Cellar Door Photography

5th grade portrait sessions are BACK and I could not be more excited! As a 5th teacher and a photographer, this is where my two worlds collide and I am here for it!!

I love these mini sessions because it's a 15 minute one on one with just your child! This session will capture your 5th grader in their last few weeks of elementary school before moving on to middle school. The best part is, that the session will be here at Blackwell Elementary - right where it all began!

These would also be great for siblings or as a "bestie" session!

Two date options to choose from: Tuesday, May 7 or Friday, May 10 (BUT - if you are interested in photos and neither of those dates work for you, please reach out to me and I can set something up separately for you!)

All the details are in the link below - Let's capture those smiles and savor those sweet elementary memories before summer starts!

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

https://book.usesession.com/s/QbTBkYoCq

Who even is she posting twice in 4 days? New year new me? Nahhh. Let's be honest. I intend to post more on social media but it's just not always for me. So I'm embracing the art of strategic sharing and sticking with the mantra of less is more.

In the meantime, you can find me savoring allllllll the beautiful images from this sweetest family!

Cellar Door Photography
Courtney LaPonsey

Happy New Year!

I'm so blessed to have the most amazing client families. Thank you so much for all your support during 2023. May 2024 be full of health and happiness for you and your loved ones!

Cellar Door Photography
Courtney LaPonsey

I feel like it's very antithetical of me to be finally posting on the eve of the Winter Solstice... a time of intentional rest, focus, and reset. But I also feel that now I finally get to do those things. It's been an incredibly long and stressful (but good!) season of teaching, grad school, and photography sessions, and I am just now catching my breath.

So here we are! The first post in months! I've had some GORGEOUS sessions this season with the most amazing families... and this black gardenhouse was hard to beat. I'm so happy to share all of these and can't wait to shoot here again next year!

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

***Last minute mini session opening***

I’ve had to reschedule tomorrow’s sofa + logwall mini session to Sunday morning due to weather. If you haven’t had your holiday photos taken yet and you’re free on Sunday morning, let me know and I’ll send you the info!!!

Courtney LaPonsey

These are my people. 🖤

(Full Biesack version in the comments).

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

School starts tomorrow. Yes - tomorrow. Tomorrow I get 23 new babies to love on for the entire year. and I cannot wait. And while this time of year is always so fresh and exciting, it can be a little bittersweet too. As a 5th grade teacher, I get just one quick year with these precious ones and then they leave for middle school. Many come back for visits or send me emails, but it's never the same. Each year little pieces of your heart leave you never to return again.

Time is precious and time is a thief. The old saying is true - "The days are long but the years are short". I can't wrap my head around starting my 14th year of teaching. I've been so incredibly blessed with the most amazing students and families throughout my career.

Sophie for sure is one of them. If you want a "yes man", someone who will readily jump to anything you ask them to do with no questions asked, Sophie is not your gal. If you want someone to blindly follow and parrot back to you, you better look elsewhere because it won’t be Sophie. Now, if you want a leader, you’re in the right spot because Sophie IS your gal. If you want someone to question you and demand to know the WHY, Sophie is your gal. If you want someone to forge a path, someone to speak for those who have no voice, someone to stand up for those who may not be able to stand on their own, to fight for the right and fair thing for EVERYONE ALWAYS, and do so with the fortitude, wit, charisma, and mental sharpness that this one has, Sophie IS most definitely your gal. A friend to all and a stranger to none. While we share many of the same loves and passions, she always kicks it up a notch higher (ahem! Meeting the ENTIRE cast of Ted Lasso in London!). She is the true definition of working hard to obtain a goal because she scrapped and fought for what she wanted this year and, boy, did she did earn it.

Many prayers and well-wishes to everyone starting back to school this year. Whether it's tomorrow or later on in the month, I hope the year is full of love and laughter and memories to last a lifetime. I sure am lucky.

LaPonsey

As promised…. Christmas in July!

BUT - there’s only one mini session that has any availability (good thing it’s gorgeous!). The other sessions booked so quickly! So if you’re still looking you’re still in luck! The Christmas sofa and logwall (pictured below) also comes with fun bonus shots of you and your family throwing “snow” up in the air! There are currently only 2 spots for this open. Click the link for all the details and to book!

https://book.usesession.com/s/ksKRC_9BN

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

Have you heard the news?

If you're a past client, check your email! You get FIRST DIBS on holiday mini sessions for this year! But don't sleep on this - these sessions will be released to the public in 3 days, so snag the one you want while it's still here!

If you're not yet a client of mine and are interested in booking a mini session for this upcoming holiday season, I've got you covered! Our Christmas in July event will be posted here and all remaining mini sessions will be available for you to book starting at 6 pm on July 25 - check back soon!

CAN'T WAIT! xoxo - Courtney
Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

Hi. It's me. I'm the problem. Summer me likes to neglect my social media in exchange for doing all things summer. I'm still here! But being a new homeowner and being a teacher on summer break means that I'm trying to squeeze everything I possibly can into those precious two months that just fly by - and social media just doesn't make the cut.

BUT - big things are coming. If you are a past client of mine, Christmas mini session dates will be released in July and you get to book yours ahead of them being released to the public! So keep any eye out in July for my posts and emails.

