Camryn Janelle: Sharing Faith & Photography

Another week, another post to glorify Christ!

The goal of this series is not only to help inspire creatives to put their faith first, but also to find belonging for faith-centered creatives. This is my small way to make my own photography business a ministry<3

This week I interviewed the amazing Camryn Janelle! Camryn is a photographer in Wisconsin:) Her style is bright, clean, and authentic! Find her work HERE! Camryn is a literal gem. She is kind, sweet, and genuinely just such a light. I loved hearing her stories and examples of bringing Christ into her business. I could tell just in her voice recordings that Jesus really is one of her closest friends, which I so admire!

Some of Camryn's work 🤩

For His Glory with Camryn Janelle:

1.What does turning your photography into a ministry look like to you?

Serving is the first thing that comes to my mind. I feel like our job before anything else is to serve people well and be good, personable, and loving examples of Christ. You never know what someone is going through, so I try to just be a light in their lives. Before all my sessions, I try to just pray that the Lord will be with and work through me and that I can mirror Christ through my actions.

2.What’s a scripture you lean on personally or in your business?

I'm sitting and my desk right now, looking down at Colossians 3:23:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord and not for men"

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the comparison game- to look at other photographers and feel lacking in what you are doing or the number of bookings you're getting. But this verse reminds me to stay grounded in the Lord and he will provide. Obviously it's important to work diligently at this passion God has given me, but ultimately it is all for Him and not for my own personal gain.

3. How do you stay grounded in your faith when business responsibilities get overwhelming?

Oh I'm definitely still learning when it comes to this. My latest summer was insane. I overbooked myself, and I was honestly too dependent on my own strength. I would try to remember to pray and bring God into it, but it got hard.

I do think just trying to stay as consistent as possible in prayer and getting in the word, but I definitely don't have it all figured out.

4. In what ways do you intentionally share Christ’s light with your clients?

I give out a little client gift bag at the end of every session, and I really want to incorporate a faith element. I haven't done it yet, but it's been on my hear for a while now.

I have a couple of handpicked Bible verses that I want to add to that bag:) I also think it's important to be bold about your faith on social media.

5. Have you ever had a moment in your business where you clearly saw God’s hand?

Oh my goodness- yes! It's actually been so insane. I feel like the last year and a half of my life has just been like God's glory shown and prayers being answered left and right.

I went to college pretty far from home and hated it. Even though I had a Christian

community, it still felt off. I didn't love it there, and I didn't know what to do. I knew I wanted to stay in school to get some sort of degree- but I couldn't really do photos there. Ultimately I decided to move home.

The whole time I was in college trying to decide what path I wanted to take, I was praying to God- "If I'm supposed to move home, please help me grow this photography business. This business is yours, and I'm just stewarding it." Going into this year, I've been overwhelmed at the opportunities and Clients God has given me. My entire business is Him. I honestly never expected to be doing this, but it's one of the most unexpected blessings ever.

6. What rhythms or habits (prayer, worship, devotionals) help keep Christ at the center of your creative process?

Prayer is huge for me. I love to ask for God's presence through all the mundane tasks- whether it be replying kindly to an email or peace when I'm overwhelmed with my editing queue.

Sometimes if I'm really nervous headed to a session, I'll jam to some worship music and that calms me down!

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AHHH I loved listening to Camryn's answers to these questions! She is such a LIGHT! ☀️ It's amazing what the Lord can do when we turn our hearts to Him.

I especially loved Camryn's story of her decision to move back home and invest fully in her photography business. I'm sure it was a big, scary decision with so many unknowns.. but she chose FAITH and HOPE.

It reminds me a post a friend shared this week that says, "Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come."

I've personally been in a phase of life full of transitions, changes, and uncertainty. I just graduated college and it feels like the whole world is open to me- I've been so overwhelmed with what to do, where to go... what is my purpose? Where do I go from here? I itch for change, but I fear the unknown.

But I think of Isaiah 12:2,

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation."

or Romans 8:28

"All things work together for good to them that love God"

If we put our relationship with Christ first in our lives, no matter what, He will take care of us. He will provide. I'm learning always that it's pretty much never in the ways we expect, but being willing to let Him lead allows for the most fruitful and incredible experiences. I don't know what's ahead, but I do know that I want Jesus to be at the center of it all.

WORSHIP SONG OF THE WEEK: If I didn't have Jesus by Brooke Robertson

Thanks for joining me as we all do our best to give God the glory in what we do:)

If you're a photographer navigating faith and business, please reach out HERE! I'd love to hear your story.

<3 Malia