That time of year is almost here again. Where you listen to the waves crashing, feel the wind and sun on your skin, the smell of salty air, and tasting the ocean on your lips. Every summer is different here in the OBX; and each summer is full of families and new adventures. Planning your trip is just the start. What better way to remember your spectacular vacation at beaches like Nags Head, Corolla, and Kill Devil Hills than with your very own OBX family portraits. So this summer let Courtney Hathaway Photography capture the memories from your Outer Banks vacation.
Archive: ‘Lifestyle’
Family Portraits {Outer Banks Beach Portrait Photographer}
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
Skydive OBX l Outer Banks Photographer l OBX Photographer
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011It’s not often I blog about myself on here, but today I just couldn’t help it!
This morning I did something I’ve been wanting to do for years….I celebrated my birthday with a skydiving jump! The jump was a super awesome gift from my parents, and a fabulous way to start my birthday off. Most people think, “what…your PARENTS bought you a skydiving jump?”. Well, I come from an aviation family of pilots so nothing is too crazy in our family. 
I headed over to the airpot in Manteo to meet up with the great folks over at Skydive OBX for a little morning fun. After signing my life away and watching a video, it was time to get suited up. We were heading out to the plane just as my crazy group of spectators showed up to watch the fun. We headed up to 9000 feet and got ready to jump!
I was not nervous in the least the couple of days and even the flight leading up to the jump. As soon as they rolled the door up I remember thinking I was nuts! My instructor had me put my feet outside the plane but the wind was SO strong I couldn’t really get them on the platform I was supposed to be standing on. I didn’t really have time to hesitate because out we went! OMG….it was amazing. I couldn’t breath during the free fall, nor could I stop screaming and smiling. We grabbed hands with another skydiver for some spinning before pulling the cord and coasting down. What an amazing experience! It was absolutely awesome, and I can’t wait to do it again. Now it’s back to work, but this morning’s adventure was totally worth it. If you’ve thought about skydiving…..DO IT….and make sure to give the awesome people over at Skydive OBX a call to set up a jump!
I handed the camera to my brother, who grabbed some photos as we were heading out and coming in – can’t miss me….I’m the one in pink!
I also purchased the photo/video package, and here are a few from them:
Ball Time l Outer Banks Lifestyle & Child Photographer
Monday, May 23rd, 2011My not so little anymore little sister is playing her first year of softball. It’s a Babe Ruth summer league and I couldn’t be more excited! I never thought I’d be one of those adults at the ball field. You know, the obnoxious ones you see scream, hoot, and yell for their team? I’m eating my words. I’m the first one to jump up and down when they hit the ball or scream when they make a run. Let me just tell you, for a group of middle school age girls, they can really play hard. I was astonished at my first game when they were stealing bases and sliding into home. They don’t mess around!
The common misconception with professional photographers is that we photograph everything. So not true. Everyone seems to have an area they specialize in, and for me, I’ve never been into sports photography – until now. I’m surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed photographing the games…and if I’m being honest…it keeps me quiet..haha. Concentrating on getting the shot means I scream less, which probably makes the coach (and my sister, who will one day die from embarrassment) happy.
Summertime l OBX Photographer ~ Outer Banks Portraits
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011Summertime….it felt like it was never going to get here. We battled the craziest winter ever, with multiple snowfalls and cold wind. We were teased with a few warm days, and whole lot of pollen. Finally the warm weather is here, and looks like it’s here to stay!
A couple of weeks ago I headed out to the ball field to watch some of my favorite kids play tee-ball. If you’ve never watched a tee-ball game, you’ve not fully lived. When my friends invited me to come watch the kids play, I knew it would be an event for the camera – and let me tell you – it did NOT disappoint. Hand’s down, the funniest thing I’ve seen in a loooong time. Tee-ball is made up mostly of 4-5 year olds, and they give them a couple of tries to hit the ball being pitched to them before having them hit it on the tee. To say it was hilarious was an understatement. They had everything from kids hitting each other in the head with the ball, dancing in the outfield, and even a kid eating chalk from the ground (no, I’m not kidding..haha).
I’ll let the pictures do the talking…
Cousins….enough said!
