What's in a Name?

The name, Page IV Photography, simply serves as a snapshot of why I do what I do.

For as long as I can remember, few things have brought me greater joy than trying to capture the world's beauty through the lens of my camera. From majestic landscapes to the delicate intricacy of a flower, nature's beauty never ceases to amaze me. As I photograph people, I am struck by their inherent beauty as well. I am consistently astounded by my subjects' individuality, unique gifts, stories and perspectives on life. What a treasure and a joy to encounter such beauty - so much more than a photo can capture!

However, as I encounter new people and places I find the need to remind myself of a crucial truth: the beauty I see now is only a dim reflection of the Beauty my heart truly longs for. The, "Page IV," refers to page 4 in my worn old copy of The Weight of Glory by CS Lewis. It reads:

"The art, the books, the music in which we thought beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them it only came through them, and what came through was longing. These things - the beauty in them - are good images of what we really desire; but mistaken for the thing itself, they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not yet found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited."           - CS Lewis, The Weight of Glory

The power of  photography is that a good photograph beckons its viewer to look beyond what is shown. I see this as a beautiful metaphor for life itself. Though of course all of our lives are filled with periods of trial and pain, there is great beauty to be found in this world as well. This beauty is as Lewis describes, "the scent of a flower we have not yet found." I believe it is a promise from our Creator of what is to come if we place our trust in Him. The goal of my photography is to call my viewers to look deeper and to seek truth and real beauty.

I consider it a privilege to capture life's moments of beauty, joy and celebration for my clients. It is these moments that are foretaste of the sweeter song of Heaven; the beauty that will abound in the "country we have never yet visited." Simply stated, this is the mission of Page IV Photography.