I shared this photo on my facebook page and some people commented that they are interested in having a session like this for their own children.
It has been my inspiration from God that makes me feel the need to place scripture on images and ultimately in homes. I've given these images to clients for free when they book me since the beginning of this business and it's kind of been kept a secret. It's always a gift and sometimes I'll get a call or email that says "I got this extra picture with a scripture on it-was it a mistake?" My upbringing has taught me not to talk about such wonderful things or my blessing gets taken away. Hmm. Anyway, Philippians 4:8 says to think of these praiseworthy things. How can you think on them when no one can share them? Lately I've wondered if I should stop keeping secrets. So I'm ready to share my heart for God and I'm eagerly wanting my work to speak volumes. I am SOOOO in love with Jesus. So, so, so in love with my Savior. Everything I do is because I want to put a smile on His face (although I am far from perfect!). I realize some of you aren't shocked-I've sprinkled my love for Christ all over my website and my facebook page. Keeping with my promise to give God the glory for my talent, I've always remembered it is HIS creation that I'm capturing, I've tried to make this business about what I'm about-Jesus. But, in all honesty, it's only the tip of the iceberg. It's so much bigger than that. God is so much bigger than that. I'm a person with struggles, trials, and tenacity for this Christian life-it is a daily, purposeful journey and it's so rewarding. Believe it or not, my business postings are actually "toned down" from what I really feel in my heart for Jesus. Yes, even still. I remember when I first started out there were a few seasoned photographers that told me I need to stop putting all the "God stuff" on my website-that it will drive clients away and I'll make less money. After all, this is a business (in other words, God doesn't belong in photography businesses). I never actually listened to them. I figured if God gave me this talent, then He should be given credit. I figured that the clients that are driven away weren't meant for me anyway. I reasoned that God would bless me with clients anyway (and HE HAS). But I still know that what God has done through my business hasn't been fully shared. I've been afraid that I can't stand up to what my images do for people or maybe I think too much of them. Perhaps I feel like people will think I think too much of myself or that I think I'm "too good" for them. I'm not sure which fear it is or if it's a combination of it all. The truth is I don't feel like I'm too good at all. I like my talent, but I know I have room to grow. I love my love for God, but I know it is HE that creates it. I feel like I don't deserve these blessings and the truth is, I don't. I also know that my kids don't "deserve" what they receive from me either. But is that really the question? Do I actually think to myself as I pick up a dress for Rio or a toy for Lathan, "Does he/she deserve this?". No, of course not! That's never the question. I'm too excited to give the gift! I imagine that's what God is like for me. So then, I've taken His blessings and turned them into blessing others.
My post from Facebook read:
Easter is coming and with it comes a flood of emotions for me. I start off pretty sad and stricken. Emotions from past events in my own life plague me and as I contemplate the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion, the feeling of sadness is sometimes overwhelming. Then that Sunday, the sadness turns to joy. I look forward to the feeling every year and in preparation, I love looking for ways to communicate what I feel through my art. I have begun thinking of it as their life story. I have always enjoyed painting these prophecies of belief for my kids-its part of how I pass on the legacy of faith that comes before them. I want them to be equipped and framed by these scripture images in the future. I want them to see scripture in their home, their rooms, next to their faces. Part of all of this is wanting more and more to do that for my friends-my clients. A vision I use often in my business is to offer to my clients what I would want for my own children. I don't want to simply "snap pictures for people". I want to write a story. I crave to speak into existence a framing for their very future-for all the children and families I meet. Soon after I took this picture of Lathan, my mom sent me posters of the fruits of the Spirit as a gift to hang in my room. She didn't know I had been reflecting on the very same subject. Her gift was because she wishes these gifts on me. She read in the book, "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson about a young girl whose parents framed and hung prophetic words in her room. When the girl grew up and left the house, she told her parents that on some nights when she couldn't fall asleep, she would look at the those words on the wall, and they would speak to her. Those framed words started to frame her. What a gift!! I want the same for my kids and the kids I meet. This image was taken in Spring and I am willing to go out there again if some of you are willing to create prophetic art of your kids in front of this cross. If many of you are interested, please comment below and I'll arrange a date with more details. Happy Easter!! :)
