BU Today: What My Faith Means To Me
From the Nominator
"One of the great things about being a photographer is that I have the privilege of stepping into aspects of life that are unfamiliar to me. Religious faith is one of them. Religion and faith give people solace, guidance, and a sense of community, among other things.
BU Today invited members of the BU community to reach out to me directly, and within days, I heard from people who identified as Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, and more. I photographed almost 20 people in their homes, at work, and outdoors as they practiced their respective faith traditions. The COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to photograph most of them in their churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship, so instead, I sought to capture each one in ways that reflect how they pray, worship, and integrate their faith into their daily lives. Each participant also wrote a short essay describing what their faith means to them.
The resulting photos are deeply personal and intimate, speaking to the breadth and diversity of the BU community and the myriad ways people observe and celebrate faith in their lives."
From the Judges
The wonderful exploration of religion and faith in the BU community is both insightful and thought-provoking. The photographer has masterfully built a story that is intimate and revealing, capturing the essence of the individuals and their beliefs. The collection beautifully showcases the diversity of the BU community, highlighting the various religious practices and traditions that exist on campus.