Q&A Archives - Courtney Potter Studio https://courtney-potter.com/category/qa/ Soulful Art for Brave Seekers Sat, 23 Mar 2019 00:54:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Kristen | Hillsborough Boudoir Session | North Carolina Boudoir Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/kristen-hillsborough-boudoir-session-north-carolina-boudoir-photographer/ https://courtney-potter.com/kristen-hillsborough-boudoir-session-north-carolina-boudoir-photographer/#respond Mon, 19 Mar 2018 23:01:11 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=13445 Do you love to play outside? Kristen wanted to connect with nature during with a North Carolina boudoir photographer, so we found the amazing Down Yonder Farm in Hillsborough, NC. And on a pretty spring day back in 2014, we headed to the farm to play outside naked in the fresh grass and flowers. We […]

The post Kristen | Hillsborough Boudoir Session | North Carolina Boudoir Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
Do you love to play outside?

Kristen wanted to connect with nature during with a North Carolina boudoir photographer, so we found the amazing Down Yonder Farm in Hillsborough, NC. And on a pretty spring day back in 2014, we headed to the farm to play outside naked in the fresh grass and flowers.

We had an incredible time on this stunning shoot, which brought so much freedom and joy.

As Kristen and I looked through the photos together to prep for this blog post, we had such a great conversation about body image and body positivity. Both of us have struggled with eating disorders in the past, and it’s especially meaningful for me when I get to work with clients who have also experienced conscious healing from self-destructive patterns. 

Boudoir can be an amazing way to celebrate a special occasion—like your wedding, graduation, or career change. And it can also be an act of liberation, healing, and exploration.  I’ve met women who wanted to undress for the camera to celebrate beating cancer and overcoming depression. 

The truth is, you don’t have to feel super confident or love your body every day in order to explore boudoir.

You may tell yourself the story that you’re not sexy enough, beautiful enough, adventurous enough.

But you are enough. Right here, right now, wherever you are at in your journey.

So I invite you to come and explore what boudoir has for you. I am a North Carolina boudoir photographer who is passionate about the healing power of boudoir.

This April, fellow photographer and soul sister Lis Tyroler and I are hosting a Spring into Boudoir Extravaganza!

Whether you’ve always wanted to try boudoir—or feel super nervous about it—this is the perfect opportunity to dip your toe in the waters! Plus, you’ll get to be a part of supporting women’s health, as a portion of proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthooh.

When & Where

Saturday & Sunday, April 14-15 at the luxurious King’s Daughters Inn in Durham.

Your 3-Hour Boudoir Session Includes

  • Pre-shoot Hair & makeup pampering with our two assistants Crystal + Veronica
  • 1 hour photoshoot in the outfit of your choosing
  • 1 hour of reviewing your photos and picking out your faves, which we’ll order right there so you’ll have them in hands in no time!

How Much?

$350 for the session fee and you must order $150 minimum in products (gorgeous prints, books, etc.). We’ll have beautiful samples for you to look at before your shoot!

Think this could be for you? Have more questions? Message me at studio@courtney-potter.com. I would love to connect with you.

And now, keep on scrolling for a behind the scenes peek into Kristen’s experience, plus some of the gorgeous photos from her boudoir shoot!

1. What led you to do a boudoir session?

I felt more beautiful and confident leading up to our wedding than I had before. I had just dealt with a lot of personal challenges in my life, finished school and landed my dream job. Proud of my body in a way I hadn’t felt before, I started running and weight lifting.  I felt strong and powerful. I wanted a way to remember that period for myself and for my husband with a positive light. The photo shoot was a reward for making it through so much.

2. What makes you feel sexy?

Growing up in Vermont I never felt confident about using makeup or doing my hair until I moved to Vegas in my early 20’s. There I learned so much about how to dress up and make myself over. I had a chance to experiment with what made me feel sexy in a way that you just can’t in the woods of VT. Loud colors, sparkles, and interesting shapes on my body were so fun to play with in Vegas. I love playing dress-up and transforming myself from the low-key girl-next-door to a bombshell.

3. What was your inspiration for this shoot? (i.e. any particular blogs/Tumblr feeds/Pinterest ideas). How did you prepare?

My friend does some modeling so I touched base with her and she helped me look up some poses online and on Pinterest which helped my confidence going into the shoot. I spent time goofing around in the mirror and I indulged in some sophisticated and sexy lingerie while also collecting items that were special like the shirt my husband was wearing when we first met.

4. What was it like shooting with me? Was it different than you expected? How so?

It was SO fun! I really liked that you had taken the time to find such a special location. Not only was it stunning but the owners of the property had had their wedding at the same location that my husband and I were getting married at. I got to meet the couple who owned the farm and chat with them about our weddings which made me feel more at ease.

Initially I expected  to do more indoor photos, but seeing how beautiful the land was I was pumped  to take advantage of the space. It was easy to let go and be silly because I felt so comfortable with you, and the flask of whiskey you encouraged me to bring helped. 🙂 I appreciated the simple guidance and directions for how to pose while encouraging me to just do my thing. I knew I loved your sense of light from seeing your other work so I knew you had a great eye.

5. What do you plan to do with the photos?

I printed some of my favorites and they’re hanging up in our bedroom. I ended up putting together a book and gave it to my husband as a pre-wedding gift. He loves them all (and so do I!).

6. Which photo(s) from this shoot are your favorite? What do you like most about them?

My husband loves the one of me sitting in the flower petals smiling – but I think that’s just because he loves my smile. My favorites are the one of my hair and pearl necklace down my back and one where I’m sitting in front of a barn with my white leather jacket on. I felt the pictures captured both something incredibly sexy and sensual but also something classic. Almost all the photos I would be okay about my friends and family seeing because they were so artistic.

