September is Hunger Action Month. I am excited to support Mobile School Pantry in their efforts to provide nutritious, healthy grocery items to students and families at low-income schools throughout South Florida. When students have bellies full of healthy food it affords them the ability to concentrate and learn with a higher level of self-esteem.
With Public Schools still virtual, the work of Mobile School Pantry is more important than ever. There are a number of ways you can help. First, you can volunteer. Check out the Mobile School Pantry website. There are opportunities to volunteer each week, but during, September, Hunger Action Month, it’s “all hands on deck”. Second, you can donate directly. When you make a $100 donation to Mobile School Pantry during September, you will receive a complimentary Mini Session as my gift. Just show proof of donation, and your complimentary Mini Session can be scheduled anytime during the remainder of 2020.
I’m really humbled by your participation in this Creativity Project. Thank YOU! I’m inspired by you. Maybe the lesson this first week is it’s important to stay outside the “LINES” every so often. This week’s challenge/project is all about COLOR! Watch this week’s video for all the deets. I’m sharing a few of my favorite LINE images from the week. You can catch the first challenge on Youtube or IGTV.
It feels good to flex that photography muscle outside of my “specialty”; kids, families, faces… and find inspiration in my own backyard.
I’m currently booking custom family portrait sessions both in the studio and on location. Let’s chat about it.
Yesterday, I received and delivered a client’s custom album — one of the last orders to be filled since the quarantine. (Fortunately, the client lives in my ‘hood, and I was able to deliver it on a short bike ride).
It got me thinking…do photographs bring comfort during these crazy times? I sure hope so. My goal is always for the art we create together to spark joy. When you’re ready to tear your hair out because your kids are driving you crazy after hours of isolation and attempted homeschooling, I hope a glance at your family portrait brings a smile to your face. I want them to serve as a reminder of happy times and encouragement for the future.
Get out those albums, curl up on the couch with your kiddos, and get warm and fuzzy. Reminisce over past vacations, laugh over funny haircuts and missing teeth…and if my work is somehow a part of this…mission accomplished.
Be safe, sane, and take lots of pictures. We will celebrate soon.
I started Courtney Studios in 2007 dedicated to creating a custom family portrait experience with the end result being beautiful portrait art; tangible prints and frames to touch and feel. Portraits that would “make your heart skip a beat and take your breath away every time you walked into a room.” I wanted to cover my home with custom family portraits of my own children, didn’t everyone else??!! Well, yes they did and do, but as time and technology marched on, digital files are becoming a “want” of my clients. I’ve heard you and I’m listening. I resisted for as long as I could and I’m happy to now offer digital files as part of my Custom Family Portrait packages. My passion still lies in designing and creating portrait art to hang and enjoy, but now offer three portrait packages each including digital files.
Your edited, high resolution digital files will be presented in this beautiful acrylic USB by Design Aglow.
Downtown Hollywood Mini Sessions are back. When I first started Courtney Studios (I celebrated 12 years this September!), Downtown Hollywood mini sessions were my jam! 30-60 minutes in and around the streets of Downtown Hollywood. The landscape was and continues to be ever changing, so each family portrait is a complete and totally different experience. As a photographer, the landscape is just as much an inspiration as my subjects. After a few years away from these fun family custom portrait sessions, I’m excited to bring them back in time for the Holidays.
The Downtown Hollywood Mini Sessions are Sunday, November 17. The cost is $250 and includes an 8×10 mounted print ($65 value). Your custom family portrait mini session includes a 30 minute walk around Downtown Hollywood, an online proofing gallery to share with family and friends, an 8×10 mounted print ($65 value), and an in person order session where we will go over all your finished portraits to create the portrait package that best suits your family’s portrait photography needs.
Follow us on Instagram @courtneystudios and my personal page @courtneyortiz (for headstands and running and recipes and kids and life…). On the studio’s page, I’m going back in the vault to share some of my favorite family portraits taken in Downtown Hollywood. Many of the murals and favorite spots are no longer there, but with new incredible art and secret spots to still discover.
There are a limited number of Mini Sessions available and you must have an appointment to attend. Please don’t hesitate if you have any questions or are ready to schedule your custom family portrait session today.
“Sparks of Joy” is a common theme these days as I’m trying to “KonMari” my life, closet, desk, Charlotte’s room…and then I thought, “How can I KonMari my business and only do those tasks that “spark joy?” Sure I can outsource business tasks, but if I really wanted to get down to the nitty gritty I knew I had to look beyond just emails and quickbooks, and WHAT I was actually photographing. I started my business 12 years ago because taking photographs of my son and friends’ kids sparked joy in my heart like none other. And seeing my work hanging on a client’s home is beyond thrilling and satisfying. I definitely felt like I had a calling. Since 2007 (12 years) I’m grateful and excited for new opportunities to expand and grow. Weddings? Sure! Professional headshots? Yes! Product photography? You got it! Trying something new and succeeding is quite a high. It’s also a lot of moving parts.
