Brothers and sister,

I have had a dream that I laid down to give everything up and follow Jesus like I had these last few years, and I feel like God is FINALLY allowing me to pick it back up. You may scoff at this dream of mine, and think it to be quite trivial, but I want to pick back up photography. I have had dreams of being a photographer ever since I was young. Grew up with a photographer for a dad, full studio and printshop and all. Always had a camera in my hand and constantly learned all I could in my high school years. When I graduated high school, I was young and had lots of voices speaking into my life and my 'future', and decided pursuing photography wasn't terribly sustainable so I pursued ministry.

I have been thinking about this ever since. Being on the road with the band has given me plenty of well needed 'thinking' room. I promised God He could have EVERYTHING, and I only wanted back what would give Him glory. Just yesterday, I had a LONG conversation with a spiritual mentor for a couple of hours over the phone. When I got off, I prayed for a while and felt more inspired more in that moment then I have in a VERY LONG TIME. It was in that moment that God gave me my dreams back to pursue photography as a ministry to Him. I want to do photography. I LOVE IT. I have always wanted to, for as long as I can remember and God has been giving me dreams about it.

Basically I dream of documenting injustice in its many different forms (skid row in LA; types of urban poverty like new orleans, philadelphia, and someday overseas etc) and eventually having a gallery of sorts to raise awareness and bring well needed education. The idea is to br able to auction off the prints and the money will go towards rehabilitation and restoration of the subjects involved.

For the longest time, I have wrestled with the idea of having nice things (with all the poverty across the world and feeling unworthy), and I feel like God is finally bringing not only balance, but peace in my life concerning such things. I feel like I have matured and became a much better steward, enough to have a nice, functioning camera and gear to make this happen.

I have dreams, when eventually settling down, to have a space where I could set up art easels and drums on the sidewalk to attract anyone who feels like being creative. You can open your bible to its beginning pages to see how much of an artist our Creator is, and we were made in His very image and likeness. I think that's why art mediums have such a way of inspiring change and stirring emotion. I want to be able to capture what moves me, and share that with the world (while being able to support myself and my ministry). I feel so strongly about this, and will work my hands to the bones to be able to afford this and make it happen.

One of my friends, and one of the most gifted photographers I know, Brooks Renyolds , is going to mentor me and help me build this dream from its beginning stages. He has suggested what camera and gear I need to get started (nikon d90, 50mm 1.8 lens, etc). Im also going to be spending time in Los Angeles soon, partnering with The Jonah Project (skid row) to bring love and restoration to the streets. 

Please pray with me for these ideas that God has given me. I believe it has the possibly to do some amazing things. I will have to sacrifice much to make this happen, but I feel its never too late to pursue a dream. If there is any way you can help or feel like donating towards this project, e-mail me at cantignorethepoor@gmail or send me a message here. If you dont support this vision at all, I still love you like crazy lol. Thank you so much for hearing my heart and may grace and peace overtake your lives, dear brothers and sisters.

Much love.


"Migrant Mother" - Dorothea Lange, 1933. This is the photo that inspired me and the idea behind this vision.