Imago Dei Photography Project
"Imago Dei" (rhymes with "Chicago Day"): Latin phrase for "Image of God"
The idea for the Imago Dei photography project took shape over several years as I photographed the men and women who attended the weekly community worship and breakfast at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Memphis. Many of the attendees were housing-insecure and struggled with huge challenges, but they still managed to live lives of kindness, loyalty, generosity, grace, and hope. Each week during announcement time in the chapel, I held up a couple of portraits taken the Wednesday before, and our exchange went like this: I asked, "What do you see?" and they responded, "The image of God."
In time, I became more curious about their thoughts regarding the "image of God" and began asking the men and women, one-on-one, how they would describe God or where they saw God's image in people in everyday life. Angelo answered: "I picture God and me sitting down on the steps somewhere side by side, talking, him sitting like a friend sits beside you." Mark said: "God walks with me like a parent walks with a child. He carries me sometimes." Michael responded: "I saw a special on TV once about a rescue dog that didn't have any front legs, but its owner was hugging it. I think God loves us even when we struggle. He doesn't give up on us. Everybody, no matter what, can be loved by God." A little later, I had the opportunity to present the project concept to the entire assembled group of Wednesday morning worshipers. Attendees were invited to write their thoughts on index cards or record them into my phone after breakfast. The answers they offered gave life to the Imago Dei project. I have done my best to translate their ideas into photographs that honor their contributions and, I believe, enrich our understanding of God. The vast majority of the photographs taken for this project are a direct result of that input, some were inspired by descriptions offered by others over the years, and some spring from my own experiences of God's presence in the world.
I invite you to think about how the image of God, Imago Dei, is evidenced in each of the photos below.
PROTECTS US
“God protects his children. He holds us in his hands. He’s in so many places at once: He's across the street with a little girl, he's at the hospital with people who are sick, and he’s right here blessing me too. I look up and say thank you. I know he loves me because I’m still here; I’m still in this world.” |
VIDEO: O How I Love Jesus / I'll Fly Away (click on image below to view)
(St. Mary's Cathedral - Sisters Chapel Community Worship Service - Memphis, TN)
(St. Mary's Cathedral - Sisters Chapel Community Worship Service - Memphis, TN)
VIDEO: Mercy Now (click on image below to view)
(St. Mary's Cathedral - Sisters Chapel Community Worship Service - Memphis, TN)
(St. Mary's Cathedral - Sisters Chapel Community Worship Service - Memphis, TN)
Exhibit at St. Mary's Cathedral, Memphis, TN: March 6 - April 10, 2022
Exhibit at Barth House, Memphis, TN: February 23 - April 9, 2023
Exhibit at Barth House, Memphis, TN: February 23 - April 9, 2023