Happy First Birthday - Grayslake Photographer

So much happens in the first year of life.  It is pretty amazing.  Smiling, rolling over, grabbing, hugging, playing peekaboo, sitting up, crawling, and walking to name just a few.  Yet there is still so much more to come.  Happy first birthday L!

email me at: angelclarkphotography@gmail.com

Prom - Chicago Area Photographer

There was so much energy in the air when I took these, it was so much fun! I hope it was the best time of their lives because there are so many best times of their lives to come...

Walter Payton Prom 2014

I'm a proud aunt so I will start with my beautiful niece. 

I love you!

Putting the corsage on didn't go so bad... 

putting on the boutonniere that proved to be a little more challenging.  

Mom stepped in to save the day.  

Pictured below with the excited prom goer is the designer of this beautiful gown. 

The two friends above were so funny.  I have a whole series of shots of them enjoying this moment.  

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." Anne Frank 

These images are for web viewing (low resolution).  I have posted some on my FB page , feel free to tag yourself and your friends.
If your interested in seeing more, purchasing prints/high resolution digital images please contact me at angelclarkphotography@gmail.com

The Butterfly - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

The monarch butterfly story captivates me.  Less than 1% of caterpillars become Monarch Butterflies.  They go through four stages of life; egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult butterfly.  The life span of a butterfly is 2 to 6 weeks after it becomes a monarch.  It takes four generation (four different butterflies) of the less than 1 % to achieve a phase known as diapause.  This fourth generation of butterflies is stronger and faster so that it is able to migrate the hundreds of thousands of miles to Mexico.  The life span of the fourth generation butterfly is more than seven months.  Although, these butterflies have never been to their final destination they know exactly where they are going and how to get there.

I spent some time this weekend with my 85 years young grandmother.  I listened to her and soaked her in.  Breathing in who she is and holding her hand.  She talked about the time of Poncho Villa. She told me about selling an egg for 7 cents and filling her apron with candy.  My grandmother recounted her arranged marriage to my grandfather and teared up when she started to talk about him.  She also had us laughing with unexpected jokes.

My 8 year old gave me a beautiful card she made at school for Mother's Day. Part of it reads, "I love you because you take care of me and help me find out who I am."

I wonder how many generations it will take for us to make the transformation.    

Mother's Day - Grayslake Photographer

I am so excited to share these images of some of my favorite Grayslake mamas.  This is about half of our Bunco group.  Not sure why it's called Bunco, I hear it's a game of some sort that we have never played. We get together once a month to connect, laugh and toast.  I've been dreaming about doing this for a while. I am so glad that they were up for it.. for the most part.. most of them were up for it ;)   

Susan is a working mom who never looks/sounds overwhelmed.  She always has it together.  Poise would be a great word to describe her.  Confidence radiates through her so I stand a little closer to catch some.  

Diane is a planner and an A type personality.  She made sure we had reservations after the photo shoot, I thought we should just show up to the restaurant.  She was right because the place was packed.  We are so different and I appreciate her that much more. She is intelligent and resourceful.

Stacey embarked on a new adventure this school year, going back to work.  In many ways she is fearless. One thing I love about her, is her knack for one liners.  She can make a joke within any conversation.  We are always laughing but don't give her the map, we will never get there.  

Ciara and Maria are cousins, I'm so glad Maria invited her.  Here is what Maria had to say about Ciara: "She is the definition of unique.  Anyone that knows her quickly realizes that there is no one quite like her! She has a fierce loyalty to her family and friends.  Her sense of humor is one of a kind.  She is a sister to me and I wouldn't trade her for anything."

I feel a deep connection with Maria because she "saved" me.  (Long story that I will probably share some other time.) She is the type of friend that would bring her camera to a photo shoot to make sure that her photographer friend got in a few pics.  I love that she wore a peace sign because she illuminates serenity.

LA has an excitement for life.  She is the first one on the dance floor and then she drags everyone else out with her to dance.  She doesn't just laugh with her voice or her mouth she laughs with every cell of her body. She transmits passion in every aspect of her life.  

Here we are, some of us.  Women.  Friends. Wives. Daughters. Mothers.  Individuals. One.  

Happy Mother's Day!