Photography as Worship: What Serving Through Photography Has Taught Me
Something I haven't shared much about through social media or my website in my photography journey is how integral serving my church community has been to my growth multi-dimensionally. In a culture where what we do is often the first thing we identify with rather than who we are, being a part of the photography team at my church is a way that I've been able to bring something I do together with who I am as a child of God. It's allowed me to lead with identity first, as a child of God with a gift that he's given me to build his kingdom.
About a month or two after joining the church I call home- Zeal Church, in Colorado Springs, I felt convicted to not only get involved with the community but to serve it in some way. Selfishly, at the time I signed up to learn more about serving because I wanted to find community desperately. As a multi-passionate individual it was actually quite challenging to figure out where I wanted to serve because there were SO many options. I tossed around the idea of auditioning to join the worship team for some time because I loved to sing and quickly realized how terrified I was of actually doing that (and shoutout to the worship team because holy smokes!). I thought about the idea of joining a team that protects our church community, and I thought about photography. But ultimately, I actually joined the one team where ironically, you're really sort of on a solo mission in your service. However, I think this was the exact right place for me and that God still honored my deep desire for community. And beyond that, he used this to transform me, my photography, and even start a real business.
One of the things that I've really grown into doing photos for the church aside from technical skill, is my observational, documentary style. In sacred moments witnessing is so much more important than interrupting. And I've carried that lesson into the rest of my work. I hadn't shot in low light settings like this before, hadn't done church photography before, hadn't done photos that resembled a concert, or taken photos of moments that were unbelievably sacred. I have seen people fall to their knees, have tears falling down their cheeks, and laying down burdens that have spanned lifetimes and generations. What an absolute privilege. Some of these moments were witnessing people being transformed at the altar or baptisms where people publicly declare their faith in Jesus. And, these were the moments that I began to truly adore.
Something that is unique about church photography is that it is repetitive but never the same, and serves a distinctive and meaningful purpose. In this case it shows active community, is used on social media to show what attending our two lively campuses is actually like, and hopefully makes disciples. This has been the first area with photography where I was doing so much more than telling a story (which is still important!). Though it would be easy for me to say my motives for continuing to do this kind of photography are 100% about the church and God's purpose over how this work can build the church, I have reaped some unexpected benefits.
I have in a roundabout way found incredible community despite shooting being a mostly solo mission- I have gotten to shoot in so many different settings with so many different people, lighting situations, expressions on people's faces, and it's stretched my creative wings to look at the same space and a lot of the same people with new eyes many Sundays. And most importantly it's given me a new way to worship. So why do I share this? I share this because I think theres some common threads that permeate through my work now, that I found footing in through my local church. And, I hope it gives you something that you can carry with you too. My church does "bottom shelf" takeaways- and here are mine; 1) Wanting to glorify God with the gifts & skills he's given me in all things is something I remain prayerful and intentional about through all of my work. I actually pray every time I shoot a session for someone- yes. Every time. You never know how God will work in the spaces you invite him into. 2) Sometimes being behind the camera can surround you with community even if at face value it seems isolating. 3) Bearing witness and capturing moments that people don't get to re-live is an absolute privilege and a sacred part of the job that I cherish. 4) You never know how you may be surprised as a direct result of obedience to God's whispers. 5) Photography is worship!
On that last note- It's my continued prayer that I get to keep doing this, that I get to keep shooting sacred moments, and that the work that's produced serves God and other people.
