“Photography + what you do (capturing + sharing life) has such a universal appeal, but it’s also a huge luxury. Whenever I bring my camera to school, the kids huddle around me, ask for their picture, shout “Cheesus!” with huge grins on their faces … having their picture taken + seeing their image on my camera screen makes them SO happy (and I am a terrible photographer, using a basic point + shoot camera). I think it’s something deeper than the image that is so appealing to the kids (+ the adults, who are just as eager, if not more so, to get their picture taken). A picture is, like you say, capturing life. It’s evidence that these kids are alive, that they exist and matter. And so often, in so many ways, they are told that they don’t matter. They are orphans, their teachers tell them they are lazy + stupid, they live in a tiny nation unknown by most of the world … but a picture says that, for someone at least, I was important enough to stop + take a picture, to be remembered.”

This is my friend, Lauren. We have never actually met, but actually know each other through my photography blog. She is currently serving with the Peace Corps in Lesotho, Africa + stumbled upon my blog one day while looking around online. We both KNOW this happenstance wasn’t so, but rather a  divine orchestration because God has used this friendship to SIGNIFICANTLY encourage one another (plus, Lauren has really sketchy internet, so it is a small miracle in itself she connected to my site!! hehe : )).  

Two days ago, Lauren share this above paragraph with me in a message + honestly, I just had to share it with all of you. I mean, WOW. What profound, amazing, beautiful + TRUE words.

Click.

I take hundreds + HUNDREDS of photos of people on their wedding day, or in one session. I believe in the power of the photograph. To capture a moment in time, forever. That’s why I do what I do!! To provide these relivable moments for people for the rest of their lives. However, this truth shared by Lauren? It has taken my idea of the power of a photograph to a new, significantly deeper level. Capturing life. A life. Proving life. And worth. Now that is something else.

‘m going to leave my thoughts at that because I don’t want to try + add to the incredible magnitude of Lauren’s observation. For me, today, it’s food for thought. Actually, since Monday, my wheels have been turning. -M