courtney jade’s blog

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
― E.E. Cummings

There’s something to be said about taking risks and following your heart, especially when it comes to your passions. I feel so lucky that I have such beautiful and creative friends to inspire, motivate, and encourage me with my art. Mary is one of those friends, and she is wonderful.

I never thought that I’d meet someone who was more in love with autumn than I was.
And then I met Mary.
And then she chose me to be her wedding photographer.
And her wedding date was October 2nd – in the prime of autumn. It was beautiful, and could have been in a Martha Stewart autumn special. It was magical.
(You can see some of the engagement photos I shot for Mary and Karl three years ago here.)

Mary creates beautiful mixed media art, and I highly suggest that you go check out her work on her website, blog, or facebook page. I was recently lucky enough to have a piece of her artwork commissioned with one of my all-time favorite quotes by Audrey Hepburn. (see the first image, and try not to be too jealous!)  I have a very special place saved in my newly re-designed office, and I cannot wait to share images with you once it’s all complete!

From start to finish we maybe spent 10 minutes together in a gorgeous apple orchard. Mary & Karl, here are your images, I hope you like them. <3

Lisa and I met over moisturizers and mascaras years ago when we both worked as make-up artists in cosmetic-land at Macy’s. She worked for Lancome, and I just across the isle at Benefit. Since then, a lot has happened, and I’m so happy to be able to still call her my friend to this day.

I’ve been fortunate enough to take photos for Lisa and her little family a few times now, and this past weekend we met up again to capture some more moments. Gavyn just turned two, and the weather was perfect for us!

Lisa, thank you so much for choosing me, over and over, to capture these memories for you and your family. It means the world to me to have friends like you who trust in me to create these keepsakes for you. I hope you enjoy these images!!

John Mayer says it best…

“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s ok though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation.. so when I meet someone who’s an 8-color type.. I’m like, “hey girl, magenta!” and she’s like, “oh, you mean purple!” and she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, “no – I want magenta!””

I consider myself extremely lucky to have two best friends whom I have known since grade school. People who I grew up with, got in trouble with, captured multiple memories with, and whom I love. They are practically my siblings, and they are definitely 64-color boxes. Each, of course, with a few missing colors

Ben is a firecracker. Loud, colorful, boisterous, creative, and passionate. He can befriend anyone. He makes me laugh every time I see him, and he is full of artistic talents. He is my brother from another mother, and we have been best friends for 17 years now. Wow.

Alyssa is also a firecracker. Creative, passionate, driven, eccentric, and honest. She is about as stubborn as I am, and we share the same sarcastic nature. So many memories together, and from such a young age. We’ve been friends for 17 years now as well. Holy smokes.

A couple of weekends ago,  Ben invited us over for a Sunday brunch in his FABULOUSLY decorated apartment. Ben has cooked MANY of brunches for us over the years, dating back to finals week in high school. He is modest, but boy does he make a mean whatever-he’s-making!!!

It’s been a long time since I’ve taken any photos for myself, out of personal interest. I find that between my full-time day job and keeping my business running on the side, there isn’t much down time for me… literally. So it’s not often I feel apt to bring my camera along to shoot for myself, but this day, for some reason, I did. I couldn’t have been happier when I walked into the room, because in true Ben fashion, he had gone all out, and made us the most beautiful spread!

Have a look at the photos, and try not to drool too much

This was by far the most decadent, lush, luxurious affair I have ever attended. As a photographer, it was a dream. Every beautiful detail displayed with elegance, nothing forgotten. The amount of thought, planning and effort put into this event was obvious and could not be ignored.

If you remember, I shot Laura’s Bridal Shower earlier last summer. She sure likes to set the bar high!

Laura and John chose the very beautiful DeArmond Garden Estate to have their most special day. The Estate is a one of a kind location, tucked away and gushing with vintage chic romance. It was the perfect setting for them.

My lovely friend, the ever-fabulous Jessica of Modern Moments Designs designed and created all of the invitations, programs, graphics, signage, and more. The event’s styling was absolutely stunning, between Modern Moments Designs work and the bride Laura and her twin sister’s styling company, Double Take Events, this was hands down the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen.

I did not photograph the actual wedding. I came out for the day to shoot all of the details- and there are a LOT of them! If this post isn’t long enough for you, just imagine twice more what you see here.

