Courtney May

Photography

Charleston South Carolina| Documentary Travel Photographer

Y’all! (I feel like I can say that now) Get yourselves to the South. Spring has fully bloomed and it feels like absolute paradise compared to this frozen tundra we call Michigan.

Last week we took our girls on a road trip for their first Spring Break vacation. We drove 14 hours through the night to reach our first destination, Isle of Palms, SC. We had a rental house right on the ocean. It made the long drive completely worth it. The girls took their first swim in the Atlantic, saw a few Jelly Fish and even found a live Sand Dollar. If you ask them what their favorite part was though, they would tell you the giant screened in porch that ran the length of the cottage. It had a hammock big enough to fit our whole family. At night we would lie in it together and reminisce about our day.  The sound of the ocean and the breeze coming off the water was heaven. If you get a chance to visit I highly recommend http://acmelowcountrykitchen.com It had the best seafood I’ve ever had.

As sad as we were to leave our little cottage I was most excited for the next part. Charleston, Sc!! We lived in North Carolina for years but we never made the short drive down. We got into town early in the morning and had breakfast at https://calliesbiscuits.com OMG best biscuits ever. Even Taylor and Kinsley had seconds. After that, we explored the Market and Art Galleries. We went to the Waterfront Park and let the girls play in the fountains. They were soaked so we walked the pier while they dried off, there we saw Dolphins and shorebirds and spent a lot of time just taking in the view. It was the best. Even better was the carriage tour of the historic district. I’m pretty sure I’m southern at heart and was swooning over all the history and architecture. I can’t wait to go back!

The last leg of our journey was Myrtle Beach. We met my cousin Danielle and her family from South Carolina there and got to catch up while the kids played in the pools and made sand castles on the beach. I did a family session for them and those photos will be coming soon! It was the most relaxing couple days. If you are going for a visit we highly recommend http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/south-carolina/hilton-myrtle-beach-resort-MYRBHHH/index.html

Port Huron Michigan Lifestlye Newborn Photographer | Claire Marian

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage-and I got to document it all!!! Jon and Kelly have been together for 13 years, high school sweethearts with the happiest of stories. They were married almost 3 years ago and now are blessed with a gorgeous 3-week old daughter.

Meet Claire Marian! She was born March 7th at 12:13pm. She weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 20.5 inches long at birth. She is the prettiest little thing and I couldn’t be happier for the proud parents. Kelly and I talked about how easy it is to become obsessed with just staring in awe at her sweet face. You feel all the emotions in the world and yet there are no words big enough to describe the depth of love after meeting your new little one for the first time. Watching Kelly and Jon’s relationship story progress from two kids young in love to mom and dad has been such an honor. I’m positive this will be their best chapter yet.

If you are looking for a lifestlye newborn photographer I would love to talk more. I travel within St. Clair & Macomb county and am always open to traveling farther!

Port Huron Michigan Documentary Photographer | Adventure Sessions

March is reading month at school and every Wednesday is a technology blackout day. That means no tv, no ipads, no technology of any kind. It has become my favorite day of the week. Seriously

My girls are 6 years old now & pretty self-sufficient. They would be perfectly happy to just be outside, color some new pictures, or play with any of their (18) baby dolls. Instead, we have been coming up with new ideas together for ways to spend our afternoons. It has been so refreshing! Even though it’s the last Wednesday of the month I’m excited to continue our no technology tradition.

Today we went hiking at Woodsong County Park, I wanted to see how things were looking since the new kayak launch is being installed. I love shooting sessions here and wanted to make sure the trails weren’t too torn up after the construction, all while adventuring with my babes. I got to scout the area while just quietly observing my girls, letting them explore whatever captured their attention. I love seeing how brave they are becoming and the dynamics of their twin relationship as they climb and race from one trail to the next. It gives me an opportunity to look deeper into my surroundings and take notice of the little things. Like the concentration on a furrowed brow or the way their blonde hair flies in the wind.

This casual, carefree documentary style approach is a session idea I want to offer you. Adventure Sessions. You pick the location, make it meaningful to you and I’ll follow along with my camera. No perfectly coordinating outfits, no looking and cheesing for the camera. Just enjoying each others company and appreciating the unique personalities of your growing children. Time is flying by, let’s document it so you can remember it forever.

Port Huron Photographer | 2018 Shoot & Share Photo Contest

 

This was the first year that I entered the Shoot & Share contest. A totally free and fair photo contest that is open to everyone in the world.  I went all in meaning I submitted 50 images which is the max amount. There were almost 500,000 images being judged and 30 of my photos placed in top categories! 4 of my images placed in the top 3% becoming a finalist contender. That is such a huge deal to me, I can’t even describe the joy it brings me. It was SO hard choosing the images. I tried to pick from my most recent photo sessions and of course, I entered a ton of my girls. As I’ve mentioned before. They are the reason I am in this business. I started out just trying to take better pictures of them and then fell so in love with the process and knew I had to do it for others. This was such a wonderful experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am already planning on entering next year. My 2019 goal is to have a photo place in the top 100. This contest has given me such motivation to better myself and I am so inspired by all the talent. 2018 is going to be a great year for my clients. I’ve invested in education and learned new techniques. I can’t wait to share it with all of you. 