Okay that's it. Back to summer. ✌🏻😎
Courtney LaPonsey

LAST DAY BEST DAY!!! Courtney LaPonsey

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there. And to those of you who struggle with this day for any number of reasons, know that I see you and am sending you love.

Courtney LaPonsey

First round of 5th grade portraits was a success! Can't wait for more this week!

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

The lewks that were served in this session! We had fun, that's for sure!

I've known this kid his entire life. And now he's graduating and will be attending college in North Carolina. We're all so proud of you, Brody!

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey Genevieve LaPonsey Olivier

In my Seniors era. ✨

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey Genevieve LaPonsey Olivier

Still a couple spots left for 5th grade personality portraits this Friday! Snag your spot using the link below!

https://book.usesession.com/s/-XUi_XPnt

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

What does Mom really want for Mother's Day? Flowers, candy, and a coupon book are all sweet but.... photos last for a lifetime! Motherhood mini sessions make for the perfect gift! Just mama and her littles (or bigs!) making memories together. Captured forever.

Sunday, April 30 in the evening - 10 edited digital images included.

Click the link for more info and to snag your spot!

https://book.usesession.com/s/TwHYvR1aw

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

Last year in November, my grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. We had the most amazing party in Tennessee with my entire family to celebrate and honor their love.

But months before that, I was visiting with my grandparents at their home in North Carolina. I had my camera with me as usual, but no real plans for anything specific, just hoping to catch some sweet candids. One day, to my surprise, my Nana and I were looking through some old items and we found her wedding dress.

It had been boxed up and preserved for 65 years. It was slightly yellowed and so wrinkly, but I begged her to open it and try it on. She agreed. I begged her to let me take her picture in it. She agreed. Then my Papa came over - but I didn't have to beg him to get into some photos with her, because he was immediately next to her side, in awe of her, repeatedly telling her how beautiful she looked.

My grandparents were married so young. They had an extremely small wedding: just their parents, his sister, her brother, and the priest. They didn't have a photographer. Instead, my great grandfather took the photos on a 35 mm camera, but he didn't know how to work it, so none of the photos came out.

They have one photo from their wedding, which I'll post at the very end. And my Nana did have professional pictures taken, but they were just of her in her dress. Photographs are so important. They capture a moment and they tell a story. They help us hold on to memories and help us remember the way we were.

I love these two so much with my whole heart. This is one of the most special moments in my life. Celebrating and loving them comes easy.

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

8th graders like getting their photos taken too (or do they??)! But this is a great time to document this age before that big leap to high school!

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door

I've been asked if I'm doing 5th grade sessions this year and the answer is ALWAYS YES! These are some of my absolute favorites - not just because they're so much fun, but also because some of these kiddos have absolutely stolen my heart and it just thrills me to be the one to take their pictures!

I have 2 dates set up for now - April 28th and May 4th, both in the evenings. However, if neither of those work for you but you still want photos done, I can definitely add another date!

These mini sessions are just a great opportunity to capture your 5th grader as they are... leaving their elementary school (aka 2nd home) and about to spread their wings in the new world of middle school!

All the booking information can be found on either links below!

April 28 - https://book.usesession.com/s/-XUi_XPnt

May 4 - https://book.usesession.com/s/tmUUMsNuw

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

Karen + Bryan. These two Arizona desert rats wanted a change of scenery for their engagement photos so off to the mountains we went! The added bonus of taking photos at my aunt and uncle's cabins made it all the more special. It was bitterly cold but, at the risk of sounding super cringy, their love kept them warm. You can even see Bryan crying tears of joy in one photo... ya know, instant tears that spring to your eyes when the freezing wind is whipping relentlessly at your face - same thing, right?

I love these two so much. My dear, sweet, crazy, beautiful, SO.MUCH.FUN. compassionate, book loving, life of the freaking party cousin - I am so incredibly happy for you! Wishing nothing but 1,000 years of happiness for you and Bryan and I am counting DOWN the days until we celebrate your marriage in the fall! PUTCHA NAME ON IT!!! xoxo

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

Life is crazy and I'm terrible at posting, but please enjoy these photos of this gorgeous girl who actually just celebrated her 18th birthday yesterday!! Crazy to think this little girl that I knew since she was in elementary school is now a graduating SENIOR this year and plans on going to vet school - what a big heart she has! Congratulations, Bailey! The world is at your fingertips!

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

It's about to be SENIOR SZN! One of the most exciting, confusing, crazy, and bittersweet times in a young person's life.

With so many important decisions to make and paths to chose from, picking your senior photographer shouldn't be stressful. I'm so glad Bailey chose me. I can't wait to share more from her gorgeous golden hour session!

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

Golden hour peeking through 🧡

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey

These two. 🤍 More to come soon…

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

May all your 2023 dreams come true. Thank you for being amazing clients and friends. 💜

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! I hope that everyone had a healthy, fun, and love-filled holiday. Hopefully now the relaxing can start! I'm so bad about posting and sharing all my sessions on social media. I'll probably still be sharing out Christmas photos in February... Maybe I'll be better in 2023, but I think I'd prefer to live in the moment with the people I love most! I'm still here - don't forget me lol

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

I love seeing your Christmas cards!!! 😍

Courtney LaPonsey Cellar Door Photography

Love doing photos for these two cuties every year 😍

Cellar Door Photography Courtney LaPonsey