So people responded and really as soon as I hear one response, how could I decide not to? Truthfully, I've struggled with offering mini sessions anymore because my life is expensive. They are dreadfully underpriced because I can't bring myself to charge what my time is worth. From the outside it looks like its all profit and it's far from it. My children miss me and I miss them and whether its working in my room or off shooting, I'm not there. My kids and my bills are expensive. I feel bad even charging for such a wonderful event like Easter images. But I have to. It's more about the opportunity to do for someone else as I have done for myself. I have pictures of my kids with scripture next to them, or of them reading the bible, or an image with just a prophetic word to frame their personality. For this session, I actually don't even care if it's just one person. So I'm thinking about the true goal-a scripture image on the wall and for a child to see him/herself next to God's words. He/she will remember that picture when he/she grows up. A mounted 11x14 will do the job. It's the gift I've given to families since the beginning. It costs $110. So I've taken off $20 and am donating it along with my time to take the pictures, bring out props, edit them, upload and host them, and process the orders. It's a celebration of Christ and it's my sacrifice, which will be pleasing to Him. I don't usually work on Sundays, but I see this as a part of worship. These sessions will be available this next weekend and beyond. Perhaps you don't want a full session, you just want to frame your kids with scripture. These can always be booked. They will be at a discount for Easter, but "regularly priced" (time still donated) at $110 throughout the year. Just ask for an Inspired Child Session. I don't share all of these details so people feel like they're getting a deal or to give anyone permission to judge my worship or work habits; I share them because I am sharing my true heart. I am proud that I donate time, that I work hard for God, and that I consider my work as my ministry. I pray you'll be blessed and not-so-secretly, I know you and your family will!
You can purchase a session here and book by email:
Here are the details:
It has been my inspiration from God that makes me feel the need to place scripture on images and ultimately in homes. I've given these images to clients for free when they book me since the beginning of this business and it's kind of been kept a secret. It's always a gift and sometimes I'll get a call or email that says "I got this extra picture with a scripture on it-was it a mistake?" My upbringing has taught me not to talk about such wonderful things or my blessing gets taken away. Hmm. Anyway, Philippians 4:8 says to think of these praiseworthy things. How can you think on them when no one can share them? Lately I've wondered if I should stop keeping secrets. So I'm ready to share my heart for God and I'm eagerly wanting my work to speak volumes. I am SOOOO in love with Jesus. So, so, so in love with my Savior. Everything I do is because I want to put a smile on His face (although I am far from perfect!). I realize some of you aren't shocked-I've sprinkled my love for Christ all over my website and my facebook page. Keeping with my promise to give God the glory for my talent, I've always remembered it is HIS creation that I'm capturing, I've tried to make this business about what I'm about-Jesus. But, in all honesty, it's only the tip of the iceberg. It's so much bigger than that. God is so much bigger than that. I'm a person with struggles, trials, and tenacity for this Christian life-it is a daily, purposeful journey and it's so rewarding. Believe it or not, my business postings are actually "toned down" from what I really feel in my heart for Jesus. Yes, even still. I remember when I first started out there were a few seasoned photographers that told me I need to stop putting all the "God stuff" on my website-that it will drive clients away and I'll make less money. After all, this is a business (in other words, God doesn't belong in photography businesses). I never actually listened to them. I figured if God gave me this talent, then He should be given credit. I figured that the clients that are driven away weren't meant for me anyway. I reasoned that God would bless me with clients anyway (and HE HAS). But I still know that what God has done through my business hasn't been fully shared. I've been afraid that I can't stand up to what my images do for people or maybe I think too much of them. Perhaps I feel like people will think I think too much of myself or that I think I'm "too good" for them. I'm not sure which fear it is or if it's a combination of it all. The truth is I don't feel like I'm too good at all. I like my talent, but I know I have room to grow. I love my love for God, but I know it is HE that creates it. I feel like I don't deserve these blessings and the truth is, I don't. I also know that my kids don't "deserve" what they receive from me either. But is that really the question? Do I actually think to myself as I pick up a dress for Rio or a toy for Lathan, "Does he/she deserve this?". No, of course not! That's never the question. I'm too excited to give the gift! I imagine that's what God is like for me. So then, I've taken His blessings and turned them into blessing others.
