Integrating My Faith Into My Photography

It's well-known that I firmly believe in the existence of God. I'm not at all hesitant to share my feelings about God and my journey to finding Him. Many might be surprised to learn that this wasn't always the case. There was a time when I didn't believe in God's existence. However, through a series of tumultuous, chaotic, and life-changing events, I transformed from a non-believer to what I would describe as a Knower. I don't just believe that God is real and present; I know it because one night in 2011, He spoke to me for the first time. My experience has inspired me to write a book about it, as I feel my story is not one to keep to myself. Thus, Beauty From My Pain is now a work in progress.

Dramatic and evocative light painting by Knapping Dragon Photography captures the journey of salvation, featured as the cover for "Beauty From My Pain" by Lizzie Knapp.

Now that I have plugged my book, I would like to get down to the meat and bones of what this post is about. Recently, I attended the Eddie James Shift conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The featured pastor on the night I attended was none other than the pastor that God told me to follow in 2020, and whom I have followed since the day God told me to, Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church In Lebanon, Tennessee. After watching this man live on YouTube for the last 5 years it was truly a blessing to get to see him preach live.

Eddie James Ministries and his team lead a vibrant worship service at the 2025 Shift Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas, captured by Knapping Dragon Photography.

Now I know that some of you might be reading this and are thinking about how controversial Pastor Greg Locke is, and there are even those that will read this and scoff, and call him names etcetera, etcetera. Let it be known, I do not care, I do not answer to those people I answer to God and when God tells me to do something I do it. I learned the hard way what happens when you don't obey God. If you take issue with my pastor, then Knapping Dragon Photography is not for you because Knapping Dragon Photography is blessed and anointed by the Hand of God Himself and I can assure you he will take care of me and this studio one way or the other. So keep all negative comments to yourself and remember Jesus is watching you.

Eddie James Ministries Worship Team energizes the crowd during the 2025 Shift Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo by Knapping Dragon Photography.

This was not just an opportunity to see in person, my Pastor who I have been watching behind a screen for the last 5 years. I went for deliverance, I went for much needed healing. I truly believe in my heart that nobody can heal you like Jesus can. I also truly believe in spiritual curses, demonic attacks, and generational family curses as well. I have seen too many things in my lifetime that did not make since and could only be explained by acknowledging that there was a supernatural force involved somewhere. After all if those same supernatural forces existed in the days of the Old and New Testaments then why are we to believe the same supernatural forces do not exist and roam amongst us today? Pastor Locke also understands this. It took him a bit to get there but he did, and I understand that God works through that Man Of God and that is why I wanted to be there that night, I prayed for God to touch Greg Locke's heart to bring deliverance to me. God answered my prayer that night.

Pastor delivering a passionate sermon at the 2025 Eddie James Ministries Shift Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo by Knapping Dragon Photography.

Once worship service was over, I made my way to sit on the floor directly in front of the stage so I could soak in every word of Pastor Locke's message. Yes I took some photos but honestly those wee really more for me as a memento of the night than anything else. I wasn't there to be a photographer. I was there as a lost and injured sheep needing the healing Sprit of My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Pastor Greg Locke delivers a powerful message at the Eddie James Ministries 2025 Shift Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo by Knapping Dragon Photography.

I took my mom, which was interesting. First she had never experienced a church anything like what we went to that night. She had never experienced worship service where people actually dance, clap, cheer and sing like it was a concert. She had never even experienced anyone speaking in tongues prior to that night. And though I have sent her probably 1001 Greg Locke Videos, she obviously had never watched them as she was a dead give a way that she had never heard Greg Locke Preach. I tried to give her a heads up what she was going to experience but there is only so much you can prepare a person for. Needless to say she was pretty blown away by the end.

Pastor Greg Locke delivering a powerful message at the Eddie James Ministries 2025 Shift Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo by Knapping Dragon Photography.

At the end of his message, Pastor Locke invited everyone to the stage for mass deliverance. I was first to the stage right on the corner bowed in reverence to Jesus. Now what happened next, even though I have seen it so many times over the last 5 years, even I could not have prepared myself for. I was letting go of stuff at that alter that I didn't even know I was holding onto. Calling out names of people I had either forgotten had hurt me or that I thought I had forgiven, but apparently had not fully. And during this I felt a hand touch my head but I just kept letting it out and laying it at the alter at Jesus' feet. And I was wailing and crying. Like I was in labor having a baby wailing and crying. It wasn't physical pain I was letting go of. It was emotional trauma. And a lot of it.

Pastor Greg Locke delivering an emotional sermon at the Eddie James Ministries 2025 Shift Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo by Knapping Dragon Photography.

On our way home, my mom asked me, "How in the world did he know?" I said "know what mom?" she replied "he knew every single thing that has been bothering you this whole time. It's almost like he knew you personally and knew what all you have been though". I told her "that was God, working through him to heal me. God told him that was what needed casting out in that moment and so Pastor Locke just listened to God in that moment."

Little did I know how much those words were true. It turns out, there was a Live Feed being broadcast online of the Conference. I discovered it the next day on YouTube and my first thought was "Oh God I hope you can't hear the way I am wailing and crying out". Luckily no you can't however if you go to the 1:15:16 time stamp on the video, you will see Pastor Greg Locke walk straight to the corner of that stage, right to me, and place his hand on my head to personally offer me deliverance. It was his hand on my head that I felt that night, and I didn't even know it until the next day when I saw him do it on the video. I hit my knees, in that moment, with tears in my eyes, because I realized in that moment God was using Greg Locke to work on me. After years of thinking I wasn't worthy I saw with my own eyes, on a YouTube Video, just how special to God I really am.

Pastor Greg Locke delivering an inspiring sermon at The Eddie James Ministries 2025 Shift Conference. Photo by Knapping Dragon Photography.

So am I glad that I listened to God when he told me to follow Greg Locke if I wanted the truth? You bet I am. And I am not now nor will I ever be ashamed to admit it. When God told me five years ago to follow this Man of God, it was because God knew he was going to use this Man of God to rid me of all the demons that have been holding me back my entire life.

Eddie James proudly displays his shirt with the message "Elohim Is The Almighty" in a vibrant blue-lit setting, captured by Knapping Dragon Photography.