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Courtney Bowlden Photography Blog

Photographing classy, timeless, and fun couples around the world. Sharing the details, inspiration, and education with you here. 

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Hi there! Welcome to the CBP blog, a place to share wedding beauty, our lives, travels, and plenty of tips. I'm glad you're here and I hope you'll stick around!

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a bride and groom standing in front of the eiffel tower in paris france.

Wedding Size Guide: How to Easily Create a Guest List You’ll Feel Good About

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Wedding

Wedding Size Guide: Guest List Size for Small, Medium, and Large Weddings. What You Need to Know Planning your wedding guest list is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make—one that directly impacts your budget, venue, timeline, and overall experience. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, understanding the average guest […]

a woman sitting on a couch in leavenworth washington

Why Personal Photography Projects Are the Secret to Growing Your Business

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Styled Shoot

Why Personal Photography Projects Are the Secret to Growing Your Business If you’ve ever felt stuck in a creative rut or uninspired by the same repetitive work, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there—especially when we’re shooting back-to-back weddings or client sessions with tight timelines and specific expectations. But here’s the truth: personal photography projects […]

a bride and groom sitting on a couch at the ruins wedding venue in seattle

The Ruins: A Seattle Wedding Venue

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Wedding

Tucked away in Lower Queen Anne, The Ruins is not your typical wedding venue—it’s a hidden, maximalist treasure that transforms from an industrial exterior into a fantasia of art, charm, and intrigue

a bride and groom kissing at roche harbor

Whimsical Roche Harbor Wedding

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Wedding

A Whimsical Roche Harbor Wedding Some weddings just feel like they were meant to happen in a specific place—and that was absolutely the case for this beautifully whimsical, nautical-inspired celebration at Roche Harbor. The couple, who live together on a sailboat (yes, actually live on the water!), chose Roche Harbor for its maritime charm and […]

a fashionable woman in the streets on reims france

Fashion In France: A Branding Session in Champagne

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Travel

Fashion in France: A Branding Session in Champagne Last September, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph a branding session in one of the most charming and iconic regions of France—the Champagne region. Known for its rolling vineyards, elegant architecture, and (of course) world-renowned sparkling wine, this area has a timeless allure that makes it […]

a woman in a white dress and a man in a white dress shirt and black pants walking and holding hands with black and white pillars at the grand palais in paris france

An Elegant Paris Engagement

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Wedding

A Paris Engagement: From Bir-Hakeim to the Timeless Arches of the Louvre There’s just something about Paris in September. The golden light lingers a little longer, the crowds begin to thin, and the city hums with a kind of quiet romance. It’s easily one of my favorite times to photograph here—especially when it’s an engagement […]

The Ultimate Elopement Guide for Utah

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Wedding

The Ultimate Elopement Guide for Utah If you’ve been dreaming of an intimate, intentional wedding day surrounded by nature’s beauty, Utah might just be your perfect match. With its epic red rock landscapes, serene mountain lakes, and golden desert sunsets, this state is made for couples looking to elope in a way that feels adventurous, […]

a man and woman kissing on a beach in Oregon during sunset

4 Tips Your Photographer Wants Your To Know Before Booking Your Photoshoot

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Wedding

4 Tips Your Photographer Wants Your To Know The Secret to Gorgeous Light and Peaceful Locations Over the years, I’ve learned that timing can truly make or break a photo session so I wanted to put together this helpful post on tips your photographer wants you to know. These tips are some of the most […]

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