My post from Facebook read:
Easter is coming and with it comes a flood of emotions for me. I start off pretty sad and stricken. Emotions from past events in my own life plague me and as I contemplate the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion, the feeling of sadness is sometimes overwhelming. Then that Sunday, the sadness turns to joy. I look forward to the feeling every year and in preparation, I love looking for ways to communicate what I feel through my art. I have begun thinking of it as their life story. I have always enjoyed painting these prophecies of belief for my kids-its part of how I pass on the legacy of faith that comes before them. I want them to be equipped and framed by these scripture images in the future. I want them to see scripture in their home, their rooms, next to their faces. Part of all of this is wanting more and more to do that for my friends-my clients. A vision I use often in my business is to offer to my clients what I would want for my own children. I don't want to simply "snap pictures for people". I want to write a story. I crave to speak into existence a framing for their very future-for all the children and families I meet. Soon after I took this picture of Lathan, my mom sent me posters of the fruits of the Spirit as a gift to hang in my room. She didn't know I had been reflecting on the very same subject. Her gift was because she wishes these gifts on me. She read in the book, "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson about a young girl whose parents framed and hung prophetic words in her room. When the girl grew up and left the house, she told her parents that on some nights when she couldn't fall asleep, she would look at the those words on the wall, and they would speak to her. Those framed words started to frame her. What a gift!! I want the same for my kids and the kids I meet. This image was taken in Spring and I am willing to go out there again if some of you are willing to create prophetic art of your kids in front of this cross. If many of you are interested, please comment below and I'll arrange a date with more details. Happy Easter!! :)
So people responded and really as soon as I hear one response, how could I decide not to? Truthfully, I've struggled with offering mini sessions anymore because my life is expensive. They are dreadfully underpriced because I can't bring myself to charge what my time is worth. From the outside it looks like its all profit and it's far from it. My children miss me and I miss them and whether its working in my room or off shooting, I'm not there. My kids and my bills are expensive. I feel bad even charging for such a wonderful event like Easter images. But I have to. It's more about the opportunity to do for someone else as I have done for myself. I have pictures of my kids with scripture next to them, or of them reading the bible, or an image with just a prophetic word to frame their personality. For this session, I actually don't even care if it's just one person. So I'm thinking about the true goal-a scripture image on the wall and for a child to see him/herself next to God's words. He/she will remember that picture when he/she grows up. A mounted 11x14 will do the job. It's the gift I've given to families since the beginning. It costs $110. So I've taken off $20 and am donating it along with my time to take the pictures, bring out props, edit them, upload and host them, and process the orders. It's a celebration of Christ and it's my sacrifice, which will be pleasing to Him. I don't usually work on Sundays, but I see this as a part of worship. These sessions will be available this next weekend and beyond. Perhaps you don't want a full session, you just want to frame your kids with scripture. These can always be booked. They will be at a discount for Easter, but "regularly priced" (time still donated) at $110 throughout the year. Just ask for an Inspired Child Session. I don't share all of these details so people feel like they're getting a deal or to give anyone permission to judge my worship or work habits; I share them because I am sharing my true heart. I am proud that I donate time, that I work hard for God, and that I consider my work as my ministry. I pray you'll be blessed and not-so-secretly, I know you and your family will!
You can purchase a session here and book by email:
Here are the details:
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