Tim Courtney resides in Los Angeles, and loves to travel the U.S. and abroad for both work and pleasure. If you want to find him in public, you can almost bet on finding him enjoying a fine espresso and pastry at a select coffee house in LA, or an exceptional cafe in Paris. Tim was born and raised in the blue-grass state of Kentucky, under the astrological sign of Pisces. In his college years he studied as a vocal performance major at Azusa Pacific University, in Southern California. Tim's first interest with photography began in 1997, with classic artistic black and white nudes.
Precisely one year after acquiring his first camera in 1997, 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 photographed British actor Sir Ian McKellen and a long list of celebrities followed. A few of these include: Dr. Maya Angelou, Shirley Mac Laine, Janet Jackson, Bea Arthur, David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, Phyllis Diller, Sir Ian McKellen, Fran Drescher, Tom Ford and Queen Latifah.
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 someone's father. You have a special gift in order to get these kinds of images, we very seldom get to see this intimate side of celebrities. We love your images here at LIFE Magazine.”
LA’s famous "Out Auction" in 1999, in which legendary photographer Herb Ritts was chair, Courtney’s famous image of barefooted Bea Arthur, was chosen to promote the event.
Oscars, Courtney has been hired as the exclusive photographer to photograph the Italian Oscar nominees and other guest celebrities, for multi publishing in Italy’s entertainment magazines, at the Beverly Hills home of Italian filmmaker Dino de Laurentiis, .
Tim has made special guest appearances on both New York City and Los Angeles Television and Radio. He has been interviewed and appeared in many national and international publications for both his photography, and his "giving back" through PictureMeHappy.org. He has created and taught photography workshops at Laguna College of Art and Design, Palm Springs Arts and The University of Cincinnati. Naturally with his love for travel, Courtney enjoys the luxury voyages as photography lecturer aboard Crystal Cruise Lines.
In May 2007, Tim Courtney founded his non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization called Picture Me Happy, (PictureMeHappy.org) Picture Me Happy helps inspire the healing process by providing "Photo Workshop," (an Art's in Medicine program) for hospitalized children who have serious medical conditions. “Photo Workshop,” engages and inspires the children to take photos using insta-matic cameras, and then create and design their own personal magazines or photo books.
Celebrity Clientele Corporate/Business Clientele
Dr. Maya Angelou Edelman LA.Chicago.NYC
Sir Ian McKellen Four Seasons Hotel
Shirley Mac Laine USA Today
Queen Latifah GQ Magazine
Fran Drescher Forbes Traveler
Bea Arthur Vanity Fair
Chad Allen Vogue
Shirley Jone Los Angelenos
Rupert Everrett Dance & Fitness
Valerie Harper Boutique Design
Kathy Griffin Vegas News
Tom Ford Design & Architecture
David Cassidy Sipco Publications
Phyllis Diller A&U
James (Badge) Dale Miller Hospital
Tate Donovan Big Bang Products
Nell Carter Applebaum House
Janet Jackson O-Bar Restaurant
98 degrees Citizen Smith Restaurant
Anthony Hopkins Blend Restaurant
Edwin Mc Caine The Rio, Las Vegas
Jeff Probst City of San Francisco
Sheryl Lee Ralph Maggie Berry Fashions
Chris Showerman Flying Pescado Pictures
Marla Gibbs Women in Film
Galen Gering Spike.com
Eva Tomargo Lemus Italian Consulant, Los Angeles
Journee Smollett New Times Magazine
Bryce Johnson GO Soft Wear
Beth Broderick Tiki Shark-Body Glove, Inc.
Jimmy Lyons Johnston’s & Ass.
Jennifer Benson RED Campaign
David Deluise Grove Press
Carol Channing Ballentine Publishing
Erin Murphy Barry's Boot Camp
Margret Cho Dance LA
CCH Pounder Air Alpha, Inc
Mother Love First Movies
Eric Stoltz Thomas Schoos Design
Heather Tom JMA
Kathy Najimy CBS
Nancy Wilson ABC
Heather Tom OM4 Men's Skin Care
Warren Beatty MyDamnChannel.com
Wilmer Valderrama Shell Oil
Greg Louganis Fidelity Investments
Anthony Hopkins Vapour Organic Beauty
Kevin Zeggers HBO