For The Love Workshop

I’m back from a wonderful week at For The Love workshop in Knoxville, TN! I’ve been thinking about what to write in this blog entry, or even if I should write everything I’m thinking…and I decided to just spill everything out right here. I haven’t done a lot of personal posts (mainly because it’s so strange to me thinking that there could be people out there reading this that I don’t even know, or maybe no one is reading this at all). Anyway, I really feel like I should share what’s on my mind because, who knows…it may help someone out there identify with me or understand me a little better.

Before this workshop, I went in without any expectations because this was the first workshop of its kind and I really didn’t know what would happen. I knew that I would meet other Christian photographers, but I had no idea how it would affect me. Well…let me tell you…it affected me a lot. Over the span of a few days, I learned a lot about myself. The word that kept coming to my mind was “selfish”. I am such a selfish person. I don’t consider myself to be a competitive person, but with photography I am. I turn into this little competitive monster that wants to be the best photographer and the one that all the brides and grooms want to choose to photograph their wedding. I wanted to be the best, and I wanted everyone else to think I was the best too. Some of you out there may be thinking, “What’s wrong with that? Being ambitious is a good thing.” No…this is not the kind of ambition I want to strive for. Selfishly, I wanted photography to be MY talent and didn’t want anyone else to be able to do what I could do with a camera. All along in my head, I thought “God blessed me with this talent, and I’m using it for others.” Sure, I wanted to serve others by giving them beautiful photos. But my heart wasn’t in the right place. I would hesitate to help other people that were exploring a career in photography because I was afraid that somehow they’d be better than me and steal all my brides! Thinking back on this egotistical, cowardly attitude is a little embarassing.

You see, it’s not all about who’s the “best” photographer, who can get the best angles, the best brides, the best weddings, the best lenses, etc. It’s about using this God given talent to reach other people and allow them to see the beauty that He sees through me. God is the creator of creativity…how could I think that I’m doing this all on my own? It’s impossible to try and succeed all on your own, but nothing is impossible with God (see Matthew 19:26). I guess what I’m trying to say is, photography isn’t about me. It’s about God, and showing other people the beauty in the celebrations of life that I am blessed to participate in because of Him. All this competitiveness that was stored up inside of me is useless and a waste of time to get caught up in. I am rejoicing that God blessed others with the gift of creativity, especially in photography, because I have met some amazing photographers and I can’t imagine where my life would be now if I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet them.

I also want to thank Ginny Corbett, Lauren Clark, and Erik Clausen for putting the workshop together! I’m so blessed that I was able to be a part of it!

The next few photos are from our nature adventure!

We got snowed in for a couple days! My second shooter Kim and I went outside to play with everyone.

Thanks Kim for taking this picture of me

Alison Holcomb braved the cold to be our model for a little bit!

Jenny Beck and Lauren Clark! We took turns sliding down a hill in trash bags and cardboard boxes.

Kim took this one too. Megan Greathouse, me, and Lauren Clark!

Pretty Jenny!

Love these pictures of Kim. She’s not only my second shooter, but a really awesome friend!

Here’s Erik (Poser) showing us what he does best! The pretty lady on the right is Rebekah Hood (Kallima Photography).

Gorgeous Andrea!

This is Maria…she is so amazing. I loved listening tot her and I’m so excited to see what God is doing in her life.

Jason Mize – he took my photo at the workshop and I loved it! If you’re my friend on Facebook it’s my new profile picture.

Allison Davis workin’ it! She is such a sweetheart!

This is right outside of our cabin. Can you believe the view? Thanks again Alison Holcomb for being beautiful!

Other photographers not pictured here…Kelly Hornberger, Chelsea Giles, Kasey Boatright, Allison Ballinger, Clary Pfeiffer, Leslie Harris, Nicki Smith, LaRae Russell, Glendon Tang, Christopher Luk.