10 on 10 - October

I know, I know, you have all been counting down the days since the beginning of the month. The wait is over, and the 10th is finally here! Better yet, this is the first month that we are going to have a theme to the post.

"Fall" is the theme for this month. I picked this theme because I absolutely LOVE summer in Portland. Yes I said wrote summer. Hear me out. Summer in Portland is unbeatable. Seriously, it probably beats everywhere else. Festivals, wine, beer, hiking, beach trips, happy hour, looong sunny days, the list could go on and on. And because we have such a gloomy winter, everyone wants to partake in summer festivities. There is always something fun to do! Because of that, I always get sad when summer comes to an end, so I needed something to lift my spirits. Don't get me wrong, fall in Portland is great too. More festivals, vineyard harvests (which means wine tasting), farmer's markets, etc. Fall just tends to have a few more cold, rainy days and means the inevitable cloudy winter is getting closer.

All that being said, in the fall, we get AMAZING light. For all you non-photog folk, this may seem kinda boring, but a nice, crispy, fall afternoon is absolutely the most fun time to get out and take some pictures ...and the perfect time for a family photo shoot in the park.

I hope we get a few more days like this before it starts getting dark way too early. Next up on the fall schedule is pumpkin seeds and turkey!

Now go check out all the other posts from other 10 on 10 contributors. It's a good month to scope out everyone's post because these photogs are from all over the country, and fall means something a little different in each place. So go on, blow off work a little longer and hit 'em up!

Anya Elise Photography

Grace Photography

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography
Jamilah Photography

Until next time...

Psst... Believe it or not, this is our fourth 10 on 10 post! To see past 10 on 10 posts, click here and here and here. And then make sure to check out all the others too.

Holiday Sale - Mini Photo Session

It’s almost that time of year! The holiday season is only a few short months away. Hard to believe, I know.

If you know me very well at all, you would know that I love the holidays, so this year, I am offering mini photo sessions for families in and around Portland! …AND to make things even bigger and bad-asser, not only am I offering the photo shoot, but I’ve also teamed up with graphic designer, Jehn Glynn. Not to sounds too fan-girl or anything, but Jehn has done amazing design work with people all around the country and just moved here to Portland. In other words, she’s kind of a big deal. She will be designing a collection of holiday cards exclusively for this holiday shoot!!!

If you have any questions about the shoot, feel free to e-mail me, but the details of the shoot are below. There are a limited number of appointments available, so sign up fast. Plus, since it is the holidays, I’m also throwing in a little somethin’ somethin’ on the side: The first 15 people to sign up get a free, personalized app of photo gallery included in their package (works on all iPhones, iPads, and the latest Android), which is perfect for sharing images with friends and family.

What am I getting?

Mini-session

$95

20-minute session

thumb drive with 10 images

$15 photo print credit

Mini-session with Choice of  Exclusive Holiday Card Design

$175

30-minute session

thumb drive with 15 images

$25 photo print credit

Your choice from one exclusive holiday card designed by Jehn Glynn

What are the dates?

Saturday November 2, 2013

Sunday November 10, 2013

Where will we go?

Two outdoor locations have been chosen based on location and the variety of options for environment. Both locations are in the greater Portland area.

Anything else?

Session will cover groups of up to 4 people. You may use this time however you like: kids, whole family, couples, etc. $15 per extra person. Pooches are welcome too.

*opportunity to reschedule due to inclement weather conditions

How do I sign up?

To schedule your appointment please click here and follow the instructions. I will be in contact shortly about times available on the date you choose. You may also e-mail me if you have any questions/concerns.

Give me more!!

Alright, alright, but only because you asked so nicely. We are also offering you a referral discount! Please pass the word on, and if you refer someone who also books a mini-shoot, you will get 5% off your booking. So go on, tell a friend!

Until next time...

10 on 10 - September

Another month has come and gone which means it's time for another 10 on 10 post! This last month has been so crazy busy. While we weren't working, we built our own paver patio, tore off half of our roof (before it was re-shingled), and had family on both sides come and visit.

