Courtney Kent Photography

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Courtney Kent Photography

Courtney Kent is a wedding photographer based in Traverse City, MI. As a wife and husband team, we s

05/22/2026

Spring! 🌸🌿

What an incredible kickoff to the 2026 wedding season!

05/02/2026

Meet George Sebastian Kent, born 4/24/26 💛

The birth plan switched to a C Section when his vitals started to look concerning to doctors. George was rushed to the NICU but he responded really well so doctors don’t think we’re going to have any ongoing issues. I don’t have words to adequately describe the fear in those in-between moments when you don’t know if it’s going to be ok. During the C Section my bladder was knicked, so I ended up having to go under general anesthesia for that to be repaired…. It’s been very challenging (brutal if I’m being honest), but we are home now and settling into a routine. We’re doing better everyday so just taking small steps 💛

The brightest light in all of this has been sweet George. He is an absolute gem. We feel overwhelmed with love, and with watching Eddie fall in love with him too.

You really see the character of the person you married when you go through something like this. Michael, you are solid ground when it feels like everything is about to cave in. I’ve never loved you more.

P.S. An enormous thank you to both Grandmas. Gaga and Momo, we never would have survived this past week without you 💛

04/09/2026

I haven’t been keeping this news a secret - that being said, I haven’t felt compelled to share a ton on social media (especially personally) over the past year either. So if you’ve seen me in person in recent months, or you are subscribed to my newsletter (link in bio), then you know that we’re expecting a new family member! Baby boy’s arrival could be literally any day now. ⁠
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My husband Michael started a new job in January, we’ve been renovating half of our house, plus parenting our 5 year old, so in the past few months I have actually found it difficult to stop and allow myself to be truly excited. Recently on our way to get pizza, Michael put on the song “Brother” by Need to Breathe and 30 seconds in happy tears were streaming down my face. Blame it on the hormones or just the overwhelming sense of joy that I have been lucky enough to be able to grow a whole new human inside of my body. We are being given the opportunity to create a new bond and relationship within our little unit, and while at times it is completely overwhelming, I am also really looking forward to so many aspects of this new chapter for us.⁠
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My friend Chelsea took these photos for us at my 34 week mark. There were so many reasons why scheduling and following through on this photo session was challenging for us. It’s so easy to find an excuse NOT to do it. But I’m also here telling you - I will cherish these photos for the rest of my life. I’m in awe of what my body has done. Pregnancy is all the things: weird, beautiful, wild, absolutely amazing, and also awful at times. I’m grateful that my body has kept me as active as I have been throughout my pregnancy and I’m trying to keep that in mind even as my hands and feet swell up like little sausages and I enter my third week of pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel 🫠⁠
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Thanks to everyone who has been checking in on me and sending me well wishes. It is so special to feel your support and love!⁠
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P.S. I will also be posting a logistical note about my maternity leave in my stories today!

12/11/2025

Sara and Rob’s entire wedding day was visually stunning and packed with this rich combination of family tradition and JOY.

The ceremony was held at a Melkite Catholic Church in Warren and I loved the way this space photographed. I will be sharing multiple pieces of their day as I dive into all of my 2025 wedding work. I’m excited to revisit some really special parts of this past year 💛

08/22/2025

We’re living in a world increasingly filled with easily generated AI content, but this was a real wedding that an incredible group of humans poured their effort into for a real couple. That couple shared in a deep personal commitment surrounded by their real friends and family. Then they celebrated together on this one special night in Northern Michigan.

These images were all captured on rolls of film that were loaded by hand. The shutter clicked and the spools were developed and scanned by real people. There is something so deeply satisfying about this process, especially in the current age. Exploring film photography has sparked a certain type of creativity in me that I’ve found so refreshing. It is mentally challenging, but in the best way.

Personally and professionally I am very motivated by the idea of continuing to learn. By the idea that there is always more to know, more to try. In my experience keeping myself “moving” both physically and mentally is the best way to prevent stagnation and boredom. I also find comfort in the feeling that it’s not too late to try something new, to spark new life into the work I’ve been doing for over a decade.

Huge shout out to for joining me on this one. Between us, we shot on 5 different film cameras at this wedding!

Venue: ⁠
Wedding Planner: ⁠
Hair & makeup: ⁠
Floral: ⁠
Rentals: + ⁠mi⁠
Band:

08/21/2025

After an incredible dinner outdoors with the most beautifully plated dishes and words shared, guests began to arrive in small groups for the welcome party. The lawn began to fill up and the hugs and laughs and excitement all grew. I remember the bride saying at some point during the weekend that this night was so perfect that if it was all there was, it would be enough. Sometimes a welcome party like this one is so filled with love and beauty and joy and delicious food that it’s hard to believe it could get any better the following day.

Mix of film + digital images. Vendors tagged below:
⁠Wedding Planner: ⁠
Welcome party meal: ⁠
Venue: Private residence

06/27/2025

The ladies in this group are celebrating 30 years of friendship this year! I was asked to document a small portion of their weekend together and it was so much fun.

I am now going to be strongly advocating to hire a photographer on your next trip with friends. This was relaxed and also hilarious. We walked to the beach, enjoyed beverages, took portraits, came up with weird photo prompts and tested the latest trending poses on the internet. It was just fun. Yes, I love creating beautiful images, but life is too short to be serious all the time. Let loose and let someone capture you that way 💛

05/22/2025

There are moments in life when we can all get hung up on the little things. Cherry blossom photo season feels like a perfect example of this for me. I have to come up with my best guess for timing a day or two of sessions in order for clients to be able to schedule in advance. As the dates approach, I scout the orchards to see when the blooms are going to be “perfect” and make any minor location adjustments as necessary. Will the timing be too early? Too late? Should I move us to another orchard with a different type of cherry? Will it rain?

I can’t control the weather, the temperatures, or the few days of peak blooms... but I still want the experience for my clients to be wonderful. I want them to come away with not only beautiful, meaningful, images but also an experience exploring a slice of Northern Michigan that is truly special and have FUN doing it.

This year the Friday I picked had lovely weather, and yes there were plenty of blossoms, but many had already started to blow away before all of the other buds on the tree had fully opened. The trees were beautiful, but they may not have been as packed with blooms as in past years. As my brain entered the creative space that I settle into when I photograph families, I also quickly realized that absolutely no one cared about this “perfect” level of peak bloom. Especially not the kids. They were just having fun running through the rows, playing with siblings, with their parents... being kids.

These little humans are so much fun to be around. I love meeting kids for the first time and I love seeing kids that I’ve been photographing for years and years. It is one of my greatest hopes that they discover these images later in life and when they see them their insides immediately fill with warm fuzzies. Or they laugh at a silly face they were making or interaction we captured together. Parents, I know it’s hard to decide on a date and decide what to wear and struggle to get your toddler into an outfit and arrive somewhere on time, but I hope that it’s all worth it. I hope you look at these photos and see them as a gift that you gave to your kids - and maybe even more importantly - a gift you gave yourselves.

04/10/2025

May & June mini session dates go live via my email newsletter tomorrow! Hali and I both have sessions available. Make sure you’re signed up (link in bio) to get early booking access!

04/03/2025

A sweet and cozy couples shoot with just a touch of spice 😉⁠
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Property: Historic Hearth condo ⁠

Address

Traverse City, MI

Website

http://www.courtneykentphotography.com/

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