We’ve have had so much fun watching the series Film on Framed Network online … featuring Ryan Muirhead, Tanja Lippert, and Tia Reagan. In a wedding world surrounded by many photographers who try to all imitate each other, we find some of our greatest inspiration comes from watching other photographers that may not be directly in the exact line of photography that we are .. and we are tremendous lovers of film photography and all things manual. The approach of simple photography that was used throughout much of this season really resonated in our hearts … and here’s hoping they bring it back for another season!
Last night we finally watched the last episode called “Giving Back“, and it made me really think about the purpose of photography afterward. The team wrapped up the season by going to a shelter for women who were escaping drugs, abuse, sexual assault, and more. Their goal was to give back to the community and give these women (and in many cases, their children who were with them) some beautiful, joyful family pictures for them to have and remember.
In photography, we’re often obsessed with beautiful things … Pinterest makes our hearts beat faster when we see all of the prettiness that we want to try out, we love working with beautiful models and people who look good in the photographs that we share.
But is that all there is to it?
Photography is an enormous privilege to share an emotional glimpse into someone’s life. It’s a chance to make someone feel beautiful about themselves, and loved. It’s a chance to reach into someone’s life, and touch their heart.
“I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.
Then they are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ ” Matthew 25:35-40
We feel so privileged that we’ve been able to have a small part in the lives of our beloved clients, and capture joyful moments for them on one of the happiest days of their lives. But, this episode challenged me to go even deeper in my photography mission, and realize that everyone has something just below the surface … a hurt that is aching or a wound that’s been pushed under, and to grow more in my approach to the fact that I’m doing more than just snapping a photo …
As a photographer, I can help to bring a smile to someone’s face and shine a glimmer of light into their heart. It’s something worthwhile to work and strive towards. I don’t want to become so lost behind my lens that I never reach the person on the other side of the glass.
As a tribute to my love for film, I’m ending with a picture of the lovely Sarah that I shot on Portra 160 recently. Also if you haven’t watched Film, I highly recommend going back and watching all 16 episodes :)
