywood’s Art Walk celebrating World Down Syndrome Day.
The 3rd Annual “i EXTRA Love You” portrait event took place on Saturday, February 11. “i EXTRA Love You” is a portrait exhibit that celebrates all that is EXTRA special about individuals with Down Syndrome. 55 amazing people came through the studio doors on Saturday to sit for their portrait. A huge increase from the 25 people that participated 2 years ago in our first event back in 2015.
“i EXTRA Love You” is truly a passion project shared with my good friend Daniela Roeder. Daniela’s brother, Alex has Down Syndrome and she’s been an advocate and voice for the community since the day he was born. Daniela came to me with an “idea” for a portrait project, and I was immediately on board and look forward to what’s to come.
The portraits will be on display during the Downtown Hollywood’s Art Walk on Saturday, March 18 to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day at Gallery 2014. I hope to see you all there.
Please excuse these behind the scenes images taken with an iPhone.
On Saturday, February 6 we held our second “I EXTRA Love you” portrait session. In collaboration with my good friend Daniela Roeder, over 50 amazing individuals with Down Syndrome came to the studio to be photographed. The portraits will be on display during downtown Hollywood’s ArtWalk on Saturday March 19, from 7-10pm at Gallery 2014 in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. It’s a family friendly event. You can see highlights from last year’s “I EXTRA Love You” portrait exhibit here. Thank you Daniela for these amazing behind the scenes images.
Spring is almost here and it’s a great time to schedule your custom portrait session at the studio. We have lots of new backdrops and fun chairs.
This Monday, February 29 from 10-1, we’re hosting an open house at the studio and shopping event. Check out the spring release from Matilda Jane Clothing (one of my all time faves), Beautycounter (safe and clean cosmetics and skin care), and Do-Terra Essential Oils. For more information on Monday’s event please go to our event page on Facebook. If you’re in the neighborhood I’d love to see you.
Halloween was a little over two weeks ago, but it’s never too late to share the amazing portraits of the kiddos who came out for our “Trick or Treat to Benefit Mobile School Pantry” event at Courtney Studios. I am overwhelmed by the participation and support of so many friends in the community. With your support, we raised enough money to provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner to 10 families in Hollywood. Together we definitely can make a difference to children in South Florida and say “NO” to hunger.
We are so excited to be a part of the “Complete Wedding Package” the ultimate prize up for Auction at the The Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network’s 4th annual GALA at Ocean Manor Hotel
(4040 Galt Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308) on Sunday, April 12, 2015.
This year’s GALA features a live auction of a complete Wedding Package. Tom Dowd, from Water Mill Flowers, assembled the package with local businesses. The Riverside Hotel are providing the venue. The amazing wedding package will be auctioned and is valued at just over $21,000; it includes a venue with sit down brunch for up to 75 people (value of $110 per person), flowers, photography, videography, chocolates, spa package, invitations, complete liquor for 75 people, wedding cake, Hair and Make-up, event planning, DJ, and Lipotronic sessions. GLLN invites everyone to purchase a ticket at www.GLLN.org and help support the LGBT Youth in Broward.
Last Saturday, March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day and the premier of the “i EXTRA love you” portrait exhibit held at Gallery 2014 in Downtown Hollywood. ”i EXTRA love you” was the brain child of dear friend and Down Syndrome advocate Daniela Roeder, who’s brother Alex was born with Down Syndrome. Together along with the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Association, Gallery 2014 and making use of the gorgeous Heart installation in Courtney Studios by amazing artist Alissa Alfonso, “i EXTRA love you” was born. This project filled me with more pride and joy than any other charitable work I have done in my life. The smiles on these kids faces and the happiness that it brought their families is something I wish I could bottle and save forever. In case you missed Saturday’s exhibit, here are the portraits. 28 gorgeous children and young adults. If you’d like to see pictures of the actual event click here. They are on the Courtney Studios facebook page.
In the digital social media age, we all know how important a great “profile pic” is. As a small business owner with an online presence, a professional headshot is your potential client’s first impression of who you are. We all are guilty of judging books by their cover and a professional headshot can transform a business owner from amateur to professional with one click of the shutter. On Friday, September 20, myself along with Stacy Boegem of the Happiness Agenda, Dara Michelle of Dara Michelle Style, and Sally Pricer of Smash Beauty Lounge are hosting the first ever “Headshot Happy Hour”. Professional makeup, styling, photography, and wine! It’s a win/win for everyone. (Oh, and did I mention I’m actually including digital files for use in your marketing material both print and online??!!) See below for more details or visit the Femfessionals event registration page.
I first met Stacy Boegem, a few years ago when we worked together on the board for the Team Up For Toys charity event to benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. She is an amazing life coach through her business The Happiness Agenda and now President of the Ft. Lauderdale chapter of Femfessionals. I urge you check out her website and blog. I only need 15 minutes with her and I feel immediately recharged and refreshed. She commissioned me for her headshots this past spring. Now it’s her nature of business that she sends out weekly enews letters and blogs multiple times through the week. She needed a comprehensive collection of images of her showing every range of emotion and body language you could think of. Together with Dara Michelle, they created multiple looks and I captured every style in both a studio and lifestyle setting. In the end she has a “stock photography” collection of her that she can use for a variety of different things. Again, check out her website. Not just to see the awesome that she is, but to see how she incorporates a variety of different headshot styles. If your business requires more than just a traditional headshot, feel free to contact me at the studio 954-558-6893 or shoot me an email courtney@courtneyortiz.com. I do offer these comprehensive “stock photography” headshot sessions. Let’s chat about it.
I’ve been shooting for the Heart Gallery of Broward County for 5 years. During this time, I’ve had the privilege to meet amazing people and attend a number of amazing events. Although nothing has been as amazing as my last shoot for the Heart Gallery of Broward at Taylor’s Closet. Taylor’s Closet is a clothing boutique that rivals that of Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, however the beautiful clothing in this store is for young girls in need and is completely 100% free. I know that my description of Taylor’s Closet just doesn’t do it justice. Take the time and check out their website. You will be blown away by what the women over there are doing for teenage girls. In fact, Taylor’s Closet was started by Lindsey Giambattista when she was 14 years old. Now in college, Lindsey is a finalist in Seventeen Magazine’s “Pretty Amazing Contest.” The way Taylor’s Closet touches the lives of girls goes way beyond “Pretty Amazing.”
Meet Malayzia. Malayzia celebrated her sweet 16 at Taylor’s Closet with a shopping spree (at no cost) and a complete makeover. Malayzia is available for adoption. I photograph children all the time. It’s MY JOB. And let me tell you, Malayzia has “it”. She’s beautiful, sweet, kind, and fabulously photogenic. In fact, she truly could model. But what would mean more to her than a modeling contract, is a family.
If you’d like more information on Malayzia or how you can get more involved in both the Heart Gallery of Broward or Taylor’s Closet please check out their websites and make an inquiry.
See you soon,
court
Fellow photographer and friend Sarah Cardenas also getting in on the fun!
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 amazing Gridiron Grill-Off team for you today. Coach Dave Shula and Sous Chef at Shula’s on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Shannon Murray. Shula’s Steakhouse is a staple here in South Florida and their steak sauces are renown all over the nation.
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.
“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 -
