Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Beginning
Two years ago, I stumbled across the Shutter Sisters photography community online, a place where women photographers come together for tips, inspiration and friendship, all based around the camera. I dove into the community, but I felt something was missing. I kept looking for photographers who were unafraid to share their faith from behind their lens, but I myself was so afraid, it didn’t surprise me that I didn’t find many at all.
Art, like business, can be a battleground for a believer, because it is visceral and sensual and Christians are not often comfortable engaging God from that place. It requires us to be in the world, and to engage with our faith in the world. We are unable to simply cloister ourselves and our faith away. I have come to understand more about God through my art than in almost any other area of my life, and I wanted to create a forum where I (and others) could share what we learned of Him as we learned our art.
When I discovered the rich community at The High Calling last year with its focus on faith in the workplace, I began to dream about building a similar community for Christian photographers – both men and women. I wanted to connect with others who were finding the life of God behind their lens. I mentioned the idea in passing to Claire Burge (my co-contributor; you will meet her on Thursday) in passing earlier this year, and with the help of The High Calling leadership, we began to flesh the dream out into something tangible.
So here we are, beginning the thing, opening the door and inviting you in to join the discussion, come share with us what you find of God through photography – whether you’re a hobby photographer, a start-up professional, or an established photographer years into the industry.
The High Calling offered me a community to learn to live my faith out loud; we hope to extend that community at High Calling Focus to focus specifically on photographers. We’re planning to offer photography tips, discussions on faith in photography, along with regular (or daily) photo prompts and features.
Have a look around our site, and visit and follow us at our links. We hope you will join us for this journey.
No. 1 — November 16th, 2010 at 11:45 am
I'm glad. This is a great idea, and it will certainly grow ever more beautiful.
No. 2 — November 16th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Hello, Kelly and Claire! This looks like a wonderful adventure and I'm looking forward to being in it with you. God bless you!
No. 3 — November 16th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Congratulations miss Kelly & miss Claire! The new site looks grand. What a wonderful concept that you have made into a reality. I reckon many will be blessed and encouraged to live a life out loud for Christ, both behind and beside their cameras.
Off to check out the rest of the site…
Lord God, please bless this new venture of High Calling and shine Your Truth and beauty and love into all the nooks and crannies. Guide Kelly and Claire with hearts that chase wildly and boldly after You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessings.
No. 4 — November 16th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
This is absolutely thrilling!
No. 5 — November 16th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
This is wonderful. =)
Congratulations… I'd love to follow you in this new journey.
No. 6 — November 16th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I'm in!!! Sounds wonderful. I believe yes that is important to incorporate God into everything that you do. Weather it be art, business and so on and so forth. Because these gifts for operating in whatever feild we may be gifted in or have a desire for were given to us by the best gift giver ever God. We need to have a place to aknowledge this and encourage each other in this area.
No. 7 — November 16th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I have really fallen in love with taking pictures and have just begun teaching a class in which my goal is to have my students see, really see what is around them. It is a public school so I can not teach or promote Christianity, but my students would have no doubt about my faith through my artwork and my photography. I am allowed this and know I am BLESSED to have this opportunity to teach, to create all day long, and I can add in ways to worship and not be criticized for it!! I know your new adventure will surely be a blessing to many!!
No. 8 — November 16th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
oh the site looks wonderful kelly! and the idea behind is truly a great one. i look forward to seeing this space and community evolve!
No. 9 — November 16th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Definitely will be bookmarking this!
No. 10 — November 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Congratulations Kelly and Claire on creating something so beautiful, meaningful, and inspiring. It's a truly wonderful idea and my only wish is that something like this existed for other faiths too. I look forward to seeing how this project blossoms in the Light.
No. 11 — November 16th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
I think this is an outstanding idea — and congratulations on the launch.
I come from the "oh-look-at-that-pretty-sunset-let-me-whip-out-my-smart-phone-and-point-and-click" school of photography. To see the kinds of photos you and Claire and the others have been creating is like wandering through a museum of grace.
No. 12 — November 16th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
i
am
squealing
with
delight!
And yes, I have grown deeper in my relationship through art. God meets us anywhere and I am blessed to go deeper still connecting with the ultimate Creative One.
P.S. I felt the same way about the site you mentioned…how beautiful to have a place Christ-centered.
P.P.S. I am going to use this little box to ask for prayer. Last year when I left my career to stay home with my children, we had to file bankruptcy…part of what I need to surrender was my camera. I made the proper calls and then waited for the company to pick it up…they have never called me back. Please pray I get to keep my camera. Taking photographs is a special gift to me that I hope will continue. If not, I know it's God's will to strip down…and that's okay too.
No. 13 — November 16th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
What a beautiful space this is – and such a perfect idea too.
No. 14 — November 16th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
As photographers we have a portal into the first element of His creation – Light. This will be a stunning venture and I look forward to the journey.
No. 15 — November 16th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I am so delighted for you and Claire, Kelly. I know you will be an inspiration to so many others. I am an absolute amateur, but I would love to learn to take better pictures. I'll be following along.
No. 16 — November 16th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Yay! So exciting!
No. 17 — November 16th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
What Deidra said.
I look forward to doing a lot of looking here…
No. 18 — November 17th, 2010 at 1:31 am
yay. I'm looking forward to it too! ;)
I already know it will be good!
amy in peru
No. 19 — November 17th, 2010 at 1:49 am
What a wonderful idea! Congratulations on the beginning of this God-honoring project. I can hardly wait to see more of it and to learn more from both of you. You have so much to give.
Blessings on you and Claire,
Janis
No. 20 — November 17th, 2010 at 9:39 am
I'm here! I'm here! So excited! And I'm buttoning my blog now!
No. 21 — November 17th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
It's beautiful. I wouldn't have expected anything less. :)
No. 22 — November 17th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Sounds like you have a good fan base already. That's half of "beginning" isn't it?
Blessings to you two!
No. 23 — November 17th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
VERY excited to start this journey with you! Let's see what God will do through this.
No. 24 — November 17th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Wow – absolutely stunned at your fabulous response! Can't wait to see what you all have to share! Thanks for joining in with us!
No. 25 — November 18th, 2010 at 8:23 am
What a beautiful place!
No. 26 — November 18th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Kelly and Claire…
congratulations on such an endeavour. wow.
No. 27 — November 19th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Wow, Kelly what a pleasant alternative to SS, not that those girls aren't great photographers but yes looking forward to checking in daily and finding a place "to learn to live my faith out loud".
No. 28 — November 19th, 2010 at 2:24 am
So excited to see where this goes! Lead on!
Tina
No. 29 — November 19th, 2010 at 5:51 am
Thank you so much for the support and encouragement that you have all given.
It is you who will make this community thrive.
Looking forward to walking the road with you.
No. 30 — December 28th, 2010 at 2:27 am
[...] And Kelly and Deb and Ann and Michelle. [...]