Imago Dei Photography Project

"Imago Dei" (rhymes with "Chicago Day"): Latin phrase for "Image of God"

The idea for the Imago Dei photography project has taken shape over the past few years as I've photographed the men and women who attend the weekly community worship and breakfast at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Memphis. Many attendees are housing-insecure and struggle with huge challenges, but they still manage to live lives of kindness, loyalty, generosity, grace, and hope. Each week during announcement time in the chapel, I hold up a couple of portraits taken the Wednesday before, and our exchange goes like this: I ask, "What do you see?" and they respond, "The image of God."

A few months ago, I got 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 see 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.

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GIVES US LIFE

“God gives us life and loves us as his own children.”

PROVIDES FOR US

“When I think about God, I think about how a mother provides for her children and feeds them.”

LAUGHS WITH US

“When I see children playing and running and laughing, I think about the joy and happiness God brings to me.”

CREATES WITH US

“God paints the world with beautiful colors. He’s an artist, and he shows us how to create beauty too.”

TEACHES US

“God is my teacher.”

DELIGHTS IN US

“God loves and cherishes his kids. They make him very happy.”

LIFTS US UP

“God is free and full of fun and joy. He’s the light that shines on us. He lifts you up when you’re feeling unworthy so you don’t have to be so down on yourself.”

COACHES US

“God is like a coach. If you want your life to turn out right, you have to listen to the coach.”

IS PROUD OF US

“It doesn’t matter what we can or can’t do. God loves us and cares for us, no matter what. He’s close to his children. He’s proud of them.”

IS FAITHFUL TO US

“God is like a friend who is there in your good moments and your bad. He’s about relationship.”

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.”

FORGIVES US

“God forgives me. He talks to me like a father talks to his son. He comforts me in times of need. If he was here right now, he would stand with me and pray with me, and I would be grateful.”

ACCEPTS US

"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."

LISTENS TO US

"I picture God and me sitting down on the steps somewhere side by side, talking: him sitting beside me like a friend, me sharing my soul with him.”

COMFORTS US

“God has his arms wrapped around us all the time. He never leaves us alone.”

KNOWS US

“Music brings us together, like God brings us together. He’s in control. He’s like a piano player who doesn’t even have to look at the keys; he just knows. He understands us. He knows what we need before we tell him.”

WARMS US

“I think of God’s bright light breaking through dark clouds on a cold day, warming up Memphis for the homeless.”

QUIETS US

“I see God the most when I’m in my quiet place, outdoors.”

ENJOYS BEAUTY

“I don’t read or write, but I can tell you about God. I see God in the trees and the rain and the flowers. He’s alive. He makes the world beautiful.”

DANCES WITH US

“God is like dancers who move so gracefully, like they’re flying. Every movement is just right; they’re of one accord. God’s timing is like that. It may not seem like he’s there when we want him, but he’s always on time, he’s always in sync.”

GLADDENS US

“God is like a song, like joy.”

GROWS US

“God helps us grow. He plants good things in our hearts and takes us from nothing to something, from nobody to somebody.”

GUIDES US

“God guides me in the right direction. Every day he tells me which way to go.”

BUILDS US UP

“God knows the big plan for our lives. He’s always working on us if we let him. He builds up our hearts and helps us keep our balance.”

WRITES WITH US

“God knows our stories and helps us write them.”

HEALS US

“I been trying to do things my way, but my way’s not working. My way just ain’t going to work. You can’t fix yourself. God is the only one who can heal you. He understands and will help us when we ask him to have mercy on our souls. He is the great physician.”

RUNS TO US

“God helps us in our time of need. He doesn’t waver. He’s always ready. He’s like a fireman running straight into the fire, not thinking of himself, but thinking of others. He doesn’t run away when things are tough. We need him; we need his help to survive.”

IS POWERFUL

“God is like a mighty mountain or a big cloud that’s hard to touch or like a great big blue sky or like stars and galaxies and worlds. He’s strong. He’s awesome. He’s the great creator. When I talk about the power of God, it brings tears to my eyes. He is my everything.”

WATCHES OVER US

“God watches over us whether we’re awake or asleep, whether we know it or not. I dream of being around God when I lay down and rest someday, where the streets are paved with gold, where there’s no more pain, no more suffering. Just the comfort of God’s spirit.”

WELCOMES US

“God is like somebody who’s glad you came. He’s there at the beginning, and he’s there at the end. He welcomes us home.”

CONNECTS US

“So many beautiful peoples in this world.”