7. Feel free to share anything else about your boudoir session experience – i.e., where your lingerie was from, who did your makeup, where you boots/jacket were from, etc.

Most of my lingerie was from Victoria’s Secret and Agent Provocateur. I did my own hair and makeup.


 

The post Kristen | Hillsborough Boudoir Session | North Carolina Boudoir Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/kristen-hillsborough-boudoir-session-north-carolina-boudoir-photographer/feed/ 0
Unconventional Wedding | Sara + Daniel’s Snipes Farm Retreat Celebration | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/unconventional-wedding-sara-daniel-snipes-farm-retreat/ https://courtney-potter.com/unconventional-wedding-sara-daniel-snipes-farm-retreat/#respond Mon, 19 Feb 2018 13:57:18 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/20155sara-daniel-snipes-farm-retreat-wedding/ Sara + Daniel tied the knot on May 2, 2015 at Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. This creative couple planned an unconventional wedding stripped of imposed wedding traditions–proving that your wedding can be infused with imagination. From a self-officiated ceremony to an anarcho-feminist puppet show, their unconventional wedding reflected this couple’s authenticity. Sara and Daniel wanted […]

The post Unconventional Wedding | Sara + Daniel’s Snipes Farm Retreat Celebration | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
Sara + Daniel tied the knot on May 2, 2015 at Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. This creative couple planned an unconventional wedding stripped of imposed wedding traditionsproving that your wedding can be infused with imagination.

From a self-officiated ceremony to an anarcho-feminist puppet show, their unconventional wedding reflected this couple’s authenticity.

Sara and Daniel wanted their day to be a celebration of a world that is more free, just, joyful, loving, and beautiful. And their wedding certainly did not miss the mark.

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Sara + Daniel’s inspiration for their unconventional wedding celebration.

Are you planning your own unconventional wedding? Come check out the Raleigh LGBTQ Wedding Expo on February 25.

This event is an amazing resource—not only if you’re LGBTQ—but also if you’re a hetero couple looking for LGBTQ-friendly vendors who share your values.

Everyone is welcome at this event—gay, hetero, single, curious—and there’ll be all types of vendors, from photographers like myself, to catering, music, and everything in between. Admission is free, click here for more info and to RSVP. I hope to see you there!

We met at Connecticut College when I was a freshman and Daniel was a sophomore.

We first interacted at a film showing against the war in Iraq that Daniel presented with the campus leftist group he started. I had seen Daniel around campus (who could miss his ridiculous mohawk?), but Daniel apparently got smitten with me after I made “a biting criticism of US foreign policy” (His words, not mine. I think he just thought I was cute).

After a couple of goofy missteps we connected, exchanged mix tapes, and started a fun, passionate relationship. We got a chance to spend a summer together in Mexico during different internships, and we bonded over delicious food and revolutionary politics.

Over the last eleven years we have lived together in Mexico, DC, and North Carolina, and we spent years apart while I worked/studied in Guatemala, Ecuador, and Philadelphia. Neither of us can pinpoint the moment when we realized that we are going to be life partners. In some ways I think we both always knew

2. You incorporated some really unique elements into your unconventional wedding day (Before you, I had never photographed a puppet show at a wedding!) Tell me about some of these personal touches and the inspiration behind it.

It was very important for us that each element of our unconventional wedding day felt authentic to our relationship, heritage, and values. We are two folks that like to question authority and the status quo, so it makes sense that we tried to spin wedding traditions into something that felt representative of us.

We chose to officiate our own wedding because both of us are atheists, but we wanted to make sure that some of our closest friends and family members could contribute to the ceremony.

Our close friends are in a puppet troupe, the Mysterious Rabbit Puppet Army, and they offered to write and perform a puppet show for us our wedding. The puppeteers knew that I am obsessed with my cats, so they made them the narrators of this sweet anarcho-feminist puppet show. It was amazing!

3. What was your favorite part of your unconventional wedding day?

Both of us agreed that our favorite part of the wedding day was dancing the final dance while a huge group of our friends encircled us. Our DJ, Alex DB, played “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which was on the first mixed CD I gave to Daniel. Daniel and I both cried our eyes out while our friends hugged us. It was really moving.

4. What factors other than photos went into your decision on a unconventional wedding photographer? Why did you pick me?

We wanted someone who would seem comfortable with some of our nontraditional choices. You were more than game and were very validating of our choices. You also seemed relaxed and confident.

5. Your photography package included an engagement session. What was it like to work with me during this? Did it make the wedding day easier in terms of nerves about photography or what to expect from our collaboration?

I was really not looking forward to the engagement shoot. I was very nervous because I don’t really enjoy getting my picture taken, but you made me feel at ease. Your directions helped me focus on Daniel and our relationship, rather than whether I looked good enough.

6. What is the first thing you want to do with the images from your unconventional wedding? 

We want to re-experience our unconventional wedding through your amazing photos!

7. What is next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

It’s been almost difficult going back to our normal routine considering we had such a wonderful unconventional wedding day! This fall we’re traveling to Vietnam and Laos. We’re excited to go on an adventure together.

8. Now that you are seasoned wedding planners, what advice do you have for other couples planning an unconventional wedding? 🙂

Be playful! Many traditional wedding elements conflict with our radical feminist sensibilities. We kept the traditions we liked, and we re-imagined or tossed the traditions we did not like.

