Author Archives: Cort

About Cort

Wedding & Portrait Photographer

{Big Texas Love! Pacific Northwest style….} Pacific Northwest Wedding, Shelton, WA

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It is such a delight to work with the same family over the years.  I have photographed seniors, engagement and families photos for this beautiful clan.  I was thrilled when Don and Jackie booked their daughter Christy’s wedding with me.  Christy now lives in Texas and had to rely on her parents for much of the logistical wedding planning.  I had only communicated with her via email until the wedding week when we finally had an opportunity to meet over lunch.  Brian and Christy are a lovely, humble couple who laugh easily and smile with their eyes.  And she has the most beautiful, shiny hair I have ever seen!  My only regret is that I didn’t have a chance for a barbecue lesson…from a REAL Texan!  hahaha  Enjoy your trip down the coast, you sweet honeymooners!DSC_9415-EditDSC_0328-EditDSC_9545-EditDSC_9546-EditDSC_9754-EditDSC_9644-EditIMG_4411-EditIMG_4260-EditDSC_0338-EditDSC_0400-EditDSC_0443-EditIMG_4936-EditDSC_0585-EditDSC_0552-Edit

Summer Sizzling, Engagement Portrait Session, Olympia, WA

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I love the feel of the sun on my skin.  It instantly calms me.  So I’ve been celebrating each day this week as the sun makes her glorious appearance.  It was a perfect evening for an engagement session as Laura, Ron and I headed out.  Nearly 83 degrees, we all agreed that a refreshing, cool cocktail would likely be the best way to begin our session.  (I love these two immensely…)  Entering The Brotherhood –a perfect little hideaway: cool, dark and sexy. Grey Goose martinis, tart olives and rum for Ron, done and done.  We then braced ourselves for the warmth and spent the rest of the evening smiling.  Who wouldn’t be smiling with friends who break out a bottle of Macallan 25 year old scotch… The glowing illumination of Glassy Babies and the outdoor fire place was as close to a perfect way to end and evening as it comes–thanks to Susan and Scott for their gracious hospitality.  I can’t wait to photograph their wedding celebration at the Olympia Golf & Country Club next month–it’s going to be all kinds of crazy, in the very best way : )  Cheers to you both!

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Welcome Baby Cruz! Newborn Photo Session, Olympia, WA

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I photographed Kiersten and David’s New Years Even wedding nearly two years ago.  A brilliant party and festive night, their guests danced into the wee hours.  I was thrilled for the when I found out they were expecting! And I could barely wait to capture their darling new baby boy Cruz!  They are a lovely couple, completely enamored with their little guy.  He was about the most complacent baby, barely fussed at all.  But when your needs are met, why fuss?  Congratulations you three!! xoxoDSC_8153-EditDSC_8103-EditDSC_8056-Edit

The Baby Gets Married! Schmidt Mansion, Olympia, WA

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My younger brother Zachary was married this past Saturday–the baby of a family of six kids, of which four of those older siblings are sisters.  When he was little we would drag him around on our hips, put him in dresses and generally dote on him.  He was such a funny little kid, razor wit and humor, even at four. And he still is completely hilarious.  I know that’s one thing Desiree loves about him… we all do! Who doesn’t like to laugh?

Zach proposed to his bride Desiree last year when we were all on holiday in Maui.  It was so special to be able to share that with them, and to celebrate their engagement in such a stunning place.

Their wedding day was glorious–absolutely perfect sunny weather.  One of those days in the Northwest that helps us to remember why we endure the long gray months of fall, winter and most of spring (ha).

It was a lovely ceremony and GREAT party!  I love being with all of my siblings–they are all creative, expressive and so dang fun.  It was A LOT of family time time this weekend, but surprisingly drama free! I hope Zach and Desiree are stretched out on a Mexican beach sipping margaritas about now…  Too bad I couldn’t convince them to take me along for Honeymoon photo coverage!  DSC_5999-EditDSC_6005-EditDSC_6026-EditDSC_6042-EditDSC_6049-EditDSC_6051-EditDSC_6095-EditDSC_6111-EditDSC_6127-EditDSC_6162-EditDSC_6164-EditDSC_6186-EditDSC_6190-EditDSC_6212-EditDSC_6223-EditDSC_6277-EditDSC_6284-EditDSC_6294-EditDSC_6305-EditDSC_6311-EditDSC_6316-EditDSC_6346-EditDSC_6368-EditDSC_6378-EditDSC_6390-EditDSC_6391-EditDSC_6395-EditDSC_6396-EditDSC_6398-EditDSC_6451-EditDSC_6457-EditDSC_6496-EditDSC_6502-EditDSC_6777-EditDSC_7019-EditDSC_7160-EditDSC_7333-EditDSC_7345-EditDSC_7350-EditDSC_7626-EditDSC_7631-Edit