I am proud to say that this wedding, and my photos were featured earlier this week on Style Me Pretty! One of the most prestigious and most viewed wedding blogs out there. So humbled to know that others want to see and share my images.

Without further ado, please enjoy every pretty little detail from this wedding!

I was lucky enough to get to work with Bryan a year and a half ago, when he did portraits for Mark and I. He is one of the most talented photographers in the area, and most definitely one of my favorites! His wedding work is especially stunning, make sure you check him out for some killer eye candy

Bryan and Leah are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Their son, Wellington, is a complete doll. He’s just 18 months old and has such a curious nature. He’s very smart, and extremely sweet. Not to mention those big blue eyes and his dapper hat and jacket! (Welly’s parents have GREAT style!)
At the end of the session he said “bye bye Courtney” and my heart totally melted. Pure, lovable, little boy.

I found this old barn over the autumn and was saving it for something special. It’s out by my house, and since Bryan and Leah live super close I thought it’d be the perfect place for our session! We only shot for about 20 minutes, and it was freezing outside, but I’m super happy with how the images turned out.

Enjoy!

Hearts entwined
Twenty fingers, twenty toes,
two sweet babies with cheeks of rose.
Born on the same day, two gifts from above,
lives entwined, two babies to love.
~Unknown

I was lucky enough to work on this session with my friend, and extraordinary newborn photographer, Erin Tole. One newborn can be challenging, but two is often very challenging for just one person, so it was nice to have an extra set of hands to help- and I couldn’t think of anyone better to have by my side.

It was a dream session- literally! Brooklynn and Madelynn were the sleepiest baby models for us, and I’m so happy with how the images turned out!

I can hardly believe I haven’t blogged this ADORABLE session yet! Time just flies these days. I’m so excited to finally be able to share these with you- this session was so much fun, and I couldn’t be happier with how the images turned out!

I got together again with one of my bestest friends and partners in creative-crime, Jessica, and we shot her son Emerson for his 2nd Birthday!

His theme this year was “Carnival”, so we thought that Oaks Park would be the perfect location to get some fun, colorful photos to use for his invite and party products. We picked an evening in the late summer/early fall, and shot this entire session in about 45 minutes. Emerson has always been super easy to photograph, ever since the first time I shot him at his 1 year session – which we shot start-to-finish in under 30 minutes! We are kind of a dream team if I do say so myself! It also helps that he’s just sweet to the camera, and to me, the little flirt

Looking over these images makes me even more excited for the summer and sunshine! I love how the warm sun played into his images and add that extra “happy” to them.  How can you not want to just smooch him?!

I ended up shooting his AMAZING carnival Birthday Party, which I will blog about soon… but for now, here is a sneak peek!

This family has been with me from the start. She was one of my very first brides, first boudoir session, and one of my favorite families to photograph each year. It’s so fun seeing a family grow over time, and be there to capture the little in-between moments.

Shauna is a dear friend of mine, and one of the most supportive. She truly loves photographs. She gets it. And she’s always thinking of fun ideas to incorporate. I love going over to their home and seeing all of the photos I have taken over the years, literally everywhere! It’s one of the most rewarding feelings as a photographer. THAT is what I aspire to give all of my clients- photographs that they cherish so much, they hang them all over the place, and keep coming back for more!!!

I love you guys, and I’m so happy that you keep coming back <3 I hope you enjoy your photos, and here’s to many more in the future! (Corey, you’re a trooper )

I feel so lucky to have such amazing clients turn into friends. Emerson’s parents are just that, and I am SO happy that we have gotten to know each other over the past year! It seems like just yesterday I was shooting Lexie’s maternity photos, and now Emerson is already so grown up!

When they decided to do my “Baby’s First Year” plan, I was ecstatic because that meant that we would be able to build and grow our friendship even more! Lexie has the BEST ideas!! She went all out for Emerson’s 6 month session and got some super adorable outfits. It totally paid off, as you can see!

I, personally, am a huge fan of that adorable red swimsuit and matching cap by Janie + Jack, and the adorable flower headband by the very lovely Sew Whimsey!

I cannot wait for one year cake smashing fun with you guys!!! <3 Thank you for being so so wonderful!

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!?