And I’ve come to find that I cannot share these images without sharing the words that should accompany them. My deepest hope is that these photographs and these words would honor the souls that touched my life in India, and that they might speak loudly and boldly about the God who continues to move radically and overwhelmingly in all of our lives.

The photographs:

The words:

“i saw Light.”

to say that i saw Christ in India is the truth. to say that i saw Him immediately is a lie.

at first, i forgot to look for Him. i forgot to look for His light. i got lost in the faces, in the hunger, in the vast unlimited poverty that seemed to hang heavy on the dusty city like a fog. i got lost in the beggars on the street with opaque eyes, or those without eyes at all, or those with crippled legs turning impossibly inward at each other. i was lost in the brokenness of the bodies and the places.

if i’m honest, i spent days in india feeling like i’d lost Him. i chose not to see but to be blinded by the images of poverty and pain in those ashy kolkata streets. morning after morning, dreading the bustling world of taxis and orphans and businessmen that curiously collided just outside the crumbling walls of our tiny room.

and i can’t tell you what changed, but something finally did. a light turned on in the deepest quiet places of my heart and i heard the whisper of my dearest friend say, “look for Me”.

all at once i had this photograph in my mind, wherein Jesus stood tall in a crowded street, arms outstretched, bright. He was so bright. and more than that, He was smiling. and i thought soberly about how He could manage that in a place that was becoming my entire undoing.

but He smiled the sweetest smile and He looked at me in this photograph in my mind and i felt Him say,

“in your desperate places, in your deepest need, see Light and find Me.”

so, in the same way your eyes learn to see the shape of dancers in a piece of abstract art, my eyes finally saw the shape of Him in kolkata, and i couldn’t look away. i saw light.

when i looked into these people you see here, I saw Light. not just any light, not just light, but His light.

and what I ultimately learned in India was to look for Light. and when I really started looking, i started to find it everywhere, i started to find Him everywhere:

in a child’s laugh as he plays with empty bottles in the street, in a mother’s soft knowing smile, in the furrowing brow of a young girl – her questions unasked and unanswerable, in the slow cadence of a child learning to speak, in the labored stride of a man whose body only prayer could heal; light in the eyes of a boy destined for something bigger than his father’s farm, light in the pastor who speaks passionately because he believes passionately, light in the kindness of a stranger, light in the warm embrace of an unknown sister,

- and sometimes, caught off guard, i found light in myself – a light that surprised and overwhelmed.

and my challenge to you, and to myself, is to learn to see light. not just in unfamiliar places, not just in impoverished cities or orphanages, but in your world, in your community, and inside of yourself.

because the light you find is the light that sustains in the midst of the oft-present darkness that wants desperately to keep you blinded. don’t let it be so.

choose to see Light, and you will see it everywhere. and most of all, choose to share it.

share what you find, for that is the call on our lives: seeking, finding, and ultimately sharing the beauty that does not wither, the truth that does not change, the love that does not yield, the light that does not dim, and the perfect face Who does not turn from us – not even in our desperate places and darkest need.

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we do see light.“

]]> http://shannonnicolesmith.com/blog/2011/12/kolkata-india/feed/ 1 http://shannonnicolesmith.com/blog/2011/11/adrienne-conor/ http://shannonnicolesmith.com/blog/2011/11/adrienne-conor/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:34:15 +0000 SNS Photography http://shannonnicolesmith.com/blog/?p=4503 oh blog world, I totally forgot to blog about my best friend Adrienne’s wedding. You might remember her from the maternity session I shot for her a few months back. She got married on New Years Day this year, and I juggled the roles of maid of honor and one of her photographers for the day. It was a fun day, really emotional and full of love and sweetness.

Tonight I found myself reminiscing this day, laughing as I looked through the photos, and I finally decided this wedding should be blogged and shared with the world. SO!  Let me get right to it. I can’t wait to show you Adrienne on her wedding day, she made such a stunning bride.

Aint she cute when she laughs? : )

and then there was us… we are kind of in the middle of our own love affair most days…

The gorgeous flowers were done by Harriet’s Flowers in Tampa/Apollo Beach FL. : )

They are a beautiful family, and they just added another little one to their ranks.

The thing I like about Conor & Adrienne is how comfortable they are in their love with one another. They fit together just like family, just like they’ve always been together. That kind of comfortable safe constant love is refreshing and sweet to witness.

The wedding favors (shown here on the right) were homemade ready-to-bake cherry pies in mason jars. All of Adrienne’s details were DIY. She’s probably one of the craftiest women I know, hands down.

There were also some pretty serious mustaches at the party.

And I think I will end her blogpost with this photo below, because if there is one thing that Adrienne does best, it’s being a Mother (there are other things, but this is like HER thing). She is the bomb at that. Love you, A.

World, meet Samira and Daniel. They are a fun loving, always laughing, beautiful pair. So naturally, they had a fun and beautiful wedding to match. Take a look : )

Isn’t Samira just stunning? My goodness!

I am seriously in love with these two frames of Daniel & Samira as they walk out of the church newly married!

These two are so great together. I just love how comfortable they are with one another.

Oh and the reception was simply lovely. Samira used so many great details to really capture the mood and theme of the day. I loved the floral fabric at the tables and all the great pops of color throughout.

So then the party began! This group really knew how to celebrate. There was so much dancing and laughing and singing – it was kind of contagious. : )

Samira & Daniel, thanks so much for inviting us to capture your big day. You two, your families, and your friends all have a fantastic light about you. It was truly a gift to watch you and your families celebrate love and life. : )

To all my SNS Brides: Samira is a fantastic calligraphy and design artist, you guys. Check her out if you’re in the market!

So here’s Olivia. She’s kind of a total knockout, you know.

I love her tattoo. “Whom then shall I fear?”. That’s the thing about Olivia and Erik, they are both so grounded in Christ that it’s just as evident and visible as this tattoo. They have that kind of bold faith and bright light that you can’t help but take notice of.

Erik & Olivia had a beautiful ceremony that brought pretty much everyone to tears at some point. It was really something to be remembered.

Check out this awesome wedding party! They were a ton of fun to work with. I love when couples have such awesome and nice friends.

They are total babes.

I loved all the vintage DIY details that Olivia chose for her reception decor. Plus there were bubbles during the first dance!

Erik & Olivia: You guys are more beautiful inside than you are outside and I don’t even know how that’s possible but it is. Thank you for being an inspiration and letting God’s love shine brightly through you as individuals and as a couple. You rock. Seriously.

and now I will leave you with this precious naptime yawn:

: )

This couple just cannot stop laughing and smiling when they’re together – it makes my heart so happy! I seriously love this next series:

Samia & Trae, you two have something so special. I love the way you love each other, love your family, and love the Lord. I’m so excited to see what’s in store for you guys. : )

Also, just an added perk, I had the opportunity and privilege to work with videographer and director Michael Dalton at Samia & Trae’s wedding. Check out the awesome video he put together of these two: Samia and Trae from Michael Dalton.

Lauren & Blair are two super adorable, totally kind, and fun to be around people. I just love the way they love each other. Take a look for yourselves…

Isn’t Lauren such a babe?!

Kind of obsessed with these sunflowers and the crafty DIY “in love” banner Lauren made.

Love this series:

L&B: can’t wait for your wedding! : )

SNS Brides: Lauren runs a fantastic full service wedding and event planning company. Check her out if you’re in the market.