Sara and Daniel, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day. There are times when photographing events feels like heavy labor, but this felt like child’s play- and I owe that to the environment of playfulness and imagination that you created. It was truly one of the most enjoyable celebrations I have ever witnessed. Thank you!

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Wedding Planner: RedBird Events

Photography Assistant: Katy Folk

Puppet Show: Mysterious Rabbit Puppet Army

Bride’s Dress: BHLDN

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens

Groom’s Clothing: Ted Baker

Florist: Teacup Floral

Ice Cream: The Parlour

Cake: Wants and Kneads

Catering: Kokyu

Invites: Daniel Meltzer, printed by CatPrint

DJ: Alex DB

The post Unconventional Wedding | Sara + Daniel’s Snipes Farm Retreat Celebration | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/unconventional-wedding-sara-daniel-snipes-farm-retreat/feed/ 0
Karah Leibovich | Oakland Watercolor Artist | Brand Photography for Artists and Makers https://courtney-potter.com/karah-leibovich-brand-photography-for-artists/ https://courtney-potter.com/karah-leibovich-brand-photography-for-artists/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2017 11:47:53 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=12671 Karah Leibovich is a fabulous watercolor artist based out of Oakland, CA. She’s a pro at creating whimsical watercolors of botanicals and landscapes, and loves catering to city-dwellers who want to connect with nature in their own homes. For this artist’s Accelerator Brand Photography Package, I wanted to showcase Karah’s adorable home painting space in her […]

The post Karah Leibovich | Oakland Watercolor Artist | Brand Photography for Artists and Makers appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
Karah Leibovich is a fabulous watercolor artist based out of Oakland, CA. She’s a pro at creating whimsical watercolors of botanicals and landscapes, and loves catering to city-dwellers who want to connect with nature in their own homes.

For this artist’s Accelerator Brand Photography Package, I wanted to showcase Karah’s adorable home painting space in her cozy Oakland apartment. She typically paints with natural light pouring in through the open windows, surrounded by succulents and cacti, the chicory smell of fresh-brewed coffee wafting through the room.

So I simply recreated a typical painting day for her brand photography shoot, minimal re-arranging required.

I’ve been friends with Karah since we were 14, and it’s been such a joy to watch her grow as an artist over the years. Even as a freshmen in high school, Karah would create the most beautifully decorated notes for her friends and fold them into intricate, delicate shapes. Each letter she passed me in Western Civ felt like a unique treasure made just for me.

Karah continues to spread her love through her unique vision, making each recipient of her work feel special and joyful. She played a big role in my decision to pursue my passion for painting, and I continue to be inspired by this beautiful artist and friend.

To learn more about Karah’s inspiration, read my brand photography Q&A with this artist below! And be sure to follow her on Instagram.


1. Tell me about you and your beautiful art! What is the inspiration behind your watercolors? What do you hope your customers feel when they display your work in their homes?

There is something very hopeful to me about painting and drawing. I love the way that it can be used in various ways to express the artist’s story or perspective.

In spite of the challenges I have faced as a woman living in a city far from where I grew up, I feel a sense of being at home when I paint which has allowed me to face things I am afraid of and feel safe. I really revere the home because it is an extension of the self.

Another benefit to me is how art connects me to my family. My mother and sisters are interior designers and visual artists, so it’s fun for us to talk about our work and share our visions and insights.

Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to create a safe space on a page. I hope my art can bring light to the spaces that need it and be a point of connection for those who view it.

2. What was your motivation or vision behind your brand photography session? What did you want to communicate with your pictures?

I wanted to create an online space which could be another extension of my own physical home but then felt pulled back to school and have been busy being a student, so haven’t used them in that way yet.

3. What did you feel when you first saw the photos?

I felt a lot of joy when I first saw the photos because they are like a diary of our creative play. I love spending time with Courtney and she put me at such ease, which I think you can see when you look through them. As an artist you can really see the technical skill and craftsmanship, crafts-womanship that Courtney brings; that is why she is the only one I would hire to shoot my wedding (and did back in 2015!)

4. What was it like to work with me in your brand photography session? Feel free to write anything about the preparation process and the shoot itself!

Haha, what is it like? Well, it’s super laid-back, casual, I think there was tea at some point…? Courtney brings so much energy to her work that I felt like I could follow her lead. I think I also made a couple of requests for set-up and was delighted that she let me be a picky artist and agreed to try new things.

5. How have you used the photos I created for you (or how do you plan to use them?) In what ways has your brand photography helped your business (or in what ways do you hope they’ll help your business?)

I’m excited to launch a blog and a business with these photos. Even though I’m in school now and not using them just yet for marketing, they are a good reminder of my hopes.

6. What is next for you as an artist?

I am inspired by so much of the fantastic art I see in the Bay Area. I plan to visit a few local exhibitions such as the upcoming show at The Long Weekend Store and at the SF MOMA and hope to get connected with other artists in my neighborhood as a way to build friendships with other artists.


Are you an artist, musician, or maker looking for photos to show off your unique vision? I’d love to collaborate with you to help you visually communicate your brand! Check out my professional brand photography services for creatives and give me a a shout! Get ready to flaunt your work and elevate your brand!

