"Shot a day"

Courtney Utley Photography

2010-07-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

New images from courtney*utley*photography

HURRY OFFER ENDS SOON!!!

2010-03-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

Call today for your discount!!!

Must call before the end of March to receive discount!

NEW YEAR SPECIAL!!!

2010-01-12T13:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

My printing company is doing a huge promotion allowing me to pass on the savings!

RECEIVE 30%off ANY ENLARGEMENT NOW THROUGH THE END OF FEBRUARY!!!

RECEIVE A FREE 16X20 PRINT WITH ANY ORDER OVER $150!!!

Let me know if you need your gallery re-posted!

offer valid now through February 28th. Offer includes any enlargement 16x20 or larger. Offer excludes all mounted and gallery wrapped prints. Use promo code: promo30 at the checkout!

www.courtneyutleyphotography.com

old year...fresh start.

2010-01-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

Starting a new year...new goals...and new adventures.

I love how the beginning of each year is kind of a fresh start for everyone. Last years mistakes are forgotten and new goals emerge. There are plenty of "new years resolutions" planned yet rarely carried out. There are millions of diets started and just as many people saying"I'm going to stick to it this year".

But one thing is for sure this year...I am not going to make any new resolution...not going to make a unrealistic "lose weight" plan...Not going to change anything dramatic or get a tattoo. I am simply going to enjoy life.

LAST YEAR...

2009 was a interesting year for many of those closest to me. I have seen births, marriages, and unfortunately deaths. This year has been different than any other in my life. Even 2007 (when I got married) was not as eventful. I have grown up more this year due to the struggles I have had to overcome.

There is still, to this day, a daily reminder of what we have lost. He (Charles) has a harder time than I do...it is still fresh on his mind as if it happened yesterday. It hasn't been a full year since Scott passed. That means there are still firsts...first Christmas without him...first concert since he hasn't been around...first business transaction without his business partner. Every thing that used to include him now has a bitter taste. It will never be the same. This is something that my very productive and handy husband just cant "fix". Please pray for Charles and Scotts family. This reminder isn't going away...and the devastation isn't getting any easier for any of them.

we miss you...

FRESH START...

This is the year for new beginnings. New friends. New adventures. New goals. Old enemies should be forgiven and the past should be left in the past. So I guess that is my so-called resolution. To just enjoy life, forgive but not forget, love like I would want to be loved and live like there is no tomorrow, because you never know when there wont be.

"Everyone deserves to be happy...Everyone."

The puppy found a home!

2009-12-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

Our local Fire department saw the ad I posted about the abused puppy! They decided to adopt him. He went from being an abused, basically homeless puppy...to becoming a big, bad, fire dog! Thank you Lord for answering my prayers... ;)

He has an amazing home now...so I don't worry about him.

The puppy Update!

2009-12-05T11:26:00.001-08:00

My last post was about the puppy that I adopted. Here are some pictures of the healthy pup playing with my dog who is about the same age and LOVES playing!

He has gained about 4 lbs already and is definitely filling out. I have bathed him several times...but it is kind of pointless because they both roll around in the grass all day wrestling! He seems so much happier now though compared to the first day I brought him home.

PS: he is my only outdoor dog, It is so cold and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to keep him warm. Right now he is in an igloo dog house and I have like 7 blankets inside and outside of the dog house. I also have newspaper insulating the walls and a tarp over it to keep heat in. I have been heating up a neck wrap and putting that in there with him and he seems alright. But is there anything else I can do? I feel so bad for leaving him outside, but he isn't potty trained and he has been an outdoor dog for 7 months...so I feel like he is happier outside. I tried to put him inside once and he cried all night until I put him back out! lol

Do I care too much?

2009-11-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

I have no idea why people act the way they do...

I guess I am the exception to the 'rule'. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am an animal LOVER! Especially dogs! This doesn't mean that I want to turn into the "crazy cat lady" or in this case "dog lady". I don't want an un-godly number of animals running through my home. I just want to take care of those that need me....and this one does.

I just adopted a dog that has been abused. He wasn't fed well or taken care of. I brought him home and was brought to tears at the site of this scrawny, little, pathetic sad excuse of a pet. He was trembling at the very thought of me getting near him. I explained in a very soft tone that I wasn't going to hurt him. I fed him slowly and made sure he had water. It didn't take long for him to get sick (he was malnourished and couldn't keep anything down). He finally came to me and allowed me to pet the top of his head. This sort of introduction went on for about an hour as I was cleaning the house.

