I’m very lucky to come from a big family. 20+ cousins on my dad’s side alone. So you can imagine there is quite a huge age range from the oldest (37) to the youngest (14). My cousin Emily is getting ready to graduate from UCF next month with her degree in accounting. She already has an amazing job lined up and isn’t wasting any time. I was really surprised when she called me in January and asked if she could come down with her sister Jenna (also at UCF) for spring break, along with their boyfriends. We had an amazing time. I was flattered that they would choose to spend a couple of days with me and my three kids. One of which was two months old.
We took the opportunity to head to one of my favorite photography spots, The Flamingo Road Nursery, to get some senior portraits of Emily and just to have some fun.
What can I say? I could shoot on Hollywood Beach all day!! Lucky for me I have Hollywood Beach mini sessions booked throughout the spring and into the early summer.
Playing catch up!! Not only are there current sessions to share, but I have a handful from the holidays that never made it to the blog. This is one of them. This family needs no introduction. They are regulars at courtney ortiz photography. I’m watching these two grow up. We shot their Holiday session at Flamingo Road Nursery. Which, by the way, is one of my favorite places to shoot. It’s beautiful and there is plenty of room for the kids to run around. Even now it’s one of my favorite places to go with my own kids.
NEWS!!!!
Want to officially announce mini session dates for the remainder of the spring.
APRIL 22 – Downtown Hollywood
APRIL 28 – Hollywood Beach
May 12 – Downtown Hollywood
May 10 & 22 – Hollywood Beach
May 19 – Tampa (email the studio for more information)
JUNE 2 & 23 – Downtown Hollywood
JUNE 7 & 21 -Hollywood Beach
Sessions in the studio are available at any time. For information on any of the sessions we offer please contact the studio.
Photographing this family is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Mom, Alissa Alfonso is an amazing fabric artist, designer, and collector. She creates these amazing large fabric collages, scenes from nature, with incredible attention to detail. All the different fabrics used are hand dyed. As a mom of three very busy kids, in her “spare” time, she also designs and sews a children’s line of clothing , “5 Stitches”. All pieces are one of a kind and are made from a mix of new and vintage fabrics. Proud to say my kids own a few pieces and totally rock their bohemian slightly edgy look.
Her family recently moved into an art deco charmer in east Hollywood that they lovingly restored. It’s a great place for Alissa to display her large collection of vintage/antique collectibles. If you’ve ever read the design blog I keep with my sisers, Sisters Not Designers, you’ll know that I love all things kitschy and vintage. Her home makes me drool. You’ll be able to see more of her house on the Sisters Not Designers site in the next few days.
So you can just imagine my excitement when I was finally able to coordinate a session. I love the intimacy you get with a lifestyle session at someone’s home. It was perfect.
Little did I know at the time that this session would really be my last session ever in front of my blue and white garage door. Today I was shooting a family downtown and when we walked down to the door, it was being removed and replaced right in front of my eyes. It was actually made of wood, heavy, and old. A panel would’ve looked amazing in my living room, had I thought to ask the guy and bring one home. I’m sad in a nostalgic sort of way, but I’m actually looking forward to what’s in store. Time to challenge myself and find another out of the way little gem that can be my new trademark spot.
That being said, meet Lola and Zoe. Two very spunky, stylish young ladies.
Downtown Hollywood mini sessions are this Saturday, February 4 and Saturday, February 18. A mini session is a 30 minute walk around Downtown Hollywood. It’s very interactive and lots of fun. The session fee is $125. Prints, specialty products, and DVD’s of high resolution images are available either a la carte or as part of a package. Feel free to contact the studio 954-558-6893 or courtney@courtneyortiz.com for more information.
In the meantime, this adorable family of 5 stopped by the studio for a mini session. I just love how mom styled their outfits and how it contrasts with all the funky colors and textures in Downtown Hollywood. These three girls are definitely divas in training.
Meet Rocky and Jake. Two of the coolest brothers under 10 I’ve ever met. The boys came to downtown Hollywood with their parents for a Fall mini session. Both brothers were super cute and super comfortable in front of the camera.
Winter mini session dates have been announced. Downtown Hollywood Urban mini sessions are February 4 and the 18. The cost is $125. All studio products; prints, gallery canvases, coffee table books, and DVD’s of high resolution images are available a la carte or as part of a package. Call or email the studio for more information. courtney@courtneyortiz.com 954-558-6893
“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 -