A few weeks ago my sister and step-dad (aka Pops) came out to visit. They were put to work tearing off shingles and tarp paper from the roof, but we also had a chance to take a mini trip to Southern Oregon. Nabil and I have lived in Oregon for the last nine years (wowie, it's gone fast) and up until now, have never been to Crater Lake. It's been on the list of places to visit for a long time, but you know, life gets busy and the list just keeps getting longer. But no more!

Well worth the long drive, and hopefully we will be able to go back again for a longer visit.

Now, go ahead and treat yo self to some more eye candy from all the other photogs participating in 10 on 10. They're coming from all over the country, so you know you're bound to get some good treats.

Anya Elise Photography

Grace Photography

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography
Jamilah Photography

Until next time...

10 on 10 - August 2013

Seriously, it's been a month already?! Another 10 on 10 is officially starting. At the end of this post, there are a list to 6 other photogs from around the country. Make sure to check out their 10 on 10 posts, because they are all fantastic!

Onto my 10 on 10 post... July was the busiest month I've had all year, but it was jam packed full of fun. Mini vacation, birthday, weddings to photograph every weekend, house projects... the list could go on. To top this past month off, Nabil and I celebrated our five year anniversary! Boo-YA!

You know when you are young and it feels like a month creeps along at a snail's pace and each week takes forever? Well, apparently when you're a grownup, life stops standing still. I'm not sure where these last five years have gone. We have done so much and come so far, new jobs, new house, new pets, vacations traveled..., and yet it seems like I was waking up waiting to walk down the aisle yesterday. I suppose that's what happens when you've gone and got hitched to your bff.

To celebrate the occasion, Nabil and I took a jaunt around Portland to some of our favorite places in the city. To start, we had drinks at Portland City Grill. It's really impossible to beat the view of the place. Cocktails in a room with floor to ceiling windows on the 30th floor, yes please!

I've have actually never been to this next place before last night, but Portland is known for it's amazing food, and Mother's did not disappoint.

And, last but not least, we ended up in the Pearl at Cool Moon (as usually). The ice cream is hard to beat, and the neighborhood is the best to wander around and admire the city vibe.

We left, with two very large food babies in the tum-tums, but it was great night. I loved being able to spend it with my numero uno hubby. I look forward to many more posts like this and many more happy years to come. Thanks to Nabil for being so patient and sweet to me and for being my constant rock over the last 10+ years (yes, it really has been that long). I couldn't have ever asked for anything more. I love you more than I have the words to write.

Now, for all you sorry saps that are still reading, dry those tears and go check out the links below. Find a new favorite photog of the month and then come back check us out again next month!

Anya Elise Photography

Grace Photography

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography
Jennifer Whalen Photography
Jamilah Photography

Until next time...

10 on 10 - July 2013

It's that time!! Our 10 on 10 project is officially beginning. Since this is the first official 10 on 10, I'll do a recap for those of you who are sitting in your office chair a bit perplexed. 10 on 10 is a collaborative project from six photographers around the country. Basically this is our opportunity to show our clients, friends, family, future clients, etc. a window into our own lives each month. We post so many pictures of other people's events and momentous occasions, that it's easy to for get about ourselves.

On the 10th of every month I will post 10 photos from one day of my life that I've taken within the past 30 days. The best part is that five other photographers are also participating from around the country. I've posted their links below and I encourage you all to check them out because they are fantastic!

For this month's 10 on 10 I chose to take photos of an afternoon when we had some friends over at our house. The summer weather is finally here and we are soaking up as much as we can! It started as an afternoon of games and brews but morphed into a late night. One of those great nights that aren't planned but just happen. Aren't those really the best kind of nights?

P-Shoes anyone?

How about some Hammerschlagen?

One of Nabil's friends, Will (aka DJ TrickAssedMarxist) brought his equipment and morphed our gathering into a party.

It was about 75 degrees when the sun went down, but since we don't really have any light installed out back yet, we started a fire anyway.

Friends, games, music, good weather, good food, and brew. What more could you ask for? Did anyone else have a great summer night recently?

Now as promised, below are all the links to the other photogs participating in the 10 on 10 project from around the country. Make sure to check out their 10 on 10 and to check back next month for 10 on 10 - August.:)

Anya Elise Photography

Grace Photography

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography

Until next time...

I'm an Aunt!!!