The post Karah Leibovich | Oakland Watercolor Artist | Brand Photography for Artists and Makers appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/karah-leibovich-brand-photography-for-artists/feed/ 0
Erin Stesch | Raleigh Jewelry Maker | Visual Branding Session https://courtney-potter.com/erin-stesch-raleigh-jewelry-maker-visual-branding-session/ https://courtney-potter.com/erin-stesch-raleigh-jewelry-maker-visual-branding-session/#respond Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:37:48 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=12554 This Accelerator Visual Branding Session with Raleigh artist and maker Erin Stesch was a total blast! Erin’s revamping her website and wanted some seriously gorgeous photos that shows off her unique hand-painted jewelry to prospective clients. After meeting together to clarify her vision and branding goals, we came up with a game-plan and started building our creative […]

The post Erin Stesch | Raleigh Jewelry Maker | Visual Branding Session appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
This Accelerator Visual Branding Session with Raleigh artist and maker Erin Stesch was a total blast! Erin’s revamping her website and wanted some seriously gorgeous photos that shows off her unique hand-painted jewelry to prospective clients.

After meeting together to clarify her vision and branding goals, we came up with a game-plan and started building our creative team for her session. Erin found 2 models and brought along a stylist, and I brought my fab creative assistant Veronica to help the session run smoothly.

We settled on the Haw River Ballroom for our location– between the ample natural light upstairs and the dreamy river nearby we would have a variety of backdrops for the photos. The session lasted several hours and included several outfit + styling + backdrop changes. By the end of the night, we were all happily exhausted and energized from a productive session of creating! Erin answered a few questions about her experience in the Q&A below:

1. Tell me about you and your beautiful art! What is the inspiration behind your jewelry? What do you hope your customers feel when they wear your pieces?

My jewelry is made of hand painted glass. Each glass pendant is painted by me using a variety of techniques: freehand painting, stamping or blowing air. Due to the unique nature of each piece, the painting is one of a kind work of art and cannot be duplicated. I then set the glass inside my handmade wooden necklaces that are designed, cut, and finished in my North Raleigh studio. The inspiration behind my jewelry is my love of color, which is a big focus in my fine art painting. I hope customers feel emboldened by wearing my jewelry; that it raises their confidence level and makes them feel as though the jewelry helps to express who they are on the inside to the outside world.

2. What was your motivation or vision behind this photo shoot? What did you want to communicate with your pictures?

My jewelry is composed of primarily statement pieces that are one of a kind. My vision was to show my potential customers what the jewelry looks like on a woman-what she might wear with it, how it might enhance her outfit, and how a woman might feel in my jewelry. I also wanted to show women who embody my target audience and Amber and Michelle, who graciously agreed to model for the shoot, absolutely do that.

3. What did you feel when you first saw the photos?

I was really excited to see the photos. Courtney has a great eye for composition and lighting, and those talents along with the talents of the models just really came together to create several wonderful shots. 

4. What was it like to work with me? Feel free to write anything about the preparation process and the shoot itself!

Courtney was very professional at the shoot. She knows the photo site well and what times are best for lighting and mood to help capture the shots that she knew I wanted. She told me what to expect as far as when I would receive the photos and organized all the photos into folders for use in different places-website, social media and print. She is very organized, anticipating questions I might have and I felt confident that I had hired the right person throughout the process.

5. How have you used the photos I created for you? In what ways have they helped your business?

Yes, I have used the photos a lot. I use them on social media to promote my brand and my individual listings. I also printed a few pictures to have on the table in my booth set up at craft fairs and even had three favorites printed as banners to hang in my booth. They are a great attention getter and really help show who my “girl” is from far away, enticing customers who might have otherwise walked right past my booth.

6) What’s next for you as an artist and small-business owner?

My goals are to keep making products that I love and committing to shows that I enjoy and have done well at in the area. I really want to focus on doing fewer shows of higher quality this year. I enjoy selling online through my Etsy shop as well and plan to continue growing my online presence.

Wanna learn more about Erin and snag your own statement necklace? Connect with her here:

Are you a creative professional who needs help refining and visually communicating your brand? Learn more about ways we can partner together here.

Creative Assistant: Veronica Arenander

Models: Amber Carroll Santibanez +  Michelle Roman

Location: Haw River Ballroom

The post Erin Stesch | Raleigh Jewelry Maker | Visual Branding Session appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/erin-stesch-raleigh-jewelry-maker-visual-branding-session/feed/ 0
Colleen Thorubrn | Richmond Harpist | RVA Musician Headshots https://courtney-potter.com/colleen-thorubrn-richmond-harpist-rva-portrait-photography/ https://courtney-potter.com/colleen-thorubrn-richmond-harpist-rva-portrait-photography/#respond Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:14:17 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=12539 When my sister, harpist Colleen Thorburn, asked me to help her update her musician headshots, I said an unequivocal yes! I collaborated with her harp-horn duo Apple Orange Pair in 2013 for promo materials for their professional headshots and album release, so I knew first-hand how great it is to work with her. (Check out […]

The post Colleen Thorubrn | Richmond Harpist | RVA Musician Headshots appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
When my sister, harpist Colleen Thorburn, asked me to help her update her musician headshots, I said an unequivocal yes!

I collaborated with her harp-horn duo Apple Orange Pair in 2013 for promo materials for their professional headshots and album release, so I knew first-hand how great it is to work with her. (Check out their marvelous pics here!)

One of my favorite parts of photographing fellow creatives is witnessing their evolution in their chosen field. Colleen has accomplished so much since I last photographed her (like becoming the first harpist to have earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale), and I wanted her to celebrate her achievements and have fun with this shoot.

Colleen is a super-talented, accomplished musician, so I highlight her unique skills by picking a location that wasn’t expected (i.e. a performance stage in a music hall). We spent the bulk of her session on the cobblestone streets in Old Towne Petersburg– a funky, fun little spot outside of Richmond VA where Colleen works.

