I Am An Artist

I recently had a couple of difficult days as a photographer... trying to justify to a client why I am charging what I do for my services and my prints and why I do not just give away the digital files for almost nothing.

After our communications back and forth, I took time to reflect about me, my portrait photography, and why I do what I do. I know I'm not the best photographer... I know I have a lot to learn... I know there will always be someone better... I know I fail at light, focus, and framing at times... I know my photography won't be everyone's favorites... I know some people will dislike my photography.

But, I also know...

I am a custom portrait photographer ~ I am an artist.
I am not a Sears Portrait Studio, a Portrait Innovations, and I am not conveniently located in your local Wal-Mart.
You are not just a time slot in my day… 
          you are an investment of my time, my passion, and my creativity.
I don't just take pictures…
          I create art with what I've captured through my lens.
I don't just sell you prints... 
          I offer you timeless keepsakes and cherished memories.
I am a custom portrait photographer ~ I am an artist.

Capturing Life ~ Capturing Memories
Mark Sexton, Photographer

So Blessed... And Thankful

As I prepared the below image to be the cover image for my Facebook page, I couldn't help but think about how blessed I am, and thankful I am.

The images in the collage are a sampling of recent photo sessions I've had.

My clients have no idea the amount of passion and emotion I feel during a photo session. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to capture their lives in a brief moment of time, knowing years later these images will be shared, talked about, and maybe still displayed on a wall, a desk, or an end table. These images could be part of a "Remember when..." or "This was you when..." or "I remember that top..." or "You were so cute..." or "That was your mom at the age of..." 

Yes... I am so blessed... and thankful... to have the good fortune to be part of my client's lives for a brief moment in time that will be a memory to be enjoyed, shared, and looked at for years to come.

Focus To See The Light

James 5:13

Olivia … Take Two

Finishing up Olivia's proofs today… of her second shoot… which was a re-shoot (Yeah, thats a long story, and one that I want to forget). And, although I LOVED the images from her first shoot, the images from her second shoot were just as beautiful, and many I liked better!


I can't wait to upload the proofs tonight for Olivia to see!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Leaves (by Elsie N. Brady)

Up North On My Mind

Olivia ~ Tri-Valley High School ~ 2013

I love it when someone loves to smile...

Olivia is like that.. and it made for a FUN and EASY senior portrait session! And even when she wasn't smiling, her eyes still showed SOOOO much happiness. And you just can't help smiling along with her.

Here are just a few of the amazing images from Olivia's senior portrait session...

Thanks, Olivia, for giving me the opportunity to capture your beautiful smile... Good luck during your senior year at Tri-Valley High School and beyond!!!

Echinacea

I love my flower images...

Iris 'flight of butterflies'

Grow Through Life

Pure White Peony

I love this peony in our front yard perennial bed... it is pure white and smells like Ivory Soap :-)

Dana & Brandon ~ Married

Ralph Waldo Emerson on "Friendship"

(Thanks to my friend Tangie Sheets of Life Reflections by Tangie for posting this quote on Facebook the other day... I knew I had to use it on a flower photo when I read it).

Humble Princess

I recently had a senior portrait session with Michaela, a senior at Olympia High School. Three words come to mind when I see Michaela... First and foremost, faith... she has a deep passion for Christ and desires to go into youth ministry after college. Second, orator... she's an award winning speaker and participates in theatre productions. Third, confidence... she just has it.

The below image is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! When I first saw it straight out of my camera it spoke one word to me... humbleness.

• Humbleness in faith
• Humbleness in speech
• Humbleness in confidence

Beautiful image... Beautiful girl... Beautiful heart.

Thank you, Michaela, for allowing me to capture you... and good luck at Olivet!!!

Capturing Leah

I can honesty say that I've never had a photo session that I didn't enjoy... But, there are those clients that I can hardly wait until they want photos taken again. Leah is one of those clients... she's just plain FUN to capture.

