witness

February 22nd, 2011

This fall I took a big step (for me), hung out my photography shingle & started taking people’s pictures for money. It was scary & challenging but totally amazing. I met a lot of great people and really stretched myself. I couldn’t believe how stressful it was to give my completed images to my clients. I was so worried about how they would receive them- if the pictures would strike a cord in their hearts or leave them wishing for more. I’ve been on the receiving end of disappointing photos… more than once… and never want to be the cause of those feelings. Such a let down! Except for a glowing ear I overlooked in one photo, everyone was pleased & sent me amazing feedback. It makes my heart sing to be able to capture someone for their loved ones to treasure.

I am so thankful to be able to explore photography more. It has opened up parts of me that I didn’t even realize were shut down. I forgot that I am creative. Actually, to be more accurate, I have thought for a long time that I am not creative. In taking pictures, my creativity has opened up. Seeing life through my lens helps me to look at things differently. I see memories in the making. I see colour & light dancing around me. I see love unfolding. Sometimes, when I look & listen really carefully, I can see someone’s heart completely unguarded, walls down & vulnerable. Those are the moments I really cherish.

I have been trying to define what it is I want to do with my photography. I really feel like the Lord has given me a gift- it’s raw & needs to be developed but I feel like I might be able to make a difference through my photography. I love taking pictures of people- of my beautiful children as they grow far too quickly. Of new life, recent to this world. Of love and family and laughter and tears. Of moments and memories. I try ever so hard to do more than just document what someone looked like on a given day- I want to tell their story. Lots of time nerves, my inexperience or people’s moods make that tough but when I get it right, it’s like a little bit of magic jumps out at me.

When I take pictures, something stirs inside of me. It’s like a fire that ignites. I have had such a difficult time expressing it in any kind of tangible language. Recently, I watched a short video journal recorded by a friend of my sister. Paul talked about bearing witness to the lives of the people he encounters. That resonated POWERFULLY with me. Friends, THAT is what I want to do! Those are the words I’ve been searching for (Thank you Paul for helping me articulate them). I want to bear witness to the lives of the people God brings into my life. I want to tell their stories.

Currently, I am taking a course on creativity. One of the things Kal asked us to do is to set a big, fantastic creative goal. I believe that speaking your goals gives them life so I want to share my goal with you. I have no idea how long it will take or how I am going to accomplish it but that is not going to stop me! My goal is to bear witness to the lives of children in 20 different countries. This April I am heading to Mexico with a team of people. We are going to build two houses for two homeless families. I am also going to have the opportunity to visit a migrant camp & be part of a distribution. I so look forward to bearing witness to the lives of the people I encounter in Mexico & to sharing my images with you when I return.

Thanks for reading and for bearing witness to my life. Feel free to leave me your thoughts in the comments.