Celebrate the Little things

I smiled as my heart broke. I had the privilege to photograph trick-or-treating at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital for the kido's that couldn't be running free in the streets gathering goodies with the rest of their community. I watched child after child turn the corners with smiles that could light the world on fire. They were (of course) dressed to the nine in everything from a disney princess to Waldo. They were filled with joy, overflowing and delighted to feel so loved. Many children were accompanied by their parents, who shared in the excitement of the afternoon. 

In seeing such a simple celebration of life, I have been continually bashed in the faced, knocked on my can, poked in the eye, and had my piggy toe stepped on. WHY DO I TAKE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN LIFE FOR GRANTED!? I fill my schedule from the first blink of my eye until the moment I throw my (almost) lifeless body into bed to do it all over again. Instead, to take a moment to soak up the beauty and the joy that is in every moment. Every day has beauty. Sometimes, we just have to open our eyes to truly see it.

Seeing this proud mama [in the photo below] hold her sick little baby and find joy in being rolled around the hospital only to receive piles of candy from strangers, was the most beautiful sight. She was so proud to hold her little girl and call her their own. No matter what, that little girl is loved. I had my Halloweens of being a pumpkin, a Hersey Kiss, a scarecrow, and the list goes on. I didn't blink. I felt as though I deserved it. I deserved a costume and feet that had the ability to take me from street to street. Annnnnnnd you better bet, I deserved to hit the jackpot at that one house that had the king size candy bars in their bucket. Sometimes I want to give my face a little kick for my sheer stupidity.

With that, don't take the little things for granted. Know that nights like tonight are a blessing. And if I have the privilege someday of watching my own children run from house to house in their home made costumes, then I am a lucky, lucky girl.

Celebrate the little things.

Until next time...
-kortni marie

The beauty that is...

She is beauty. She is patience. She is love.

I spent some time this Saturday capturing the beauty that is Michelle. As I have said before, you capture a photo and you 'just know.' Well this was the photo where as my finger hit the trigger as she giggled her sweet giggle at one of my (probably not so funny) jokes, I 'just knew.' I believe this photo so poetically captures who this beautiful woman is and is growing to be. The softness, the precious smile and laughter, the poise and the joy that came pouring out, all point back to who is within this image.

Enjoy! And come back for the rest.

Until next time...

-kortni marie

Monday Mayhem I Narrative

HAPPY MOOOOONDAY!

It's sad that feeling that you get in your gut when it's 8:00p on a Sunday. The dread especially when your Monday starts with a 6:00a arrival at your work place door. But never fear, Monday will end. Before it ends,

take the challenge of the day like a champ, and nail it.

Like I said.. Take the Challenge...

 And Nail it...

Conquer the day!

And then... bring on Tuesday.

Until next time...

-kortni marie

Guilty Pleasure

I have a confession. 
I have broken a rule repeatedly. In fact, the repeat is some of the issue. I have 'repeat' problem with my music, but this goes BEYOND that. Today is Friday, October 26, and I have been listening to this CD on repeat since Monday...

Don't judge me. I know it is breaking the cardinal rule of Christmas music listening, but I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF!
ahhhh... I feel better. Now you want to indulge too don't you!? I'm sorry, but I'm not.
Happy Friday all! Tis the season ;)

-kortni marie

What were you Expecting?

[Throwing my body on the trampled ground.] 

"Ok, move your left hand over to the left a smiggggin."

"Perfecto! Chin like we talked about...."

"That's right, WORK IT GIRL.!!!"

Welcome to the next two hours of your life, where I make a fool of myself and make you look stunning. If you are lucky enough to have me for your wedding, well, then you get a full days worth of this class act! Yes, I am ridiculous and yes, I know it. I am here to guide you in the process, to make sure that your photos turn out stunning, and to make this an unforgettable experience. No, you aren't going to have to pose yourself silly. And yes, I will look like I'm a few fries short of a happy meal, but everybody enjoys the ride. 

Getting professional photos done is not a daily, weekly, or even monthly habit for brides, couples, or individuals, so the nerves and what to expect always creeps up in people's minds. So here are ten simple inside statements to ease your mind.

1. I won't make you choose how you want to pose for the photos. I am here to guide you and make   sure every finger and hair is in place (Wheeewwww! Glad we got that one out in the open!).

2. I will make fun of myself and call you out if you are picking your nose ;)

3. I will keep us on schedule and make sure we don't miss out on any "must haves" of the day.

4. I am ALWAYS open to your suggestions. After all, it is all about you!

5. I will make you laugh and act a fool.

6. You will have to pretend that I'm funny.

7. You will enjoy every moment of this 'not so regular' experience.

8. We will be best friends by the end of the shoot. I hope you are ok with that.

9. I will tell you "I lied... one more..." one too many times. (I just get so excited and want to do more!)

10. You will walk away feeling like one million AND ONE dollars.

More questions? Shoot me an e-mail at kortni.photo@gmail.com and like me on Facebook.  

