Welcome to the Courtney Leigh Photography blog. Think of it like CLP's "home base". I will post session highlights, promotions, news, and fun seasonal events. Occasionally, I will also post small glimpses into our crazy family life just to show you that my kids are just as crazy as yours, so no worries. We're going to have a lot of fun here, so bookmark us and stop back by for a spell. Thanks for visiting!

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A few words about me, my style, my life... My name is Courtney Miller and I'm a photographer located in Dallas-Fort Worth. I spend most of my days juggling between my two crazy kids, one incredible husband, one over-grown yellow lab, and persuing this amazing adventure as a photographer. I've been photographing for years, but not until my daughter was born in 2003 did my interest in children's photography ignite.

I am inspired by the stillness of their souls and energy of their hearts. I strive to capture this quality not through static, posed images, but kinetic, spontaneous interactions. My style of photography is known as "lifestyle" because it's about beautifully documenting your child, your family, your life as you know it right now. I think if you stick around here a while, you'll see what I'm talking about. If this looks like something you're about, drop me a line. I can tell you right now, I already love your family!

{studio news} Dallas Fort Worth Child Child Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

This summer is flying by and it’s going to be the Fourth before we know it!  I just wanted to update everyone on the session status as of right now and show off some amazing new products we are going to be offering.

First:  With the exception of newborn sessions, the CLP calendar is full for the summer!  If you are expecting a newborn in the next few months, please contact us as soon as possible to assure availability.

Second:  As crazy as it sounds, we are now booking for September and holiday sessions.  I know it’s hard to even think about holiday pictures with the 100+ weather we’re having, so for inspiration, we are running a Holiday Special through the month of July.  Book a standard session in July for the month of September and receive a complimentary set of holiday cards as our gift. We hope this might put a little spring in your step while you’re relaxing poolside!

Last:  We have been busy busy searching for the best and newest products for our stylish and hip clients.  I’m excited to introduce our newest find…The new ART BOOK.  The ART BOOK is a 9×9 album with the images beautifully printed flush onto the pages.  Each album is custom designed by CLP and is a fantastically modern way to display and preserve your session images.   I snapped a few pics of our studio sample so you can witness its yumminess for yourselves!

Enjoy and stay tuned for more new product pics soon!

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MWAH!

{six months of red-headed sweetness} Dallas Fort Worth Children Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

Ohhh… how I adore watching Baby Plan clients grow!!  Little Miss A is turning into such a biggie girl.  Full of claps and giggles and this girl’s on the move!  We got her to slow down just long enough to capture all her sweetness…and that beautiful head or red hair!  She’s down-right stunning!

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Thanks, guys, for a lovely evening…and being a trooper with the cops…bugs…stickerburs…and busting sandals!  MWAH!

{Happy Dad’s Day!} Dallas Fort Worth Child Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

I hope all the dad’s are having a fantastic dad’s day today!  I’m sure many of you spent your morning like we did…pancake breakfast in jammies, opening cards and climbing on daddy!  Only difference is, when you’re married to a photographer, you have to make your own pancakes because your wife has a camera in her hands!  Jonathan made some darn good pancakes, I must say!  Happy Father’s Day to all you wonderful dads!

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it stinks that this one is so grainy and E is blurry…and it’s really really grainy…did I say that already?!  BUT I love the looks on Jonathan and Jon David’s faces…so in awe of the girly-girl!  And that’s what it’s all about anyway, right?

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There must be something infintely comforting about having your lovey, your thumb and your daddy’s shoulder to rest upon.

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The hand picked father’s day card….

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That this year she proudly signed all by herself!

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And the best part…lots and lots of laughter and love!

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Wishing you and yours losts of laughter and love on this lovely Sunday afternoon.  MWAH!

{sisters} Dallas Fort Worth Lifestyle Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

As all parents know, when it comes to something like a photo session, the ultimate success of the day is really at the hands of the children.  After all, kids can’t fake happy!  So, I always walk into a session with young children with a priority list of shots the client is looking for.  We start from the top and work our way down in case the little ones fizzle out on us early, at least we got the top priority shots taken care of.  However, sometimes babies will decide a session is over before we’re able to get every shot we wanted.   Which was the case at our last “Tea Party” session.

Our main goal was to get a lot of family lifestyle images and we were wildly successful at this endeavor.  But what mom and dad don’t want some individual shots of their sweet darlings?  Well, Miss G and Baby M had other plans for that day, so we scheduled a follow up mini session for yesterday morning and I’m so glad we did.  This time, we were rewarded with beautiful smiles, delighted eyes and precious images!  Don’t you agree?

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Thank you guys for a lovely morning!  I hope you enjoyed your sneak peek!  MWAH!

{tea party} Dallas Fort Worth Lifestyle Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

I had a fantastic time Saturday morning with this precious family of 4…going on 5!  When talking with mom before the session she told me how much her girls love to play tea party.  So we had the brilliant idea to set up a tea party for them outside and just let them do their thing.  And boy did they!  We were treated to all kinds of yummy treats, tea and coffee.  Miss G and Miss M were quite  gracious little hostesses!