I love the final product, which show off my sister’s beauty and mastery of her instrument.

What do you think? Want some fresh headshots of your own? I have two headshots photography packages tailored just for creatives– give them a peek and drop me a line!

The post Colleen Thorubrn | Richmond Harpist | RVA Musician Headshots appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/colleen-thorubrn-richmond-harpist-rva-portrait-photography/feed/ 0
Elle | Raleigh Boudoir Session | Raleigh Boudoir Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/elle-raleigh-boudoir-session/ https://courtney-potter.com/elle-raleigh-boudoir-session/#respond Sat, 21 Oct 2017 15:56:51 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=12105 “I think every woman and girl should be encouraged to embrace  and take care of their bodies.” -Elle, 27 Taking advantage of the lull in wedding season this winter, I switched gears and focused on photography that feeds my soul…which apparently involves some nudity and strong empowered women. 🙂 I admire the fact that Elle did […]

The post Elle | Raleigh Boudoir Session | Raleigh Boudoir Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
“I think every woman and girl should be encouraged to embrace  and take care of their bodies.” -Elle, 27

Taking advantage of the lull in wedding season this winter, I switched gears and focused on photography that feeds my soul…which apparently involves some nudity and strong empowered women. 🙂

I admire the fact that Elle did this shoot for herself and not for another person. Read the Q&A with Elle below to learn more about Elle’s take on body positivity and tips on where to buy the best lingerie!

I’ll always love my documentary photography roots, but its refreshing to engage in more conceptual work. I’m planning on boudoir sessions being a big part of my 2018 adventure and am kicking off the season with a special Galentine’s Day Boudoir Extravaganza hosted by myself and fellow photographer and soul sister Lis Tyroler.

Whether you’ve always wanted to try boudoir—or feel super nervous about it—this is the perfect opportunity to dip your toe in the waters!

When & Where

The weekend of April 14-15, 2018 at the luxurious King’s Daughters Inn in Durham.

Your 2-Hour Boudoir Session Includes

  • 1 hour of hair & makeup pampering with our two assistants Crystal + Veronica (we’ll have bubbly for ya!)
  • 1 hour photoshoot in the outfit of your choosing
  • 45 minutes of reviewing your photos and picking out your faves, which we’ll order right there so you’ll have them in time for V-Day/G-day

How Much?

$500 for the session fee and you must order $125 minimum in products (gorgeous prints, books, etc.). We’ll have beautiful samples for you to look at before your shoot!

Think this could be for you? Have more questions? Message me at studio@courtney-potter.com. I would love to connect with you.

1. What led you to do a boudoir session?

I fully believe in body positivity. I think every woman and girl should be encouraged to embrace and take care of their bodies. That’s what the boudoir session does for me. I am able to see myself from another angle other than the mirror. Seeing photos of myself looking sexy and beautiful is a real confidence-booster.

I hope to do more of these sessions! A big thanks to you, Courtney! This was an incredible experience!

2. What makes you feel sexy?

A lot of things! Sleeping naked. Sheer lingerie. Getting compliments on how I look. Nice perfume. High heels. A shade of lipstick to match my mood. Sensual songs. A good work out. Freshly shaved legs.

3. What was your inspiration for this shoot? (i.e. any particular blogs/Tumblr feeds/Pinterest ideas). How did you prepare?

A lot of my inspiration came from AdoreMe lingerie and some lingerie models on Instagram. Also (kind of funny but it helped), I practiced some poses at home with a selfie stick just to get an idea of some positions that looked nice and what positions to avoid.

4. What was it like shooting with me? Was it different than you expected? How so?

I guess shooting with you was about how I expected. I assumed I would be a little nervous at first but as I got more direction and some idea of how the photos were turning out I would adjust, and I did. I quickly became more comfortable with less clothing and with that, I think I felt a little more creative. You were great to work with! Honest about how to turn and how certain positions were working out.

The one thing I did not expect was how physically demanding modeling can be! Each shot was just a couple muscle contractions different than the shot before. I have a new respect for the girls on ANTM.

5. What do you plan to do with the photos?

Honestly, I mostly just plan to keep them for myself. I know a lot of women do these for someone else but I like seeing this side of myself. Of course I have some friends who will be interested in seeing how they turned out and maybe another lucky person or two who can see a preview…

6. Which photo(s) from this shoot are your favorite? What do you like most about them?

Tough question because I have favorites from each location. I think my most favorite are the ones in the red one-piece in the bedroom. I like the softness of the lighting with the sexiness of the sheer teddy – very sensual overall. I also love how my hip tattoo looks in that setting. I love how my tattoo also looks really hardcore and awesome in the shots with the bike.

7. Feel free to share anything else about your boudoir session experience – i.e. where your lingerie was from, who did your makeup, where your boots/jacket were from, etc.

  • Make-up credit goes to Adrienne Duterte an amazing and very talented friend of mine!
  • The black set of lingerie was from AdoreMe. The rest of the lingerie was stuff I have collected in the last couple years.
  • The faux-leather jacket is a Forever21 piece. Great addition to my neutral palette wardrobe! And the body is by me!
  • The result of 27 years of lessons on how to love my body and care for my body properly, and there’s still a lot to learn.

