“It is one thing to photograph people.  It is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness.” Paul Strand ~ American Photographer (1890-1976)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately.  About two things in particular.  I’ve been thinking of the overwhelming number of photographers in the world.  In the U.S. alone it’s estimated that there are close to 160,000 professional photographers.  The number of professional photographers in the world is close to 3 million.

I’ve also been thinking about grace.

grace:  favor or goodwill. Synonyms: kindness, kindliness, love.

At the beginning of my journey into photography as a profession, I was faced with a moral dilemma.  The type of situation where it would have been easy for me to take the quick and easy route, deny a fellow colleague an opportunity because it wasn’t in my best interest.  I hadn’t made any promises, so I wouldn’t have been breaking any.  But I had offered an opportunity that I would have to detract from them.  I wrestled with the decision and ended up asking for the advice of a good friend and fellow photographer.  Her short answer was “karma”.  “What goes around, comes around”.  I thought about that and knew I shouldn’t go back on my word.  And I didn’t.  I took the high road.  And I’m glad I did.

Since that day, I’ve tried to run my business with “karma” in mind.  That what I give will come back to me, whether it’s positive or negative.

Yet, I’ve felt there’s still something lacking.  I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do what I’m passionate about every day.  I’ve been blessed with amazing clients and a supportive family, with a network of talented fellow photographers, and so many creative opportunities within this industry.  I’m blessed to do what I love and get paid for it.  I don’t take that lightly.

One of my favorite scriptures has been lurking in my mind as I’ve been contemplating these two ideas.

“For unto whomsoever much is given,” much shall be required. (Luke 12:48.)

I’ve been given much and therefore much is required of me.  I know I am required to “give back”.  To be graceful as I go about this journey.  To find ways of sharing my goodwill through the medium of a camera.  To find those people and organizations who could use favor and goodwill in the form of photography.  As I began searching for these opportunities, I started asking my fellow photographers if and how they are giving back.

Which brings me back to my first thought.  With so many photographers in the world, the possibilities for giving back are endless!  If every photographer found one way of giving back to their own community, imagine what a difference we could make in the world!  All it takes is a little creativity, a little research, and a little bit of grace.

My new venture is called Grace in [Focus].  I will be featuring photographers who are giving back to their communities through the gift of photography.  The focus will be a little bit on the photographer and a lot on their Grace in [Focus] project.  My hope is to inspire you photographers, wherever you are and at whatever point you are, to be graceful in your journey and to find ways, whether big or small, to give back to your communities.

Grace in [Focus] | Deb Schwedhelm | Forever Seven

photo by Leah Zawadzki

Who is Deb Schwedhelm?

Deb Schwedhelm is a bit complex.  Ask my husband.  I’m a mix of my unconventional past, my living in the beauty of the present and my hopes and dreams for the future.  My professional career began as a nurse in the Air Force, which continued for 10 years.  I did a good job but I also knew it wasn’t my passion.  I separated from the Air Force in 2003 and in 2006, with the support of my husband, I purchased a DSLR and began pursuing my dream – photography.

I long to give back and make a difference.  My Mom recently shared with me, “Debbie, I did my best I could for you.  And now I hope that you can do better”.  Even before I heard those words from my Mom, she had already taught me an amazing lesson!!  No matter what I do in life, I want be a good person, do a great job and give my best.

Tell us about your Forever Seven project.

I met Max Mikulak through a friend of his, Sam, who also had neuroblastoma.  Sam went to the same school as my oldest daughter, Kiele (both were hearing impaired).  Max and Sam’s dads had a neuroblastoma foundation together.  The first time I met Max was when I photographed the boys together for foundation marketing materials.

A couple weeks after our first session, I heard that Max had taken a slight turn for the worse.  At that time, I approached Max’s family about collaborating, with the hopes of showing the world the good, the bad, the ugly…the real of neuroblastoma.  I really wanted to help raise neuroblastoma awareness (childhood cancer research and neuroblastoma in particular is grossly underfunded).

Max’s parents said they would love to collaborate on the project and within a few days, Max’s Dad had a blog launched for me to share my photographs —  Mashed Potatoes for Breakfast.  And our journey together began.

Max’s Mom and I would coordinate our week’s availability and decide on a time and location where we would meet.  Wherever Max was when our schedules coordinated, I would photograph.  We tried to get together once or twice every week; as long as we were able, it would happen.  Sometimes it was his house, other times Max’s school, many times the hospital.  I ended up giving Max’s family over 30,000 photographs.

I’m not even sure what else to say other than to direct you to Max’s blog because that’s where the real attention is deserved.  Max’s parents are doing amazing things, in an effort to increase neuroblastoma research funding.  And I have no doubt that Max is with them, guiding them every bit of it.

What effect has giving back had on you as a person and a photographer?

I can’t even begin to share how blessed I am to have known and photographed Max.  Each and every time I was with Max and his family, they revealed what life is really about – living for today and cherishing every single moment.  And the entire Mikulak family handled everything they went through with such beauty, strength and grace.  I am a better person because of them!!

I truly believe that I have been given this gift of photography and I am a firm supporter in giving back in this world, sharing my gift as much as I can.  Simply, if I didn’t give back, I wouldn’t be complete. I feel like every giving back session is a gift in MY life.

Thank you, Deb.

Please email me at wendy@wendyvonsosen.com to recommend someone to be featured in an upcoming Grace in [Focus].