I love your question, Logan! Being a Christian photographer is not just about taking great pictures – it is about glorifying God. And when we take (and edit) pictures, that should be no exception. Our focus should be on Him Who created us in His image. I Corinthians 10:31 says, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Photography is an art, and for some a business as well, but it seems that in the minds of many “Christians” these days the arts are some kind of loop-hole in the Law of God. (I could say the same thing about business.) Our carnal relativistic culture has taught us that we can separate our religion and other aspects of our lives and live how we like, but that is certainly not what the Bible teaches!
Ok, so obviously this applies to a lot more than photography, but to avoid getting distracted, here are a couple of practical thoughts I have had in my rather neutral genre of photography …
As a real estate photographer, most often it does not make any apparent difference in the final product. I am hired to create photos that will attract and inform potential buyers. There are times, however when it does make a difference to how I shoot and how I conduct business. For example, in real estate everything happens on the weekends. Have I lost business because I don’t work on Sunday? Yes, though it is rare, and normally I can re-schedule for another day. Have I gained anything from this policy? I certainly haven’t gained any clients because of it, but I have gained a deeper relationship with Christ. This should of course be balanced with Romans 14:5-6 “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.”
Another issue I often run into is the art in people’s homes. Some is not fit to be seen. And I believe it is my moral obligation before God to remove any potential stumbling block from those who may be viewing my photos, whether or not they know who took the picture. Sometimes that will change which angle I shoot a given space. Sometimes that is impossible and I must spend additional time in editing out or blurring things that should not be seen.
I realise that real estate photography is far from being the most morally problematic genre, so I am looking forward to reading other people’s thoughts, too!