Oaxaca 2012 :: Family Photos

MISSION focused began photographing military families (free of charge) 3 years ago, as a way to say thank you for serving our country.  It has become one of the biggest blessings for us as a group of photographers.  When I began coming down to Oaxaca with Adventures in Life in February of 2010, I started thinking that maybe we could take the concept of free family portraits to Oaxaca, as way to extend the reach of the local churches.  After talking with Dave and Pastors Americo and Norma, they liked the idea…we decided to try it out and see how it went.In this photo, I was able to gather, was 3 generations of one family, spanning 4 generations.  The young girl in red was the daughter/great grand-daughter; the gal in brown was the mom to the young girl and grand-daughter of the women in native Zapotec clothing; and then there was grand-ma/great grand-mother(bis abuela).  How cool was that!  What a huge blessing to be able to take what most likely was their first photo of the 3 of them.In July of 2010, Terry came with me to Oaxaca to help photograph a kids camp Adventures in Life was leading for kids who live in the mountains surrounding Oaxaca.  Terry and I were able to take portraits of every kid and print them so they could take the photo home with them.Along with a photo of themselves, we gave them a copy of the camp photo.  Our plan was to go into some of the towns Americo and Norma are ministering in and take family portraits, unfortunately we got rained in.  There was so much rain the first couple days we were stranded and unable to go and take photos. brotherjoe, Dave, Cyndy, Jim and Terry, with the owner of the famous Chaguita Nievas Oaxaquenas (ice cream like dessert) helados stand in the middle of the market in Oaxaca City.

Last February Terry came back along with Jim and Cyndy to help take portraits.  Unfortunately Jim got sick and had to stay back at home base as Terry, Cyndy and I went out to take photos.Terry in action last FebruaryCyndy taking photos of some of the local kids in San Baltazar, February 2011The reality is this:  In the parts of Oaxaca that Adventures in Life ministers in, family photos is a luxury item that most families can’t afford so they don’t think about it.  The best example I have of this is Hermana Norma’s parents, Santiago y Julia.This is a photo of Santiago and Julia’s wedding day in 1965.  Santiago is at the head of the horse that Julia is sitting on.Terry took this photo of Santiago and Julia last February.  It wasn’t until we showed Hermana Norma this photo that we learned that this was the first photo of the two of them since their wedding day.  I was in Santiago and Norma’s house yesterday and there was this photo hanging on the wall.

This is the power photography!  This is why we come to Oaxaca and this is why we choose to use our gifts for God’s Glory.

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February 10, 2012 | Categories: About Us, Adventures in Life, Brother Joe, Canon Cameras, Cyndy Smith, Dave Miller, Jesus!, Jim Wanglund, Mexico, Missions, Oaxaca, Terry Schwartz | Tags: Adventures in Life, blessing, brotherjoe, Canon Cameras, Chaguita Nievas Oaxaqueanas, construction, Cyndy Smith, Dave Miller, Family Portraits, ice cream, Jesus, Jim Wanglund, marriage, men's ministry, Mexico, Military Families, missions, nievas helados, Oaxaca, philosophy, photography, San Baltazar, short term missions, Terry Schwartz, travel | Leave a comment