TIM 2014 - A Look Back (Part 2)

I must have listened to it twelve times. Rachel stood in the living room shuffling cards and making notes, adjusting this phrase and tweaking that timing. She worked for weeks on that speech. But I didn't care how many times I heard it, it got more and more awesome. Rachel had dreamt of speaking at a TED-type conference, and she was finally getting her shot.

Rachel's talk was thought-provoking and inspiring. She discussed what she's learned about her faith through photography, principles that cross over between the two, and then connections that can be made through art. She told the story of how the Eiffel tower unexpectedly shut off on us when we were in Paris and when she cued the photo, it was incredible to hear the awe of the crowd. She ended her talk with an amazing photo she got on the vaporetto from Murano and Burano to Venice, a wide shot of the skyline with rays of light spilling out of the clouds onto the buildings. She quoted Ansel Adams: "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have me click the shutter." I was glad she couldn't see me from the stage, because I was so proud I think I popped shirt button!

Not only did she show our work, she encouraged members of the audience to share their personal expressions of faith in photography with us as a way to keep the discussion going. At lunch we had some amazing conversations with other attendees, and a few people even came up to Rachel with photos they had snapped on their phones. It was cool to see how people connected with what she said, and how they wanted to share themselves, too. If you haven't seen it already, check out Rachel's talk (below)! Share your thoughts and your work with us; we'd love to hear from you! 

And in case you're interested in seeing any of the photos up close, here you go!

TIM 2014 - A Look Back (Part 1)

A few months ago, Greg and I were honored to be the official photographers for a new movement spearheaded by our own Pastor from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Together in Mission (or TIM for short) is a TEDx-style event focused on ideas that will help strengthen, improve, and broaden ministry in the Metro DC area. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I was also asked to speak at the event (more on that tomorrow).

The event highlighted 13 speakers who spilled their heart about topics ranging from sustainability to taking care of the elderly to embracing our inner quitter. And, as is customary at these events, the audience was just as amazing as the speakers! Greg and I had a chance to connect with several of them during breaks and made a few new close friendships - something I believe everyone needs more of!

The TIM team is already in planning mode for the 2015 event, so be sure to like their Facebook page to keep up with the latest news and updates. And in the meantime, be sure to watch the videos of each speaker!

So much energy during registration!

Delicious lunch in the "Hogwarts-esque" dining hall. 

Getting to know each other during the breaks.

Getting ready on the sidelines.

The awesome audience.

Our incredible hosts for the day!

Speaker - Connie Thompson

Speaker - Erik Backus

Speaker - Mike Stavlund

Speaker - Donald Zimmer

Speaker - Larry Bradshaw

Speaker - Megan Roher

Speaker - Bishop Richard Graham

Speaker - Karen Brau

Speaker - Jason Micheli

Speaker - Phil Hirsch

Speaker - Leila Ortiz

Speaker - Bonnie Martin

And a special thanks to the folks who made it possible to view these great videos - Breasea Productions. Thank you!

Sean & Jimena: A Day in DC

Normally, when we plan an engagement session, our first question is, "What do you like to do together?" Sean & Jimena took that question and ran with it. The engagement session followed them to some of their favorite spots, including Eastern Market, District Taco, Union Station, and of course, Board Room (including a rousing game of Catan). These two are absolutely adorable, and such a joy to hang out with. And we were so happy we could capture them and their favorite places in style!

Pleasant Surprises

Today, I found something that I thought was lost forever. It's a claddagh ring I bought in Ireland about 3 months before I met Greg. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the claddagh ring, it is a traditional Irish ring which represents love, loyalty, and friendship. When the bottom part of the heart (the "point) is facing out toward the fingertips, the person wearing the ring is single. When the point is facing inward toward the wrist, or the heart, the person wearing the ring is taken.

When Greg and I became "official", we were sitting at a McCormick & Schmicks in Bethesda, and he reached across the table, held my hands tightly, took off the ring and put it back on with the the "point" toward my heart. He wanted the world to know that I was taken. I still remember that moment so vividly. And I've told Greg several times, I knew even before that moment that I was already taken, for life.

This ring is very special to us, and it holds a lot of meaning. Of course, it's not the ring itself that holds the meaning, but rather the actions, thoughts, emotions, and value we put into it. So when I thought I lost it back in December, I was pretty darn sad. But I also knew that all of those memories were still ours to keep. 

Finding it was almost like finding $20 in a winter jacket from last year, or discovering I still have more of my latte left when I thought I'd drank it all. A pleasant and very welcome surprise. However, it also reminded me, at a much needed time, that we are the ones that hold meaning, not things. While I must do my best to be a good steward of the tangible things I am given, it is important to place my value in God, in relationships, and in the intangible things that really matter. Because, as I've been taught since I was a little tike, "you can't take it with you".