Writing With Light: Kaitlin Tomas Photography

As a mindfulness exercise, I admire my commute to work (since I have a day job alongside my business), enjoying the beauty along the way. I live in a sleepy little farm town neighboring the city where I work. The pastures, barns, old plantations and rolling hills are picturesque. I love to see how the time of day highlights different features of the land where the light hits.

One morning, I remembered something I learned from my favorite college professor:

"The word 'photography' was created from the Greek roots φωτός (phōtos), genitive of φῶς (phōs), 'light' and γραφή (graphé) 'representation by means of lines' or 'writing', together meaning 'writing with light'."

True photographers are light chasers, telling stories with light, shadow, contrast, composition, subject and tone. We can't tell a story without light; our profession solely depends on it. Without light, we cannot depict depth of field, color, contrast, portraits or anything! As a believer in Christ, shouldn't I be a light-chaser to tell stories that reflect the light of Christ?

 

John 8:12 says:

“Jesus…said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you have the light that leads to life.' "

If you've ever held an old photo in your hands, you probably wondered, 'what story is going on here?' You've probably looked through family albums and instantly remembered the moment a photo was taken and almost went back in time feeling like you were there again. Those stories are what make you you and add truth to your existence.

Grace Valley Farm

This, to me, is a representation of what God does for us. He gives us a story to tell and makes us in his "image and likeness."(Genesis 1:27) We can share our story which is also His story. We can be treasured, made valuable. We can prove His existence and show love to others.

That’s the foundation of my business as a photographer. I find such satisfaction telling love stories through photographs, seeing them as living testimonies. This verse reminds me of that calling:

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” - Colossians 3:23

As a child of the Light and a photographer, I am to authentically tell stories and profess God's love. I want my work to be truthful, ethical and authentic, showing God's workmanship - a.k.a my wonderful clients and friends! In a visual industry where the truth is often manipulated, I want to be a beacon of light - a safe place of creativity and authenticity to those I serve.

"For you are children of the light and the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:5

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