Tuesday, August 15, 2006

A new life...

...a blessed life...

Well 6 months ago I certainly wouldn't have imagined myself staying out until 2 or 3am every night in a new city hanging out with people who I had just met....and most of all I would've never imagined myself enjoying it! haha...

I seriously feel like the most blessed person in the world right now because over the past 4 weeks I've had the chance to travel to 12 different cities and hangout with groups of photographers that have forever changed my life. I'm so indebted to all of you and I can't thank you enough for sharing your lives with me and teaching me so much about what it means to live, work, and serve in our industry.

When I was 16 years old my dad sat me down and said,

"David, if you always focus your business on helping other people - you'll always have plenty of work."

...and he did an incredible job of living that out and I hope to follow his example in my own way and that's really what this tour was about for me - helping people. In Denver my friend Jensen asked me what I had noticed the most from traveling around to these different groups and I said, "that people need help" and I include myself in that statement. We all need help and we all need each other and there really is nothing better than getting together and spurring each other on - celebrating in each other's victories and working through our challenges as friends and as family!

We're so blessed to get to go through this life together and I've been so encouraged by all of you and I hope to one day be able to give back even a small percentage of what you all have given to me.

I cherish all of the relationships I've made and I can't even begin to tell you how priviledged I feel to have gotten to know each one of you.

It's 5 hours till my flight to LA for the final PUG meeting so I had better get some rest but once again - thank you and may God richly bless you in a way that only he can.

yours,
DJ

25 comments:

Rodolfo Arpia said...

I'll see you in LA man... finally!
Rudy

Anonymous said...

"David, if you always focus your business on helping other people - you'll always have plenty of work."
Great ! My partners has told me the same !

Liana said...

So proud of you DJ! You've added "world traveler" and "borderline extrovert" to your name in a matter of months! lol.

No really, you just keep on blessing others over and over. Sad ATL missed the tour but c u soon anyways :)

J@KE said...

Awe..... Thanks DJ, I'm pretty sure that we all liked hanging out with you too and thanks for helping us.

J@KE

Anonymous said...

DJ, I can't tell you how much we have benefitted since joining OSP. Our business has really taken off because of all the support we have received. I would say I am really 'stoked' but I have found myself saying it too much lately :) You know who gets the ultimate glory, so a simple Thank You will have to do.

Anonymous said...

David, you're amazing! The travel must be crazy, and yet you're giving so much to so many!

I noticed that you're going to be in Seattle in September. Is there any way we could get you to give to us too! :) Maybe visit our PUG group, and Jeff LaPlante and I could combine the Seattle and Tacoma together for you? We could make you dinner? We could take you shopping...Can you tell I'm pleading? :)

Let me know!

Daniel J. Watkins said...

People in St. Louis could use your help. ;)

Scarlett Lillian // Jacksonville Senior Photographer said...

Great blog DJ! I definitely agree our most important mission is to show Jesus to everyone. Hey everyone, I just posted last night on my blog a new random music video I did that goes along with this theme of what DJ was writing about helping others. Check it out here:

[url=http://captivatingstudios.blogspot.com/2006/08/shawn-mcdonald-music-video.html]Captivating Studios: Shawn McDonald Music Video[/url]

Enjoy! I'd love to hear everyone's feedback!

Scarlett Lillian // Jacksonville Senior Photographer said...

Whoops... wrong HTML. Maybe this will work for the link:

Captivating Studios: Shawn McDonald Music Video

Jennifer Anne Rodgers said...

David -

I have definitely benefited greatly from hearing about your journey and from OSP. I actually check out OSP...and OSPers blogs daily...but I have never posted anything. Does that make me weird? I went to Westmont around the same time as you and I was somehow was turned on to your website and to OSP. I don't remember how it all happened, but I am eternally grateful.

I have always dreamt of "making a living" in creative field that somehow would make a difference in the lives of others. I vividly remember a Westmont chapel where a photographer shared images that he had captured of the effects of war and genocide. The memory of that chapel comes back to me daily as I think about how I would like to use my gifts, talents and passion to "help others."

I have recently quit my job as a fundraiser for a great non-profit agency to pursue my passion and my dream of becoming a professional photographer. I cannot tell you how much of an inspiration it has been to me to see how you and others have turned their passion into a live giving "career."

Your willingness and commitment to helping others has not only provided you with plenty of work...but has also encouraged others to pursue their dreams.

Thanks so much!

Jasmine said...

DJ, what people pour into you is merely a reflection of what you poured into them. That's what friendship is: A reflection of love and gratitude.
See you tonight! :)

Anonymous said...

That is soooo awesome!!
yeah..it was soo great having you here (even if you did dominate in bowling;)!! we miss you!! don't stay away tooo long:)

|| davidjay || said...

Hey Jen! :)

Great to have another Westmonter around! That photographer you remember was probably Colin Finlay - http://colinfinlay.com/

Amazing!

Sarah Renée said...

Wow, I'm amazed at how oblivious you are of your own giving, DJ, it's great!
You know why all of these people post for you? Why they all stop to read everything you have to say? Because you eminate Christ's love for them through your work!
The few times I've had the chance to hang out with you even for a little while I walk away with a little extra joy inside because you're such a warm person...I'm not even a photographer! Yet, even I have been encouraged by your humility. I hope you never realize just how much of a blessing you are to people, but continue in His love. :)

Daniel J. Watkins said...

Christ loves St. Louis too!

Anonymous said...

hey man, i know yo don't know me, but i read your blog daily. i stumbled upon your site from sarah's blog, and her blog from a posting i found on someone else's blog about the one light in chicago. i am actually headed to the atlanta photo 101 and one light this fri and sat at zack's studio. i'm really excited. anyway...i just wanted to say that you are an inspiration to young photographers everywhere. keep up the good work.

Daniel J. Watkins said...

There are young photographers in St. Louis too... ;)

Sarah Barlow said...

As always....THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING!!! Haha!

We love you so much DJ!!
I'm so excited what God's doing in and through you!!! And this is JUST the beginning!!! :)

J@KE said...

Let me guess...... God does stuff in St. Louis too???

J@KE

Sarah Renée said...

Hahahahahaha.....Jake that just made my day! :-D

Daniel J. Watkins said...

Hey man if we're good enough for the Pope, aren't we good enough for David Jay? LOL

Hanagraphie said...

daniel watkins,

you're such a crack up! I always love reading your posts for a little pick me up! thanks for the laughs ;)

Anonymous said...

okay maybe im not as COOL as Dj but I'm going to St. Louis today!!

Jennifer Anne Rodgers said...

It was Colin Finlay! Thanks so much for passing along his website. It is so awesome and inspring to see his work again!

Jen Kroll said...

Hey David!
Thanks so much for sharing your story! So encouraging in so many ways... It was an honor to have met you. Come back to Michigan anytime!

Oh yea, and the email was about the music on Brooke and Blake's slideshow!

Jen