What I Learned as a Church Communications Director (and How It Shaped My Photography)
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My first job out of college? I was a Communications Director for a church. Wild, right? For 1.5 years, I ran social media, photography, branding—basically all things creative. It was hands-down one of the best places to learn photography, even though at the time, I didn’t fully realize how much it was shaping me.
Learning Photography on the Fly
Every Sunday morning, I was running around like crazy with my camera in hand, capturing moments as they happened. The lighting was chaos—bright stage lights, dim hallways, fog rolling in, backlit subjects. I never knew what I was gonna get. It forced me to adapt in real-time. I had to stop relying on the camera and start using my eyes first. Look at the light, frame the shot before even lifting the camera. That instinct still drives how I shoot today.
Mastering the Art of Being Invisible
The best moments? They aren’t posed. I learned real quick that if I was too focused on “getting the shot,” I’d miss the actual moment. So I started moving quietly, anticipating interactions before they happened. Weddings, concerts, events—I shoot them all the same way now. Staying in the background, looking for those little in-between moments no one else notices.
Seeing the Shot Before Taking It
When you’re moving fast, you don’t have time to second-guess. I trained my eyes to find the shot before even touching my camera. Not gonna lie, it was frustrating at first, but now it’s second nature. I don’t even think about it—I just see it.
Embracing High Contrast and Moody Lighting
Shooting in a church meant dealing with dark atmospheres constantly. Spotlights, weird color casts, unpredictable shadows—honestly, it made me fall in love with high contrast. I stopped fighting the darkness and started leaning into it. Now, it’s a signature part of my style. I want those bold lighting choices. I want the mood.
Understanding the Power of Branding
This team set the bar high when it came to creative projects. Everything had to be intentional. Every design choice, every color palette, every photo—it all had to fit into a bigger picture. That’s where I learned that photography isn’t just about taking pictures. It’s about crafting an experience that feels cohesive. That mindset still influences how I approach storytelling for brands and artists.
Staying Organized in the Chaos
Juggling multiple projects at once?? A nightmare if you don’t have a system. I had to get my act together FAST. I became obsessed with organizing my work. (I’m literally a ClickUp Gold Member now, lol.) Having structure meant I could spend more time creating and less time scrambling. 10/10 recommend.
Creativity Thrives in a Good Environment
More than anything, I realized how much a positive work environment impacts creativity. Being part of a team that actually cared about making cool stuff, pushed each other, and had FUN?? It made all the difference. I don’t ever wanna work in spaces that don’t have that energy.
The Takeaway
I didn’t expect a church job to shape my photography style this much, but it did. Every shoot I do now reflects what I learned in those 1.5 years—adaptability, storytelling, and seeing the moment before it even happens.
It’s kinda wild how past jobs leave little marks on you like that. If you’ve had a job that shaped your creative work in an unexpected way, tell me about it. I wanna hear the weird, surprising lessons that stuck with you.
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