Nicholas Brock: 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's blog comes from my interview with Nicholas Brock! Nicholas is a photographer in Illinois:) His style is filmy, warm, and moody! Find his work HERE! Nicholas has a big heart for Jesus. He's a youth pastor and strong in his faith!! There is no doubt that he strives to keep Jesus the center of everything he does!:)
To start, I wanted to share a little bit of Nicholas's faith journey and walk with Christ!
Nicholas's Story:
Nicholas was actually born in Rostov-On-Don, Russia!!
He was given up for adoption right at birth. Three days after his first birthday, his parents officially got to call him theirs!! He also has a sister adopted from Ethiopia and another from a local family!!
Nicholas grew up in the church and has always known Jesus was there, but he explains
that over the last 5 years, Jesus has become the most real to him, a friend that is always there and a source of strength, joy, peace, and love.
He told me that walking with Jesus has been the best and also hardest decision of his life. That it has looked far from perfect. For him, the hardest part has been giving up relationships that were leading him farther from Jesus.
Nicholas has had some really special and sacred experiences with Jesus. Four years ago he was at a church service in Orlando, Florida when he felt the very presence of Jesus holding him as he wept on the floor. At that moment he was healed of a physical arm issue!
Nicholas recognizes that his life has been radically changed by the love of God... it has brought him more peace, love, and hope.
Now onto our interview portion!
For His Glory with Nicholas Brock:
1. What does turning your photography into a ministry look like to you?
Over the last two years, I spent my time at Jesus Image Church in Orlando Florida.
Here is where I truly learned that photography is actually worship unto God. I have always loved a camera. Capturing moments, scenery, friends, etc. has always been a part of me.
Over the last two years, I’ve seen the switch. It's not just something that I love to do, it's something I am now doing to worship Jesus.
2. What’s a scripture you lean on personally or in your business?
A scripture that I personally use to lean on in my business is Psalm 27:4:
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple"
I love this because none of this matters if it's not about Jesus.
A motto I also go by is, “The pursuit of excellence is worship”
3. How do you stay grounded in your faith when business responsibilities get overwhelming?
One way I stay grounded in my faith when my business responsibilities are overwhelming
is simply by taking a step back.
I do have a presence online, where I have had to do the same. If I am noticing I am getting too busy for the Lord, I am way more busy than He ever intended me to be.
Sometimes this looks like spacing out clients, or even taking a pause.
4. In what ways do you intentionally share Christ’s light with your clients?
I love to make sure the love of Jesus is made known in every shoot that I do.
Whether that is simple comments about the Lord’s love, or just making them feel confident in who the Lord has made them to be.
5. What advice would you give to business owners striving to glorify God in their work?
Simply keep loving Jesus.
When we love Jesus, worship and love is an overflow. Don’t force worship, it has to come from your heart.
5. Have you ever had a moment in your business where you clearly saw God’s hand?
Being able to capture special moments in churches and conferences has changed my life.
I have had dreams of moments that I am going to capture, and then weeks or even months later, that dream is happening in front of my very eyes. It's easy to want to go off on my own plans, but I have learned how important it is to let the Lord lead and tell you.
I try my best to avoid taking action before inviting the Lord in. It's a smoother transition when He leads and invites me in along the way.
6. What rhythms or habits (prayer, worship, devotionals) help keep Christ at the center of your creative process?
Prayer before a session is so important to me. Praying the Lord would guide me in what to say and capture, as well as praying over the people who are coming to the session.
:::::: Anddddd something extra for beginner photographers :::::
To the beginner photographer who wants to incorporate God into what you do:
Do not compare yourselves to others!!
The Lord has given you a gift that is not going to look the same as someone else's.
I started completely on my own, learning from the ground up. Where I tend to go wrong is when I start comparing.
It defeats you and makes you want to give up.
It helps me to remember Colossians 3:23:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
When I say “The Pursuit of excellence is worship” I mean that trying to do your very best is actually honoring God.
What a COOL interview with Nicholas! He is truly such an inspiration!
I loved His focus on Jesus and the simplicity of his message and thoughts.... Focus on Jesus and the rest will work itself out.
I think my favorite quote from this interview was, "If I notice I am getting too busy for the Lord, I am way more busy than He ever intended me to be."
This feels super timely for me and the world... I don't know about you all, but my brain feels in constant commotion lately! Social media, work, friends.. there can be so much noise! And pressure to be booked + busy alllllllll the time......
But this couldn't be further from the truth.
Busy schedules should never be an excuse to avoid time with the Lord.
I love this quote:
“Shifting the mind into lower gear can bring better health, inner calm, enhanced concentration and the ability to think more creatively.” -Carl Honoré
And I would add.... shifting the mind into lower gear can allow us more time to connect with the Lord and receive guidance for our business + lives:))))))))))
Here is your daily reminder to connect with Jesus today <3
WORSHIP SONG OF THE WEEK: Slow Down, Please by Josiah Queen
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
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