Newsletter - November, 2019
| November, 2019 Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Matt. 25:40 Published by the Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210. (717) 349-7033 |
This January will mark twenty years since the Society of the Good Shepherd began its ministry in Honduras. During that time, we have helped people who have owned a wide variety of businesses—from shoemakers to welders to store owners to taxi drivers. However, until now, none of our loan beneficiaries have been professional photographers.
In fact, until recently it would have been difficult for a professional photographer to make a living in Honduras, except in the large cities. That is because few Hondurans were able to afford family portraits or to have professional photographers at their weddings. However, over the past several decades, there has been a growing middle class in Honduras. Middle class families in Honduras would still be considered very poor by U. S. standards, but such families have been able to rise out of the extreme poverty that grips most of the country. Such families are now able to afford things like professional wedding photos and family and baby portraits. 
For that reason, when Carlos and Stefanie Estrada filed an application with the Society for an interest-free loan for their photography business, the board approved their loan. The board felt this was now a viable business opportunity in a town the size of Siguatepeque. The Society loaned the Estradas $1200, which they used to purchase a second camera, an external hard drive for their computer, and a camera harness. Stefanie is the principal photographer in their business, and Carlos assists with lighting and other tasks during photo shoots. They handle wedding photography, family portraits, baby pictures, birthday parties, and other special events. Weddings are their greatest source of income. Today in the U.S. a couple pays $2000 on average for wedding photography. In contrast, Carlos and Stefanie charge an average of $150 for their wedding photos. Charges run higher if a couple wants engagement pictures and a lot of extras. For family portraits, which include a lot of different poses, Carlos and Stefanie charge between $40 and $60.
We talked with Stefanie about how she got into photography, and this is what she told us: “As a child I loved art and artistic things. When I was in school, my father and grandmother gave me a camera for one of my birthdays. Since I had never owned a camera before, I had a lot to learn! I used to take pictures for friends at birthday parties and other events. That is how I was able to hone my skills in photography. My love for photography certainly comes from my parents. Growing up, my father was always capturing special moments with his camera, and my mom would scrapbook. I guess this was my inspiration for what I do now. “For many years, I enjoyed photography purely as a hobby. But when I was out of school, people would ask how much I charged for doing photo sessions. So I began earning money by photographing weddings and taking family portraits and baby pictures. Now I am getting calls and bookings to take pictures at weddings, birthdays, and other special events.
“When I do a photo shoot, I first establish a relationship with my clients. I want to hear what they particularly want to remember from this special moment. Captured moments bring memories that will last a lifetime! It is a great responsibility to be in charge of capturing those memories that will carry important emotions with them. Interacting with clients is a great opportunity for Carlos and me to share Christ with our clients. This is one of the opportunities for ministry within our small business. “God has been and continues to be at work in my life. He teaches me so much about love, patience, kindness, joy, gentleness and self-control. Clients and other people are amazing but also complicated. So it provides an opportunity for God to work in our lives and for us to be His witnesses to others.”
Becky Vega
The Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210 • (717) 349-7033
Click on the following link if you would care to make a donation to the work in Honduras: Honduras Donations
|
|