New Beginnings
It started with a vague vision. And then it became so much more.
I honestly never planned on having a photography business. Five years ago I quit a part time job to work as a freelance graphic designer, with very little success quite frankly. Then my husband lost his job. Five months later got hired and then not even four months into the new job and was let go due to unforeseen circumstances outside of anyone’s control. To say we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs would be quite the understatement.
I took on other part time jobs to help out with income as we were trying to make sure we were okay financially, and we were. God never ceased to provide for us and make sure we were okay. But hope slipped away, and the goals and dreams we had for ourselves seemed ridiculously impossible. And so far out of reach.
Just when we thought life couldn’t throw us any more unexpected plans, it happened again. Except this time, we felt called to move. Out of state, far away from family. To start a church. Yeah, we thought we were nuts too.
Almost three years after we moved to Iowa, God has done more than we ever could have asked for or imagine. He directed us in ways we never would have thought of or wanted to give us the very things He wanted for us because He knew…it was exactly what we needed.
Being a creative in general, I find that though I love the idea of doing this kind of work full time as a profession, I never thought to consider that art itself is actually something I need too. Art gives hope. It reminds us to hope. It’s encouragement when words just are not enough. It helps us process, heal, and feel when everything seems to be just too much.
This new beginning is more than just starting a photography business, or seeming like it’s boasting about getting to work in a dream job. It’s so much more.
Telling your stories—capturing your real, everyday, mundane, or special and extraordinary moments—are reminders that whatever your circumstances are or will be—they’re real things that help us remember to hope. Wonder. Rejoice. Weep. Reflect.
Your stories remind me to feel. And to be encouraged in what may seem mundane or may be extravagant, it all matters. Your stories matter.
So you see, this new beginning is about using something I never thought I’d have the privilege of using—art—and ultimately having it be a vessel to serve you in all your moments. Combining telling stories with art is a way we can encourage each other and look forward with hope and anticipation of better days ahead.
If you’ve read this far, thank you. And friends, bless you if you continue to choose to come on this journey with me. It’s gonna be an adventure, to be sure, but I’m hopeful for what lies ahead. If you’re interested, please keep scrolling to see some of my favorite everyday moments I’ve had the privilege of capturing in the past few years.
