Vicki Madden with her family

I think my online friendship with Vicki Madden started about 5 years ago when one of us stumbled on the other’s blog and we discovered almost instantly that we were kindred spirits.  These days, she’s without a blog (though that will be changing shortly), but she is busy building a new photography business. I’m excited for her, because Vicki has an incredible eye for finding beauty through her viewfinder – sometimes in the most unexpected places. Here’s Vicki’s story of her emerging giftedness.

Looking through the viewfinder of my camera I am often caught off guard by what I see. The tenderness in a Daddy’s eyes, the love of a Mother for her grown son, the touch of a rough hardworking hand touching the soft cheek of a baby. I have been “in love” with photography since I was a teenager, but as all first loves it faded overtime and life changes. About 4 years ago after reading a blog, I purchased a used Nikon D70 and the love was reborn.

Since the purchase of my Nikon D70 I have taken pictures of almost every family function, often catching moments of daily life tasks, really looking at my loved ones through the viewfinder. It slowed me down, helped me to see my sweet gift I have been given. My family.

The moment of “gifting” was birthed in me on one such occasion. My Mom requested I take pictures of a family get together. My uncle Billy was just diagnosed with cancer, he was already on dialysis and he knew he didn’t have much time. He wanted his family to be together to say goodbye. I knew I was to document this day for his family to have later. I took pictures out of the ordinary. I took pictures of groups and kisses, and then when the posing stopped I kept taking pictures to capture the essence of his love for his family. It was a gift to me to be able to do this, this is the day I will remember as knowing I could take really great pictures, and some of them would be a way to earn money and some of them would be a way to give to others. My Uncle passed in April, and I am thankful and honored to have had the day to record these moments for his family whom I love so very much.

How are you giving? Has your gift been realized in your spirit yet? Don’t wait for it to fall in your lap, get to doing something you love and allow “it” to grow in your spirit. You’ll know when it’s time.

Tweet This Post