adult and teen challenge
As a photographer, I am so excited to be able to use my photography as a way to give back. I had heard about Adult & Teen Challenge over the years but in September 2018, my life would be changed forever. That sounds so dramatic, right? But it’s so true. After attending a Portrait Masters Conference in Phoenix, I was reminded about how important it is to build a business, but to also find something that moves your heart. A soul project. This was a common theme among several of the speakers.
I was challenged at the conference by one of the speakers and mentors to participate in a sort of narrative with a woman who was an actor and model. I was told that anyone can take a photograph of a beautiful person with a gorgeous smile but that it takes something special to really capture the essence of the person. This is what I’ve been searching for! I want to create photos that do just that … pull out the essence or the heart of a person, photos that really tell a story or move the person who sees the photo to STOP and ask questions and imagine what that story might be. The mentor went on to explain that her name was Nikki and that she had been psychologically and emotionally abused … by …. me. In any other time, I would have absolutely run! Fast! But something moved me to play along. I went in and could not stop crying. Here is one of the photos from that encounter.
I flew home from Phoenix and continued to be moved emotionally and I knew that something happened to me. A seed was sown. I just didn’t know what it would be.
I heard about teen suicides in my community and I decided to reach out to Kaitlynn, a senior I had photographed that spring. I met with her and I asked her what would happen if we found girls who maybe wouldn’t have the opportunity to have senior portraits taken and provide professional hair and make-up and styling for a photo session. She told me that she felt this would be very meaningful and that something happened to her after our session. She explained that she had actually tried to harm herself a few times before that, but yet that in the session and the whole experience, something lifted in her heart. She said that she would even do the hair styling as, ironically she was set to enroll in beauty college in just a few weeks.
Then I heard that our church was trying to find textiles to donate to a special group of people. I sent the organizer a text message and didn’t tell her any details but asked if I could have lunch with her the next week. I explained all of this to her and I showed her some photos of Nikki. She said that she had been praying that THIS is what I would want to talk about. I was floored … and then I was encouraged that I really was hearing from God that He had ordained these events.
I was introduced to the Director of Adult & Teen Challenge and we arranged to have an official meeting and that was when I realized that I would be meeting women who have been suffering with addiction. I did not know what to expect at all and honestly, I was a bit nervous. But let me tell you! I have NEVER been loved so hard as I’ve been loved by these women! They are so open and transparent and really open books. They will gladly share their stories with you. The amazing thing is that they welcomed me in with open arms. Who does that? Especially when we’re talking about a crazy woman with a camera in her hands! No … but that’s the whole point! These women have overcome so much and I wanted to capture who they are now. The healed version … well, I should say “healing” version because the healing happens every day as they do the work. I go to the campus to take their photos almost annually as the Director likes to have photos of the residents on the tables for the annual fundraisers so that the potential sponsors can see these beautiful faces.
The last time I took their photos was in the fall and they have a gorgeous sunflower field on the side of the home. They all lined up and they were nervous … AT FIRST … but they are such an awesome “family”. They encouraged each other and of course we were squealing, “OH my! So beautiful! So gorgeous! Look at you!” And it was as if there was a cheering squad. All of us were uplifted. They all gave me big big big hugs before I left. I went there, as the many times previously, to give, to serve and yet I leave the campus almost every time in tears because they serve me. They love me. They all prayed for me. This is what I mean … they love me HARD! And I love them back! My heart has been broken to hear some of their stories. But they are putting their trust into a loving God and they are being restored and their lives are being refreshed daily.
