courtney jade’s blog

I just realized that I haven’t posted this yet. I didn’t order enough this year to send to everyone, even though I thought I ordered more than enough… but that’s the way it goes I suppose… so if you didn’t get one, please know that Mark and I still love you.
Here is our Christmas card for 2009 <3

*photo by my friend Kevin Russ!

A decade ago, I was a freshman in highschool, just 14 years old. It’s hard to believe how fast time goes by.

A year ago I was trying to recover from being laid off, working the worst job I’ve ever worked in my entire life. It was probably the most challenging time in my life thus far. I was completely unhappy with my job, the job market was horrible, i’d been applying and interviewing, yet not landing anything. I was forced to enter back into the world of food service, and it was completely devastating.

I think it’s the hardest when you have so many goals you set for yourself. You get ahead, and then life and circumstances send you 3 steps back. But I buckled down, persevered, and focused on the things in life that made me happy, like photography.

A year ago I registered my photography business with the state. It’s interesting to look back on the goals I had for my business over the past year, and how far I’ve come. I’ve accomplished many of those goals, exceeded some, and there are some which remain on the list for this coming year.

In July, I landed a career-oriented full time position, and I was able to escape the food service industry yet again (this time hopefully for good!). I feel completely blessed and lucky to have the job I have now. I get to utilize my education and degree, learn TONS, and there is so much room for growth and promotion within the company. Not to mention, it has enabled me to really focus on my photography business and it’s growth.

I’m VERY happy to say that this fall I was completely booked! It was busy, at times stressful and chaotic (it’s not easy to run your own business AND work a full time job at the same time), but I made it through, and I’m really happy with the work that I accomplished. I think that this coming year will be a great year for the growth of my business. I have recently re-branded and re-packaged everything, and I cannot wait to reveal it to everyone! I’ve also upgraded all of my equipment, so my quality has gotten much better.  I feel like I finally have a sturdy foundation for my business where I can now focus on perfecting my style and workflow. I am excited to see what the new year brings in photographs

I’m not much of a “resolution” person, but I am a crazy list maker and goal setter. I guess they are similar, but still different.
I, of course, have a list of goals for the coming year (and the coming 5 years, lol). Here are a few for this coming year that I look forward to working towards:

• Take more personal photos. Possibly, at least one a week– if not more. It would be great if next year I could re-cap the year in photos a bit more accurately.
• Bake more cupcakes
• Travel out of the country (I’m looking very forward to Costa Rica!)
• Blog a LOT more. With photos.
• Pay off some debt, if not all of it.
• Grow my cupcake collection
• Take Quincey on more walks
• Cook more dinners at home. Learn more recipes and start a recipe collection of my favorites.
• Let go of negativity, and those who are constantly negative. I don’t have time for this in my life anymore, and I refuse to be an “enabler”. This one could be really tough, but I’m just not willing to keep dumping positivity into people who keep dumping negativity on me. It’s completely exhausting, and a waste of energy. I look forward to surrounding myself with positive and inspiring people.
• Make a better effort to spend more time with friends.
• Save more, spend less, stick to a budget.

And there are some more which are top-secret for now! (I have to keep SOME things to myself, until they happen at least Don’t worry, hopefully you’ll find out soon enough)

Also, here is a list of things I’ve accomplished this year

• Turned 24 (gasp!!! getting so old…)
• Learned how to bar tend/cocktail/ mix drinks
• Made some great new friends
• Landed a career-oriented position at a growing company that I really believe in
• Spent time and made memories with friends and family
• Quit the job from HELL, on the spot, no notice. Something I have never done, but man with that job, if you only knew… it felt SO good.
• Visited Mark’s family in Reno for Thanksgiving
• Really focused on my Flickr account, and through it, had a couple of my photos published
• Built up my photography business: got serious, booked fall season, shot a few weddings, re-branded everything, upgraded all equipment, found new sources of inspiration.
• Celebrated 5 years with my boyfriend <3 (so crazy!)
• Had Quincey’s 2nd birthday
• Baked cookies, from scratch!
• Had my very first ever “paid vacation” days! eek!
• Booked my first “destination wedding”
• Went to my first Blazers game (thanks little sis!!)
• Finally tried In-N-Out, haha