I then sat in the floor with him and picked him up. He froze. He had never been pet or loved on before! He trembled as I covered him with a blanket and stroked his fur. He is a very pretty dog...once you get past the initial shock of seeing bones though his skin. He allowed me to hold him while I watched a movie...every hour that went by he trusted me a little more.

Today went so much better. He now trusts me and is only skittish when other people are around. He is starting to "play" with the other dogs. He even tugged on a rope with what little strength he does have.

This dog is going to be fine. I have named him "Samson". Because although he is weak now, he will be strong one day. He has survived something that he shouldn't have. Neglect and abuse. He is already starting to gain weight and fill out (and it has only been two days). I can't wait to see what plan God has in store for this little fella!

It breaks my heart to see animals not taken care of. Please tell someone if you know of an abused animal. It is very worth it. These animals can't fight back and don't have a voice.

Hard lesson...

2009-11-16T20:02:00.000-08:00

I am a new photographer...well, I have been taking pictures since I can remember. But this is the first year I have ever pursued it as a career. It has been an amazing learning experience. Starting my business was really challenging. I have made many mistakes in the past year (business wise) but am trying to take every experience and use it as a stepping stone to reach my ultimate goal.

I learned an extremely hard lesson this morning...One that almost put me into cardiac arrest!

I have had a VERY busy month with photo shoots. I work (my other job) 4 days a week and try to do at least 5-6 photo shoots a week. Keeps me very overwhelmed!

My day started off horribly. I usually get up at 3:30AM and meet my trainer at the gym at 4. Well, I woke up to his phone call at 4:05. "great...I hate being late". I rushed to get dressed and jumped in my car. "DING DING" (Low fuel)...augh. After arriving at the gym, I had a mediocre workout due to the fact that I only got 3 hours of sleep. After grabbing breakfast with a couple friends I headed home. "sweet...I have 3 hours to photo edit until I have to leave for my 'real job'". I began uploading my photos to my laptop. "2 minutes remaining"

Almost done. ERROR! Ok, maybe its not a huge deal...(I thought obliviously as my hardrive crashed.)

No way did that just happen. (heart stops for a second)

Oh yes it did! OMG. (heart pounding)

I lost 5 total photoshoots. What am I going to do? (Heart attack in full effect now and tears begin their journey down my cheeks and they wouldn't stop for several hours)

LUCKILY, I am married to the most amazing man in the world. He recovered all of my images by the afternoon.

Thank you Jesus! God had to have a hand in teaching me this very important lesson:

Back up your work often! :)

I have learned many lessons...this one was the hardest!

WEBSITE!!

2009-11-15T12:07:00.001-08:00

Hey Guys!

My website has a new look! Check it out!

You may notice a new tab for "Galleries". I have catagories for Babies, Kids, Seniors, Portraits, Couples, Maternity, Corporate and pets.

Thanks for your continued support and feedback!!! ;)

WEBSITE!

2009-09-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

I have officially began "courtney utley photography".

My website is www.Courtneyutleyphotography.com

Check it out!

Busy bee!

2009-08-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

So since the start of my photography business, I have been overwhelmed
with work. I feel really bad for not posting like I should on here! I
am still taking pictures every day but I just don't have the time to
post often. I will continue posting fun things on here just not every
single day! I am having alot of fun with my photography and hope that
it continues being a hobby turned career and not seem like work.

Relaxing

2009-08-18T23:39:00.001-07:00

223/365

2009-08-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

My gerbers from my wonderful husband...he does listen...once a year. lol

222/365

2009-08-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

Using my new NIKON D90!

221/365

2009-08-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

Allison and I watching the fight.

220/365

2009-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

TGI Fridays in Conway. I am the official photographer.

Check more out on my new website:

www.courtneyutleyphotography.com

219/365

2009-08-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

Our friend was in town! YAY!

218/365

2009-08-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Random...bored.

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2009-08-05T00:07:00.000-07:00

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2009-08-04T00:15:00.000-07:00

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2009-08-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

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2009-08-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Apparently this is how she is comfortable... She sleeps on her back
most of the time... Hilarious!

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2009-08-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

212/365

2009-07-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

Sent to me from my friend in Hawaii!!! Gorgeous!

