Jessica Renee Photography

The other day, I went to St. Peter's church to take some photographs for their new website. I went to mass, and afterward I decided to take some time to pray. It's been really hitting me lately how every single "ability" or "talent" I have, isn't really mine. We like to think our talents are our own, as if it's some kind of compliment to us, but we couldn't be more wrong. God has graciously bestowed them on us. Now, I'm not saying I'm a particularly gifted photographer... Most of the time I cringe at my own work, because I always see how it could be better. I hope this isn't coming off as a vain ramble about how I think God's "blessed me with amazing talent" or whatever, because that's not it. Like I said, I'm my harshest critic, and I definitely don't look at my work and think I'm all that.

I still love it, though. And if God gave me the heart for photography, I want to get better at it for Him. I want to use it for Him, not for me. I want to praise Him, I want to worship Him, I want to glorify Him, with everything He gave me. Including my passion for photography. So when I began to take my photographs, I asked for Christ to lead my eye and help me to do that, both this and every time I pick up my camera. Whether it be for a church website, a wedding, or a senior portrait session, it's all for Him.

I didn't really know what to start this new photo blog with for the longest time. Portraits? Some landscapes? What? It's the first post, so it has to be good, right? But after this photoshoot, it suddenly seemed obvious to me that these photographs would be the perfect way to start off my new photo blog. Kind of symbolic of what's most important, and what it's really all about.

So, yes. Anyway! Back to the photoshoot. After that time of prayer, and after the crowd had dwindled away to about three people, I pulled out my camera and began.

I decided to start at the alter.

Which was kind of intimidating. I've only been up there once before.

That's one of the candles, in case you couldn't tell.


I was wandering around up there, taking pictures, when I suddenly  realized I was standing directly beneath the crucifix. I looked up, and was met with this view:

Am I the only one who thinks that is intense? I don't know, I'm pretty sure I gasped when I looked up. For some reason it struck me as really beautiful.

I took the photograph above without the subject knowing. I just found the beautiful surrender of the moment to be so moving. I do have her permission to use the photograph, however she will remain anonymous.

I love the Catholic Church. Have I mentioned that? 'Cause I do.

So anyway, that's it. Well, that's not it, there are more pictures, however that's all I have room to put up. Plus, if this post gets much longer I'm probably going to lose your interest. I hope you, whoever you are (who's reading this anyway?), enjoyed them, and that perhaps they blessed you in some way! There will be more soon. I'm typically awful with blogs and posting regular updates, but I promise to do better with this one. Really.