Sadie Mckim: Sharing Faith & Photography

I'm so excited to start this new series God put on my heart recently! I welcome you to

For His Glory: Creating with 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

For my first little interview, I reached out to Sadie Mckim, an INCREDIBLE photographer based in Colorado and Arizona. She specializes in couples and weddings. Find her work HERE

I actually met Sadie when I was serving as a missionary for my church in Colorado. From the moment I met her, I was touched by her love for Jesus. It SHINED out from her! She started photography soon after I left, and when thinking of who I could reach out to for this series, she was one of the first people that popped into my mind.

Sadie's work- how lovely 😍

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through Sadie's answers to these questions and felt very inspired to make some changes in my own business. She was specific and practical in her answers. She is truly a light to those she serves, and her work is incredible. Excited for you all to learn from her:)

For His Glory with Sadie Mckim:

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

   
   

   "Photography becoming a ministry to me means that each person is an opportunity to shed God's love and kindness onto them and share the gospel.

   
   

   I use my client's questions about how I started my business or anything about me to glorify God and tell them about how he is pretty much the co-owner of my business by how he has given me grace, clients, and he truly has been the growth."

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

   "I love the verse Ephesians 2:10 :

"For God has made us, prepared us, and equipped us for good works"

It resembles how he made us to work and he wants to bless the work of our hands. I believe he is the provider for everything and He has provided for each piece of equipment, relationship, client, session and wedding and the little moments throughout. As well as Luke 12:22-34 big time!"

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

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

"What helps me most is starting and finishing my day with the Lord. Putting him in front of my work. Spending time in prayer - just him and I - before starting a work day, or reminding myself everything I have is his. He will do what he wants with this business and I will work with what he gives me.

I pray a lot for grace when I'm late to galleries, and to have grace on clients when they can be difficult to work with. Prayer always, and worship music big time (on the way to sessions, while editing and working, etc)! "

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

"Kind of like the first question, I share a bit of my testimony, I try to love them the way Jesus does the best I can - John 13:35, and pray for them!"

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

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

"My advice would be to seek first Jesus and his kingdom, don't make work an idol, pray over everything, and be bold in your faith! Don't let fear of man ever take place, let the Lord do his thing and have confidence that if the Lord led you to start a business and use it for his glory, He will bless it and bring you all that you need, hang on to Luke 12:22-34"

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

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

"Yes! I feel like that has happened so many times! Specifically every time in the summer it's raining or cloudy, and I'm an hour away from the session, if I pray He gives me sun for the session it will literally come and the rain will stop - occasionally a rainbow haha. He has just been so faithful to bring what I need when I need it.

I've been able to minister to senior girls or graduates struggling with things. I've been able to meet fellow believers, and work alongside women who love the Lord that I met through photography, the Lord has brought people because they also love and know Jesus.

And some sessions or weddings have just been so beautiful, it's so abundantly clear the Lord is there. There have been some nights. It's so pretty outside, the clients are so kind, there's flowers and just perfect timing and you can just feel the Lord's presence in that moment."

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

"This is something I've been struggling with even in my personal life, because I don't think we truly know his plans until we're in them or we walk through the door he has opened for us. But I know in my heart when something is from Him, but also everything good is from Him. However when it is a calling or I am feeling led to do something by the holy spirit, typically I know if it's a fleshly desire, if it will lead to life, eternal value and bless others or if it's just something I want or not really in line with what He has been showing me or His word."

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

"All of the above! Prayer is of the utmost value and importance because it has power - James 4:2 & Matthew 7:7-11.

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Worship to glorify him, but also worship comes in so many forms. I can worship him with my work, with my creativity, my ideas and photos. But having worship music or a podcast when I'm working is also so helpful to give me peace and ground my mind.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Being able to also take care of my body through working out, going on walks, eating clean, and having goals outside of work helps to balance things and shift my mind to have a life other than work and have things to pray for other than work. But also lastly, but every bit as important is putting others before myself to see my work as serving others.

My main goal for photography is to show people they are made in the image of God, created fearfully and wonderfully. To serve their needs and help them with whatever they need! Loving others is loving God!"

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Wow, aren't you feeling inspired after reading that? Soooo powerful. Sadie is truly such an example to me of putting the Lord first not only in her business, but in her own life.

I especially loved her advice about not making work an idol. I can be a workoholic sometimes. I can get sooo distracted with my to-do list and all the ideas and dreams I'm constantly trying to pursue, it's easy for me to let daily worship slip- But wow, perspective shift! Her Luke verse reminded me of Matthew 6: 31-34

 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I draw on this verse often to ground me in what matters most. God is SO GOOD!

WORSHIP SONG OF THE WEEK: Won't Let Tomorrow by Joseph O'Brien

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