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.
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.
I love a good mural. And Renda Writer is my favorite mural artist EVER. He is incredible inside and out. So you can imagine how thrilled I am to have this beautiful new Renda Writer original not too far from me on the side of the Yakut Properties building in Dania Beach, Florida. Renda’s message of peace and love is the perfect backdrop for this custom family portrait.
Incorporating art into your family portrait is an incredibly personal detail. Let’s chat about it.
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.
“It’s the Picture Lady!” One of my favorite things to hear. It’s nice when people are excited to see you. And when those people are the students at Lehrman Community Day School, I know I’m in for a good day! I have been the official photographer at Lehrman Community Day School for the past 5 years. I come in a number of days throughout the school year to create custom imagery for the school’s marketing, PR and fund raising. Which really means I get to hang out with the students. AMAZING!!!! Creating imagery of happy children in their school. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my day.
With summer approaching, I took the time to really look through the photographs I took this year at the school. You can see more from Lehrman here and understand why it’s one of my favorite places.
Emery’s beautiful blue eyes pierced my soul. She turned one and we celebrated with a lifestyle portrait session at home using props and toys that are personal to the family.
I love getting in a client’s home and creating family portraits that are genuine and authentic.
The Headshot Brunch is Back! This time at a super fab location, with the most amazing natural light and amazing interior design….The Emery! The Emery is South Florida’s exclusive co-working space and social club for WOMEN ONLY! I’ve been a member since it started, and it’s the perfect place for me to sit down with my laptop and get in some serious work time or to network and collaborate with other women entrepreneurs. The vibe is incredible.
I’ve been collaborating with Aileen Lavin, The Emery’s founder for almost two years, helping to create The Emery’s “visual” brand. She’s a powerhouse, and proud to call her a friend. So I’m very excited to host the next Headshot Brunch at The Emery on Saturday, April 13 from 10-1. There are limited spots available and you must have a paid reservation to attend.
Our Headshot Brunch is a mini version of the Personal Brand Photography Package. Choose up to 10 edited images, with unlimited usage rights, from a variety of poses and expressions that showcase your personal brand. Mimosas and lite bites included. $400 (The Emery members: $350).
This is a wonderful opportunity to update your professional headshot in the most gorgeous space in South Florida. Spaces are limited.
Well Valentine’s Day was a little over a week ago, and it was on that beautiful Valentine’s Day I met this beautiful family down in Fat Village in Fort Lauderdale for their custom family portrait session, or what I like to refer to as “The Family Portrait Experience“. This was the third time I’ve been lucky enough to photograph sisters, Valentina and Isabella. They are beautiful girls inside and out.
Ladies, if you’re looking for something fun to do on Monday, March 18, then I invite you to join us at the Beaux Arts & Laurent-Perrier Champagne
“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.
“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 -
