Giving Back

I have had this vision to be able to use my work for God-not only to bless the lives of people I take pictures of and their families, but also to bless people on a larger scale. I'm beginning to offer my work to businesses and intrigued clients that love my work. You see the images on Facebook and they flash across the website...then that's it. They lay there--stagnant. A new eye comes across the website and the image revitalizes in the heart and mind of the viewer, but what now? Well, my work is not meant to stay in digital format. I've shared with my clients that I'm profoundly scared of this outlook. That's why digitals in my business are gifts for VIP's on top of their purchases-they are never the end result. Ever. I was convicted of this when as a family we had an extremely rare afternoon all together, and I happened to be sorting prints. I realized that the prints were the only way we could comfortably gather together and laugh and share memories. Wall hangings and prints are what we talk about! All the work I've done in the past that still sits on my computer meant nothing at that moment...because those images weren't being passed through our hands or hanging where we could all see. My family-even with a photographer in it-will not gather around the computer for hours clicking through files. It's just not the same.

But who will purchase pictures for themselves of people they do not know and why?? Is that creepy??

Haha! Yes I thought that. It's NOT creepy if the purchase blesses others. It's not if it's inspiring and emotional and visually pleasing. Businesses rely on images to invite people into their store; to make them feel welcome. Art has been around for decades and pieces are displayed in homes everywhere. Do I feel like my images can bless people at this level? Do I feel like they depict God's handiwork? Absolutely! He is the Creator, He created me, He inspires me, and He made everything I've ever captured. So then, His work is worth the praises!!

The gallery will always be up on my site. So far I've picked some of the works that have inspired many. If you own a business or simply need some art for your home, I can take orders anytime. You can add scripture to the image or order it as is. These are not discounted art. They are worth every penny. The proceeds from every sale will go to Compassion International. I've given to this organization before, and I want to have something ongoing for them. The work they do is phenomenal. If you are interested in what they do, please visit their website. We are sponsors to 2 beautiful children (throught Compassion and through Food for the Hungry) and my kids love their new sisters.

To view the gallery, please go to my website on your flash-enabled computer (http://www.capturingcreations.com). Hover your mouse over "Giving Back" and click on the words "Compassion International". Enjoy!!

Inspired Multiplied

Let me begin with "GOD is SO GOOD!!" Since my post for the Inspired Child sessions 13 days ago, I've received a pat on the back from other photographers via email, share, or simply their resolve to do something like this for clients next year. I've also had mothers and parents tell me how priceless the photos will be to their family. A mother this morning said, "(it) caused me to want to pray for a scripture/promise for my children." I and God couldn't be happier!

I shared that from the very beginning of my business, placing scriptures ultimately on the walls of the homes of my clients was my very-best-kept-secret goal. I gave scriptured prints away for free for 6 years-11x14 mounted prints-ready to frame. I plan on continuing this plan. Now that I've shared my heart, people love the idea. I couldn't imagine why not!! Dear Lord, You and Your holy WORD inspires people!! He asks us to do it in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. He actually handed down the laws to the Israelites and told them: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Do you think God thought there was a benefit to having scripture written on your home and impressing them on your children? Not just the Ten Commandments, but the very words of Christ, the psalms-anything, everything. We take so many scriptures literally, why not this one? Of course this one!

I want to assure you that God is a God of multiplication. There are countless photographers who have seen this and thought to duplicate this plan or sessions but somehow feel that its wrong and they're "copying an idea". I'm a photographer. I know how you feel and I know where it comes from. I've been copied before and I know how it feels on that side too. I'm not here to get into all the intricacies of individualistic art. This is different. Please hear me: please do this!!! This is the Word of God-which is in all, through all, and for all. My God is a God of multiplication. Instead of one photographer-just imagine-thousands of photographers giving away scriptured prints. Placing them on the walls of homes everywhere.

There literally are thousands upon thousands of photographers that personally bear the name of Christ. Many have a company name inspired by God as I do, some of them simply are Christians. They blog about their pictures and have been inspired by them. They find their work not only as a joy but as their ministry to families. I am one of you. I know what it's like to look through the lens or put an image in Photoshop and see God. If you are a Christian and a photographer and are not seeing this and somehow the enemy has separated what you do in camera and office with what you feel personally, please seek me out, email me, message me through my website or call me and let me give you the confidence to know that what you do can be inspired by that Spirit within you. You can have the absolute best life as a photographer by giving into that compelling Spirit-don't quench it (I Thessalonians 5:19)! If you're not quenching the Spirit, then putting a scipture on that image should feel completely natural! I want you to feel free to do it. I also want you to see more about my heart as a photographer in doing this. You are free to do as you want, but please hear the roots of God's movement and know it's no accident.

I have prayed from the beginning of my business. I looked for a flagship scripture to what I do. What is my reason for this business? I knew I wanted to find a scripture to show what was in my heart-I really wanted to share with the world what God has created. So I named my business Capturing Creations. Then I searched the Psalms for something close. I found Psalms 9:1-"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders," and it was perfect.

My first paid session was of sweet Addison. The photo inspired the passage. It seemed to me like it was beckoning for it. So I put it on there and gave it to her mom.

I'm not a perfect person and I get a lot of things wrong. I have allowed myself to be pulled away from God by people and circumstances. So I feel like each of these images brings me back to a safe and holy place-a place many of you might understand, but them some may not. This is a holy place. Treat it as so. Don't charge more for scripture if someone wants you to add it. Try giving it away for free to clients-even the ones that don't treat you the nicest. You'll be surprised how challenging, humbling, and transforming this practice can be. It's certainly not easy!! If you feel you need to have a different price for these, then make it a discount. The way I see it, it is a sacrifice of time and money, but it goes straight to God and the clients get the benefit. I'm ok with all of this because it's in my heart. If you advertise this as a mini-session, don't charge for your time when you do these and make them available at any point of the year. For me, it started as a sacrifice and will stay that way. My time will always be a donation. If I get so many that I can't handle, then I'll designate a day of the week, try to schedule them on the same day, or ask people to wait so I can donate the time.

Pray for your clients before your session. Pray before that wedding and that session, sometime that day that God be glorified in your work.

Read your bible. Scripture comes easier when you have read them and know them well. I cannot describe how rewarding it is when I pull in a photo on the computer and it screams a scripture at me. Sometimes its so overwhelming and the tears flow. They're not even my family! But what I've captured is Love-which is God. I wouldn't have that feeling if I didn't know the scriptures! I have learned more scripture through the years in study and each new image that speaks gives me more to pull from. It's amazing! But who am I kidding-we should know that already. God IS amazing and He is the ultimate inspirerer and creator! How could this ministry ever be anything short of abundant reward? He. Is. God.

If you plan on doing a free scripture print per family or feel the tug to be part of this movement in some way to place scriptures on walls, then do a scripture. I know there are countless poems, quotes, and songs about God, but nothing is as inspiring as the very Word of God and His promises. He inspired those songs, poems and quotes! Resist the urge to put something else-stick to the very root of it all.

Don't stop being inspired by the Word. Take that inspiration from your work in photography to what you do at home. It can be used in how you make your child's lunch, how you serve your husband, friends, and neighbors. Like I've said before-I'm not perfect. I'm also talking to myself here. We are all on the same journey going for the same goal, aren't we? Putting a smile on God's face? Yes, that's my goal. No matter what I do.