While we were at this beautiful location, we made sure to capture some special images of this growing family all together during this precious time in their family’s life.  The anticipation of a new baby is such an exciting, but fleeting time.  Before they know it, they will be a family of five making new memories together as they grow.   I was honored to be able to record this moment in time for this sweet family!

C Family - it was so great to meet you all!  Enjoy your sneak peek - you’ve been so patiently waiting, I know! :)

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Thank you again, C Family!  Enjoy your sneak peek!  MWAH!

{move} Dallas Fort Worth Children Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

I titled this post {move} for dual reasons.  First, this cute family of three is packing their bags and moving down to Austin at the end of the week.  This house they’re leaving behind is their first home as a family; where little Miss K had her first room.  I loved that they asked me to come do my thing and capture their family in their first house before it was time to move on down the road. 

I also chose the title {move} because that is what Little Miss K did best!  We hung out in her beautifully decorated room while she showed me all her favorite books, toys and baby dolls.  She was so funny and was quite the talker, even at 2 1/2!  Afterwards, we had an impromtu tea party, then headed over to a local park for some play time with mommy and daddy.  We ended the evening with bubbles in the sunset on the front porch.  Could you imagine a more idyllic session?!

Here’s a few from the afternoon.  Enjoy!

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Thank you guys for a lovely afternoon.  You have a precious family and I wish you all the best in Austin!  MWAH!

{family of 5} - Dallas Fort Worth Children Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

What happens when a months worth of sessions get rained out?  You pack a months worth of sessions into one week!  I met Saturday with the first of the bunch that have been cheated out of their session by this crazy rain.  And what a fun family they were!

Mom and Dad were so cool and laid back…which I can tell you from experience, makes for cool and laid back kiddos.  And they didn’t let me down!  The older two are very close in age like our Eleanor and Jon David.   It was neat to see how they get along 5 years down the road from us.  They were so fun and sweet and polite.  It gave me such hope!

But, let’s not forget about Baby G, as if she’d let you forget!  Baby G just celebrated her first birthday and it is obvious she’s got the entire clan wrapped around her chubby little fingers!  She was just a doll and and at such a fun age to capture. We did a few of Miss G by herself, and then did a little bit of lifestyle stuff with the whole family.  All in all, it was a fun, beautiful morning!

A Family, you have a wonderful, smart and loving family!   You should be very proud!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

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Thanks again, A Family!  MWAH!

{six} Dallas Fort Worth Children Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

Six.  Six years.  Six years a go today Eleanor was born and I became a mom.  She came into our lives and we have all been changed for the better.  Funny, quirky, smart, beautiful, sweet as can be…and  SIX.  I can’t get over how fast it all goes.

Yesterday morning’s session got rained out (yes, another one!  enough with the rain!) so, after I got everything rescheduled, I decided that since I was all packed and ready anyway, Eleanor and I would have a quick, impromtu birthday session…in the rain.  Yes, I’m insane.

So, Eleanor dons her rain boots, picks out some favorite dresses from my prop stash, her rainbow umbrella and off we go.  (and don’t ask what I was wearing…think me in Disney World poncho and camera in a Target bag.  Klassy.)  we might have looked a bit crazy, but boy did we have fun!  And Eleanor discovered a new love….stomping in mud puddles!

We’re off to enjoy the beautiful day, but what kind of mom would I be if I didn’t do a Birthday post for my baby girl?!  Enjoy!

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Happy Birthday, Eleanor!!  We love you!

{family} Dallas Fort Worth Children’s Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

Last evening I had the pleasure of meeting with the sweetest family.   I just knew over our pre-session consult that I was going to love them, and I was right indeed!  Sweet, funny, loving and patient…all the things that add up to a fantastic session!

Mr. C just celebrated his fifth birthday and with a 4 1/2 and 5 year old at home myself, C was no match for my tv and movie knowledge!  We shared our favorite Phineas and Ferb episodes and discussed the merits of Adam Sandler’s Bedtime Story. Yeah, we were tight!

Then, mom has started an amazing tradition of photographing C in his late grandfather’s shirt every year on his birthday.  Isn’t that such a special and meaningful idea?  I was honored to be able to participate in the family ritual.

Lastly, we headed back over to C’s backyard and he showed off how he can now swing ALL BY HIMSELF!  And boy, can he!

Without further ado…here’s the sneak peek!

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I just love this one…you can see how much he just adores his mommy by the way he’s gazing at her.  So sweet!!!

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Thank you guys again for such a wonderful, fun session!   Take care!  MWAH!!

{minis} Dallas Fort Worth Children Photographer - Courtney Leigh Photography

What a fantastic time I had on Sunday.  Getting to see old clients whos families have grown and meeting precious new families on their first session with CLP.  It was a perfect way to spend a beautiful Sunday morning in Dallas.  And oh, boy did we have some cuties!  We were show stoppers that morning, I tell you!  Here are just a couple of the many, many keepers we managed to snag in such a quick amount of time.  Could they get any more adorable?! 

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Thank you to all the beautiful families for spending your Sunday with CLP.  Have a wonderful week!  Enjoy your sneak peek!  MWAH!