Thursday, March 19, 2015

New Baby Girl - Grayslake Newborn Photographer

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Just a quick note that my family and I will be enjoying Spring Break next week so check back in two weeks (April 2nd).   Happy Spring!
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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." - E. J. Le Shan

This beautiful baby is captured at just 4 days new.  After our wonderful maternity session, I knew the newborn session was going to be special.  Special it is!





"Babies bring us a piece of heaven on Earth." R. Leonhardt  


The first thing I heard when I arrived  for the session was a little voice exclaiming; 
"I have a new baby! I have a new baby!"



"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." Unknown



"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." C. Sandburg



"Words can not express the joy of new life." H. Hesse
Congratulations, W Family!

angelclarkphotography@gmail.com

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Book Release Event - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

Last July I was fortunate enough to work with author Emily Bleeker on a professional portrait session.  She used one of the images we took as her official author picture and it's included in her recently published book Wreckage.  Amazon did an early release in February offering the Kindle Edition.  Emily's book quickly took the number one spot in best sellers - Kindle Edition. She blogs all about that here.  It's been a whirlwind of success for her these last few weeks.  She had a book launch party over the weekend.  I was happy to attend and capture these images.  










Find Emily on FB.


She has a lot to smile about.  



Find her on Twitter.


Emily had this excited, nervous and happy energy that I could feel.  




Make sure you check out her blog.  
She has more exciting news regarding where you will be able to purchase Wreckage.  



 With thousands of copies sold she has already started on her next book.  



 Here she is signing my copy of Wreckage.  Make sure you get your copy.  


"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
Congratulations, Emily! Your courage inspires me.  


Thursday, March 5, 2015

My New Prayer - Grayslake Writer and Photographer

No, my new prayer isn't that winter goes away.  Although it's been an interesting winter filled with a lot of snow and blistering cold air.  My new prayer has more to do with my work.  When I say "work" I am not only talking about photography but also my life's purpose.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

So I'll start where this post began to take shape for me early this week.


I had an interaction with a seasoned photographer.  Mr. Kim owns his own camera repair shop, he has been photographing for over 40 years, and also currently teaches the art of photography - among other things.  His resume is filled with a lifetime of photography.  During this meeting he shared with me some of his latest work, spectacular images of American Eagles.  I asked him a few questions regarding his settings and what type of lens he used.  He was very open and forth coming.  He could have easily told me to take one of his classes but that's not the kind of person Mr. Kim is.    


He asked me what type of photography I do.  I replied mostly children and families.  Mr. Kim showed me some more amazing images including some of his students' images.  I then asked him if he would like to see something of mine.  He smiled as if I finally got the hint.  I wasn't prepared for this so I pulled up on my phone the last image I posted on my FB business page  (It's also the last image on my previous blog.) and I showed it to him.  


He looked at the image for just a minute before saying to me, "Why didn't you tell me you are an artist?"
Wow!
I told him how grateful I was for his kind words and how much it meant to me to hear him say that.
Shortly after this I left his office but not without him telling me one more time how much he enjoyed my vision.
His words echoed in my heart throughout the day.


There is this theory that I've read about and I've studied a little.  It's this idea that there is a field of infinite potential out there.  The field is filled with truly unique - ideas, creativity, theories and visions.  These ideas are not just images (for photography) or art but also scientific creativity. This field of infinite creative potential encompasses all areas of study/life.  


The theory states that true one of kind creativity doesn't really come from us per say.  It comes from the field and if we are open and ready the inspiration chooses us.


I shared this theory with my hubby and he said it sounded too far out there for him.  But I like it.  I like to think there are all these unique one of a kind ideas floating around like snowflakes choosing to land right on top of us.  


How do I get those snowflakes to land on me, I wonder?  Every where I searched the answer was: do it from a place of love.  Put love first and foremost; before money and before accolades.  Love is the answer.  



My new prayer comes from author Marianne Williamson who writes:
"And so it is with any business.  Before the meeting, or the interview or the session, or whatever, try saying this prayer:
Dear God I surrender this situation to you.  May it be used for your purposes.  I ask only that my heart be open to give love and to receive love.  May all the results unfold according to your will."


Amen

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Maternity Session Part 2 - Grayslake Photographer

Make sure you check out the other maternity session I posted today.

This was my first time working with this gorgeous mama.  She rocked this session and was open to try whatever I had planned.


You can't tell but she is past her due date! 
Her little love will be here any day now.  


I am stunning! 



 I am fearless!

Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone and trusting me to capture your "I am..."

angelclarkphotography@gmail.com



Maternity Session - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

"I am..." We can put anything behind that phrase: woman, mother, beautiful.  Not only can we place anything behind "I am" we are also free to define what woman, mother and beautiful mean.

I had the privilege of working with two beautiful expecting mothers who wanted to broaden the definition of what pregnant is and looks like.  Make sure you check out both blogs today.

First my friend X.  I've never known her to be shy or nervous about anything.  When she told me she was nervous, I thought she was joking.  She did fantastic and knew exactly the look she was going for.






  X works as a personal trainer and I love her silhouette.  
She is the creator of her own story.  
I'm fortunate to capture it for her.   

angelclarkphotography@gmail.com


Thursday, February 19, 2015

4th Birthday - Grayslake Children Photographer

This dynamic princess celebrates birthday number 4!
It's always so much fun working with her.  She has so much energy and love!



Strike a pose  


 
"Only a child sees things with perfect clarity, because it hasn't developed all those filters which prevent us from seeing things that we don't expect to see." D Adams

Princess E thank you for sharing your clarity with me.  Wishing you another healthy blessed year! And thank you to your beautiful mommy too!

Professional Head Shots - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

I have two sessions to share this week so make sure you check out both of them! This is a fantastic start for my photography business and I am grateful.

Last fall I had the opportunity to work with the M family on their beautiful family session.
This week I had the good fortune to work on Mr. M's professional head shots.



   
It was great to be able to present him with high quality finishing touches so that he could proudly disseminate his images.



Congratulations to Mr. M on his assignment as General Manager of the new Hampton Inn located in downtown Chicago.
The historic Chicago Motor Club building is currently being renovated into a contemporary, state of the art hotel ready for business this Summer.  Check out the updates on their FB page.
Best wishes for a successful year ahead Mr. M!