Author - Grayslake Photographer

One of my friends Stacey, which you've met here, asked me if I would be willing to help her neighbor Emily out.  Emily's book FRAGMENTS has just been picked up by a publisher.  She needs an author head shot to go with her book.  The assignment was presented to me with a few restrictions one of them was time.  Took me about half a second to think about it... I'm IN!

Above is my favorite outtake of this session.

It was great working with Emily.  I got to know her a little as she shared some of her personal story with me. Emily is a cancer survivor, wife/mother of four, and now a published fiction author...  what a blessing it is for me to be a small part of her journey in this marvelous thing called life.

Thank you Stacey for thinking of me and sending Emily my way.
Emily, wishing you the best in this new exciting chapter of your life.  

A Gift - Grayslake Family Photographer

I love when an idea evolves into something else.  What was suppose to be a birthday session turned into a family session.  Mom (my friend) and dad didn't expect to be in any of the images but I asked them to take at least one family picture. When the result is like the image below I am filled with excitement.  A beautiful family in this moment in time captured forever.  As far as giving a gift goes, for me, it's the best gift I am able to give to a beautiful friend.

 

S Family thank you for allowing me the opportunity to capture your wonderful family.  J, I appreciate your friendship and I will miss seeing you in the fall at pick up and drop off.  

The Secret of Life - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

"The secret of life is to 'die before you die' - and find that there is no death." Eckhart Tolle

Some times I read or hear things that echo in my mind for days and weeks.  This is one of them. 

We identify ourselves with external things.  He provided an extensive list of identifiers.  These are the ones that hit home for me: the work you do, physical appearance, relationships, family/personal history, money, belief system, religion, and race.  I would also add gender.

"None of this is you."   

I saw my profile in the clouds the other day looking back at me.  My long neck, a little bit of a smile, a tiny nose and one eye in this white cloud below.

I am discovering my "secret to life".  We all have one.

FIVE - Grayslake Family Photographer

Every year, since we moved to Grayslake, I take my kiddos out to the same spot for birthday pictures.  I was especially excited  to do it this year because my youngest turns five, no more babies - for real.  I got a few nice shots...

Then... too many mosquitoes. "I want to go home," J said.  The plan I had in my head wasn't going to happen.  We went to the park which is just adjacent to this spot.

The image below is probably my favorite one.  Didn't notice the word "Warning" on the swing until I was editing.

 Warning, special kid here.

Warning, I may kiss you at any time.

Warning, full of energy.

Warning, curious about everything.

Warning, lovable.

 I allowed my idea of the perfect session change into this perfect session.
Thank you KimGDesigns for the awesome shirt.

A New - Grayslake Family Photographer

It's a new week and I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a new client.  This session was one of the many encouraging things that came to me this week.

The location and weather were perfect.  These clients live in the southern Chicago area and I live in the northern burbs so I picked a city half way between us.  I gave them a few options of local parks/preserves and they picked this one.  The main attraction is a small man made waterfall which I am standing next to in the shot above (we also took some by the man made waterfall).  I saw the God made tree waterfall and was awe struck.

Everything begins a new....

To schedule your beautiful, personalized family portrait session contact me at:
angelclarkphotography@gmail.com or find me on FB https://www.facebook.com/AngelClarkPhotography/.