Sweet, Young Love, Engagement Portrait Session, Olympia, WA

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I fell immediately in love with Daniel and Brittney when we met last summer. I was so honored when they asked me to photograph their wedding. They are heading into their senior year of college and are the most lovely college sweethearts. I love working with creatives–she’s into visual art, he’s into music, and I’m just in heaven : ) We spent a perfect afternoon playing around downtown Olympia and creating such fun and playful images. Thanks you guys! I can’t wait for August!
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It's Mom's Turn!, Couples Portrait Session, Olympia, WA

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I’ve photographed both of Misty’s kids for their senior portraits over the past few years. I was thrilled when she contacted me to photograph HER and her new beau. Misty is a gorgeous, green eyed lovely who has found someone actually taller than her! haha Spending the afternoon with them was a pure treat–they laughed often and were so clearly into one another, what a lucky pair. Keep laughing you two! DSC_3962-EditDSC_3964-EditDSC_3659-EditDSC_3542-Edit

A Day at the Beach, Family Portrait Session, Burfoot Park, Olympia, WA

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A family photograph–such an important image to document. So why do we put it off? Thankfully, the Swindler family made time together : ) We spent a lovely little hike through the woods to emerge into a bright and busy Puget Sound beach. Now if I can only manage to do the same with my own family… Thanks again for making time with me! I love LOVE the images : ) DSC_2456-EditDSC_2510-EditDSC_2695-EditDSC_2687-EditDSC_2605-Edit

The Smilers, Engagement Session, Olympia (Boston Harbor), WA

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DSC_1129-EditLike Buddy the Elf, I like smiling.  I can safely say, it IS my Favorite.  That, and laughing–I’m pretty good at both of them too.  But meet Dan and Gabi, two people who clearly also like smiling, and laughing, and just being adorably in love.

I first met Dan when he was a wild 18 year old soccer player with the Blackhills Football Club (BHFC).  I remember taking a team photo for them — Dan decided to embellish his look with a piece of wheat grass hanging out of his mouth, it really made the photo… yep, that’s Dan.  He’s still a bit wild. Thankfully, I think he’s met his match–maybe not as wild as him, but she seems like she can most definitely hold her own! Yay!

Gabi and I met at the holiday party for the BHFC coaches (my husband Philip is also a coach with Dan).  Part of the evening festivities was a white elephant gift exchange–always a hilarious and mildly inappropriate game…  Some people brought coffee baskets, some people brought used athletic gear and SOME people brought a fifth of delicious tequila and a darling PHOTO of themselves… guess who brought the gift and guess who fought to win it?!  Yep, Dan and Gabi brought the photo and yours truly, thoroughly enjoyed the tequila.  I have the photo on my desk right now, and every time a look at it, it makes me smile. Smile at two people who are really REALLY good a smiling… I can’t wait for their wedding.  There will be LOADS of smiling then!

It also didn’t hurt that they were leaving in the morning for Mexico.  Yeah, I’d be smiling too…

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Vintage Fields, Beer Sampling and a Yes/No Coin, Engagement Session, Olympia & Southwest, WA

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Meet Heather and Michael.  Not only do they have their wedding to plan for summer of 2012, but they have 20 acres to clear, a bridge to construct, and a house to build. And that’s happening before the wedding…  I don’t doubt for a single second that these two dynamos will pull it all off, with grace.  It doesn’t hurt that Michael is a bridge engineer and has an army of talented people ready to start working. They are going to create a stunning home–I can’t wait to see it.

It was a complete treat to visit their incredible property, envisioning their home, high up on a ridge over looking a valley of trees.  I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to live. Sigh…

We ended the session at the Spar for a mini bevvie sampling.  I pulled out my Yes/No coin–so much easier than actually making my own decisions (hahaha) -the coin and the beer both say Yes to this match : )

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There's just something so magical about a newborn…

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Yesterday the world welcomed Samarra!  Who needs a May Day bouquet when you have chubby cheeks to smell and kiss?  I’ve been friends with Annie for nearly 30 year (that sounds so strange to say!)  She is the sweetest Momma to Saffron and now adorable lil Samarra, lucky  lucky girls!  I dropped by for a quick visit this afternoon and here she was, not even 24 hours old,  bright eyed and so calm…until diaper change time!  This kid just might be a singer! What lungs!  Big sis Saff was enjoying coloring and figuring out who this new person was–Samarra will be well tended to with Saff for a sis.  Congrats you guys!! xoxo CortDSC_8863-EditDSC_8865-EditDSC_8877-Edit