10 Photos Every Missionary Should Take

Photos end up being the highlight of every mission. So if you aren't sure how to get started, or if you are having a hard time motivating your missionary to send home photos, here are a ideas to get the camera rolling.

1. Companion Photos. You think you'll never forget their faces, but just to be safe, take a photo. Plus, it's nice for everyone back home to be able to put a face to the stories.

2. Living Arrangement Photos. Whether you're living in style or sleeping on straw mats, be sure to get a photo of where you live. Places can become almost as special to us as people.

3. Study Space Photos. You're going to spend a lot of time here, so take a snapshot. It's a good reminder years later when you are trying to get back into mission-style study habits.

4. "This has been the worst day of my life" photos. Later, these will make the best stories. So when you think it can't get any worse, take a picture!

5. Investigator Photos. A photo can help bring back the spiritual experiences you have with those you serve. Take a photo to remember the people and the spirit you felt with them.

6. "This is how we spend our free time" photos. Missionaries are notoriously creative when it comes to their free time.

7. "Things I never thought I would do when I left for the MTC" photos. Sometimes mission service can be different than you thought it would be. Get pictures of the unexpected activities you find yourself using to move the work forward.

8. "This is mission life" photos. In each area, take a series of photos to capture the mission routine.

9. Favorite Eating Establishment photos. Just in case you ever come back to visit.

10. "My favorite things about this area" photos. Of course, capture the mission highlights. As you think about what your favorite things are in each area, you will find yourself focusing on the positive as well.

New 4x6 Cards

Dearest Readers!

Recently, I've been working on designs for 4x6 advertisements for A Marvelous Work and I wanted to share a few of them with you here. These are my top 3 favorites. If you have a thing for photography, check out how these photographers took advantage of color.

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Greens, blues, browns and oranges abound in this photo. They all stick out in their own way and yet they are harmonious. They're great photos to be sure and they were taken in the photographers' back yard.

There's truth to the song "There is Beauty All Around." On my mission, I would often just take pictures of things that struck me as beautiful. Like this one:

This photo has so much meaning to me. I took it because at that moment, I was thinking that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in the Philippines and I needed to treasure it. I remember the day, I remember the people, and I remember the place. Oh, and I remember getting rained on shortly thereafter. Looking at it is nostalgic for me.

Have your missionary look around them and take pictures of the beautiful things they want to remember. They will never have an experience quite like it again. Serving a couples mission later in life is great, but it just won't be the same as this one. Encourage them to take pictures, and then send them on to us and we'll save you the work of printing, formatting, and compiling them yourself. AMarvelousWork.com.

Sincerely,

Chris

p.s. If you are interested in learning more about taking good photos, check out national geographic's site. They have great photographers and offer some tips of their own. http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/