I haven’t written more because as of the end of September I began work as a professional photographer in a local studio. Freelancing for the last few years has been wonderful fun but sporadic. Now seemed like the right time and the right opportunity to try a studio setting and I am loving it!
Lately, I have had a wonderful eye-opening experience shooting senior portraits. I do not think that I am a terribly judgmental person, but like most people I do make judgment calls and perhaps prejudge people I meet, (and maybe I am harsher on teenagers!) But as they sit in front of my lens and I am truly in the moment something happens. My shell of prejudice begins to fall away and I feel a connection with the divine in that person.
First, I see them as their mother or grandmother may see them, with loving, kind, forgiving eyes. And then after just a few more minutes I get a glimpse of how I think a loving Heavenly Father, or God, sees them, and I am in awe. I begin to see things in them and appreciate them in new ways. The camera lens becomes a lens to see through His eyes.
This is why I love what I do. My heart has been softened. I have been given a precious gift–eyes to see more than I on my own could possibly know. For me creating portraits that capture the best in each person is not simply a technical matter of lighting, posing, and angles. For me, each portrait is to show a child of God as the true work of art.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Camera’s are awesome for capturing that one moment in time! Its nice to see someone who is inspired by taking routine photos instead of the usual “Next please” don’t lose your vision!
November 13th, 2008 at 12:03 am
I love the sentiment behind this post. It reminds me of a teacher I know who asked God to help soften her heart toward a teen in her class who seemed unreachable. As the year wore on, SHE was the one who was transformed first, and her genuine attitude towards this young man eventually broke through his hard shell.
It sounds like God has you exactly where he can best use you.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Beautiful thoughts! God bless you.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:03 am
I love how your writing continues to grow and that you are enjoying your career so much
November 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
That’s beautiful. It’s a wonderful blessing to be able to do what you love, and then to better yourself in the process is icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing!
November 13th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Lovely sentiment. So wonderful that your profession can make you care about and appreciate people, and get a glimpse of God.
November 28th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Nice Rachel! You’ve been able to find the good in so many people. The camera has a real way of letting you see someone or something for just a moment differently. Seeing the divine in that person shouldn’t be all that surprising since this is just another way for you to take part in the creative process. Its perhaps your one chance to influence how this person will view him/herself and how the world in general will view that person for years to come. You get a chance in every picture to show someone well or poorly to the world. There are so many ways that photographers have extraordinary powers which allow them to create, destroy, report, build, transform and transport someone or something, how beautiful that you recognize this power. I hope you let each child and each person you shoot know how much this means to you, its like that random person who smiles at you and may change your life forever. Teenagers are like the chrysalis, they are at a crossroads in life and don’t always know which way to go, some are dreaming of great goals and accomplishments; others are dreading tomorrow, some may not make it to tomorrow because they feel no one understands or appreciates them. Love these special people. They are our future! I love you and how you’ve always seemed to have a bit of wisdom that exceeds that of others. God speed and BUILD THE KINGDOM RACHEL!
December 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
All the info on your website was great, I like the nice clean layout of posts.