Meet Courtney of Courtney Vickers Photography {Exclusive Interview}

Swoon! The first time I discovered Courtney Vickers Photography via Kori of Paper & Pigtails, I instantly fell in love with her work.  

Courtney is an incredibly talented photographer, highly skilled and has a deep passion for her work. She knows how to capture the essence of a child, and it brings me great joy to share her wonderful interview with you!

{Question}Tell us a bit about Courtney Vickers Photography--what inspired you to start your business?


I've been a natural light, on location photographer in the Tampa area for 5 years. I started child and family photography after a horrible experience at a mall chain photography studio. I left feeling so disappointed in the pictures. They had captured what my son looked like, but not who he really was.

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Plus, several of the images were out of focus and with a background in arts and photography it really upset me. I remember thinking "I could have done better than this with my own supplies in my living room." It was then that I realized that there was a market for a higher end experience.

I currently shoot mostly in Florida, but I am happy to have been able to travel a bit as well, and am always open to sessions in new places.

{Question} We would love to hear a bit about your background, and how you got interested in photography in the first place.


 I took several classes in photography in high school and college. I liked it and it was great for learning the basics, but I never felt very inspired shooting inanimate objects and nature and I kind of only did it as a hobby. It did arm me with the knowledge about how to use my camera, though, so when I started with children that was a learning curve I had mostly down. Of course, there's still a lot to learn when you're talking about a toddler who's hell bent on getting away from you as fast as possible, and anxious first time mom and a skeptical dad thrown into the mix. It's been a joyous growing experience and I am so blessed to have come to have this rewarding career.

{Question} Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am first and foremost so so so happily married and completely in awe of my 2 superhero little boys. Grady is 5 and he's such a smart cookie. He's constantly challenging me to be a better person and a phenomenal parent. He's the reason I do what I do, because without that first experience with him I may not have fallen into this.

Finn is 2 and he's my laid back guy. I need to just get him a shirt that says 'hakuna matata' because it totally sums him up. I can already tell he's going to be the class clown, and while Grady will probably be on the safety patrol, Finn's the one he's going to have to watch out for!

Other than that I'm really sort of boring. I love to read and spend time with my family. I'm a total gleek, which I think stems from my history of musical theatre and dance growing up. I am super artistic but not at all crafty. People always comment that I must have great scrapbooks for my kids. Yeah, not so much! I am always in awe of the wonderful children's parties I see because I don't think I could ever dream up something so awesome.

I also just got to recently work with the Radio host Delilah this week, which was exciting for me. She's a bit of a guilty pleasure!

{Question} What do you love most about your career?


There's so many things I love. The fact that a new, nervous mama will so willingly hand over her precious week old bundle to me, and that I often get to spend my work week surrounded by that new baby smell. Gummy grins. Missing teeth. Bashful glances. Kids who keep me on my toes. Hugs at the end of my workday.Watching my clients go from that tiny little fresh baked loaf to a smiling, drooling, starry eyed little 9 month old with oodles of personality; and then seeing them grow until they are walking, running, and going off to school. It truly reminds me every day how quickly time flies and I am seriously so happy my clients entrust me with capturing the moments like these.

{Question} What are your plans for CVP in 2011, and what steps are you taking to achieve these goals?


 I am launching a new pricing model. The economy has hit a lot of people pretty hard and I am realistic in the fact that custom portraiture is a luxury. I am happy to now be offering more of a bottom line price structure, without compromising my down home customer service or touching images. This will also allow my clients to take home every digital file, so they don't have to let any go. I'm also really hoping to do a little traveling in 2011 and start offering mini sessions around the country.

Many, many thanks to Courtney for this candid, genuine and insightful interview (and stunning photos!)

You can find Courtney on her website here, blog here, or facebook here!