Jesus Saves Nancy Pilat-Renner Photography

Posted: July 25, 2008

New York Skyline

I love New York City. It is my most favorite city in the world. There is so much to do, see and photograph. I was there last weekend. I normally visit the city, and my brother Jim, who lives there, twice a year. Each trip brings something new and exciting. Even though I know the city like the back of my hand, I never know what I will see on the next corner.

My camera goes on every trip I take to New York, and every trip I capture new and exciting images. I remember my very first trip to New Me and my brother JimYork. I was maybe 22 or 23. I went with my brother, Jim. We booked our adventure through a travel agent and spent seven days exploring every tourist spot in the city. Some how we were talked into staying at the Milford Plaza, “The Lullaby of Broadway.” We still laugh even today about what a dump the Milford Plaza was, and it is still there welcoming travelers from all over the world.

On our way home from that very first trip to New York City, my brother Jim looked over at me and said, “I am going to live here one day.” A few years later, he packed up everything he owned and moved. He has lived in New York City for over 18 years. He was so brave to make the move. He had no job and no place to live. But he made it. Today he is a strong and sucessful man. I am proud of him and his accomplishments. He is making his mark on the world. And besides, he gives me a free place to stay when I visit. I love my brother very much. He is my Hero.

I love New York and can’t wait for my next visit.

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Posted: May 21, 2008

Last Saturday, we attended Lauren’s dance recital. Although she is 20 years old, she is still dancing and we are still attending dance recitals. Dance recitals are pure torture to me. I only care about seeing Lauren dance. To me it is misery to have to sit through the other dancers and wait for Lauren. The recitals seem to last forever and forever. I go stir crazy sitting in those small auditorium seats. But, this time, it was different.

Lauren was asked to participate in Meaghan’s “senior solo.” This was quite an honor for Lauren as Meaghan is a very special young woman. She is in a wheelchair and for as long as I can remember, she has danced at the same studio as Lauren. Meaghan can only slightly move her hands and she spins round and round in her motorized wheelchair. But that does not matter to any of us. Meaghan is dancing just like Lauren and all the other girls.
Meaghan used the song from “The Little Mermaid,” “Part of Their World.” If you are not familiar with “The Little Mermaid,” it is a story about a little mermaid that wants to live in the human world. The little mermaid wants to be a part of our world. The song was so symbolic. Through the music, I heard Meaghan express her desire to be a part of the dancing world. Yes, she was different but she was still a little girl that wanted to dance, and she was. She was dancing and Lauren was with her.
As they swayed, turned and smiled, I only saw two ballet dancers performing a duet, I did not see a wheelchair. By the time the dance was over, I was in tears. I was on my feet clapping and clapping. I was not alone, the entire audience was on their feet. They were on their feet for a precious young woman and her dance partners. I was so proud of Lauren.
Amazing, I loved this dance recital.

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Posted: May 16, 2008

This is Lauren, my step daughter. She has been a part of my life for almost 16 years. This is my second most favorite picture of Lauren. She is a dancer, it is her Gift from God. You should see her when she is doing an interpretive dance at church. She is really something when she is dancing for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In this picture, I feel I can see her soul.

Lauren would rather be dancing than doing anything else. I love to watch her do ballet and point. She is so graceful on the stage.

I remember the first time I met Lauren. Her daddy, Ray, and I were go taking her to get ice cream. Lauren wanted no part of me and she told me so. She was quite the character back them.
This is my most favorite picture of Lauren. She was four years old and I had been dating her daddy for just a few weeks. We here at Maxy Gregg Park in Five Points. She was full of herself as you can see in the picture.
Lauren has grown up to be a very special young woman. We are so proud of her. She is smart, focused and full of life. She love the Lord. Lauren knows what she wants form life and she sets goals to get it. She is so like her daddy.
I love you Sweetie,
Nancy

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Posted: May 16, 2008

I have over 30 antique cameras. All but two or three were given to me by my dad. He was so proud of each one. He was a flea market king and would be on the look out for the good ones. He would collect them and give them to me for my birthday and Christmas. I remember the time he showed up at work. I was having a rough day. He wanted to make me smile and he did just that when he handed me a very special “Brownie” camera that he had found. He was saving it for a special occasion. I guess seeing my smile was a perfect one for him.

The cameras have a very high personal value. I have no idea if any of them work as I have never tried to get film for them. Some of them are in really good shape and others are barely hanging on. I have them on display in my studio. I want to refurbish them but I have so much to learn before I can even try. One day I will do the necessary research, but right now, just looking at them gives me enough pleasure.

I miss my dad.

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Posted: May 14, 2008

Just another Christmas Program . . . or Not?

The line was very long. It wrapped around the gym and outside, into the parking lot. So many people were waiting for their turn to walk through the busy streets of “Bethlehem.” They were waiting to see the baby, the baby who was God’s only Son. I was waiting too. I am a professional photographer and as always, I had my camera with me. Photography is my gift from God, a very special gift as it allows me to capture God’s images in print to share with others. Photography is also my ministry. Every time someone complements a photograph, I give glory to God. I am His instrument.
I never imagined the impact taking the photographs of the Christmas program that year would have on my life or my photography. As I began my journey to Bethlehem and beyond, I was just a photographer taking pictures of a Christmas program. I took my time, looked for the best angle, sometimes taking multiple shots, and using my flash. I was not amazed or even overwhelmed by what I was witnessing. I was simply taking pictures and enjoying what I was doing. I smiled at the people, petted the animals, and bumped into a lot of bystanders as I snapped away. I tend to get absorbed in my work as I push the shutter button and become unaware of my surroundings. It’s just me and the images.
I was making my way through the life of Jesus and it was not until I came upon a depiction of the crucifixion scene that I realized what I was seeing. My whole outlook on what I had just photographed changed. I was overwhelmed. Seeing the aloneness of Christ, the dim lighting, and the black screen barrier added to the drama of what He had done for me. Jesus was suffering and separated from me, and there was nothing I could do to help Him.
I wanted to capture this image on film but I did not want to disturb the reverence of what was happening—Jesus was dying for us. As a photographer, I knew the scene was a tough one. I did not have a tripod and knew that the low light would cause a very slow shutter speed. I do not have a steady hand, so I was afraid I would not be able to get the picture. But, I refused to disrupt the scene with my flash so I aimed my camera, held my breath, and asked God to hold the camera steady. I only took one shot, as I knew it would be a waste of film to do more. I was sure the image would be blurry. Days later when I saw the photograph of “Christ on the cross,” I was amazed. God allowed me to capture an image on film that will forever cause me to pause and thank Him. My hope and prayer is that my image will do the same for you.
I do not know who portrayed Jesus in this photograph, but I want to thank him for bring Jesus closer to my heart.

Nancy Pilat-Renner
Christian and Photographer

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Posted: May 14, 2008

Wow, I am taking a big step into the digital/Internet world. Never did I think I would ever blog or need to blog. I am a photographer. I have the pleasure of being invited into someone’s life and capturing in print the most important events of their life. It is humbling and I want to share this experience with you.

Photography is my gift from God. It was not until I took a picture at a Christmas play several years ago that realized that fact. I was so moved by the photograph that I wrote a testimony about it. This photograph has completely made me change my way of looking at my photography. When I take a picture, I am photographing God’s creation. What an honor and privilege! When I see an image in my mind, I think of the glory of God and I can not wait to share it with others. No one ever leaves my studio without me sharing my work. Photography is my ministry.

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