In His Image

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above..”

Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…and be THANKFUL!”

Colossians 2:7 “rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”

Psalm 89:1  ”I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”

I am humbled  by God’s grace and provision.  Sitting in my new studio, typing this blog post is a dream come true.

Flashback to 2006, I quit my former career in pharmaceutical/medical sales to stay home with our girls.  It was a tremendous change in finances and lifestyle for our family and we prayed God would make the ends meet somehow.   Spending so much time with my own little ones renewed my appreciation for family and I wanted to soak in all the memories.  It was during that time immersed in stay-at-home mom tasks that my love for photography really began. For whatever reason, holding that camera felt like home to me.

In October 2007, I put flyers in all 110 of my neighbor’s mailboxes to advertise outdoor fall photography at our community lake/nature trail.  I had over 20 families show up to be photographed and from then on, God has continue to guide my steps.  I was running at the YMCA on a dirt track praying to Him for guidance after such a ground swell of response.  I didn’t have a clue about running a business but I knew the first thing I needed was a name.  I asked him to provide me with something and as I made a turn, he showed me a beautiful cross ahead.  It was the cross section of a home’s large picture window that glimmered in the bright afternoon sunlight.  I had run passed that window dozens of times but never even noticed that cross.   I heard a word in my heart to call it “In His Image” and that will remain my company name always.  I want His hand on my every move, every business decision, every milestone.  I want to use my camera to glorify him and to capture all the beautiful things and people he has created in His own image (Genesis 1:27).

Summer 2008, I had read every book in the public library on photography.  I was shooting lots of family sessions and had a random meeting with another photographer in the park.  I began shooting weddings with Laura who became a wonderful friend and photography mentor.  That education in light, adaptation to situations and basic crowd control added another layer of love to my photography life.  I have now shared amazing and tender wedding day moments with over 30 couples and that has brought me great joy.  That year brought the addition of my website, greater editing software and better equipment.  I asked and He always provided.

Summer 2009, I was asked to photograph a fashion book for Christian women.  I had a fast eduction in strobe lighting then spent 2 months shooting and editing a 10 chapter book for Zondervan Publishing.  There were more weddings, more commercial work, more families, children and babies that year too and I knew I needed more help.  I invested in an accountant/business advisor, a graphic artist, a computer specialist, a blog, Facebook marketing, more professional seminars, more equipment, etc.  I began shooting for charities like Flashes of Hope and Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep which reminded me again that photography is the only way to stop time.  Life is fragile and often very short but the photographs I can provide for grieving families give me further validation that I am doing exactly what God created me to do.  God also led me to wonderful property owners who graciously allowed me to use their airplane hangers, barns, horse stables, sunflower fields, pools, etc. as photo shoot locations.  Only He could have arranged those chance meetings and growing relationships.

Summer 2010, the book will officially launch August 8 in Borders, Barnes & Noble, Lifeway Christian and many other retailers.  My company gets all the photography credit- what????  Only God can be given credit for this journey.  I am a girl with a science degree who never dreamed she would be a business owner or a photographer.  Thankfully, His dreams are bigger and better than our own.  We celebrated another great summer in the sunflowers and now, by his grace and provision, I am a proud studio owner.   We took a leap of faith and  converted 1/2 of our downstairs living space into my studio.  There really are no words for my gratitude.

I can hardly wait for summer 2011.  I don’t know what lies ahead but I DO know the One who does.  He is a loving, tender, awesome, magnificeint, forgiving and gracious Father who wants nothing more than to give his children the desires of  their hearts.  He can take your little dream and make it a living reality. Wow.

My cup runneth over.

BEFORE

During the process....

AFTER!!!