Wardell Sykes III

Born in Grand Rapids Michigan. I have been blessed with many gifts and talents. But the one gift I am truly passionate in growing and developing is photography. At first, when I was little I always dreamed of being an artist with drawing, painting, and eventually becoming a cartoon animationor. Though I haven't achieved that dream, that doesn't mean my creative in art has ended.  When I started doing photography, my attitude was to just to take the most pictures than anyone else but after I saw the pictures of a friend of mine in college and saw how great they were. I wanted my pictures to be like that and I wanted recognition for it. I took classes to learn more about cameras, different settings and modes, taking pictures in different angles, and the photo editing apps online. The classes have helped me alot. A truly dear friend who was like a close sister, her name was Lauren Markel. Who was also my staff leader at Western Michigan University Intervarsity Chapter was the very first to see how gifted and and talented I am when she saw my photos before anyone else even before me. She told me that I have an incredible gift in photography that yes will make pictures look great but more importantly will bring light into people's path and will touch many hearts and I need to seriously keep and keep on growing in it. Later as years past, as she saw how much more my photos were better she also said," you need to go into business in photography and never feel ashamed of charging people because the creativeness, time, work, thought, and care you put into photography is well worth to be paid for. And the reason why you're so good is because you use your gift to reveal the love Jesus has for everyone. That speech gave me a change in heart for photography and after years have past from putting what I've learned from classes into practice and many volunteering opportunities. Plus extending invitations to many friends to get there pictures taking by me for free so I can keep on practicing (to this very day I still do), my photography as made a drastic improvement and my purpose has changed as well. My purpose for photography now is to help people to see themselves the way Jesus sees them. Every human is a majestic living being even if they don't feel like it and I use my photography skills to help reveal to themselves and to everyone else that they are no where near hideous looking regardless of  their self doubts and what others say about them. For the Father in Heaven has invested a great deal of time, thought, energy, and love to form all man into His magnificent image that brings something beautiful to the table. I don't care about becoming the best photographer anymore and I've repented the attitudes of seeking recognition for my photos and to keep up with the unnecessary competition that others put themselves in.  And I will never allow myself to believe that I can't do my work in photography just because another photographer (who maybe better than me or not) is also taking pictures at the same event where I am taking pictures. I welcome that, for instead of letting it bring me down. I let it  encourage me to keep improving. Every photographer has their own unique creativeness as do I.  I love photography, I love using the art form of it. It's like a beautiful melody that hits my heart and I won't stop and let this God giving gift go to waste. I am here to capture and bring out the majestic you. No matter what season it is or where the location is. I am more than happy to come and take pictures of you.

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