06/05/2026
🙏 Sometimes God’s protection doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.
Last Friday, while photographing the Hearts for Heroes Fishing Trip 🎣🇺🇸, I experienced something unexpected. After a wonderful morning on the water, I became lightheaded and briefly passed out on the boat. To someone looking from the outside, they may wonder, “Where was God’s protection in that moment?”
But I see it differently.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that I pray before every wedding, session, and event I photograph. 📸❤️ That morning was no different. I prayed on my drive to the marina, as I stepped onto the boat, and again as we set sail. I asked God to keep everyone safe, surround us with His grace, and allow us to enjoy a beautiful day together.
As I began feeling lightheaded, I sat down, and my last conscious thought was, “Dear God, keep me safe.”
✨ And He did.
When I came to, I was surrounded by kindness. One gentleman was holding my legs up, another was holding my hand, and a wonderful young lady was checking on me and asking questions. The fishing crew responded immediately, bringing ice 🧊, cooling cloths, and making sure I was cared for every step of the way.
And because I’m a photographer, my first question was, “Where’s my camera?” 😂📸
By God’s grace, not a single scratch. The camera, lens, and body were completely untouched, and another kind gentleman had safely held onto it for me.
By God’s grace, I walked away with no broken bones and no serious injuries. The doctors checked me from head to toe, and the only thing affected was my right foot. One week later, it’s showing off quite the color palette—purple, yellow, and green—from the bruising on top, around, and even underneath. 💜💛💚
Looking back, I can’t help but be thankful. God not only protected my camera, but He protected my body as well. 🙏📸
I’d say my foot is currently auditioning to become modern art, but considering everything that could have happened, I’ll happily take a colorful foot over a cast any day! 😅
So yes, I walked away with a sore foot 🦶 and a bruised ego. But I also walked away reminded that God’s protection isn’t always the absence of hardship. Sometimes it’s His presence in the middle of it. Sometimes it’s the people He places around us exactly when we need them most. 🙌
❤️ I am incredibly thankful for everyone who helped me that day—the amazing fishing crew, the volunteers, and the strangers who instantly became helpers and friends.
I’ve already been asked if I would ever go on another fishing trip.
🎣 The answer is YES!
This experience hasn’t changed my desire to serve others, support our veterans 🇺🇸, try new adventures, or give back to my community. If anything, it has strengthened my faith and reminded me that God’s timing is perfect, His plans are greater than ours, and His hands never leave us. ✝️
Sometimes God’s greatest miracles aren’t found in avoiding the storm—they’re found in discovering He was with you through it all. ❤️
🙏 Thank you, Lord, for your protection, your provision, and the people you place in our paths when we need them most. ❤️
