Families rotated through a festive studio in Palos Hills on Thursday evening, trading winter coats for glue sticks and glitter at a Valentine’s Day Craft Night hosted by Photography by Angel.
The Feb. 12 event invited local children and their parents or caregivers to spend a half hour creating heart-themed crafts, sharing snacks and posing for a Valentine’s Day portrait. Each family signed up for its own time slot, giving children space to spread out their supplies and step in front of the camera without feeling rushed.
Laughter filled the studio as young artists decorated cards and keepsakes in shades of pink and red. When craft time wrapped up, children took turns smiling for Valentine’s photos, some clutching their handmade creations as proud props.
For studio owner Angel Malone, the evening was about more than holiday fun. It reflected the philosophy that led her to open her business in 2010 after more than 15 years working for other photography companies.
A mother of two young adults, Angel said her love of photography began in childhood and deepened as she raised her own family. Watching her children grow, she learned firsthand how quickly milestones pass.
“They don’t stay little for very long,” she said. “You blink and a stage is over.”
That perspective shapes her approach behind the lens. Angel encourages parents not only to photograph their children but also to step into the frame themselves. Years later, she said, those images become priceless reminders of everyday moments.
Angel credits her husband, whom she met as a teenager, for supporting her dream of opening a studio. With his encouragement and the backing of her parents and children, she launched Photography by Angel and began building what she describes as lasting relationships with clients.
Her studio is located at 10708 S. Roberts Road in Palos Hills.
Her offerings now include in-studio and on-location portrait sessions, along with wedding and event photography, business and product shoots, and school, sports and equestrian photography.