Meet Aletheia Young | Photographer and Hearthkeeper

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aletheia Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aletheia, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
I read many different kinds of books, but one that really stuck with me lately is “Risen Motherhood” by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler. I love how it is so practical in applying the gospel to so many areas of motherhood, including marriage, mundane moments, schooling choices, and much more! In each chapter they discuss creation, fall, redemption, and consummation in relation to each topic, reminding the reader how God originally designed us, how sin corrupts the world, the work that Jesus did in our place, and the hope we have for the future. It is wonderful to contemplate the fact that though we may mess up and get discouraged so often in motherhood, if we repent of our sin and look to Jesus Christ, we can rest in the truth that He lived a perfect life in our place. Even when life is difficult, as Christians, we know that our greatest need has already been taken care of and we have such a joyous hope.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It all started on my 9th birthday. Opening the gift bag, I reached in and pulled out a disposable camera. It was really exciting and I felt so grown up to have my own “camera”! I filled that whole roll of film with photos of my siblings and friends, documenting our times playing together. Every time I clicked that shutter button, I froze a moment in time, capturing a memory that I can still look back at today. After I had finished up the disposable camera, I knew I wanted to keep taking pictures. I borrowed my mom’s point and shoot camera for a while until I received my own little pink camera for my 12th birthday! I used it almost every day. I would pose my siblings with props (usually stuffed animals) and pretend I had my own “studio”.
I started out as a young teenager, taking photos of my family and friends and then was asked to shoot my first wedding at age fifteen. I loved that experience and have been growing and shooting all kinds of sessions since then, including families, seniors, babies, events and more. But weddings are my favorite. I love the story-telling aspect of the photos and the privilege of getting to capture such a special day for the new family!

Why do I even do photography in the first place? There are a few reasons, but first I would like to share this quote with you:

“Photography is an art of observation. It is about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with how you see them.”

Photography allows me to see the world differently than I used to. I notice small details and design in creation I would have passed by before. I am always searching for photo opportunities and looking to find beauty in the ordinary. Seeing this way helps me appreciate our Creator more. Every single thing on earth is so intricately designed. What a wonderful Creator we serve!

I hope my nature photography will provoke others to appreciate our Creator more. I also hope to inspire people to get out of their house and go outside. Just sit and look around you at the trees and the bugs and the clouds. It’s all so amazing when you think about it. Photography has taught me to look around more. To be more observant and appreciative of the amazing things in nature. Soak up the sunlight and thank God for making such a beautiful world.

The second reason I love photography so much is the storytelling aspect of it. Every single time I press the shutter button, I am freezing a moment in time. A moment that will never happen again.

“Photography is the art of frozen time. The ability to store emotion and feelings within a frame.”

Capturing the story of your emotion and feelings through photographs is what I love. Someday, you will look back and all you will have is photographs. Make them good ones.

These two aspects of my photography, our beautiful world and capturing stories, fit quite nicely together. If one is going to capture images of emotion and relationship, why not enhance it even more by doing so in a beautiful setting?

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not much of a city person, so my idea of the best time ever is spending time exploring nature. If my best friend were visiting the area where I’m from, would take them to Cleburne State Park. With lots of hiking trails, a beautiful lake, and fields of wildflowers, the state park would be the perfect place for an adventure! We would hike and explore the trails all day, enjoying the quiet in nature, then take our books to relax by the lake before jumping in! Then we would end the day watching the sunset and drinking hot drinks by the campfire. And, of course, documenting everything with photos!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give credit to my teacher turned friend, Katherine Calaway. When I was in high school, Katherine taught a basic photography class that literally changed my life. She showed me how to see the world differently and over the past eleven years, has remained an encouraging friend and mentor in my life.

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Image Credits
Image credits: Young Love Photography