#thoughts

Read me a story – Meet Debby 15 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Dec 19, 2018
2 min

Read me a story – Meet Debby 15 of 52 Phenomenal Women

©Amy Boyle Photography 2018 “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read to a child.” Dr. Seuss Meet Debby: (In her own words) “My life has been about children, books and libraries as reading is everything to me; enchanting, life changing and fulfilling. Reading was always my safe haven. As a child I would climb a rock wall, library book tucked under my chin, and sit on the summit for hours alone in my story world. It was a happy place. A wonderful

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The Color of Life – Meet Cara 14 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Amy Boyle

Dec 12, 2018
3 min

The Color of Life – Meet Cara 14 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Meet Cara: (In her own words) “I was twelve years old when it hit me for the first time: there was nothing more powerful than words. Perhaps in a last-ditch effort to give her students something to do at the end of the school year, my sixth grade teacher assigned my classmates and I one last creative writing story. I don’t recall it centering on a particular theme, nor do I remember what the story was actually about – but I do remember poring over the handwritten words on the

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Om is where your heart is… Meet Alessandra 13 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Amy Boyle

Dec 5, 2018
4 min

Om is where your heart is… Meet Alessandra 13 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Meet Alessandra: (In her own words) ©Amy Boyle Photography 2018 People tell me at work that when they see me they remember to pause and take a breath. They take a moment to get out of their head, their worries, their anxiety. Others ask me how I can keep a sense of calm and focus when the pressure is on. I tell them I practice mindful meditation. For 15 minutes every morning I sit by the same window and practice being still, in my body, in the present moment by paying attenti

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My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)”… Meet MJ 12 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Amy Boyle

Nov 28, 2018
3 min

My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)”… Meet MJ 12 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Meet MJ: (@mjtam) ©Amy Boyle Photography 2018 In her own words… “It was 1999 when I first stumbled writing online. I was in the fashion industry at that time, and I was extensively traveling for work so during my flights and hotel stays, I started documenting my daily experiences on an online journal. I anonymously blogged my life as the new mom-to-be. I instantly connected and found a community of blogging women and next thing I knew; I became a big part of the first collabo

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The girl that lived: Meet Liz – 9 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Amy Boyle

Nov 7, 2018
2 min

The girl that lived: Meet Liz – 9 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Meet Liz: (in her own words) “I could tell you the horrible details of how I was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer, the 200 hospitalizations and 40 surgeries that followed. But, I am so much more than that. Cancer gave me a very important gift. Before my diagnosis, I wasn’t aware that I had the ability to be happy, joyful, appreciative and loving no matter what the conditions were surrounding me. It is only now that I am thankful for the contrast of the struggle I went through.

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“Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.” – Meet Martina: 7 of 52 Phen

Amy Boyle

Oct 24, 2018
3 min

“Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.” – Meet Martina: 7 of 52 Phen

Meet Martina: a 20-something, first-generation college graduate born, raised and recently returned to the Windy City. In her own words… ©Amy Boyle Photography 2018 “I used to think that 23 would be my year… I’d have my own place, own car, be well into my career and finally able to keep a steady gym regimen. I’m 24 now stumbling sloppily into 25 and I’ve achieved none of the later. Fingers crossed for 32. Compared to the average 20-something, my resume may be beefier than some

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Strength in numbers, reaching one mother at a time: Meet Marcia – 5 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Amy Boyle

Oct 10, 2018
3 min

Strength in numbers, reaching one mother at a time: Meet Marcia – 5 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Meet Marcia: (in her own words) I found Pilates twelve years ago after a large weight loss and a stress fracture from running, and knew within months that I wanted to learn it from the inside out. I had done many kinds of exercise before, but none made me feel the way Pilates did. It was as if I were suddenly introduced to dozens of cool relatives I had never met before, and now we were all learning to communicate and get to know each other. My body was a family, there to sup

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One mile at a time; this dedicated walker is one to remember: Meet Dani – 4 of 52 Phenomenal W

Amy Boyle

Oct 3, 2018
2 min

One mile at a time; this dedicated walker is one to remember: Meet Dani – 4 of 52 Phenomenal W

Meet Dani: We met years ago through our local parish. Both of us were volunteering and supporting our church/community at large. I’ve always been drawn to Dani’s welcoming and supportive nature. She has a smile and an energy level that is contagious. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2018 Dani retired from her position as Mergers/Acquisitions Clearance Director at the law firm, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, after 29 years. Before she retired, Dani’s life was touched by Alzheimer’s over 30 year

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Loving her story and the pursuit of being brave: Meet Maria – 3 of 52 Phenomenal Women

Amy Boyle

Sep 26, 2018
2 min

Loving her story and the pursuit of being brave: Meet Maria – 3 of 52 Phenomenal Women

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do.” – Brene Brown ©Amy Boyle Photography Meet Maria: Q. What is one story you have always wanted to tell? A: I might look okay from the outside, but inside I wasn’t always this way. I’ve struggled with a problem since second grade; a sweaty little secret called hyperhidrosis (excessive uncontrollable sweating). Yep. Who else do you know who can make their own raindrops? But I’m no

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When more is more; how saying “YES” makes your life richer: Meet Meaghan – 2 of 52

Amy Boyle

Sep 19, 2018
2 min

When more is more; how saying “YES” makes your life richer: Meet Meaghan – 2 of 52

©Amy Boyle Photography 2018 Meet Meaghan: One year, for my birthday, I experimented with saying “yes” to everything. It started as one of those wishes you make only to yourself as you blow out the candles. Commit to having a little more fun, doing a little more good, loving a little more. I found that I had a lot more “yes” in me when the next birthday rolled around, so I kept going. Truth be told, I was filling my buckets long before then, pouring myself into family, philant

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Amy Boyle

Sep 9, 2018
4 min

52 Phenomenal Women

What would happen if we took time every week to recognize and share with our friends/community/tribe someone we think is phenomenal? Just imagine the list of inspiring people we would know at the end of the year. I was thinking recently after one of my photoshoots, that my career lends itself to meeting many interesting and fantastic people daily. What I also realized is that so many of these amazing people are unaware of the subtle thing they do everyday that brings joy and

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