But if I’m really being honest with myself do all of these different photography genres spark joy?
Child and Family portraits is truly my jam. Building relationships with families, watching kids grow up and using that as inspiration in my photography does more than spark joy…it lights a fire.
I’m excited to announce that starting again in 2019 I will be photographing Children and Families exclusively.
Creating art and celebrating the beauty and love in families “sparks joy” in my heart and truly makes me…”click!” The celebration of love and art started in 2007 and the party is still going strong.
It’s October! It’s still a little warm here in South Florida, but being a Native Miami-an (is that even a word?) I notice even the slightest change in the seasons and fall is definitely in the air. (or maybe it’s just wishful thinking).
But whatever the weather outside, we are definitely in the thick of the busy season here in the studio. I’ve photographed families and new babies and professional portraits…lots of photography goodness happening here.
There are still appointments available for your custom family portrait session here at the studio. The weekend time slots are quickly dwindling, but there is still Saturday availability on
10/13
10/20
11/10
11/17
Weekdays appointments are also available. Contact me at the studio for more information and to schedule your custom family portrait session.
Here’s just a little sneak peak of what I’ve been up to.
It’s almost October and time to start talking about Holiday deadlines. Now is the time to schedule your custom family portrait session at Courtney Studios. There are only 4 Saturdays between now and holiday deadlines with appointments available.
10/13
10/20
11/10
11/17
Your custom portrait session needs to be scheduled and complete by November 17 in order to guarantee a holiday delivery.
I’ve had a great time in the studio the last few weeks photographing new and returning clients. Being able to watch kids grow up before my eyes is a definite perk of being a family photographer. On most days it’s like one giant studio playdate. Super fun, super loud, and super creative.
Want to see more from the studio? Follow us on instagram @courtneystudios and see session sneak peaks and behind the scenes at the studio.
Call the studio or email to schedule your custom family portrait session at Courtney Studios.
On Friday, I head off for a two month adventure of a lifetime. I’m packing my bags and heading off to…
SLEEP AWAY CAMP.
Yep, you heard that right. I’m heading off to Camp Starlight (along with my 3 kiddos) to head up their media team.
I went to camp once when I was 8. Camp Summit in North Carolina. It was the best two weeks of my life. I always wanted to go back. Camp Summit no longer exists and life happens as it may. I never did return as a camper or counselor. Until now…I’m the 41 year old camper. This is my kids’ first sleep away camp experience and feelings range from “a little nervous” to “wishes she was already there”. What’s not lost on me, is the privilege to see and hear my own kids’ camp experience in real time and photograph it. It’s an incredible opportunity. But it’s not just my own children’s experiences, it’s the lives of 560 boys and girls. As a photographer at a summer camp, being a mom is the biggest role I’ll play. I’ll photograph each child as my own. As an artist, and a mom, I want the parents at home, who are hitting “refresh” on their computers to feel and see and hear the same things through my photographs. It’s a huge responsibility and I’m 100% up for the challenge.
The Starlight media team consists of three photographers (including myself) and a videographer. The next 8 weeks will be a creative journey the likes I’ve never known. Between telling Camp Starlight’s daily story and creating visual content for social media and marketing, I’ll be CREATIVE and CREATE EVERYDAY!! All the best parts of being a photographer wrapped into one without the daily grind of running a business. I will grow as an artist and a photographer.
I’ve spent the last week packing my three kids for the best summer of their lives. (BTW, packing three kids for 7 weeks away from home ain’t no joke!) Thank goodness for Excel spreadsheets and advice from experienced friends.
Follow my journey on instagram @courtneystudios and @campstarlight_official.
Mother’s Day is Sunday. Anything exciting planned to celebrate yo mama? Since I’ll be moving into our new house on Saturday, all I want to do on Mother’s Day is wake up in my own bed in my new HOME with my family. Keeping it simple this year. But if I had to choose one other gift, it would be to finally design a Signature 16 collage for myself. 16 of my favorite portraits of my 3 kiddos arranged in a clean, modern and stunning display. Perfect addition to my new family room. I love the Signature 16 Collage. It’s the studio’s most popular product. Starting at 20×20 inches, this heirloom collage will take your breath away and make your heart skip a beat every time you walk into a room.
I designed the collage below as a gift for a dear friend. I photographed her family just days after the birth of her fourth child, a girl. I captured details of her beautiful family and carefully curated her favorite 16 portraits into a complete work of art. It was a gift like no other. (For more Signature 16 Collage examples click here)
Give your mama the gift of portrait photography. Or if you’re a mama, gift it to yourself.
Call the studio to give the gift of portrait photography.
See you soon,
courtney
ps-Next Headshot Brunch is May 17
Just had to share some of the gorgeous mamas who I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
“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 -
