courtney jade’s blog

He’s a graphic designer from Portland. She is a fashionista from Michigan. They have a little pup named Max who is as cute as can be, and can seriously rock a bow-tie!
Jake + Kelsea are one hip couple. They just go together, like an ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day. He is warm, thoughtful, an artist. She is bubbly, sweet, and fun-loving. They bring out the best in each other.

They met in Portland through mutual friends, and eventually fell head-over-really-cute-heels for one another.

I was really excited when they told me that they wanted me to take their engagement photos for them, and shoot their wedding (oh, just you WAIT!). If this is anything like a sample to the main course, rest assured that I am in for one heck of a beautiful event to capture!!! We messaged back and forth about location ideas, and fun props to incorporate. Ultimately they decided on downtown Portland, in the Pearl District. Kelsea, a fashion major, did not disappoint with their wardrobe! Complete with hand-sewn bow ties (for Jake, and Max!), suspenders, amazing heels, bright colors, and even some mustache accessories, this was one of the most fun shoots I have ever done!

Thank you Jake and Kelsea for making my job effortless, fun, and allowing me all of the creative freedom imaginable! It’s people like you who inspire me to keep doing what I do. I cannot wait for your wedding next year!!

I just adore the paper signs that Jake designed for them! How sweet!! And how cute is Max in his red bandana!?

Sometimes you meet people, and you just click. It’s as if you were long lost best friends, or kindred spirits.

I have been lucky enough to meet a two of such people in the past 9 months, and one of them is Deena. Read the rest of this entry …

I know it’s been quite a while since I have posted, I hope you can forgive me! I’ve been shooting non-stop since August, and it’s been near impossible to even think about blogging.
Anyways, I thought it would be fun to show you a little of what I’ve been up to!

Here are some adorable photos of Luketan + Matt!
They were recently engaged, and wanted some photos to remember the moment!
They are such a sweet couple, and I had a blast at our session. I can tell that they are a perfect match!

I met Jared forever ago, when he was hired to work at Billy Heartbeats- a 50′s themed diner here in Portland. We worked the fountain, making milkshakes, sundaes, salads and pb&j sandwiches. We wore silly hats and black bow ties. It was a blast! I ended up working there on and off for about 6 years (crazy! but it was a great little place, like home).

He and his friend Nate worked there, and we always had such a fun time. Here are a few pics of the place that I took forever ago…

Anyways, this post isn’t about Billy’s, it’s about Jared and Anna Kate!

Jared is intelligent, has a great sense of humor, and a heart of gold. He is just an all-around good guy. He can make anyone laugh, and he’s currently in his third year of medical school! (He’s come a long way from milkshakes).

Anna Kate is a perfect match for Jared. She is wise, beautiful, creative and super sweet!

I could go on and on about how awesome this couple is, and how much fun we had on their engagement shoot, but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves! Play the slideshow and see for yourself.

I had a really great shoot today, with a really awesome couple- Anna Kate + Jared.

Here are a couple cute ones I quickly pulled from their session, enjoy!
More to come soon!

Let me just first start off by saying that this is one AWESOME couple you are about to see.

Kayla is beautiful, smart, optimistic and SO fun to be around.
When we first met, I complimented her on her adorable boots, and she took it off and let me try it on! Basically, she is totally RAD.

John is a ton of fun, sweet, and someone who could cheer anyone up on their worst day. He is so in love with Kayla, and it’s evident, even just in the way that he looks at her.

They met at summer camp years ago, and their summer romance just never ended.
They are fabulous, and they are even more fabulous together.
I can’t wait to shoot their wedding this summer! Kayla + John, enjoy your pics!

Their wood cookies So cute!

Major props to John for squeezing on this bench! I just adore this shot

Did I mention they are hardcore U of O fanatics?

Such a fun couple!!!

<3

Meet MaryAnne and Karl.
If Karl were a pancake, MaryAnne would be the syrup. They are both so sweet, and a perfect match!

MaryAnne and Karl met while attending college at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. They are two of the sweetest people I have met! I am so thrilled to be a part of their special day next year!

Due to horrible weather, we had to reschedule their engagement shoot, however it worked out for the best. The rain held out for us, and the trees and leaves were picture perfect. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions! What a more fitting place to shoot them, than the OSU campus!? There were so many amazingly beautiful spots to shoot, it was almost unbearable. If it were closer, I’d definitely shoot there a lot more often!

When Karl proposed to MaryAnne, he took her to Avery Park, just off campus. We hopped over there to get a few shots as well. I don’t know if any of you are Twilight fans out there, but the area we shot in is exactly what I imagined the “meadow” to be like. Insanely beautiful, and perfect in every way.

This has got to be in the top 5 of my all time favorite shoots.
The photos just turned out SO beautiful! Their session looks like a fairytale to me

Congratulations MaryAnne + Karl! Enjoy your photos

i drove down to Corvallis, OR today to shoot with this beautiful couple. I am so excited about their photos, I just had to post one!

Many more to come soon… along with other shoots i’ve done lately

Melissa and Mark are a very sweet couple! Melissa is a pure doll, who claims she was born in the wrong era. She’s got amazing style, and I am so very excited to be shooting their wedding this July! They want to go for a 20′s/30′s era theme, so we had a lot of fun on their engagement shoot!
We shot downtown Portland in and around the Hotel Delux. That place is beautiful!!! I wish there would have been more light inside, but we still ended up with some amazing pics!! Here are my favorites from the shoot

Thanks Melissa & Mark! Enjoy!