Dear Loving Photographer,
(Yes, Loving, maybe Jesus knowing, Photographer)
I don’t know if you have spent a lot of time thinking about how your full-time job, career or hobby is “Kingdom Work” but recently, it’s been on my mind. My name is Lauren and I love Jesus. I spend a lot of my time thinking about how I can love Jesus the best with my gifts. I suffer from overthinking; however, often my overthinking becomes a blessing or preparation for what the Lord is preparing me for. Sometimes not, nevertheless, I hope this message is a blessing.
Hot Take: Photography captures a glimpse of God’s view on His masterpieces.
Quick Story:
I was a very independent, rule follower growing up. Without any wisdom from my community, I misinterpreted what avoiding false idols, such as my own appearance truly meant. I thought I could make strict rules for myself and be good. Thus, I avoided photographing memories and posting images on social media, everything that logically might cause me to stumble into any pride of my appearance. Unfortunately, this has caused more harm than likely benefit. Yes, I still leave social media for months and not really notice. However, I never felt like I was beautiful looking in the mirror each morning. Void of media, I was stripped from online comparison and still missed a masterpiece.
December of 2019, I was in prayer and the Lord revealed to me I had believed some lies about my identity. One was that, I was beautiful. I thought I knew that. I read and knew scripture that told me I was a masterpiece, knit together in my mother’s womb by my Creator. That was that. It took me by storm realizing knowing and believing were two entirely different things. I told other women how beautiful they were often. My protective brothers often told me looked nice. We had a Christmas card photo every year that was piggie backed from whatever wedding or trip we went on. The boys didn’t really love the photo taking experience and I have been known for blinking during the rushed photo experience. We would get an annual Christmas card photo from the one image that I wasn’t blinking or someone else wasn’t actively complaining
Until one day, a photographer changed my camera-captured scope-of-experiences from solely, rushed photos to one joy-filled evening of laughter.
How did this happen? April 2020, one of my best friends asked a photographer to take her graduation photos. We had both been quarantined for many months at this point and she asked me to join her to celebrate our 4 years at the BEST UNIVERSITY EVER, Purdue University. We had so much fun, running around, laughing together at our favorite place on earth, and occasionally pausing to smile for photos.
The photographer told us to be ourselves and directed us to iconic campus spots and off the beaten path locations. Later that night, she shared us each five photos from the evening where she had adjusted light and done her magic.
Her gifts, as a photographer, took my breath away as they captured true, authentic beauty you can’t see yourself.
It just hit me. God made us in His image. He called us very good when He crafted us. It’s not prideful to acknowledge the beauty we embody when we choose to accept the love our Maker. My childhood perception missed who I was. My strict rules were like the additional rules made by the pharisees. They missed the mercy and love in the earliest books of the bible. Our Father loves us and wants us to understand the fullness of what we designed to resemble, his beautiful masterpiece.
None of that would have clicked if it wasn’t for a loving photographer. So if you, who is reading this is a photographer, thank you for all you do for people out there who need reminded that they are beautiful. You have a gift and bringing people together around memories and feelings take people’s breath away.
With love,
Lauren
