God’s timing: Faith’s Graduation Photography Session at Northwestern State University

Some photography sessions are planned weeks in advance — and others happen purely by God’s timing. This graduation session with Faith was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

Faith is one of my sorority sisters and was graduating as a nursing major in the fall at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. One random Tuesday, I stopped by the Phi Mu house to help decorate our homecoming parade float. As soon as I saw Faith, I noticed how beautiful she looked — her hair and makeup were perfectly done. I complimented her and casually asked if she had something special going on. She smiled and told me she was taking her graduation photos that afternoon.

At the time, my photography business was still very new, and I didn’t even mention that I was a photographer. Most of my clients were still in my hometown, and I hadn’t yet started promoting college graduation photography sessions in Natchitoches. Still, I remember thinking to myself that I really needed to start offering grad sessions on campus.

A few minutes later, I stepped outside to continue working on the float. Not long after, Faith came outside looking stressed and asked me, “Do you have your camera with you?” I told her it was back at my dorm but that I could grab it in under five minutes. That’s when she explained that her photographer had canceled last minute, right before her session — and she was wondering if I could step in and take her graduation photos.

Without hesitation, I dropped everything, told her to be ready, and ran to grab my camera.

A Last-Minute Graduation Session That Meant Everything

I was incredibly nervous. I had no time to prepare, no shot list, and no idea what her vision was for the session. But the moment we began, Faith looked at me and said three words that instantly calmed my nerves:

“I trust you.”

That session reminded me that some of the most meaningful opportunities come when you least expect them. It also reminded me that faith — both the person and the word — has a way of leading you exactly where you’re meant to be.