courtney jade’s blog

Well, I went to New York almost two years ago… I’ve finally found a little time to go through some (and when I say “some”, i’m being completely literal!!!) of the photos I took while I was there. Thinking back on my trip, there are SO many more things I wish I would have taken photos of, but I am still happy with a lot of the photos I did take.

I went to New York with my best friend Ben, and his sister (also my friend) Jenna! It was a great trip, but a week in New York is just not nearly enough time to explore everything. There is definitely still a billion things there that I’d like to visit and do.

I have to say, I’ve been horrible, and Ben and Jenna haven’t even seen these photos yet… I know, 2 years is awful! It’s just been crazy with everything going on, and I took so many photos it’s overwhelming to look at them all!! But here are a select few that I thought I would share with you all Enjoy!

Every morning for breakfast we’d enjoy a cappuccino and a pastry from a nearby bakery. I should mention we stayed in a little hotel in Little Italy! How perfect!? This was just one of the delicious pastries that we enjoyed for breakfast (I know, naughty!!!)

I think that this photo was taken after dinner actually… while waiting for dessert! (also below!) Ok, so we had cappuccinos more than just for breakfast I can’t help it, EVERYTHING in New York is soooo delicious! The food, oh the food!!

Tiramisu!!!

Central Park was amazingly beautiful!! Everything I imagined it to be, and then some…

The John Lennon memorial, in the “Strawberry Fields” of Central Park

We also made it up to the top of the Empire State building! Such beautiful views, and even birds!

I think about half of the photos I took during this trip were of Ben, lol.

Who could forget Dylan’s Candy Bar!? This place was magical! Like a candy wonderland, they have EVERYTHING!!! And how cute is their logo!? Perfect design.

Now, you know I couldn’t very well go to New York and not try the “best cupcakes!”. My friend Dan told me about this place, the Magnolia Bakery. I have to say, they were pretty good, but they look prettier than they taste I couldn’t resist taking a million photos of them! I’d also never spent $25 on cupcakes before… but hey, that’s what vacations are all about, right?!

The vendors on the streets are insane, it’s like Saturday Market every day!!! I just had to snap a pic of these yummy fresh pretzels

Another memorable part of New York was the Taxi rides (sometimes a little crazy!!!) and all of the amazing advertisements and signage.

And of course, I just had to take a photo of this…

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 years since this trip!!! I can’t wait to go back someday again and explore some more

Oh, here’s a video of Ben and I ice skating in central park, one of my favorite parts of our trip (other than the food! lol)

<3

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

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…

meet the lovely Juliann, and her man, Adam.

We had the pleasure of shooting on one of the most beautiful autumn days this year. We went up to Bridal Veil, which is along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. The leaves on the trees were absolutely stunning, the sun broke through just a little bit, and it was chilly, but gorgeous.

Adam really knows how to make a photo shoot fun! It seems like more often than not, the guys are not so into the photo thing, and the girls are more than into it. Adam, however, was just having fun and being himself, it was refreshing I love when people can just let loose and be themselves. I’ve been lucky with that this year I think, my clients just keep getting better and better!

Without further a due (sp?), here is the beautiful couple!

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

As many of you who follow my blog know, I have a very good friend– Tonja, who owns her own boutique lingerie line- Knickers Lingerie.
And if you know that, you probably also know that she has a very beautiful daughter– Madi.
And you probably know all of that because you are my most faithful and loyal followers, and have been following my stream for quite some time

But for those of you who didn’t know, let me introduce you to two of the lovliest ladies who always leave me smiling- Tonja & Madi.

Tonja is a fashionista, seeker of beauty, and an extremely talented apparel designer. While she has recently launched her extremely gorgeous lingerie line, Knickers, she also gets to use her talents at her day job! During the 9-5 (and sometimes after-hours), Tonja is an Assistant Designer for Nike’s swimwear line.

Her daughter Madi, short for Madeline, is a beautiful, curious, intelligent and fun-loving five year old. She just started kindergarten this year, and while I’ve only known her a bit less than two years, it’s simply crazy to see how fast she grows! She loves animals, faeries, playing solitaire, and her favorite princess (also her most recent Halloween costume– which Tonja made from scratch btw) is Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

Now that you know them a wee bit better, onto the photos! Oh yea, we met at Starbucks, LOVE those pumpkin spice lattes! lol

Every year my sisters and I get our photos done about this time of the year to give out to our family for Christmas. (I wouldn’t say anything, but it’s been about 5 years since we started this tradition, so honestly, I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone who may be reading this ) So when the beautiful Holli asked me to do photos of her and her sister for their family, I was quite excited! I do a lot of couple shoots and group family groups, but not so many “sister shoots”.

We decided to shoot at Laurelhurst Park, since it’s one of the most beautiful locations in the Portland area during this time of year. The trees, leaves, and entire setting is just picture perfect! Plus, while Holli and her family have lived here in Portland for a few years now, they are originally from New Orleans– so I thought it would be the perfect landscape to capture some memories!

Holli and her sister Lindsey are so gorgeous, they made my job really easy!! I’m really happy with their photos

(random side note- I got my passport this weekend!!!! AHHH!!! I’m so excited!)

Ok, now onto the photos!!!