211/365

2009-07-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

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2009-07-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

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2009-07-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

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2009-07-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

meghan's shoot today...

207/365

2009-07-26T01:16:00.000-07:00

awww! Love friends! ;)

206/365

2009-07-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

Painting my friends house... Augh it's taking forever... Lol tinted
kilz is the best stuff ever!

205/365

2009-07-24T01:14:00.000-07:00

she was so tired after all the pictures were taken... lol

204/365

2009-07-23T01:12:00.000-07:00

georgia is just so cute! I loved taking pictures of her!

203/365

2009-07-22T01:08:00.000-07:00

a shoot I did in conway with baby georgia... not happy to be in the grass!! LOL

202/365

2009-07-21T00:40:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends, Derrick, was an amazing little model! lol

201/365

2009-07-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

One of my amazing friends!

200/365

2009-07-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

Sam was not amused as we were all picking out paint colors for his new house...HE should appreciate my "free" advice! Lol. Derrick and I have it covered! ;)

199/365

2009-07-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

Charles and I, a night out on the town...One of many!

198/365

2009-07-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

Derrick and I at the rooftop party...Enjoying life! ;)

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2009-07-16T17:20:00.001-07:00

196/365

2009-07-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

Downtown...

195/365

2009-07-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

More Of Chelsea's Shoot...

194/365

2009-07-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

This was part of my shoot with Chelsea. I loved this pose!

193/365

2009-07-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

I wanted pictures for our 2nd anniversary...

This is NOT my work! But I had to add it! Teressa Lee did an amazing job with our photoshoot!

192/365

2009-07-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

Wedding reception

191/365

2009-07-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

Misti and I at the rooftop party

190/365

2009-07-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

My co-workers adorable son MJ...wearing my SKY glasses! LOL

189/365

2009-07-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

my friends' chihuahua...sticks out her tongue! SUPER CUTE!

188/365

2009-07-07T21:37:00.001-07:00

My edible arrangement from charles on our 2nd anniversary!

187/365

2009-07-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

MY NEW IPHONE!!!

186/365

2009-07-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

me bored...

185/365

2009-07-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

at the travs game!!!

184/365

2009-07-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

183/365

2009-07-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

SO, my friends and I spent the day at the pool...This is just one of MANY photos taken today! lol. This was the 'safest' to post online...I have crazy friends...:)

182/365

2009-07-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

I loved this flower from the moment I saw it...It had just rained so all of the colors were super saturated. THis is totally unedited! I love it!

181/365

2009-06-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Flowers at sunset...

180/365

2009-06-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Baseball in wynne! Yes, THe background makes it seem like "field of dreams"...lol

179/365

2009-06-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Oh I love Arkansas Sunsets...

178/365

2009-06-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

Old Radio...

177/365

2009-06-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Crazy cat! Dont turn your back...

176/365

2009-06-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

in a row...

175/365

2009-06-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Its on!

174/365

2009-06-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

So...I FINALLY got my diploma! Im so excited! Finally an official college graduate! Go Courtney!

173/365

2009-06-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

Arkansas Capital...Little Rock.

172/365

2009-06-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

Fathers day!!!

171/365

2009-06-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Charles...right after he got off work...

170/365

2009-06-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

Arkansas Travelers game...We lost... :(

169/365

2009-06-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

some things just get you through the day...this is mine.

168/365

2009-06-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

167/365

2009-06-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

166/365

2009-06-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

My baby and I went for a walk today in the 98 degree weather...this was her "I really wanna stay in the airconditioner" look.

165/365

2009-06-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

rained all day...sigh...

164/365

2009-06-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Another "stay in the house all day in my bikini because its raining outside" kinda picture... lol

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2009-06-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

162/365

2009-06-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

161/365

2009-06-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

NEW SHOES! lol

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2009-06-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

just for mom...There ya go...im smiling!!!

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2009-06-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

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2009-06-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

Grandmas Garden!

157/365

2009-06-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

My sweet husband...

156/365

2009-06-05T13:47:00.001-07:00

This little guy was on the road just soaking up the sun! lol...Im suprised he didnt fry as hot as it was today!

