Photography an act of bearing witness, conference teaches

During the 24th annual Southwestern Photojournalism Conference, Feb. 26-28, Matt Miller and Adam Covington, directors of the Office of Communications at Southwestern Seminary, explained that photography is a ministry in itself. Seeing, experiencing and affirming what God is doing and sharing that through photographs, videos and stories are the heart of this ministry, and each of these elements ties into the biblical concept of “bearing witness.” The ultimate aim, they said, is to raise awareness of the Gospel.

“My motivation is not just to be a better photographer,” Miller said. “I want one fewer person to face an eternity in hell separated from his Creator, and that’s what I’m passionate for. That’s what I’ll spend nights away from my family [on the mission field] for. That’s what we’ll spend hours doing Internet research for. That’s what I will go without, even in my own lifestyle, for—just the thought that there might be one more person who gets to spend eternity with his Creator.”

Miller and Covington spoke in the opening session of a day-long workshop on “missions photography.” New to the conference this year, this workshop was designed to equip photographers to adequately tell the stories of their mission experiences, be they in a foreign country or just down the street from their local church. After Covington and Miller laid the foundation for photography as ministry, other speakers shared how to write stories to accompany one’s photographs and how to share one’s work (suggestions included social media; a photo gallery in one’s home, church or a local coffee shop; and local newspapers).

Patrick Murphy-Racey, who was also one of the conference’s keynote speakers, spoke during one of the sessions, explaining that people must be open to using new equipment as well as capturing both still photographs and videos. “We are all hybrid photographers,” he explained, “and so we have to open ourselves up to the possibility of using equipment that’s different than what we’ve always used. … [This] is very important as we try to do better and better work and honor God in the process, because we’re here to do a good job, not just to plug stuff in.”

The missions track was one of several workshops offered, and the conference also featured keynote sessions by professional photographers and videographers. Dave Black, a freelance photographer who has contributed to such publications as Sports Illustrated, Time and Newsweek and is especially known for his “Lightpainting” technique, spoke during the conference’s opening session.

“People forget what you say, but they will not forget how you make them feel,” Black said. “If you can take a picture that makes them feel, … they won’t even read the rest of the article. They will just stare at that picture.”

Black urged the audience to “get out there and make something nobody else can make.” His pitch for creative and inspired photography was accompanied by a presentation of his own work, featuring the Lightpainting technique of making a triangle with the subject, the camera, and an off-camera flash.

Brad Smith, former director of photography at Sports Illustrated, spoke next. He emphasized the need for persistent commitment to career goals. In a world where everybody has a phone and takes pictures, it can be difficult to succeed as a photographer or photo editor, Smith acknowledged.

“It creates a world where [most people] don’t understand how difficult it is for [photographers like] Dave to take the pictures that he does,” Smith said. But “if it is something you really want to do, then you will make it happen.”

Stacy Pearsall, a former photographer for the U.S. Air Force and founder of the Veterans Portrait Project, spoke on Saturday evening, reminding attendees of an important principle. Relating experiences from her time spent overseas, Pearsall encouraged aspiring photographers—especially those who participated in the conference’s student practicum—to embrace their failures.

“I’m a big proponent of knowing failure to appreciate success,” she said. “You have to get out there and try new things. They may not all be winners, but at least you’re trying.”

The 25th annual Southwestern Photojournalism Conference will take place Feb. 23-26, 2017. To learn more about the conference and the accompanying student practicum, visit swpjc.org.