Christian Photographers Community

First of all, thank you for the notes of encouragement!

I don't know where to begin, I have been gone for so long.  I'll try to recap a little, but there is too much to include.

As some of you know, I was working at Chick-fil-A 50 hours a week, long hours and long commute.  It took me approx. 1 1/2 hour each way to commute.  I had to stand all day and only had two 20 minute breaks during the day.  Very tiring and taxing on me.  Then when I got home I didn't have much time with my family before I had to go to bed and prepare for the next day.  That was also very taxing.

Well, I said "...was working..." because I lost my job at Chick-fil-A this past Saturday.  It is not worth discussing the "How & Why" of this situation. So, I am now jobless and making $0.00/hour, but I know that God is in control!  Saturday afternoon, as I drove home from work for the last time the songs on the radio spoke to me.  My devotional that night was Psalm 118:24!

I have been praying for a while about working in photography full-time.  A few months ago a friend at church who has portrait experience approached me and asked if I have given any thought to doing wedding photography... long story short... I am working on doing some wedding photography (haven't done any yet, but heading that direction).

Today, since I am on an "extended vacation" I went to a local business expo.  Well, I made a lot of good contacts!  The expo was held at a indoor sports facility and I arrived a half-hour before the expo opened.  (Oh how I wish I could put everything that's in my heart and in my head here on the forum!)  I'm sorry, but I just don't know how to put into words what happened at the sports park and at the business expo.  All I can say is that God was at work in that place!  I don't know what my next step is going to be, but whatever step I take God will be there!  My wife and I have been talking about what happened all day today and after I finish typing this message we are going to talk some more.  Please pray that God will lead us and direct us.  Tomorrow at 10 AM (EDT) I have a meeting with the owner of the sports park.  Please pray for a confirmation that this whole thing is from the Lord!

Thank you!

In Christ,
Neal

Thanks so much Neal for the update.  You truly have been missed around here.  I thought it was a friend of yours that owned the chicken place.  Anyway, if that's a long story, that's ok. 

Please know that I'll be praying for you.  We've also missed your friend in Georgia.  She was posting photos of her puppy but surely that puppy must now be full grown. 

Keep in touch as you can and God bless you.

Pat

Pat,

You are such an encouragement.

Thank you so much.

In Christ,
Neal

Just a little update.  My meeting with the owner of the Sportsplex went very well and I am psyched.  I am a little nervous because I certainly am not the world's best photographer.  I have never really done action photography (like sports) and I just have a D70 and wonder if it would be sufficient for what it is that I want to do.  I'll be allowed to do photography of any event held at the sportsplex, unless it is a private function, but even private functions (like a birthday party) the sportsplex will push me as the go to person for photography.

I need to do a lot of research, and I realize this would be the topic for a different thread.  If anyone can help me with pricing for private sessions, etc... please send me a PM.

Thank you.

In Christ,
Neal

Neal, hope this works out for you.  It sounds like God is directing your life.

Go God and go with Him Neil. 

That is exciting.  Look at this way, what you don't know, you can learn!!

Thank you

-Neal (not "Neil")

sorry 'bout that, neil Neal

Oh Father, as You are leading Neal day by day, please make him fully aware of Your wonderful presence and blessing!  Help him and make him aware of Your help at the sportsplex.  Oh confirm to him that this is Your direction, and grant him to rejoice in You through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you Al!

I love it when God turns our lives toward what He has always intended for us ... Thanks, Neal, for letting us in on what He is doing in your life!  How awesome is our God!!

Neal, you may wish to privately email Sonja. I believe she does a lot of professional photography and believe she may be a good reference for you.

Ruth Ann

Thank you Ruth Ann, I'll try and do that this week. I am getting ready to go out of town and my wife is making a list of things for me to do before we go.  I'll try and update everyone as to what is going on.

I have an appointment with a local B & B (Bed & Breakfast) the first week of July.  This is a large B & B and they do a lot of weddings, catering, and other events.  I am meeting with their banquet manager about doing photography for them.  Also, there is a dog show coming up in July and I e-mailed the person(s) in charge and it looks like I'll be covering the dog show.  I have been told that the owners of the novice dogs will buy lots of photos because they don't have any of their dogs, so this will be a good opportunity for me.  They told me to make sure I bring lots of business cards!

Both of these (the B & B and the dog show) are a result of my connection with the Sportsplex.  I have been talking with my wife about ways that I can concentrate on my photography while I am out of work and we have some ideas, but the main thing is that I need to find a job to bring in income, but on the other hand, I really don't want a job that is going to prevent me from being involved in advancing my photography, especially doing weddings, and other events (such as this dog show).  I saw a job advertised that is a 2 PM - 11 PM job and I would only get Thursdays and Fridays off.  I was very hesitant to apply for it because of the photography, but I applied anyway.  I truly believe that God is going to Bless me with this (the photography) but I also know that it may take a while to "ramp up" the photography to the point I need it to be.

Thank you my Brothers & Sisters!

In His Grip!
Neal