According to Webster, community is defined as a unified body of individuals. In my own words and from my own experiences, I would define community as a safe place where a group of people can be themselves as they share their thoughts and interests. I feel that community is a powerful thing that is a vital part of not just our business, but our lives!

Some of the communities we are a part of include our church, our life group and even a group of photographers that we just started to meet with. These are all places where we go to learn, encourage and be encouraged, and most of all, share life with the other individuals within the community! As people, I believe that we are made to be relational. We crave real relationships where you can open up and truly be yourself. We want to be able to be vulnerable, even if it’s only with a select few. At the end of the day, what’s more important than relationships?

Our life group met last night (we usually meet every other week), and after making it through our lesson for the evening, we continued to talk through some things that were going on and tough decisions that some of us are trying to make. As I sat there hearing my friends sort through things with us and share their hearts, their opinions, and ideas about things…I realized how amazing community is. It’s more than just getting together over a common interest, but living life together and helping each other think through the things life throws at us. Though the conversations were tough at times, I left feeling rejuvenated and encouraged, knowing that we have amazing people in our lives that care deeply for us and want to help us draw closer to the Lord and draw closer to each other!

Another example of community in our lives is a photography community we met with for the first time this past Monday. To be honest, we’ve been a little nervous to put ourselves out there with some of Pittsburgh’s finest photographers. We’re a young, easily intimidated (when entering into a large group of strangers) photography couple who is only one and a half years into this business. But, we knew we wanted to be a part of a community where we can learn from and encourage one another. Within minutes of walking in the door to the Pittsburgh PUG Christmas party we felt connected. We were all there with common interests, but also to build each other up and to hear and learn from each other. We had a fabulous night of meeting and sharing stories with some of the wonderful photographers we look up to! (Plug for PUG: If you are a Pittsburgh photographer and are looking for a welcoming group to meet with each month, you should most definitely check out Pittsburgh PUG!)

Here are some photos from our fun night at the Pittsburgh PUG Christmas party…