Baby R's 6 Month Session - Chicago Area Baby Photographer

I have two beautiful sessions to share with you today so make sure to check both of them out. 

If you would like your own lovely, personalized session contact me at: email@angelclarkphotography.com for pricing and availability.  I am blessed to say that I don't "live to work" therefore I will have a limited amount of sessions available for the rest of the spring and summer.
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Baby R is half a year old now and growing so fast.  He is a thinker, you can tell that he is just processing everything around him.  It was fascinating to see him grow in this way. 

 Another image to add to our growing storyboard.  I can't wait to put all the images together at the end of his first year. 

Mommy says she loves that thing Baby R does with his little tongue.

I love this one and it was very unexpected.  So I tell mommy to give him a kiss and almost on queue he puckers up for a kiss.  When I was editing and I saw this image... what joy!!! Simply perfect!!!!
 

A Mother's Day Gift - Chicago Area Newborn Photographer

What an honor it is to present to you 8 days new, baby L. 

 

These images made me teary.  My college roommate looks beautiful holding the baby she prayed many years for.  Seems like just the other day we did her maternity session. 

Right about here the baby gave her a nice surprise :D

We captured two beautiful smiles!

Perfect!

 

Congratulations S family! He is such a blessing!
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My schedule for the rest of the Spring and Summer is filling up quickly.  If you are interested in your own beautiful, personalized portrait session contact me at email@angelclarkphotography.com.

Feeling Different This Mother's Day - Chicago Area Family Photographer

This Mother's Day I felt very different.  It is a continuation of what I've been feeling this whole year.  My year of awakening. 
 
Last year, I hosted and spent all day in the kitchen.  I did so very happily and willingly even though I was exhausted by the end of the day.  This year, I decided that I wasn't going to do that to myself.  This year I was going to enjoy a stress free day.  It was wonderful. 

 

 

this year (above)

 

Mother's Day 2012

Don't mind the bags under my eyes. I was up all night cleaning and cooking.  LOL!

J with his new haircut.  I was very surprised when he got home.  Daddy was in the Army and has always had a thing about clean hair cuts.  Hair can't be too long or untidy.  As I am making changes within maybe daddy is making changes too.

Another reason why this Mother's Day is different is because I have decided that I no longer need to live my life only for my children and husband.  I want to live a fulfilled life for myself.  I am working hard to be successful and follow my dreams.  To show them that I have worked hard and achieved success; is to show them a higher level of my love.

Little Man Turns 5 - Chicago Area Family Photographer

I had so much fun with this handsome boy this weekend. 
Mama, you did an awesome job with his cool threads. 
The location was perfect and this little guy was perfect too. 

 

Throwing rocks because that's what boys do.

Turning 5 is one of those big milestones.  M will be off to Kinder this fall.  I am honored to capture this moment in time for his loving family.  I thoroughly enjoyed his wonderful energy. 

My Princess - First Communion Photography

What a blessed weekend we had around here!  My oldest made her First Communion, it was such a wonderful day!  They told us at practice that no photography was to be allowed during the ceremony.  I was surprised and disappointed at first.  In the end, I was able to be in the moment and really enjoy the ceremony. 

   
So proud of my little princess. 

When we went shopping for the dress she tried on about 10.  She ended up picking the simplest one.  I was trying to point her to another dress that had more decor and a few ruffles.  She clearly said "no".  I finally asked her why she wanted that one she said that she didn't like the dresses that were "too busy".  She said, she was like me, just wanted something nice and simple. 

Full of joy... just skipping along. 

I asked her, if she knew that she was so beautiful.  She replied "Yes, I do." I looked at her kind of surprised.  So I said, "You do?" She replied, "Yes Mama, I know because you tell me all the time."  :)

During the ceremony I couldn't get through this blessing.  I could no longer hold the tears back.

Loving God in heaven, here are our children.  We give them to you.  Reach out and touch them with your love.  Help them to know themselves and enjoy the person you created them to be.  Help them to use their gifts to serve you.  Help them most of all to love you above all things.  May we always remember the joy and love of this day and ask your guidance in the sometimes difficult task of forming your children.  We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Newlyweds - Chicago Area Photojournalist

Okay, so we aren't newlyweds but it sure does feel like it.  ;)  We had a pretty amazing time doing absolutely nothing but enjoying each others company.  Many people we encountered on our journey asked us if we were newlyweds.  The shock on their faces when we told them we've been married for ten years... then the greater shock when we said we had 3 kiddos...  priceless.   

This was the beautiful resort, it was on an island off of the Dominican Republic.  The resort was the only thing on the island.  We stayed in a private villa. It was very romantic and perfect for us "newlyweds". 

 

I love this picture of my strong, handsome hubby. 

 

 

A banana tree right outside our villa.  How cool!? We wished our kiddos could see where bananas grow, they would have loved it. 

Just having fun and laughing together.

I must be insane for posting a pic of myself in a bathing suit.  I rarely post pictures of myself at all.  Now I am posting a pic of myself in a bathing suit?! A two piece no less?! I am not at my goal weight, nor am I the size I would like to be. But do you know what I am?  I am happy with the way I look.  I look at myself and smile.  No more self hatred or critical eye zooming in on every imperfection.  It took me a long time to get to this point.  It's been three and a half years since my youngest child... scratch that it has been 8 years since my first pregnancy at which point my self image had changed.  I have been working hard daily to look and feel good about myself.  I am beautiful because I have decided that is what I want to be and that is how I will view myself. 

Perfect little details in our room.  A towel shaped in a heart.  The cleaning staff always left us some little personal touch, it was so thoughtful. 

This past weekend we had a family event and just yesterday an extended family member text me: "You and your hubby look so happy together... your children looked happy too... I enjoyed your happiness."  Things aren't perfect and we've had/continue to have, our fair share of ups and downs but we are definitely now in the honeymoon stage of our marriage.  Sounds funny and almost unreal that after 10 years we are now in the honeymoon stage.  In life and love there are infinite possibilities.