155/365

2009-06-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

So, driving to my parents house...i look over and I see this deer...It looks totally fake so I almost didnt stop. Its so real! And he just stood there for like 2 minutes letting me snap shots of him! We were like 20 feet apart but I didnt have my zoom lens with me! :( So I couldnt get a clear shot. Plus it was almost dark...Anyway, Here is a picture of my new buddy!

154/365

2009-06-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

So, I am house sitting for my parents while they are on vacation. (they will probably read this before they get home). Anyway, It was raining outside so I left the dogs inside...no big deal right? WRONG! We just got a new puppy (he is a timber-wolf mix) and he loves chewing things up...go figure.

Well, Apparently he found a text book (sorry mom), picture frames (sorry again) and newspaper! Anyway, I would show you the entire room...but it was pretty bad! lol So here are tad bits of things that were scattered accross the entire living/dining room area!

***THE DAMAGE***

**THE CULPRIT**

153/365

2009-06-02T16:53:00.000-07:00

*from the side mirrors...*

Charles pumping gas after we got back from our vacation! lol...

152/365

2009-06-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Branson...This was taken right off the highway in Marshall. I loved this barn!

151/365

2009-05-31T16:49:00.000-07:00

Outside the Landing...night number two in Branson!

150/365

2009-05-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

A night in Branson MO.

This tavern has an outdoor deck (thus the empty inside chairs) and the weather was perfect for it! I tried to hurry and take the picture...it was a little awkward to pull out my Nikon camera inside and just start taking pictures of the bar! lol. I had a vision for the photo...but it ended up blurry...but I guess everything ends up blurry in a bar anyway! ;)

149/365

2009-05-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Overexposed self-portrait

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2009-05-28T01:44:00.000-07:00

147/365

2009-05-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

So, Arkansas weather is normally very unpredicatable. Today was certainly no exception. It was a crazy sunny morning! I mean, it was like 80 degrees earlier! Then about noon it decided to become cloudy. (only covering half of the sky...i wish I would have had my camera then!) So half of the sky was cloudy, half was blue. Then the thunderstorm came...weird because it was still kind of sunny. So in a matter of 5 minutes, it went from being a perfect summer day to a monsoon of rain and lightning. Anyway, this lasted about ten minutes and then back to normal again. (whatever normal is here in Arkansas)

146/365

2009-05-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

So, today I didnt get a chance to take a picture in the daylight. So I decided to take this nighttime picture of our prowler parked next to our neighbors' vet. Oh, how I want a corvette!

145/365

2009-05-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

On the LONG car ride home...

144/365

2009-05-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

This one didnt make it through the rain...poor little red flower... ;)

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2009-05-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

Not a professional picture...this was taken with my phone...but this is what I did all day! lol. I have pink shoulders to prove it! lol

142/365

2009-05-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

Yet another graduation! Congrats Sarai

141/365

2009-05-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

My sister Graduated! YAY!

Congrats Chelsea!!!

140/365

2009-05-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

at the top of Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock AR.

139/365

2009-05-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

the most relaxing place on my parents' property.

138/365

2009-05-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

So, I graduated last weekend...I thought it was a very appropriate time to take all of my UCA stickers off my car. These are the same stickers that Scott thought were tacky anyway. lol...So in memory of Scott, I guess I will finally take them off...

137/365

2009-05-17T01:35:00.000-07:00

Today we just spent the day together. Charles had some things to do here at the house...so we just enjoyed the weather and stayed outside. Who knew that washing vehicles could be such therapy? Charles and Scott were not only best friends but they were also business partners. They owned a car lot together. Their love of cars goes extremely deep. Sometimes I joke that Charles loves his truck more than he loves me. However, today I was perfectly fine with helping him detail it out. My husband normally talks to Scott about all of his vehicle problems...lately I have been the one he has come to with them...Now, I realize that I will miss Scott more than I thought... ;)

Just kidding baby, I love your car stories...

136/365

2009-05-16T01:29:00.000-07:00

Scott's funeral was today... I know that funerals were designed to give us closure. However, that does not make it any easier to attend them or participate in them. Charles and a group of his closest friends were pall bearers. This was the same group of men who were groomsmen in Scott's wedding three years ago...crazy how much changed in such a short time. Life is way too short. 33 is too young. But the truth is we never know when it is our time. This has definitely made all of us stop amidst our troubled, busy, frantic, and preoccupied lives to think of what is truly important. Work less, love more, and definitely kiss your spouse before going to bed.