About

One year after acquiring his first camera, his work was recognized by an art director of a New York magazine, who offered Courtney his first Hollywood celebrity with a magazine cover featuring TV and Broadway actress, Bea Arthur. One month later he was called to photograph British actor Sir Ian McKellen and a long list of celebrities followed.

Upon release of these images, Courtney received a phone call and letter from LIFE Magazines, Neal Bulton. "You have Bea Arthur looking like a little girl and Ian McKellen, looks like he could actually be someones father. We seldom see this intimate side of celebrities. We love your images here at LIFE Magazine.”

Like the famous Herb Ritts, Courtney, too, is a self-taught photographer. "I was inspired and motivated by Herb Ritts' black and white images and his story of success."

Legendary photographer Herb Ritts was chair of LA’s famous Out Auction in 1999, where Courtney’s popular barefoot photo of Bea Arthur, was chosen to promote the event.

In recently years Courtney has created several very successful photography courses which he offers in classroom, privately and on-line here on his website. He has been a photography instructor at Laguna College of Art and Design, University of Cincinnati, Palm Springs Parks and Recreation and Chicago's Highland Park Art Center.

Oscars 2000, Courtney was the exclusive photographer with full access to the Beverly Hills home of Italian filmmaker Dino de Laurentiis, to photograph the celebrities and Italian Oscar nominees for multi-publishings in Italy’s entertainment magazines.

Tim has made special guest appearences on both New York City and Los Angeles Television and Radio. Throughout the year he travels as guest speaker or instructor for various photography groups, workshops, colleges/universities, organizations, social groups and events.

Associations: Voting member of NARAS, (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences)

Tim Courtney is the founder of a non profit 501 (c) (3) photography based Arts and Medicine organization called Picture Me Happy...creating a better life for chronically and terminally ill children in hospitals and hospices across America...PictureMeHappy.org.