Before early June, I was only a quasi aunt. My BFF Brooke had her beautiful baby boy, Arlo in March and I bother their family enough that they afforded me the title of Aunt Courtney. But now, not only am I a still a quasi aunt, I'm a real-life, no denying it, aunt! My beautiful sister-in-law and her husband Freddie welcomed the prettiest little girl, Myra Mae Lamb, into the world last month. It has been an incredible experience to see this bundle grow in the past couple weeks, and even more incredible to see her the day that she was born.

Myra was born 7lbs 2oz and 20 inches long. She's a very long, lanky thing (just like her dad). And those feet are just about the cutest old, wrinkly-man, baby feet I have ever seen.

Now get this. Nora spent about 48hrs in labor. She had built such a good home for Myra that she didn't want to come out at first. Less than 24 hours after, Nora was already showered, dressed in her human (not patient) clothes, walking around, and taking visitors. I know I would be sayin' "give me that gift and get the h* out of here. I'll see you in a week", but Nora is a far too nice and put together for that. There isn't many people that have one day old baby/family pics while they are not in hospital attire. Way to kick major ass SIL (sister-in-law)!

What an incredible experience it has been to be an aunt (both quasi and within the fam). I can't wait to keep seeing how this family grows throughout the years and to be there for all Myra's future milestones.

Until next time...

Sister Sydney's Graduation

You may remember a few months ago when I wrote this post about my once little sister all grown up. Well, it finally happened. About a month ago she walked across that rickety old stage and graduated from college. It is the first time in our lives that her and I have had the same education level. ...and soon she will surpass me. Curse myself for wanting to change career paths!

Anyway, we all convened to celebrate my sister and her smarts for the whole weekend of graduation. Since for the last year or so I tend to have my camera with me at a lot of events for other people, I find myself wanting to be in the moment instead of taking pictures at my own family events; however, I tried to bring it with me a few different places that weekend. Good times to remember in the future I suppose.

The night before graduation we all met up for a casual dinner at a great local restaurant. If you are in the Spokane area, I highly recommend the Casper Fry. Good food, good atmosphere, and some good company.

My sister's Godfather, Tom, drove into town to celebrate with us. It was so great to have him there and spend some time with him because I really haven't seen him since I was in high school (almost ten years ago). It always makes me a little nostalgic to see people that I used to see fairly often when I was younger. Is this what it feels like to be a grown up?!

And of course the rents made it to town to celebrate as well.

Nabil (my hubby) and his mom (who was in town to visit while we were waiting for my sister-in-law to have her baby ...more on that later) also made the trip to celebrate. It was a pretty epic weekend of family and fun.

The next day we piddled around downtown. We hit up Madeline's (of course) and soon after Sydney kicked my butt running along the waterfront path. Man am I out of shape. Ugh! After I scraped myself off the pavement it was about that time.

No one tripped or fell off the stage and they had great speakers. If I had the program sitting next to me, I would tell you some names. I know one of them was a state representative.... If I can find that program, I'll update the post with some names.

And when the name calling started to drag on a little long, Syd and I texted one another so I could get a very classic thumbs up pic. Nailed it!

These came out a little blurry (my fault for not bringing the good lens), but I love it because I used some big sister peer pressure to convince her to turn around and hold up her diploma after she shook the President of the University's hand. What else are texting and big sisters for if not to provoke and prode the youngsters.

And just look at that pretty face. It's official!

At Syd's school, each of the students decorated their own cap. They can do whatever they want. We saw music notes, spray paint, nursing symbols, etc. Sky is the limit. Syd chose to write a quote from one of my very faves (Man in the Mirror). I mean who doesn't love a little MJ!? And there is a little heart around Tanzania since she spent a semester studying abroad there and will probably go back as part of her grad school program. She also got a lea from one of her friends from Hawaii. They both really help to complete the ensemble, don't ya think?

I knew it, right when you saw that picture (above) you thought "wait, what?! Courtney is being serious in a picture with Syd?!" Don't worry, that quickly faded away. I just can't help myself, silly pictures are so much more fun.

It's official!!!

Congrats Syd! Nabil and I couldn't be anymore proud and excited for you! You have done some amazing things already, and we can't wait to see where your journey takes you next. Love you!!!

Until next time...