 

The post Elle | Raleigh Boudoir Session | Raleigh Boudoir Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/elle-raleigh-boudoir-session/feed/ 0
Una + Sam | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/una-sam-rigmor-house-wedding/ https://courtney-potter.com/una-sam-rigmor-house-wedding/#respond Thu, 01 Jun 2017 20:25:19 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=12501 Una + Sam tied the knot in Chapel Hill on April 29, 2017  in their colorful, spirited non-traditional Rigmor House wedding. These lovebirds met as high school sophomores (shout-out to Mr. Reed and his outdoor ed class for bringing them together!) Fast-forward several years, when Sam proposed over a game of scrabble. Una said yes, naturally. […]

The post Una + Sam | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
Una + Sam tied the knot in Chapel Hill on April 29, 2017  in their colorful, spirited non-traditional Rigmor House wedding.

These lovebirds met as high school sophomores (shout-out to Mr. Reed and his outdoor ed class for bringing them together!) Fast-forward several years, when Sam proposed over a game of scrabble. Una said yes, naturally.

I loved everything about this Rigmor House wedding- from the lush ferns (grown by Una’s dad for months!) to the fire alarm snafu during dinner, which prompted Una to borrow a firefighter’s helmet for magic-hour portraits while everyone else evacuated the building, laughing and drinking, unfazed by the turn of events.

It doesn’t hurt that Sam has a glorious man-bun, either, or that Una makes the world’s best/scariest faces. All. The. Time.

This spirited couple sat down and talked with me about their Rigmor House wedding in their own words. Read about their experience below, and get ready to laugh! 🙂

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Sam : Una is my perfect other half. She is calm where I am high stress and high stress where I am calm. We balance out each other’s goofiness and seriousness. But most importantly, we compromise frequently and willingly, but we don’t ever let each other stop being our individual selves, and that was reflected beautifully and perfectly in our vows.

Una: Well crap, I don’t know how to compete with what he just said! But I love that Sam expresses his emotions with fullness and integrity and that he is so comfortable in his own skin. I love that he loved planning this wedding as much as I did, and that we did it together.

2. What was most important to you in planning your Rigmor House wedding?

Keeping it low-key, stress free, and enjoying the process of planning! (It only happens once!)

 

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

Una: The morning of the wedding I woke up and went downstairs to eat toast and happened to glance out the window to see my parents digging up ferns in our backyard. TOO FUNNY. Isabelle, a family friend and our wedding planner, had spotted them weeks before and knew she wanted to use them for decoration. My mom made our wedding cake and I cherish that labor of love. She had never made a cake that large, much less a wedding cake, and it was beautiful (and DELICIOUS.)

Another sweetness was during the parent dances, which I expected to be chill dancing until my dad started spinning me around the dance floor. It was such a silly and fun moment.

Sam: I would add that our officiant (who is also a best friend from college) wrote the most simple but touching speech for the ceremony. And, since it was 92 degrees and people were melting in their chairs, it was thankfully short! And also the fire alarm – we can’t forget that! We always joked that as long as no one died at our wedding we would rate it a success, and we saw it as a good omen that the alarms do indeed work! (And no one died, so, success!)

4. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning their wedding?

Forget about the tiny details; if you’re worried someone is going to side-eye your napkins or something, know that they are going to side-eye no matter what. If you’re on a budget, scratch that, because you are on a budget, pick the things that really matter to you and go cheap on the rest. We knew we wanted a live band, so we splurged on them (they. were. AMAZING.) and in exchange, we spent $50 on my dress.

5. What is the first thing you want to do with the images? Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame?

As a wedding gift, a friend of ours who frames art professionally is doing a few chosen photos. We are really looking forward to hanging those. And of course, we are going to make an album to be placed somewhere in our house that is easily reached for a nostalgic perusal.

6. What’s next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

Una: I finish graduate school next May and we delayed our honeymoon until after I finish. Since most of my extended family lives in Ireland, and Sam has never met many of them or traveled to Ireland, we are planning a long-awaited summer trip!

7. Anything else you’d like to add about your Rigmor House wedding or experience working with me?

While I was pretty sure from the photos alone that Courtney would be a perfect fit for us, after we met I was sure of it. She listened to our thoughts and nailed everything we wanted while also capturing wonderful moments we would never have thought to ask for. We spent zero moments worrying about photography once we booked her, and we couldn’t have had a better experience. Our wedding was joyous and loving and so much fun, and our photos reflect that.

Are you a low-key couple looking for a photographer to capture your own silliness and joy on your big day? Check out my 3 wedding photography packages and drop me a line– I’d love to hear from you!

A shout-out to our fab vendors who made this day possible:

Photography Assistant: Katy Hall

Coordinator: Isabelle Congleton

Officiant: Ethan Sagin- Sam’s college friend

Bride’s Dress: Rainbow’s End

Bride’s Shoes: Modcloth

Cake: Ann Walsh, bride’s mother

Florist: Isabelle Congleton; ferns by Larry Sammon, bride’s dad.

Dessert: Chapel Hill Restaurant Group

Catering: Chapel Hill Restaurant Group

Band: The Finns

 

The post Una + Sam | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/una-sam-rigmor-house-wedding/feed/ 0
Lizz + Dave | Urban Engagement Session | Raleigh Engagement Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/lizz-dave-raleigh-engagement-session/ https://courtney-potter.com/lizz-dave-raleigh-engagement-session/#respond Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:39:04 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=10758 Lizz + Dave wanted to showcase their fondness for downtown Raleigh (and their adorable, squirrel-obsessed fur-baby Drogo), so we planned a fun urban Raleigh engagement session. I had so much fun with this playful couple and love how their authentic goofiness shines in many of these pictures. Lizz + Dave answered a few questions about […]

The post Lizz + Dave | Urban Engagement Session | Raleigh Engagement Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>

Lizz + Dave wanted to showcase their fondness for downtown Raleigh (and their adorable, squirrel-obsessed fur-baby Drogo), so we planned a fun urban Raleigh engagement session. I had so much fun with this playful couple and love how their authentic goofiness shines in many of these pictures.