I’m sure there are many more things, but I’m pretty sleepy haha. Anyways, this year went from crap-nothing, to everything I could ask for. I feel like I have finally found a place in life to plant, and this coming year will be about growing and establishing roots. I feel so lucky and fortunate that I have been blessed in so many ways this year, and I hope and pray that this new year brings more good than bad (by a lot). I also hope for some other things, but I’ll just keep that to myself for now

Thank you all for reading my blog, and loving on me and my work. It truly means the world to me!!! Look forward to many more posts, and even more delicious photos this year, as I intend to really bump up the blog! So excited. I hope that all of you had as exciting of a year as I did, and I hope that the new year brings a clean slate, a new sense of hope and optimism, and more good than bad.

And because I feel weird posting without a pic… here’s a random couple Mark and I on Christmas 2009

and Quincey and I <3

cheers to you and yours! <3

can’t decide what to get your friends or family this season?? Get them the gift that gives back! I’ve been wanting some of these for myself for quite some time, not only because they’re completely adorable, but also because the company has it’s priorities straight. For every pair of Tom’s Shoes that you buy, a pair is given to a child in need. Don’t know their size? Get a gift card

I personally like these in a size 10  (i know, my feet are HUGE! lol):

Who can you share the love with this season? Give something that gives back

This year my family and I have all decided to just not worry about gifts. Times are rough enough as it is, and no one needs the extra stress of buying presents for eachother with money they don’t have. I think it’s better actually. While I love presents (who doesn’t?!), it’s really nice just to be able to enjoy the season without the worry and stress of what to get for who, and who’s getting what, and trying to shop in the over-crowded stores, etc.

I really have all that I truly want. A boy who adores me, a family who loves me, a puppy who’s attached to my hip, the best friends ever, a career-oriented job where I get to use my skills and my degree, a nice apartment, car, cell phone, and recently upgraded equipment for my photography business…. things are really falling into place for me, and it’s more than I can ask for.

With all of that said, I can’t help but make a wish list, just for fun Partially so that I am affirming these by writing them down, and partially to look back in years to come and see what was on my “wish list”. If we were exchanging gifts this year, these are some things that would be on mine…

This camera I’ve been drooling over for about a year now… and of course lots and lots and LOTS of film for it!!!

The new Kurt Halsey 2010 calander of course!!! Featuring Mark and my portrait for July…

Also, these Kurt Halsey items…

A cute teapot…

These DVDs…

The complete Twilight series hardcover book collection

This adorable book I’ve been drooling over…

As well as just about any other cupcake book… (I already have Martha’s (thanks dad!!) and the 500 cupcakes book)

These adorable Paul Frank headphones

a subscription to Lynda.com so I can keep teaching myself to be even more awesome

Pretty frames – black and silver, all shapes/sizes.

A cute apron like this one…

One of these adorable Shabby Abby Camera straps (Thanks Khrisma, i’m hooked!)

A Shootsac like this one…

And of course, a HipSlip also!

I should really get one of these, if not as a present from someone, as a present to myself! LOL I get lost EVERYWHERE….

A couple of each of these bad boys…

a Gocco printer kit…

Oh, and of course, this would be nice heeheehee

that’s all i can come up with for now, i’m SUPER tired!!! I just finished my last photos for the year (business wise) and I feel like I’ve been fighting off something before it attacks me… super tired lately, just can’t get enough sleep! I got my new camera in the mail, so be on the lookout for an update about that!!!

For now, i’m off to sleep with my boys <3

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!

i am in love with this most recent shot from my most recent shoot….

Happy sneak peek!!!

More soon… and the much anticipated Haley & Kayla shoot next!!

I know that this post is a bit late, as Thanksgiving was last week, but it’s never too late to list the things you’re thankful for, so here I go!

I find myself extremely well off at this time in my life. This year has been a complete roller coaster for me.

Of course it goes without saying how thankful I am to have such an amazing boyfriend, family, and friends. They all mean the world to me, and I’m so glad that we get to share our stories in this book of life. Without them, life wouldn’t have much meaning to me. They are really the biggest pieces in my puzzle. Also, my little puppy-son Quincey. As he sits here scratching my arm, begging me for attention, I think back to when he was so so tiny. We got him 2 years ago, the day before Christmas eve. He has become such a huge part of me, and is always there to love me unconditionally. A dog’s love is truly remarkable. I am thankful for all of them.

