Author: Dorothy Perry

My life is imbued with a vast lovely energy for photography and what it lets you see.
Notice What You Notice
A Certain Way · Creativity · Energy · Photography · Practice · Vision

Notice What You Notice

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I have always had an affinity for quirky, unconventional heroes in cartoons, books and movies.

It has taken me years to understand why these heroes attract me so.  The skill of using this type of attention and focus is the result of a system called reticular activation.

Imagine thinking of a special color, then slowly but surely starting to see that special color around you, and in many things you see throughout the day. The reticular activator filters and curates the pictures, patterns, and connections you are subconsciously thinking about.

Now I know that ‘as within, so without’, I use it now to help me notice what I am noticing – as a way to confirm if I am indeed moving towards the goals I seek.

My interest in cartoons and paladin-type heroes are that they embody a creative mindset, a never-give-up attitude, and ability to adjust with zen immediacy to whatever comes their way, all the while maintaining their autonomy and personal inner values.

My ‘mentors’ walk out on clouds without falling, stretch like rubber, find clothes and wigs wherever they are needed, and never give up, even if at first they seem to lose!

The reticular activator is also the visible language of the inner spirit. I enclose an inspirational piece from another mentor, Napoleon Hill. 

A most beneficial use of time is silent meditation, while searching for guidance from within.

We all experience rare moments when a blinding revelation comes to us, when we suddenly see things differently than ever before. Usually, however, we learn the truth about ourselves gradually, over long periods of time, from quiet introspection.

We are all spiritual, but some of us have learned to tap more effectively into the great strength that resides in the spiritual portion of ourselves.

The spirit is not boisterous and noisy. Getting in touch with your spiritual self demands tranquility and solitude.

Make sure you dedicate a portion of every day to thought and study, to think and reflect upon your life. Choose a time and place that best allow you to relax your mind and devote your thoughts to reflection.

It is my hope that these thoughts and methods will help assist you in your search for purpose in your life.

All the best,

On the Easel
Consciousness · Creativity · Dorothy Perry · Energy · Family Portrait · Perry Portrait Art · Photography · Practice · Vision

On the Easel

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Today’s On The Easel is an infant’s portrait in natural light.

Very small infants are absolutely lovely while they observe their world around them –

They truly embody innocence, essential energy, and innate purity.

I’d love to help record the fresh energy of newborns, toddlers and early youth

that changes so quickly (don’t we moms know!)

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait of your family,

let’s talk about how to make yours special.

Dorothy Perry photographs family and group portraits with a warm, emotional feel.

Let’s talk here. 

A Moveable Feast
Creativity · Energy · Perry Portrait Art · Photography · Practice · Vision

A Moveable Feast

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In the early nineties, I cut my teeth working for local weekly newspapers like the Defender, New City, and the Chicago Reader.

I loved seeing the interiors of cafes and restaurants in natural light, where the simplest things created artistic still lives, and photographed my meals before eating.

The food magazine Saveur was an inspiration to me, as for what could be done in capturing the zest of the real things happening in creating food,

and sometimes when I was lucky, I was able to photograph the people beginning the prep for the evening menu.

I got assignments from a SF startup called TurnHere and another called Seamless, photographing the dishes of local restaurants in their settings that would be included in their online advertisement.

My favorite assignment was shooting images for a book about local ‘greasy spoon’ diners, who found me by an image of the quirky scenes at Chicago’s famous White Castle.

Yes, their tiramisu tasted GREAT!

Moving into digital and past newspapers, I began to photograph for walks, special events, and expos, and photographed private events such as the Chicago WineFests in their various locations through the year.

Chicago Winefest – one of my favorite clients!

Past clients have included Sweet Thang Bakery, Letizia’s Bakery and Spacca Napoli, not to mention the restaurants captured for the start up companies.

I love watching the ‘zen’ movements of master chefs.

I’m a behind the scenes type of person, so I really enjoyed capturing the graceful rhythms of chefs within crowded rooms and the skill in creating the dishes for their customers.

The simplest things are beautiful to me.

I always pinch myself that I really do the thing I love every day. And I’d love to have the opportunity to work with you, too!

Fill out the Contact Page for photographic art of your event or experience soon!

All the best, Dorothy

Seeing the Big Picture
Creativity · Dorothy Perry · Energy · Family Portrait · Perry Portrait Art · Photography · Practice · Vision

Seeing the Big Picture

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Be seen.

Schedule a time at your home for a really good photo of your family –

and enjoy it every day afterwards.

Dorothy Perry creates purposeful portraits in beautiful daylight. Contact her here.

Elevenses
Consciousness · Creativity · Energy · Perry Portrait Art · Practice · Vision

Elevenses

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11:11 am and 11:11 pm

summons powerful energy during the minute,

a conduit for positive light and prayers

for all present and gone.

Dorothy Perry is a Chicago natural light photographer of intelligent, soulful portraiture for families and creative entrepreneurs.

