COPYRIGHTCMP-4956IG Thanks so much for stopping by Courtney Michelle Photography! I'm incredibly excited to start this new chapter of my life, in Chicago. Follow along while I explore this new city of mine, drink lots of coffee, discover delicious eats, embark upon a new business adventure and update client galleries.

New year = new adventure for Courtney Michelle Photography. My portrait business has been based out of Madison, WI for the past 6 years but I've decided to give it a whirl in Chicago. After being in WI my entire life, I was feeling kind of lost and personally stuck, and needed a change to regroup and find out where I wanted to be. After a wonderful summer filled with lots of girl time, family time, Taylor Swift concerting, reading, photo shoots and traveling to many amazing cities, I landed in Chicago after being hired by TK Photography as a newborn specialist photographer. I get to photograph newborns, little kids, and families here and I'm having a blast meeting so many new people. TK has welcomed me with open arms and they're my "Chicago family." I've loved Chicago since I was younger and fell instantly in love with the vibrancy, the vastness, the art, the architecture, the busy-ness, the food, (Chicago deep dish pizza? yes, please!) the cute coffee shops and all there is to do here.

What does this mean for CMP? Well, I'm still me but now I'm in two places! I still get back to WI frequently for lots of family time, and my dog is still there! My sister just had her third baby and I need snuggles from my adorable nieces. And my youngest sister is expecting her first baby in June so I plan to be around for MORE baby snuggles! So, I'm still doing photo shoots in WI, don't you worry! As for Chicago shooting, I'm doing newborns & children for the studio so my primary CMP focus is heading more toward the direction of high school seniors, engagements, pets, boudoir and even FOOD photography!

You can even look for an Etsy shop from me in the near future. I'm working on opening up a print shop to sell my travel, nature & food photos, as well as a line of photographic greeting cards. 2016 is shaping up to be my favorite year yet!

Thank you to all of my WI clients for getting me where I am today, and to my future clients: I can't wait to meet you!

I must give a shout-out to my dear friend Jamie Strehlow, of Jamie Strehlow Photography, for the great photo above.