Lizz + Dave answered a few questions about their engagement photo inspiration and favorite moments from the session. I absolutely love their creativity. Read below to feel inspired!

1. Tell me about you! (The floor is yours: How did you meet? What activities do you enjoy doing as a couple? Who is your celebrity couple doppelganger?)

We were introduced by our close friends (who are now also getting married in 2017) at Charlie’s Kitchen in Cambridge, Mass. This was the same place where Dave proposed a few years later. Our favorite thing in the whole world is our dog, Drogo. He’s a squirrel-obsessed giant lap dog and by far the best puppy ever.

2.  Why did you decide to book a Raleigh engagement session? Was there anything in particular you wanted me to photograph (or avoid…)? 

We decided to do an engagement session because we wanted photos of us with our pup Drogo for the save-the-dates, and we wanted some casual fun pictures. We felt that since we have enjoyed our engagement so much we wanted photos that represented the fun we have together.

3.   What was your favorite moment from the engagement session? Favorite photo?

Favorite photo is definitely with our championship wrestling belts. Favorite moment during the shoot was trying to get Drogo to look at anything other than the squirrels he was hunting.

4.  What do you plan to do with your Raleigh engagement photos? (i.e. Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame? Make a collage of your pup?)

Dave made one of the engagement photos into a puzzle through shutterfly as a surprise Christmas gift! It was really a unique way to display one of the amazing photos. He even had “The McRooneys” added to the bottom. It’s so great!

5. Anything else you’d like to add?

We had such a fun time with the engagement session. The photos really show our personalities and we love them! The candid shots make us really excited to see how great our wedding photos will come out!


Lizz + Dave, thanks for being such a rad, goofy couple. Your authenticity is refreshing, and I loved every minute with you (and Drogo!). I’m pumped about photographing your shindig later this year. 🙂

Do you like these unstuffy Raleigh engagement photos? Head on over to my wedding photography page for even more eye candy and delightfully silly moments!

The post Lizz + Dave | Urban Engagement Session | Raleigh Engagement Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/lizz-dave-raleigh-engagement-session/feed/ 0
Allison + Will | Inclusive Wedding at the Haw River Ballroom | North Carolina Wedding Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/allison-will-haw-river-ballroom-wedding/ https://courtney-potter.com/allison-will-haw-river-ballroom-wedding/#respond Tue, 29 Nov 2016 14:51:11 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=10795 Allison + Will tied the knot in a classic ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington on October 15, followed by a fun, vibrant reception at Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw.  This rad couple planned a celebration that commemorated their Alamance County roots as well as their appreciation for diversity and inclusivity. From their selection of local food vendors […]

The post Allison + Will | Inclusive Wedding at the Haw River Ballroom | North Carolina Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
Allison + Will tied the knot in a classic ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington on October 15, followed by a fun, vibrant reception at Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw.  This rad couple planned a celebration that commemorated their Alamance County roots as well as their appreciation for diversity and inclusivity.

From their selection of local food vendors to a feminist DJ, their inclusive wedding reflected their authentic joy for one another and their community.

Read the Q&A with this intentional couple, featured below, to learn more about their wedding inspiration and photography experience!

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Allison: Will’s sense of humor and present-orientedness helped in some stressful times.

Will: I appreciated Allison’s thoughtfulness for other people, attention to detail, organizational skills, and general event-planning mastery.

Our families mean everything to us and they were so, so generous and supportive throughout the process. We tried our best to balance the vision our parents had for the events with our vision—and it seemed to work out pretty well.

2. What was most important to you in planning your inclusive wedding?

Our engagement started with us proposing to each other, and that mutuality and the egalitarian nature of our relationship was reflected in the ceremony and the other traditions we chose to honor, alter, or leave out.

We wanted the ceremony and reception to reflect our values and vision for what we want the world to look like: a just, equitable, welcoming and joyful place where community is strong and everyone can be fully present and fully themselves—with fabulous music, let-loose dancing, and delicious food and drinks of course! We know that having a wedding and a state-recognized marriage is a privilege, and one that couples like us have had longer than others, and it was important for us to acknowledge that, even if in a small way with some text on the bulletin. The ceremony used gender-neutral language, and we didn’t gender our wedding party or their clothes—Will had a posse, I had a posse, and they wore clothes from the same color palette. We spent a lot of time picking out the readings and music for the ceremony and determining how our friends and family would be involved in ways they’d enjoy. We both grew up in the Presbyterian church and it was important in shaping our values and sense of community, so it was special to have the ceremony in the church in which Allison was raised. We’re also both from NC. The Haw River Ballroom reflected both different parts of North Carolina we identify with—the textile mill, the river, the country roads, and the music, arts, microbrew, and proximity to Chapel Hill where we met.

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

  • The passing of the peace (an element we added to the ceremony)
  • Will’s incredibly talented cousin Joseph singing Be Thou My Vision
  • Driving together from the church to the reception, just the two of us
  • A father-daughter dance that included spontaneous clogging, a sweet mother-son dance, a mother-daughter dance to the Gilmore Girls theme song, and a dance solo by Will’s dad
  • When Will’s family and friends took the life-sized cutout of our dog Wally to the dance floor. Wally danced half the night!
  • So many moments with family and friends, many of whom travelled far to celebrate with us, and many of whom contributed in such loving ways

4. Your photography package included a bridal session. What was it like to work with me before the wedding? Do you have a favorite photo or moment from your session?