Contact Dorothy here.

Show of Hands
Dorothy Perry · Energy · Perry Portrait Art · Photography

Show of Hands

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I photographed their parents elopement portrait

and their blending families,

and amongst the official moments

of this special day, of a new life,

they created a new portrait

especially for me to see.

I wish their big, brand new family

many moments of unity, amity, and love.

Perry Portrait Art captures real families and their good energy.

Complete the Contact Page to envision yours.

Imagine It
Consciousness · Creativity · Energy · Perry Portrait Art · Practice

Imagine It

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For the scholars, teachers and parents staring a new year, one of my ‘oldies but goodies.’

‘Enjoy’ a bowl of soup in a different way to connect (and reconnect) with the calm inside.

This uses a visualization technique called imaginating, a great tool for managing and mellowing real life situations.

The key is to let your hearing, sense of touch, sense of smell and taste engage naturally as you ‘hold’ the warm spoon and marvelous chickeny goodness in hand.

Try it, play with it (!) and apply it in different situations to see it work for you!

Dorothy Perry is a Chicago natural light photographer interested in the illumination of the inner life. Contact her here.

Contact Dorothy here! 

Generosity of Spirit
A Certain Way · Consciousness · Creativity · Dorothy Perry · Perry Portrait Art · Practice · Vision

Generosity of Spirit

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waving good luck cat maneki neko

There is a generosity of spirit I continually refer to in dealing with others.

The best way I can describe it is intent, creation, and maintenance of a state of mind

that is flexible, open eyed, and playfully creative.

It trains itself to see abundance in the environment,

experiences simple, present-moment emotions of happiness,

maintains a grounded, connection with internal wisdom (quickly when needed)

and surrounds itself with reminders

to look upward and inward for its answers.

Like Attracts Like
Consciousness · Creativity · Photography · Vision

Like Attracts Like

Dorothy PerryLeave a comment
rainbow with printed words Peace and Joy.

The mind attracts the thing it dwells upon.

Dorothy Perry is a Chicago natural light photographer of intelligent and spiritual portraits, personal branding for women entrepreneurs, and intimate family documentary.

Contact Dorothy here! 

Old Car, New Car
A Certain Way · Consciousness · Creativity · Practice · Vision

Old Car, New Car

Dorothy PerryLeave a comment

This is a little story of the application of abundant thought to creating a new auto. In short, this is how I made my new car happen!

I am a fan of the Volvo 240GL car – it is a very unique and beautiful car to me, and I have already owned four!

My current 240 was classic and beautiful, had deep sentimental value, and ran like a champ. But 3 years ago, a motorcycle hit and run damaged its side, and my energetic pleasure for this car decreased when I looked at it. The quotes for body work alone were more than it cost!

I was reading a new book for creating abundant situations in daily life, and chose to test their ideas with my car situation.

In meditation, I felt how I looked and thought about it in a continual state of dissatisfaction.

I did not want to feel this way about this car, which was great in every other way.

So I began to really love the heck out of this car just the way it was,

seeing memories of its dependability and protection in my mind,

memories of washing and cleaning it,

happy moments driving in the beauty of nature, and talking with loved ones,

saying that it would resolve itself in an even better way than I can imagine,

and most importantly, leaving it alone, and not dwelling in doubt that my desire would be granted in its own Divine order.

I blessed the situation with this confidence and abundance mindset for four months to see a change in the situation. It happened quickly and happily.

The Fourth of July saw a rash of gunfire in the area where I was visiting, and my car window was shot out by a stray bullet. No auto glass places, even the ones famous for older models, could find a window for it.

A terrific car for me – and now her new owner!

I lost my mind a little in the energy of ‘fixing it’ – activity that often makes things more expensive or worse! – searching want ads, frustrated at the communications with strangers, while dealing with the realities of errands without a car.

I forgot I had to speak what I desired into effect.

Now with sanity restored, I looked at the photographs of my car and thanked it for its’ years of dependable, safe operation, the memories driving loved ones, and its dependability, and wished its next owner years of pleasure and safety in driving it.

I then began to describe a beautiful auto of the same style that had been well cared for, and would be a stable, good running vehicle for myself and my family.

The change in the situation happened the next day. My searches led to a new auto website, and the details of a car lovingly cared for came on the market four days ago! Within a week this lovely gold 240 was mine!

The first night at home!

From stating my desire to seeing it in the energetic presence of a new car took about four months. It is exactly what I desired, and I enjoy owning it even more, knowing it came about in this manner.

I believe to send those you know and don’t know uplifted thoughts of love, acceptance, and abundance is a shift in mindset that assists that bringing about the good you desire.

Now the car is here, I have changed the statement that everyone who saw, heard, touched, or even briefly heard of my car and story would be blessed, enriched, and have doors opened for opportunity and abundance in their lives!

See you around Chicago!

Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots, & personal branding for women and executives at home and on location.

Please contact her here for commissioned work.