John & Ti-Ying {Day After Session} l Outer Banks Wedding Photographer l OBX Wedding Photography
Monday, March 21st, 2011John & Ti-Ying joined me a couple days after their wedding for a “Day After” session. These sessions are growing in popularity, because it allows the couples to get dressed back up and have wedding photos taking in an alternate location. It also allows them to spend less time after the ceremony, and without the stress of having to rush to the reception. To mix things up a bit from their Duck beach wedding, we chose the Whalehead Club in Corolla for their day after session. They were troopers, despite the wind and colder temps that crept up on us. The grounds were fairly empty, and left us with a lot of space to work with. I had a great time photographing both you guys, CONGRATS!!!
Lifestyle Photography {Part Two} l Isla Mujeres/Cancun, Mexico Photographer
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011One of the main reasons for being in Mexico is the fishing! Sailfishing that time of year is simply amazing, there is nothing like it. Let’s just say Rob thinking about fishing and boats as much as I think about photography and cameras – pretty much all the time. It’s hard to get me away from relaxing by the pool, but we had a couple of really beautiful days so I headed out on the boat for a little fish action! We spent the day fun fishing, and our crew consisted of another captain and his mate – plus our local mates.
One of the few times you’ll see Rob (on the right) down in the cockpit instead of “driving the bus” as I like to say.
So ladies….reason #1 why you shouldn’t discount fishing….a 3:1 guy to girl ratio. Consider yourself lucky to see me more than once on the blog. We’re hooked up with a triple – meaning we’re catching three sailfish at one time.
Every angler wants to be able to hook and catch their own fish. I’m usually sitting back relaxing, but I told Tommy I wanted to learn to hook my own sailfish. I was quickly sent back to my seat when on the first try I hooked a bird….whoops! The birds dive-bomb the bait in the water, and it ate my bait. I wasn’t the only one – Kevin the other mate hooked a bird too. The birds are always okay, and I was able to grab a quick shot before we set him free.
Summer? Where are you? All this water and sunshine makes me VERY ready for summer and warm weather. Mother nature has teased us here on the OBX with a few unseasonably warm days this February. It sure is hard to go back to wind and cold after wearing shorts.
Lifestyle Photography {Part One} l Isla Mujeres/Cancun, Mexico Photographer
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011At the end of the summer when all our vacationers have gone home, and the beach gets quiet, we get to work in the office. Since my summer is spent photographing my wonderful families for their Outer Banks Beach Portraits, and the the fall is spent fulfilling print and holiday card orders, the winter is the time you’ll find most of us OBXers heading out on vacation. Every winter I spend time in beautiful Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Isla is a small island just off the coast of Cancun, which requires a 20 minutes ferry ride, and once there you feel like you are in a whole different world. The majority of the island is seen by golf cart or moped, and only some locals and the taxi cab drivers have cars. Isla Mujeres is also the spot for world class Sailfishing during January – March….and one of the reasons why I venture down each winter. My hunny bunny (he’ll be pleased I called him that) is a captain on a sportfishing boat and Isla is one of their winter destinations.
I absolutely love it there, it’s one of my favorite places. While there, Rob has an extra mate (who helps them take care of the boat), Miguel. Miguel is like family and has been fishing with Rob and his mate Tommy for years. He lives most of the year in Cozumel, and travels to Isla to fish with Rob when the boat is in town. While I was in town we decided to make the trip back home to Cozumel with Miguel to spend time with his family and see the sights. It was an amazing trip, and I can’t wait to go back and spend more than a day. I’ll be honest – when I heard there was a bus involved I wasn’t too excited but our “bus” was like a luxury cruiser and much nicer than any charter bus I’ve been on in the US. Two ferry rides, a cab ride, and a bus ride later we were in Cozumel where Miguel’s whole family came to pick us up. I keep telling myself this is going to be the year I learn Spanish – I need to make it happen. It was a long day with Miguel’s family that didn’t speak English, and us who didn’t speak Spanish.
Rob, Miguel, & Tommy – waiting for our final ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel.
I could have just eaten this kid up! Miguel’s nephew, like most 3 year olds, was WIDE OPEN!
This one gets my vote for Tommy’s holiday card this year.
One thing I love the most about being in Mexico is just how important family is to them. They have such a strong sense of family, and for most, they all live together. Miguel’s family reminds me a southern family – they’ll feed you and make sure you have something to drink even if you aren’t hungry or thirsty…hehe. His mother, daughter, wife, and nephew joined us for a tour of Cozumel and a stop for lunch.
And here is the proof that I was actually there. It’s not often you see me on the blog because a) I’m always taking the photos, and b) Rob *hates* having his photo taken. Lucky for me I didn’t give him a choice, and handed the camera over to Tommy….he now thinks he’s the next Ansel Adams….HA!