Here are my finalist images;

 

 

 

These were my top 10% winning images;

These images won top 20%;

And here are my photos placing in the top 30% 

Clyde Michigan Milestone Photographer | Lincoln

Lincoln turned ONE in February! He came to visit me in the studio located in Port Huron, Mi. It was a gorgeous day for February but a little too windy otherwise we would have mixed the studio shots with some outdoor photos. After receiving his gallery, Andrea his mama told me how sad she was that we didn’t get any photos outdoors. I love to make sure my clients have a great experience and absolutely want you to walk away 100% satisfied.  I offered a mini session at the farm & I am so happy we did! The sun was shining and you could feel spring was trying to push through winters grip. It was great seeing him again and we got a bundle of new photos for the Hindman family to choose now 🙂

Are you looking for a Clyde, Michigan photographer to celebrate your baby’s next milestone? I have packages for small monthly milestones at 3, 6, 9 months or large ones like turning one year old. I love suggesting new ideas as well, like documenting your babies first taste of solid food, kitchen sink bath, or maybe visiting the beach- dipping their toes in the water for the first time. I love every single milestone and want to capture them ALL! Use the contact form and send me a message with your ideas. I would love to chat more!

 

Macomb Michigan Newborn Photography | Colton John

I got to spend my Tuesday afternoon meeting the newest addition to the Tauck family of Clinton Township. Colton John was born March 6th. He is the sweetest, sleepiest little man I’ve met in awhile! He was 6 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long. Shannon and Dave are doing an amazing job with being new parents. They were just so full of love and adoration for their new little guy. I couldn’t help to get caught up in their joy. I don’t know how many times I exclaimed: “He is just so cute!” probably too many, but I couldn’t help myself. Congratulations Shannon and Dave, I am so happy for this new little blessing. Enjoy all there is to come!

If you are looking for a Macomb County newborn photographer I would love to tell you more about my in-home newborn sessions!

Smiths Creek Michigan Farm Photography| Where I come from| Hyde Farm

Since it’s National Ag Week I thought it would be fun to share my story. I grew up on a farm in the little town of Smiths Creek, Michigan. It’s where I learned the value of a hard days work, dedication to seeing my projects through, and the satisfaction of getting out what you put into your labor. I may be biased but I had the best childhood ever! My dad brought home surprise animals like most fathers bring home candy. I never knew if he would have baby chicks or goats, a couple times it was bunnies, and one time he even brought us baby raccoons that we nursed back to health before setting them free. My sisters and I had room to roam and could often be found in the woods building forts or dressing up baby calves for make-believe shows. Now, as a mother myself, I am so thrilled to see my girls settling into this country life. They are horse crazy, love dirt and have no fear of heights while climbing trees or bales of hay. I look at them with my mom and dad on the farm that I grew up on- that my father grew up on and know that we will do whatever it takes to make sure it continues on for the next generation. I see no question that we have more than a few future farmers in my nieces and nephews.

Our family grows hay on just over 300 acres & raises cattle. You may have noticed but my dad is one of my all-time favorite subjects.  He’s often covered in grease, hay and always in a hat but on most days he is also always smiling & laughing. He pretends he hates his photo taken but I’m pretty sure he secretly loves it. There have even been a few times people have recognized him in public from my photography which just boggles his mind. He along with my sister Megan & her husband Mark is in the early stages of a cow-calf operation focusing on raising grass-fed beef. We are all so excited because it will be their first calving season with more than 20 heifers bred and due this spring. Through the long Michigan winters, we feed hay to sustain the cows until the warmer weather turns the pastures back to green. The hay we grow is a high-quality blend that my dad has been perfecting for years. He loves to talk grass seed. His favorites are timothy, alfalfa, and orchard grass. Remember that hard work I mentioned? Nothing tests a character like being stuck in a dusty hayloft when its 90 degrees (plus humidity) and putting up endless amounts of hay. My dad is famous for saying “Just a hundred more”

 I asked my dad why he likes farming and he said,” I always think I might get rich” and then laughed a huge belly laugh because everyone knows that’s not usually the case. What he really likes about farming is just working with his hands and seeing a project through. But more than that it’s about working with and for our family.  My husband and I just bought our own 10 acres. It may be small but it’s a start. I’ve aspired to have my own farm for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait to get chickens and bring home random animals for my girls just like my dad did. We are breaking ground this May to build and my sisters laugh because I planned the placement of the barn, pasture, and orchard before even finalizing the blueprints for our house. That will be another story altogether that I can’t wait to share with you. Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into my home life & the importance of Agriculture to my family. If you are looking for a Michigan photographer to document your family farm I would love to connect and talk more.