Mallory Jane: Faith & Photography

Your weekly reminder to glorify Christ in everything you do:)

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 Mallory at Mallory Jane Photo, based in Oklahoma! Mallory specializes in weddings, wildlife, and seniors! Her work is adventerous, free, and fun. I loveee her use of creamy skin tones! You can see more of her work here!

Mallory sent me an audio file for this interview- and from the moment I started listening, I was impressed by her humility, love for the Lord, and her dedication to photography. She is kind, authentic, and so genuine!

A lil example of Mallory's work 🤩

To start, I wanted to share a little bit of Mallory's faith journey and walk with Christ!

Mallory's Story:

Mallory grew up in a deeply Christian home- a foundation that has quietly shaped her whole life. She remembers a clear moment in kindergarten when she asked Jesus into her heart - a memory she holds as the start of her faith. Despite seasons of distance from God and stagnant faith... that childhood anchor never fully let go.

A turning point came at Falls Creek youth camp when she felt the conviction to be baptized. That step reignited her faith and gave her a place to return to during harder seasons. Mallory’s journey hasn’t been perfect, but she’s grateful for that solid root to lean on.

Her love for photography started young, though she didn’t think it could be a real career at first, which is totally relatable! Battling social anxiety and the awkwardness of being homeschooled, she faced the hard work of showing up- sitting in the car and praying before sessions, calming nerves before meeting clients, and learning to guide people through moments that feel vulnerable.

Those small acts of faithfulness and lots of quiet prayer helped her grow as both an artist and a follower of Christ<3

She explains the greatest part of her faith journey has been witnessing God's faithfulness time and time again. So many times she questioned whether it was worth it- being unable to pay bills, needing to get a part time job she doesn't love, dwindling clients... but she was continually blessed for her faithfulness.

At one of these low moments, terrified of God's response, she faithfully prayed:

"Lord, is this what I'm supposed to be doing? Please show me. If this is not what I'm supposed to be doing- take away the burning desire I have to be doing this and send

me in the right direction."

After this sincere prayer, the Lord blessed Mallory's business abundantly with clients and traction in her business.

Today Mallory ties her creativity to her faith: showing up, serving well, and trusting God in the small moments. She’s proof that God can use our fears, our doubts, and our passions to build something beautiful that points back to Him!!!

Today Mallory sees her photography and her faith as intertwined. Her creative journey

reminds her that God meets us in the ordinary - in the fear, the doubt, the small steps forward - and turns those places into opportunities for growth and ministry. She’s grateful for a steady foundation, and for the ways God has used both her struggles and her passions to shape a life that points back to Him.

For His Glory with Mallory Jane:

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

I’m still figuring this out, but for me it’s mostly quiet. Praying over sessions, over SD cards before I back them up (yes, really- and I've never had an SD card corrupt;), and letting my online presence point to the Lord.

My bios often say things like “creating for the Creator” or “daughter of the King." I love to repost Christian content, and use scripture verses as captions. I also give to ministry fundraisers (silent auctions) and donate Easter/family sessions so families can have meaningful photos. I’d love to do more of that and am open to learning how to grow this side of the ministry.

2. What scripture do you lean on personally or in your business?

Romans 1:20!!

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God"

This verse captures my whole mindset- that God created the world and people can see it. I love that God’s invisible qualities are seen through His creation. As a nature-loving photographer (hummingbirds, elk, pine trees), that verse sums up why I shoot: to point people to the Creator through His handiwork.

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

I’m getting better. Journaling my prayers helps me stay focused so I don’t ramble in my head, and I love looking back to see how faithful God has been.

I kid you not, I have prayed probably 5 times in 3 months for the Lord to bless my business when finances are tight- and he does EVERY TIME!!! Sometimes it's a little, sometimes it's a lot, two weddings in a month- but He is faithful through that, so try to be faithful to Him because it's His business, and I just have to remember to ask.

5. In what ways do you intentionally share Christ's light with your clients?

Mostly through how I show up — praying over sessions, sending verses to clients who are believers, and letting my social media and captions point to Jesus. I’m working on being bolder in conversations with clients who don’t know Christ:)

6. What advice would you give to business owners striving to glorify God in their work?

When I switched my mindset from this is my business to this is God's business, it became super easy to glorify Him in it! I don't care if I get any glory from this, only that the Lord does.

I will also say to recognize where you feel God's power the strongest. For me- it's being

outdoors, talking about God with friends, worshipping, reading my Bible. The more I do those things, the more those instances are stuck in my head and become easier to share.

When glorifying God is part of your daily life — your captions, your conversations, your mornings — it will flow into your business naturally. If your faith is only surface-level, your ministry will feel that way too. Build the foundation first.

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

There was a time of my life where I was literally at rock bottom. I had no idea if photography is what I was supposed to be doing. I prayed, pouring out my heart to God on a Sunday night and by Tuesday I had 8 bookings for that month, which absolutely insane considering I had about 8 bookings the entire year before. It was like night and day- an obvious sign for me to give it all to the Lord.

8. How do you discern between your own plans and what God is calling you to do in your business?

I really thought I was going to attend college after high school, but I didn't feel the peace that I felt I should have. My own plan started crumbling before my eyes, and I realized I hadn't prayed about it. As I did, I discovered school wasn't the Lord's plan for me. He has since opened doors to better, more affordable ways to learn photography.

I've learned God will open doors. I cannot force them open. I sometimes can't even find the proper door to be going through. But if I'm praying about it and open to possibilities, then He will push me through whatever door I need to go through.

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

Prayer and journaling are huge for me. I love worship music (I lean toward folk/older worship), getting in nature for inspiration, and staying connected through Bible study!

I co-lead a girls youth group once a month, and I always feel so refreshed spiritually and creatively after that night. It's so fulfilling to talk about how the Lord's moving in everyone's lives!! I think it's just so important to avoid isolation and

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This was probably the most real and raw interview I've had since I started this series. I loved hearing Mallory's honest and genuine perspective on combining her faith with her photography! I especially appreciated her humility as a person and her dedication to her faith.

I'm honestly quite in awe at how she's followed after her heart to do something she feels drawn towards and trusted God so completely through it- even to the point of praying for bookings and receiving 8 two days later.

HOW GOOD IS GOD?!?!!

I have such a testimony that He has a perfect plan for you and me. It's difficult to know how to discover and follow that plan- but just like Mallory explains- prayer, prayer, prayer. Trust and belief. He has a plan- so much bigger than our own!!!

I appreciated her message of finding God in the ordinary. Social anxiety and nerves when meeting clients is SO RELATABLE- and I love that she turned to prayer through it all.

It reminds me of Philippians 4: 6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

We can literally pray away our anxieties, fears, and doubts. God will take them from us if we have faith in His promises.

WORSHIP SONG OF THE WEEK: Happy Camper by Northwest Stories, Brook St

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