A moment before
the official portrait,
another one
was already there.
If I can help record your family legacy
with fine lifestyle portraits,
let’s talk here.
Before
Category: Practice
Dapper
This jaunty derby
was an essential part
of this young man’s
daily wear for school
for a time.
We artistic types recognize
what courage it takes
and what it costs
to be so different
in this world.
This tiny picture fragment
from long ago
becomes a testament
to childhood’s enduring,
beautiful spirit.
State of Mind
It’s a beautiful use
of the best part of you,
and the process to enter
an extraordinary way of life.
Set the Tone
A local young bride’s wedding photographs are now ready for her home.
I was extremely pleased to have two heirloom frames to work with: these images look amazing in antique settings!
Another pleasure was in working with a younger person’s style of communication and relating.
So lovely to meet another who values images that hold an vibrant personal energy for her home. I whole-heartedly agree.
Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots, & personal branding for women and executives.
Contact her for commissioned work here. Thank you.
Words From Friends
Sometimes, someone
captures a beautiful,
evocative idea
to inspire the week ahead.
This quote by Epicurus
on a friends’ Instagram post
‘speaks’ to me today.
Do not spoil
what you have
by desiring
what you have not.
Remember that
what you now have
was once among
the things
you only hoped for.
After years of chasing this dream
through the ups and downs of life,
I feel blessed and grateful
every time I look through the lens
at someone who trusts me
to capture a beautiful, personal moment
of their private lives.
If I can be of service to you or yours,
I appreciate meeting and working with you.
Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer
specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots,
& beautiful personal branding.
Notice What You Notice
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
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 –
I love how they embody their innocence, essential energy, and innate purity.
If you are interested in commissioning a custom portrait for your family, yourself
or as a gift for a treasured client, contact me so we can talk about how to make yours special.
I’d love to help see you surrounded by beautiful, meaningful personal art of the people that matter in the places that are ‘home’ to you.
All the best,
Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots, & personal branding for women and executives.
Contact her for commissioned work here. Thank you.
To Your Health
My personal portraits focus on enjoyment & contemplation.
I photograph people in their body’s ‘comfort zone’
and post-session remove canes, walkers, and aids for standing.
It is not a denial or sugarcoating of their age or health issue,
but a focus on a portrait that celebrates life
and a vision of wholeness.
Always to your health,
Dorothy Perry of Perry Portrait Art captures beautiful portraits that celebrate the best of you.
A Moveable Feast
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.
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.
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’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.
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,
Seeing the Big Picture
I had a business with a reputation for working with all types of personal frames and enjoyed the challenge of each session.
I am still a custom portrait photographer choosing the best of what is available now
to offer a brand new direction in a curated selection of portraits and photo art that showcases your session to view and love.
I respect busy family time and schedules and keep decisions easy to make, see and enjoy.
Rest and have fun knowing that it will be completed and ready for enjoying on your walls!
My door is open to chat with you and envision a new family portrait that shows in the eyes.
Be seen. Schedule a chat at your home to make a really good photo of your family – and enjoy it every day afterwards.
Dorothy Perry and Perry Portrait Art captures intelligent family portraits, branding images for women, and personal portrait documentary in beautiful Chicago daylight.
PERRY PORTRAIT ART 