Leah is a Freshman at Heartland Community College and performs locally in theatre productions and takes advantage of singing opportunities whenever she can. She has an excellent voice... One that you can listen to all evening long. Look for her name to appear in Twin City theatre productions and at local "singing spots."

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these images from her most recent photo session.

Sweet and Lovely

Spring's Beauty

Hope ~ Psalm 39:7

Pre-Prom Portraits

A couple of years ago I was shooting a family session at Illinois Wesleyan. At the end of the session I started seeing several prom couples showing up for their pictures to be taken on the quad.

I stood back watching the proud parents snapping away with their cameras... girls giggling, boys beaming ~ young women dressed in colorful, beautiful, and tasteful evening dresses... young men dressed in perfectly prepared black and white tuxes.

I recently went back and glanced at the few images I shot that evening... Out of the way, behind and over the shoulder of a father or mother also taking a picture. It was so much fun watching the excitement of the evening begin.

As I looked at the images I remembered the smile it brought to my face and the happiness I witnessed... I began thinking how much fun it would be to offer pre-prom portraits for all Bloomington-Normal area high schools...

•BHS
•NCHS
•NCWHS
•U HIGH
•CCHS
•Olympia
•Tri-Valley
•LeRoy

So, here are the details:

•$30 per couple
-Includes 4 5x7's & 4 wallets
-You choose location
•Group of 4 or more couples: $25 per couple
•Group shots: $10 p/ print
-5x7 or 5x10, depending on group size
•Six 4x6 candid images: $15

If you're interested in taking advantage of this special offer, please email me at clcmphotography@gmail.com or call me at 309-838-2252.

Let me help you capture this special high school memory.

Each Day Too Short ~ John Burroughs

I Go To Nature ~ John Burroughs

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bloomington-Normal FCA Banquet 2012

I was blessed to have had the opportunity to be the photographer for the 2012 Bloomington-Normal Fellowship of Christian Athletes "Home Team" Banquet on Sunday, February 26. The guest speaker for the event was University of Illinois football alum J Leman, a graduate of Champaign Central High School. To learn more about J Leman and his story, visit his website at www.jleman.com.

Go Confidently ~ Henry David Thoreau

Christianity ~ C.S. Lewis

"Open Your Eyes"

Capturing Flowers ~ Bachelor Buttons

Now Available From Mark Sexton Photography

An Hour In The Garden

I love being able to mix my two passions: gardening & photography.

Sometimes... God speaks softly

Valentine's Day Sessions

There's still enough time to arrange for a Valentine's Day portrait session...

• From Me To You ~ $100

An individual session personalized by you, for that special someone in your life
1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7's
4 - wallets

• It's All About Us ~ $125

A romantic session focusing on the two of you, and the love that you share
2 - 8x10's
4 - 5x7's
4 - wallets

To set up your special Valentine's Day session, call 838-2252 or email clcmphotography@gmail.com.

Capturing Patrick ~ Eighth Grader, Metcalf School

I recently received a phone call from a professor that works in the same department as my wife at Illinois State University... I was asked to take portraits of their family and son Patrick, who is an eighth grader at Metcalf School (Illinois State University's elementary/middle lab school). As usual in the month of January, weather was not appropriate for outside shooting... but, another local photographer was gracious enough to let me use her studio.

Here are some of my favorites from the session with Patrick and his parents...

Thanks Patrick... I love how your images turned out!!! And, good luck in high school and beyond.

Capturing Summer Flowers ~ Wheatstraw Celosia 'flamingo feather'

Capturing Summer Flowers ~ Nicotiana (yellow)

Capturing Flowers ~ Summer 2011

Taking time to go through some flower images from last summer... Only a couple more months until we start seeing signs of life outside again. It never comes fast enough for me each winter.

Come Quickly, Summer... Come Quickly

Valentines Day

Valentines Day is coming...
How about a portrait with, or maybe for, that special someone?

Portraits are more affordable than you think... and last a lot longer than a box of chocolates!!!

Email me at clcmphotography@gmail.com or call me at 309-838-2252... 

I would love to help you make your Valentines Day more special!