It is true that I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, if I ever do. I feel pulled in so many directions in photography. I love so many things, but am finding the importance of narrowing my focus a bit in order to stay sane. I also desire very much to find my place. I believe we all have one, and mine will not be in the same spot as so many wonderful photographers I follow. That is good. There is a famous quote by Oscar Wilde on Jeremy Cowart’s blog that I adore. He said ” Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” I like that so much. So, I am working on being myself in this crazy world of photography and life.
That being said, there is one job I absolutely love that I have had the honor of doing for three years now. It is the Youth Evangelism Conference in Nashville, TN. It is put on by the Tennessee Baptist Convention and draws nearly 9,000 teens every year to hear teaching from God’s Word, spend time in worship, and laugh and cry with the incredible artists and groups that are brought in. Every year I am moved to tears while shooting the event, whether it be in worship or listening to the speakers that come in and share their hearts with the kids. This year, Unhindered lead us in worship, The Skit Guys kept us laughing, Joe Castillo blew us away with his incredible sand art, and Ed Newton brought it all together with some serious truth. As always, it was a great weekend. Here are a few shots of the wonderful time we had.
3 Comments
“Yourself” is the truest sunshine I know. Rest in it. Kick striving to the curb and know that you are valued. Your dreams will be arriving soon. You are the one and only ever you.
You are so good at what you do. I love that I get to be old enough to watch your passion and skill as a photographer unfold in front of our eyes. If Dave Barnes could sing you a song, he’d tell you how perfectly unique you are in your calling, then bust into “Everybody knows but you.”
So, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to use your twitter networking skills and make it happen, cap’n.
love you.
OK – we feel the same way about you!
What a blessing to have you capturing the weekend for us to forever remember!
I really am amazed with so many of the wonderful photos – thank you, thank you, thank you.
And….that quote, “be yourself, everyone else is already taken”.
I have a feeling that will show up in one of my sermons very soon! Love it.
Save the dates now for next year – March 11-12, 2011
God bless, Kent