Meet Timothy Courtney: The Palm Springs Psychic Medium & Celebrity Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Timothy Courtney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Timothy, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I love the wording in this question, “how do you THINK about risk.” Thinking, herein lies the struggle and where most people will choose not to risk, not to go for what they really want. Overthinking whether or not I should live out my purpose, my heart’s deepest desires is a set-up for a not-so-fulfilling life and a second or third choice job working for someone else’s dream. As a kid, I remember most adults talking about working all their lives at jobs they didn’t like or enjoy, much less being fulfilling. I thought they were crazy! Why would anyone spend their entire living doing a job or career they didn’t like or were not fulfilled doing? I remember being around twelve years old, making a promise that I would work and create my income with my talents and gifts. I have kept this promise to myself; a creative artistic spirit suffers when they squash their dreams because of their fear and doubt. I believe that our spirit or soul that is filled with talent, creativity, artistry, and passion wants to soar! We know what we are here to do, so do it. It can be a painful life journey when we say no or someday to our hearts calling or dream. It excites me to share just a few experiences with you about taking risks, and significant risks created an extraordinary future beyond what I knew was possible for me. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky, applied for a music/vocal scholarship to a University, and moved to Los Angeles, never being anywhere west of Kentucky. Four months later, I was a session singer in the Hollywood recording studios, was hired as one of the singers at Dolly Pardons birthday party in Bel Air; and had sung on enough albums to be a voting member of NARAS, aka, The Grammys. In 1997, I saw a one night a week for six weeks community photography class being taught at Sant Monica College. I put my finger on the page and said out loud, “I’m going to be a photographer.” The following day I went to Sammy’ Camera on Fairfax, to ask for help in buying my first camera; a $500 Nikon. You see, I had never owned a camera in my life until that day.  One year later, (this the very short story) I found myself making friends and working with Hollywood celebrity Bea Arthur, from the TV show “Golden Girls.” I was at her Brentwood home to photograph her for a magazine cover and an inside spread. I have since photographed nearly one-hundred celebrities, shot over forty major magazine covers, worked with top fashion designers, fortune 500 companies, appeared as a special guest lecturer and teacher at Schools of Art & Design, Universities, and six-star Crystal Cruise Lines. In May 2007, I founded and managed a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization for ten years, called Picture Me Happy. We inspired the healing process by providing a “Photo Workshop” (Art’s in Medicine program) for hospitalized children in Southern California who have serious medical conditions. Keep in mind that I had never even served on a board of directors for a non-profit, much less be the founder and president of one. One a fun note, actress Melissa McCarthy was the special guest honoring our first fundraiser held in West Hollywood. To bring you up to the more present time; It has been almost three years ago that I came out of hiding with yet another purpose for my being here on this planet. For nearly thirty years, I kept my abilities/gift as a psychic medium on the low-down, really low. This is the one time in my life’s career choices that I found myself suppressing my spirit’s calling/desire. I was more committed to “thinking about it” than taking the actions to go do it.  I allowed my fear of what people will think or say about me, to stop me from being myself and living out my gift. I struggled stepping into this career path because I wasn’t willing to give myself permission to go do me, to do Timothy Courtney out in the world.  One evening it came to me that there are people in this world who are seeking the services of a Psychic Medium.  Not everyone is seeking people like me, but some are!  It was a painful moment in acknowledging that I was hiding out in my fears and not showing up for the people who needed me.  People were waiting on me to show up. I “got off the fence post” (which, by the way, is a really uncomfortable place to sit) and I jumped in with both feet, “I am a Psychic Medium!” Two months later, I was already creating the income to meet my “monthly nut.” Amazing, right!? My clients now include business professionals, detectives, medical professionals, artists, performers, professional athletes, and Hollywood celebrities, producers, and executives.  I’d like to share with you a few of my Risks Actions towards a Successful Adventurous Career. Say yes to yourself! Get off the fence post and stop wasting your time with lousy, boring thinking…jump into the actions that take you in the direction that you really want to go, it’s so much more fun and exciting.  Say YES, to your opportunities and figure out “how to do it” later.  Show Up! If you don’t “show up” no one knows you are available to do what it is that you do, and no one gets to receive what you are here to give them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I believe I have shared most of this with the previous question. “DEAR TIM, THANK YOU FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF MAYA. YOU INDEED CAUGHT HER ESSENCE ON FILM.” …OPRAH WINFREY.  These are a few of the celebrities that I have photographed and given readings as a psychic medium Dr. Maya Angelou, Sir Ian McKellen, Janet Jackson, Anthony Hopkins, Queen Latifah, Valerie Harper, Shirley MacLaine, Fran Drescher, Bea Arthur, and many, many more. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

The perfect get-away is the beautiful and peaceful park at GreyStone in Beverly Hills. This may be more exciting to a working LA resident, but anyone will love it. Go to El Matador Beach above Zuma! Be prepared to do some step climbing and bring your camera. This is a photographer’s, nature lovers heaven, not like any other beach in So Cal. There are a few fun cafes along the way, just pick one. I am a major coffee house fan so here’s a few must go to’s for a lovely atmosphere, high-quality espresso/coffee, baked goods, (keep in mind… your next life-changing opportunity may come from one of the people standing or sitting around you; be nice, friendly, and chat whenever possible) Coffee Commissary on Fairfax, Verve, and Urth Cafe on Melrose, Alfred on Melrose Place, and  Groundwork on Cahuenga    

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Dr. Maya Angelou for being so loving, uplifting, encouraging, and reminding me that I can always “cut a new path in life.” All of the many people throughout my life who continue to show me what I do and don’t  want to do.

Website: TimothyCourtney.com TimCourtneyPhotography.com

Instagram: PsychicMediumTimothyCourtney

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmwpAdxJKijQMzBjZ-NE6Lw

Image Credits
photography by TimCourtneyPhotography.com