At first I felt awkward and nervous to be in this special outfit (still having conflicting feelings about wearing a wedding dress!) with attention focused on me, but Courtney was easy to be with and I trusted her direction and vision. Soon we were laughing and cracking jokes. It was really special for both my parents to be there during the session (and I was really doing it for them). My dad put some music on and seeing their smiling faces made me smile. Also, I snuck in a prop—The Essential Feminist Reader. I had to insert at least a little sass and a nod to feminism and the complex tradition of marriage. One of my favorite moments was looking down at my book and reading about Pauli Murray while Courtney was snapping photos. It was poignant in that moment to have the company of a person who courageously laid claim to so many facets of their identity and way of being in the world. My other favorite moment was my parents photo-bombing the final portrait shots. I’ll probably frame that photo.

5. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning an inclusivewedding?

Trust your instincts, make lists, and recognize the point when it’s time to say “eff that ess” to anything that is negative, overwhelming, or otherwise unneeded. Schedule some time around the wedding to be with friends and hang out. Those are some treasured hours! Also, it’s just one day. It’s an amazing day of solemn vows and celebration and togetherness, but it’s just one. Every day that you share with your partner is a day that you are making promises and building a life together. Honor that, and enjoy it. That’s what it’s all about.

Allison + Will, thank you for being such thoughtful, inspirational clients! I admired how intentional you were in celebrating your values on your inclusive wedding day, and how you welcomed friends and family from all walks of life. Your love for your community was made manifest in every part of your celebration, and I’m so thrilled to have documented that for you. Thank you for inviting me to be your photographer and share in your joy.

Are you planning a inclusive wedding and looking for an experienced North Carolina wedding photographer who supports your values?

I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Check out my 3 wedding packages and drop me a line to set up your free wedding consultation.

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

The post Allison + Will | Inclusive Wedding at the Haw River Ballroom | North Carolina Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/allison-will-haw-river-ballroom-wedding/feed/ 0
Dana + Ben | DIY Duke Gardens Wedding | Durham Wedding Photographer https://courtney-potter.com/dana-ben-duke-gardens-wedding/ https://courtney-potter.com/dana-ben-duke-gardens-wedding/#respond Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:50:42 +0000 http://courtney-potter.com/?p=10990 Dana + Ben tied the knot in a beautiful DIY outdoor ceremony at Duke Gardens on September 24, 2016. I photographed Dana’s sister’s wedding in 2014, and it was a special treat to document another family celebration just two years later. I loved the laid-back but romantic feel of Dana + Ben’s Duke Gardens wedding and am […]

The post Dana + Ben | DIY Duke Gardens Wedding | Durham Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>

Dana + Ben tied the knot in a beautiful DIY outdoor ceremony at Duke Gardens on September 24, 2016.

I photographed Dana’s sister’s wedding in 2014, and it was a special treat to document another family celebration just two years later. I loved the laid-back but romantic feel of Dana + Ben’s Duke Gardens wedding and am excited to share these photos!

Read the Q&A with this laid-back couple, featured below, to learn more about their Duke Gardens wedding inspiration and photography experience!

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Dana: Ben is kind, calm, and very organized. He’s good at remembering the things that might slip through the cracks- like getting a marriage license. I always feel like he’s on my team. He was holding my hand, dancing, and just with me all night.

Ben: Dana makes everyone feel very comfortable, and as a result our wedding was relaxed and friendly.

2. What was most important to you in planning your wedding?

It was important to us that everyone was going to have fun! And also that the wedding reflected us. Our ceremony felt very “ours”- like hugging our parents instead of being given away, and having our friend Virginia as the officiant.

Even though we kept our family in mind, we felt like it fit us. We tried to do some DIY things to keep costs down. We bought these rubber stamps and ink to decorate our invitations, and we used them again for the programs.

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

Dana: Seeing Ben’s face as I walked down the aisle is something I won’t forget. Seeing so many loved ones. Getting ready with my sister and girlfriends.

Both: The toasts were truly special- heartfelt and touching.

4. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning their wedding?

Wedding planning takes a lot of time, especially the small things. Start early, and leave yourself enough time, and try to divide and conquer a bit. It’s so helpful when something is handled by one member of the couple and you know your own task.

Remember to soak up the day. It goes by so fast. Savor being with your partner on the special day.

5. What drew you to my photography style? Why did you ultimately decide to hire me? Was it worth it? 🙂

We loved your photography from my sister’s wedding, which was probably the best way to vet you too! You are so comfortable to work with. You are friendly and calm but are not afraid to tell people what you need. The composition in photographs is very nice, and it’s clear that you’re thinking about the whole frame.

6. What is the first thing you want to do with the images? Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame?

I’m just looking at these over and over again, re-living the wedding. Social media posts to come, and we’ll certainly pick out a few to frame, and potentially an album. We also gave a few of the group shots to our friends and family as gifts.

7. What’s next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

We have a trip planned just the two of us- without the dog- to New Orleans. Just a short trip but it feels like honeymoon round two. We’re loving living together after being long distance. Life is so much better.


Are you planning a laid-back outdoor wedding and looking for an experienced North Carolina wedding photographer who supports your unique vision?

Or maybe you’re renovating your home for your backyard wedding and have no idea where to put all the guests? I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Check out my 3 wedding packages and schedule a 30-minute phone discovery session with me by August 15 and receive 10% off your photography package.


The post Dana + Ben | DIY Duke Gardens Wedding | Durham Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

]]>
https://courtney-potter.com/dana-ben-duke-gardens-wedding/feed/ 0