My Blog has moved!

Hey guys, I've decided to move my blog to a new location. It's just a more efficient way of blogging and MUCH more functional and organized. When I registered I left out the "G" in ZoomBug (good going, eh Court?) SO, until I get my new photography website up and running and get a sub-domain mask set up that links directly to my blog please use this link for now! Here it is:
http://www.zoombuphoto.typepad.com

notice the missing "g" haha...gimme a break, it was like 1 am and I couldn't see!! :-) See you guys at the new blog!
~Courtney

Engagement Session

Lots of new pictures!! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I've been super busy, but hopefully this will make up for it!! This is Shawn and Angie :-) It was SO hot yesterday in Tampa, but they photographed so great!! Thanks guys :-) **Click image to enlarge**

~Courtney

Inspiration for me!

Isn't it funny that there are people in your life that spend their time attempting to make you feel small? I feel strongly that this happens to those individuals that are silent when someone says something hurtful, because the person making the hurtful gesture is someone that knows you aren't going to fight back...so it makes it easier on the person doing the hurting. I admit...I'm a quiet person when it comes to scenarios such as this. I'd rather preserve a persons feelings (even if they are breaking down my own) than start an argument and have it end poorly. It's just my nature...a trait I learned from my father...and I guess some would consider that weakness, but I like to think of it as grace. See...I believe that the Lord is listening...watching...observing how we treat others. If you are someone that is constantly judging or making statements that might otherwise make someone feel small or doubtful, then the Lord takes note of that...and I believe with all of my heart that these same ill-feelings will bounce your way without delay. However, if you are the receiver of such ill-intent and you take it with style, a smile and with a little bit of "grace" then the Lord will bless you...he will fill that void with happiness. I guess I've dealt with enough hurt in my life that I can see when it's directed my way...and I choose to "turn the other cheek", because it's what the Lord would ask of me...and isn't that why we're all here? Don't say hurtful things just to make yourself feel bigger or better...instead embrace your friends and who they are and what they are capable of, and turn the tables...make them feel invincible! An old friend sent me this tonight and it's just what I needed...the "center quote" that is...
Center of the Bible...it made my day...it answered a lot for me!
Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? A: Psalms 117
Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible? A: Psalms 119
Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? A: Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188
Q:? What is the center verse in the Bible? A: Psalms 118:8>>>> Q:? Does this verse say something significant about God'sperfect will for our lives? The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word! Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)

Have a great day and be kind to your friends...they are afterall the one's that will keep you when everyone else "turns a cheek" in tougher times.

~Courtney

A picture

Here's a picture I took of Jonny for my Creative Lighting class...we're learning silhouette's...very moody & dramatic! He thinks he has 15 chins in this picture--haha--I think he looks great :-) Jonny Boy...in all his glory :-) haha
~C

VICTORY IS MINE!!!!!!

I did it, I did it!!!!!!!!!!!! I got a photograph of Piper with a full, non-fake, complete eye-contact, belly laughing smile with dimples and all!!!! It's the perfect capture of who she is right now and I just want to burst that I actually DID IT! I uploaded the pictures from the little session I did with her this morning and I almost passed out...I never thought I'd see the day :-) It just made my whole day!! I'm getting that sucker on canvas haha!! Isn't she just beautiful? Ok...mommy goggles, I know!! But still, it's so special to me!! I had to practically tackle her with my camera strap...I kept shaking it at her legs and she started cracking up, so I started snapping away like a maniac and I managed to capture that beautiful little personality for once and for all!! I couldn't decide between the color and black and white, because they were both so sweet! And yes, mom I will get you one enlarged, I can already hear it now! lol I put a few other pictures up from today as well. Enjoy :-)

~C

Pretty Please!

Pretty PLEASE look at the camera :-) She is getting tougher and tougher to photograph!! Aren't they supposed to pose more as they get older? haha...cause man, she gives me a run for my money everyday, refuses to look at me and when she does it's the most ridiculous faces ever haha...here are 3 pictures I managed to "squeeze" out of her today... **note--zero eye contact** and of course I had to include my signature "leg shot" for the day :-) I dunno why, but I just love leg shots...well, little legs anyway :-) So cute!

~C

Pretty Face

I love her little profile :-) I'm a sucker for those pudgy cheeks!

Tu-Tu's for Two

Aren't they the sweetest? Piper and Olivia...chunky legs, dirty feet and pretty tu-tu's :-) A fun-filled morning!

A Serendipitous Smile

A couple of pictures of the little lady from today. That first pic...she looks SO grown up to me! Little stinker was trying to run away from me in this picture and the only reason she was smiling was because she knew I was gonna chase her down and tickle her hehe...she's getting wise to my tactics...time to drag out some new bribing techniques! And yes, the cow's nose has a semi-orange glaze...she was eating Cheeto's earlier and decided to try and feed Mr. Cow. Cow's eat Cheeto's too, right?

"A Wrinkle in Time"

"A Wrinkle in Time"...No, no, I'm not referring to the book. I was fiddling with my camera last night and taking some pictures, attempting to be creative and I took this photograph. Now, I didn't really think I'd be getting anything too exciting or fantastic, because after all it was a picture of myself...and quite frankly I hate being in front of the camera. I upload this picture onto my computer and I said "OH MY GOSH...I have WRINKLES!" haha I'm 28 and I have wrinkles! I was kind of shocked to see myself in this light...because I've watched other people start to age, but of course you think you've got 15 years left until you, yourself, start heading downhill. I started considering using photoshop to heal the wrinkles, etc and then I started laughing. I was laughing because I have a child! Any mommy reading this post will concurr. Having a child does something to your body...to your face! I have wrinkles...yes, yes I do. However, those wrinkles are a tale into my life as a mother. They offer a storyline of the trials and tribulations, as well as the love, the laughter, the tears and the fears of motherhood. I think I started to see my own mother and father in a different light after I really began studying the picture above. My brothers and I weren't the easiest children to be around, who is at that age, but those wrinkles are medals of honor and tokens of being a parent that truly cares about the welfare of their child. I've EARNED those wrinkles...and I kinda love them. I don't think I would have ever said that looking back before I was a mom, but those laugh lines on my face...well, they are from a 3 year old that has my belly aching from laughing so hard. The brow line on my forehead is from the constant worry that not only comes along with being a mother, but the worry that accompanies having a child with a horrible illness. The dark circles under my eyes are a testament to the sleepless nights spent hovering over a sleeping child, watching her every breath and listening for signs of distress. Each wrinkle is my story as a mommy. They are endearing to me now and I truly appreciate that I am so blessed to have them on my face! I guess what I'm saying is this...next time you see a mom with 3 children tugging on her leg in a store, begging for a toy or a snack and trying to juggle a gallon full of milk, a package full of juice boxes and squeezing a bag full of Brussel Sprouts tightly in her arms, look closely at her face and appreciate her...realize those wrinkles aren't just wrinkles...they're who she is...they're what makes her beautiful!

~Courtney :-)