How I See the World — A Canvas
The world is our canvas.
As an extension of our Creator, we have been given the gift of creativity — the opportunity to make, to notice, to paint in our own unique ways. But what is our canvas? And how do we use the world around us for art?
I choose to see the world as our Creator does: as a way to cultivate beauty, wonder, and joy — a manifestation of His love.
When I walk into a wedding day, I like to imagine a canvas. It isn’t completely blank because there are already details you have thoughtfully chosen — the flowers, the dress, the place settings. As the day unfolds, the canvas begins to fill with color, life, laughter, tears, movement.
As a photographer, I get to see the canvas for what it is and preserve it. I don’t believe in manufacturing moments, I believe in noticing them. The big moments and the small ones. The carefully planned and the completely unexpected. The “brushstrokes” that seem significant in the moment and the ones you may have never noticed. Just like a painting, it is all of those individual strokes together that create the whole piece of art.
My creativity is seamlessly woven into who I am, so I find myself seeing the world this way too. I see creation as a canvas that already holds so much beauty, while recognizing that I have been given a paintbrush of my own. I want every stroke to point back to the One who created the canvas in the first place.
I believe that when I photograph weddings, when I write, when I create, I am contributing to this greater canvas of creation — all for His glory.
God gives each of us gifts, perspective, creativity, and ways to use them. My intention is to use mine as an extension of Him, so that His love would overflow abundantly out of me and into everything I create.
Maybe this feels a little abstract, but I feel the Spirit pushing me to share it. If you are a creative, I hope this encourages you to see the canvas, to notice the beauty already there, and to consider how you might use your gifts to add to it. If you’re a bride, I encourage you to see your wedding day as a canvas of its own – a way to glorify, honor, and celebrate the love you have.
My prayer is to steward the canvases God gives me well – to photograph beauty with intention, tell stories honestly, and ultimately point us back to the Creator. Because the canvas was never mine to begin with. I was simply given a paintbrush. Here’s to creating art that cherishes the most meaningful day of your life!
Love,
Elizabeth Ann
