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PhotoMission is an international community of photographers who have asked Christ to come into their individual lives. Why has the organization been established? To support missions, churches and ministries with photography that will enable the Gospel to grow and to build an online community for fellowship among Christian photographers. How did PhotoMission get started? In the year 2000, God brought the three of us together through an international photo project. How did you discover you shared two common interests: photography and Christ? It started when Connie became the project's community liaison...which included writing emails to many different photographers, then: Ian sent Connie some photographs he had taken in Cardiff on Good Friday (like the one below). This led to a discussion on how the pictures might be used in a publication.
Three months later, Ghani wrote an email to Connie that included the following: "Everything works for the good for those who love God..." She responded by asking Ghani if he knew the Lord as his Savior; and when he said he did, she introduced him to Ian. What happened next? We continued to correspond, and the friendships became stronger as we began to pray for one another. Then late in the summer of 2001, came the idea to start a ministry for Christian photographers. As we discussed it and prayed about it, we soon recognized the size of the 'idea' - and its implications. Yet, there was a great sense of peace, and we shared a belief that God was leading us. We live on three continents: North America, Europe and Asia. Connie lives in the United States; Ian is in the UK; and Ghani resides in India.
Describe how you work together. Surprisingly, we really are 'one in spirit and purpose!' The Lord enables us to make team decisions using instant messaging, emails and an occasional phone call. You stepped forward in faith and formed a ministry team. At the time, you had not met one another. Is this still true? After corresponding electronically for nearly two years, we have now met in person. In December 2002, God provided a way for Ian and Connie to travel to India where Ghani had arranged a cross-cultural tour. During our time together, we traveled through the states of Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal and Orissa where we enjoyed one another's company as friends and photographers. Explain your progress. You live thousands of miles apart. People pray for this ministry and for us every day. Since November 2001, Connie has been writing and distributing a 'PhotoMission Praise & Prayer Update.' The 'Update' holds the ministry team accountable to a prayer support team and offers a forum for praise items and prayer requests. What are your financial needs? We would trust God to receive enough revenue to pay for the costs of the ministry. These expenses include phone bills, postage, advertising, and maintaining the website. Administrative services and our time are donated. What are your long-range goals? Our primary goal remains unchanged since we first committed this work to the Lord, that is everything we do will be done 'According to His Will, for His Glory, and in His Time.' We want to see Christians who enjoy photography join us and share their testimonies of faith online. This will bring glory to God and draw others to Him. Further, we desire to help illustrate the truths of God's Word with affordable photography, to see the talents of Christian photographers recognized and to be involved with believers worldwide in the growth of God's Kingdom. Go to this link: email my password Is PhotoMission open to both professional and non-professional photographers? Yes! Do you have to have a personal relationship with Christ to be a member of PhotoMission? We see this site serving as a 'window on the world' for this global community of photographers who have invited Jesus into their individual lives. So in this respect, the answer is 'Yes.' Suppose I would like to learn more about entering into this personal relationship. Where else on the Internet can you direct me? There are many good sites. Two that come to mind are http://www.ccci.org/wij/index.html and http://www.greatcom.org/laws/languages.html where the Gospel is presented in many of the world's languages. Both these resources are part of the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Another resource from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, http://www.billygraham.org/qna, offers insight into many of life's most pressing questions. What are the benefits of joining this worldwide community?
What are the membership requirements? A photographer who wants to join us can complete the online registration form which includes writing a short statement on how you came to faith in Christ. In other words, this is your testimony. To assist you, we provide an easy-to-follow guide on the form. To complete your registration, the $35 membership fee can be paid online through a secure server using your Visa or MasterCard. You may also mail your payment to the address found on the Contact Us page. We welcome photographers from across the globe and will accept a photograph in place of the membership fee. Please write to connie@photomission.com for the details. I don't speak much English. Can I still join PhotoMission? Of course! We welcome you! How did you locate the firm that designed your site? In February 2002, Ian connected Connie to a Christian web design company located in London, Leaf Internet Ltd. She began corresponding with Giles, Leaf's technical director, and the two of them prayed together at the end of their first phone conversation. Afterwards, Connie recognized God was leading them, and Ian and Ghani agreed. Andrew designed PhotoMission's website. It was a long-distance arrangement that worked well, with Leaf's office located in the UK and PhotoMission's office based in the US. Should I write to Connie... Ghani... or Ian? Whoever you like! For the sake of maintaining clear communication, however, please write to only one of us. Suppose I want to contact one of the other photographers. How does that work? We will forward your email to the photographer after it is received at info@photomission.com. (See our Privacy Policy.) How does Photos 4 Sale work? After the form found on this page is submitted, the photographers upload images on the members' side of the website to address the customer's need. The customer is then given access to a specific group of photographs, and images are transferred electronically once the selection process is complete. What is the cost of the photography? We deliver custom solutions for all your imaging needs at prices that are below those of stock photo agencies. Please use the form found on the Photos 4 Sale page to begin a conversation with us. Does PhotoMission consider requests when free advertising is offered in exchange for photographs that are donated? Yes. How can I see some of the photography taken by members of PhotoMission? Go to the Photographers' Talent page. We refresh this page with new photographs on a regular basis. Further, when you click to enlarge an image, you can follow the hyperlink to read the photographer's testimony. What kind of photo assistance is possible? Christian photographers are available to:
What if my missions organization, church or ministry wants to purchase photography from PhotoMission's members? If you:
then complete the form found on the Photos 4 Sale page. Does PhotoMission also support Christian businesses with photography? Yes, of course. How is a photographer referenced in the use of his/her image? For each photograph acquired through this ministry, PhotoMission requests a credit line be placed flush right below the image whenever it is used. This reference names the photographer and the photographer's affiliation with PhotoMission. An example follows: Picture: John Doe/photomission.com The photographers always retain the copyright to their photography. PhotoMission invoices the customer once the photographs have been forwarded, and payment is due 30 days later. |
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