In the beginning of the year, I was working a job I hated, and ultimately quit. I felt frustrated, angry, and just sad in general. After getting out of school 2 years ago, I was still unable to land a good design job. i was forced to go back to the restaurant industry. I know, I know, it isn’t horrible, however it was one of those chapters in my life that while I was happy I had it to fall back on, I thought I wouldn’t have to re-open it. I did that for a while, but things started to slow down and it was hard to get hours. Drama, drama, drama… as luck would have it, my friend recommended me for a job, and I emailed in to apply. A week and another interview later, I got the job!!! Marketing Assistant at a very fast-growing mortgage company! It may not sound exciting, but it was honestly a dream come true, and has turned out to be a completely awesome job. I am so thankful for my job, especially in this economy, and especially since I get to utilize my creative skills (and degree!).

a little over a year ago, Mark and I moved from our tiny one bedroom apartment into a spacious 2 bed, 2 bath apartment. I am thankful for all of the extra space that we enjoy.

I was able to recently upgrade my computer so that I can work faster and more effieciently on my photos. I am thankful for my new computer (and the boyfriend who built it).

My photo business has really grown this year. I am thankful for all of the new clients, and compliments I receive. I am thankful for being able to capture the beauty and love within people.

Gas prices have gone down, my pocketbook is thankful for that.

I am thankful for all of the new people and friends who have come into my life this past year. I thrive on new relationships!

I am thankful for my space heater. I hate being cold.

I am so thankful that I can afford to pay my bills, and that even though I may not have much left over, at least I can live.

I am thankful for music.

I am thankful for delicious foods. And drinks.

I am thankful for the sun, and the blue sky, and clouds. (cumulonimbus clouds especially!)

I am thankful for technology. Without it, so much would not be possible, including my art.

I am thankful for the mentors in my life, you have taught me so much, and most of you don’t even know it!

There are so many more things that I could list, but I don’t want this post to be too lengthy. It’s been a while since I’ve done a ‘personal post’, so this was pretty fun. I’ll do another one with photos soon, but for now since it feels weird to post without a photo, here’s one from our most recent trip to Reno of mark’s cousins

<3

The minnie lola site has JUST launched!!! My dear friend Lisa has been working very hard to get this site up and running, but it’s proven to be well worth the wait!! Her site is fun, easy to navigate, and fabulous!

I worked with her on some product shots a while back, and I have done photo sessions with her beautiful baby girl, Violet

Without further adieu, click on the photo, and check out her site! Christmas is just around the corner, and if you know anyone who is expecting, or has children, Lisa has some awesome gifts!

Just a few shots from the sessions this weekend, I’m in love with both!!!

Be on the lookout for more from these sessions very soon!

<3

Meet Jenn + CT!

Jenn + CT (Chris) are friends of mine from Michigan. This is their second autumn/winter in Portland, and they wanted some “Portland-y” photos, so we decided to shoot along the Portland waterfront. Shooting outside in Portland is always an iffy thing, however the weather held out for us, and we pulled off some great photos!

I am out of words tonight, so I’ll let their photos speak for themselves

To a beautiful couple, Jenn and CT, enjoy!!

This next photo was all CT’s idea! I absolutely adore it, and I love when clients come up with fun poses!!!

Newborn sessions have a special little place in my heart. If you know me, then you know that I was born a mother, and for as long as I’ve lived I’ve looked forward to being a mother. (In fact, when I was 5 I remember telling my mom that I wanted 100 babies when I grew up. I imagined having them in a hospital-nursery-like setting. Of course, that was before I knew how babies came into the world…)

A lot of the photographers who inspire me the most are newborn photographers. So to say the least, they are always some of my favorite sessions!
This little bundle of love was 7 days old on the day we had his session. I couldn’t believe all of the hair he had! Such a darling little baby boy. His name is Evan Grey, and I could just eat him up! Congratulations Rachelle and Brenden, your little baby boy is perfect

And my personal favorite from the session… it was a tough call, and the monkey pic is another fave… but this one makes my heart melt…