Happy New Year! - Grayslake

I've missed a few weeks of blogging but I have enjoyed quality family time during the Holidays.  2013 was such a turning point for me.  I can identify events, people and changes within that made it a pivotal year in my life. 

Took me a while to realize that I don't need to - "find myself".  I was never lost.  I don't need to search for God, she has never left me.  In my journey I did find something else...  silence.  A silence and stillness that makes the world so clear and full.  I will continue to be still and silent. 

With excitement, I am ready for 2014.  The 34th year of my life.  I will say YES more often.  YES to the world as things come my way and YES to myself.  I am going to try new things and embrace them.  YES!

  My destiny is JOY!       

Learning Guitar - Grayslake Photographer

My oldest beauty is learning how to play guitar.  She has been learning for a few months now.  Her teacher is wonderful and she really enjoys learning.  It brings me so much joy to hear her practice at home.  When she asks me to sing along ... those are the memories that I cherish. 

Posing with her teacher's big guitar.

 

 

Orlando Feliciano is a wonderful teacher.  He really loves teaching and it shows. 

The local paper did a story about him that you can read here. 

 

 

Teaching her how to use a thumb pick.  She really likes using it.  She thinks it is "cool".  I do too!

 

 

Mr. O teaches out of Songbird Studios the owner of the studio Becky Cappelli is such a ray of sunshine.  My kiddos always ask me if we are going to run into her, that tells me that she has made quite the impression on them. 

 

 

My FIL gave M this guitar that he played when he was about her age.  The family history continues with this special instrument.  It really was meant to be in her hands. 

 

 

 

M has started off on a wonderful journey and we are blessed that Mr. O is giving her the tools for that journey. 

 

Love - Grayslake Photographer

I was editing our Christmas card image and I came across this one which I asked my brother to take.  What a great picture! My husband looks good, I look perfect and we look amazing together.  I can't find anything "wrong" with the image.  I'm not criticizing myself, that's a first for me. 

Happiness has a lot to do with that.  I can't expect anyone; not even my best friend, partner and lover to provide that happiness for me.  Happiness has to start inside of me before I am able to be happy with anyone else.  In essence I must love myself in order to truly love. 

I use to have bad seasons, months, and weeks.  Now I have bad days and hours.  Soon they will only be brief moments. 

When I love myself, I become love.  We were created in the image of God and what is God?  Love. 

 

   
Wishing you Love, Peace and Happiness this holiday season!

1st Birthday Party - Chicago Area Family Photographer

I apologize for my absence last week.  I came down with a touch of the flu, right before Thanksgiving.  I spent the day in bed but was happy that my kiddos were able to enjoy Thanksgiving with my IL's.  God always has a way of reminding me what the holidays are really about. 

Before the flu put me down I had the joy of celebrating the 1st birthday of this sweet little guy. 

He is a very serious baby, I am glad I captured so many smiles from him!

Happy mom and dad.  :)

 

I don't think he wanted to get out of the shower. 

 

 

Happy 1st Birthday baby R! Congratulations mom and dad!

First Snow - Grayslake IL Family Photographer

We had our first snow and one of my dear friends called me over to get some quick Christmas card shots.  I've saved the Christmas card images for her. ;)

L wanted to go back inside rather quickly.  He is still such a cutie with his "I'm freezing" face. 

 

Sister on the other hand. 

Well mom said it best: "I have one that shivers all winter long and one that would walk barefoot in the snow just to eat it." 

 

 

That is exactly what I captured.

 

 

We will have a part II of this session in the near future. :)

 

email@angelclarkphotography.com

 

New baby G - Chicago Area Newborn Photographer

The M family welcomed a beautiful new baby girl into the world.  She is precious.  Mom and dad are beaming, you will see what I mean as you scroll down the images. 

 

 

Brother and sister are crazy about her.

 

 



proud daddy

 

 

I've known this beautiful mama since college and she looked good back then but now... WOW!

When you surround yourself with love it shows. 

Brother lost his shoe and baby sister thinks that is really funny! 

We took some really nice family portraits but this one was too cute!

A sweet little angel.

 

Congratulations M family! It is an honor to present these to you. 

The Reason I Do What I Do - Chicago Area Photographer

This first image is the reason I do what I do.  I don't do it for the money.  I don't even do it for those "picture perfect" images.  I do it because every so often I capture something real.  Something that I can not pose or recreate.

 

This little princess is 2 1/2 and that is exactly the image above screams.  I love it!

We took some great Christmas card worthy images but these are the some of the images that I personally loved from this session and why I do what I do.  Thank you Mama and E for allowing me to do what I love to do.