Thursday was a lovely, crisp, Colorado morning which began with a brief and blessed breakfast as we quickly took off to the beautiful Garden of the Gods, where we students were able to observe several of the instructors perform actual photo shoots. This was my favorite part of the week as we played a type of 'round robin,' in our turn watching each photographer shoot their different subjects”a family shoot, an engagement session, and a bridal portrait session. At this time we were able to see everything we had learned during the week become action”find the catch-lights! Use the Rule of Thirds! Masculine poses! Shallow depth of field! Low ISO settings! How amazing to see such talent (and multi-tasking!) at work, and what a great learning experience it turned out to be.
After the sessions and a quick break for lunch, it was our turn to "create images." So with our usual limited allowance of pictures, for about two hours we scrambled around with our shooting partners creating poses and being posed, assisting the photographer and being the photographer, all the while praying for some amazing lapse of creativity to wash over us.
After the shoot we received our first real break of the week”a trip to the park where we played Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and soccer. Others played guitar and sang, while still others talked on the phone to catch up with the family or friends. We returned home”well, our current home”for supper, and afterwards enjoyed a more relaxed styled evening with coffee and fellowship, or a time to sit at the feet of your selected instructor and glean wisdom from the depths of their souls. Or you could just ask them questions and look at their pictures.
However, I am leaving out the most important aspect of the week for me, much of which has come from the mentorship of the instructors. I am here at IPS because I want to be a missions photojournalist, or at least that is the direction in which God is taking me right now. Although each of the instructors has had a strong impact on me in their own way, the one which is most relevant to this topic is Christina, who has been a photojournalist for several years now. I chose to spend the last couple hours of the evening with her. After presenting a powerful photo-essay the other night, Christina had mentioned that being a photojournalist requires experience. And not just the good kind. Sometimes, in order to fully understand something or someone, you must go through it. Empathy is a large part of photojournalism. Sometimes, God has us experience some of the hardest and most challenging things because it draws us closer to Him, teaches us more about Him, or reveals to us more of our sin. Sometimes it is for the blessing of others. In photojournalism, often this experience allows you to be able to more accurately capture life. So although this was not something entirely new to me, it impacted me deeper than it ever had before. Was I capable of this? Did I even want this? God, if this is what taking up my cross is going to look like in photojournalism”I don't think I can do this. Let this cup pass...
But a refreshing reminder came through the devotion which another instructor, Katie had shared earlier that week. The story of Gideon, which I had heard a hundred times before and knew so well, broke on me with new vigor. God trimmed his army down to 300 men, facing what seemed an impossible feat, but this is what God says to Gideon, "With these 300 men, I will save you." I will save you. You are not capable of this in and of yourself, how could you think that? And how could you think I would ask you to do that? I will save you, I will be with you through the valley and into shadows; and I will see you through them. You are merely the tool: your writing, photography, skills, life. But I have given you life for a purpose. You have the same power that has risen Christ from the dead and with it comes responsibility. Take up your cross and follow me…even into the shadows. For I am there.
—Prizewinning Photography Student Jaimie Lee