Until next time...

-kortni marie

Monday Mayhem I Narrative

This may be needed for the emergency below...

What other formal occasion were you thinking???

This would be my number one reason to go back... helloooo! duhhh

i heart tb



Until next time...

-km

belly + love

Mama's going to have a baby. She is beautiful in her lavender and blond curls. She simply glows with joy. Emily gets to be a part of a miracle, she gets to bring a baby into this world. With every waking day, I am reminded of what a miracle life is.
Sweet Avery will be here in just a few short weeks and she will be held and squeezed and loved to bunches. She will know that not only mom and dad love her, but Jesus loves her and has a plan for her already in store. What a relief for a parent to know that God already has every step planned out. Until then, she will keep growing strong in mama's belly and be loved just the way she is.
I can't wait to meet you sweet girl.

If you missed the sneak peek, check it out here.

Until next time..

-km

Monday Mayhem I Narrative

The average person has over 1,460 dreams each year. [A crazy statistic to wrap your mind around.] How on earth do we have that much going on in our heads when exhaustion has set in. It makes me smile and breath a sigh of relief really... To know that my brain keeps thinking, creating, and inspiring well after my head has hit the pillow and I cling to sleep to give me the energy to face the next day. In a way it gives me hope. [A strange thought I know.]

I do not want to completely stop doing or being simply because of the necessity of sleep or the presence of boredom. There is still a heart beating that has deep feeling, triggering senses and thoughts. While some dreams may not be overwhelmingly pleasant, they come from my heart and my head and who and what inspires me.

How amazing that we never stop. Keep dreaming everyone. Keep doing.

 Until next time...
-km

A Farmer's Life for Me

This weekend, the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel had their regular Farmers Market. There were vendors of all varieties, veggies lines the streets, and fresh flowers billowing over vases that captured your eye from blocks away.

Me and a sweet friend spent several hours paroooozing the streets of goodness while sipping our freshly squeezed lemonade. Despite the heat, we walked away with veggies weighing enough to cut the circulation from our bodies, sweet smelling flowers, and bellies full of goodness.

 What sweet bliss. These are the moments that make a life beautiful.

Until next time...
-km

Monday Mayhem I Narrative

Monday, we meet again. Somehow, just in the way that life works, Monday allows the pure stupidity that engulfs our brains, to come out in our actions. By Friday we are pure geniuses! With all of that said... Here is what Monday hopefully does not hold for you, in hopes that you will make it to Friday.

I pray this wasn't you making your morning coffee this Monday... Plastic melts folks!

 Just trying to fit in...

 And if this is you. Take a step back and simply retire with dignity.

 Don't feel so dumb this morning? I hope not. If so, I hope you make it to Friday!
Happy Monday all!

Until next time...
-km

Blond Curls & a Lavender Belly

I met Emily shortly after moving to Tampa. She welcomed me with open arms and I have had the great opportunity to hear her heart and where God has taken her and her family despite the worst of circumstances. She is strong. She is beautiful. She is a mother.

In just a few short weeks, Emily will be a mama to a beautiful baby girl, a gift from God. This week we spent a couple of hours laughing and taking photos of what is now and axiously awaiting the arrival of such a sweet, sweet gift. Here is a preview of what is to come.

Until next time...
-km

September I Instagram

Summer has come to and end. October brings fall and all its bliss. (However, for the my first transition from summer to fall.... it still feels very similar... this could take some getting use to.)

Every month, when I put together this post, I am reminded of how wonderful of a life I have and how much love I am surrounded by. While the days have plenty of imperfections, the good will always out weigh the bad. I think this is what I value about this post. It brings me back for what I have in my life. The good moments. The people that make my life complete.  The pure bliss that I have had the privilege to be a part of. I hope you found the moments of your month that make a smile beam across your face.

Until next time...
-km

Monday Mayhem I Narrative

I feel like I am having a food crisis. Dramatic? Maybe? But seriously... I have been staring at food all weekend and struggling with what I want. Nothing "hits the spot." Whomp. Whomp.

With all of that said... I thought food would be an appropriate topic of conversation for this Monday...Bring on the Mayhem.

You will eat about 35,000 cookies in your lifetime.

Every time you lick a stamp, you are consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

The drive-through line on opening day at the McDonald's restaurant in Kuwait City, Kuwait was at times seven miles long.
Would you wait? The diet coke alone might be worth it..?

Peanuts are one of the ingredients in dynamite.
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE... and a bit salty I might add ;)

So welcome to Monday. Enjoy the day :)

Until next time...

-km