The faculty for the 1997 conference included some well-known Christian names, but also some names that weren’t synonymous with Christianity. 1997 would be a leap into a different perspective for the conference that has steadily grown over the past four years.

“Last year (1996), we heard from several people to continue to take chances,” Veneman said. “Yet, every step we take must be examined carefully to assure we do not drift from where we began.”

Where it began was a basic theme, “Photojournalism: A Christian Perspective.” That theme has been the guiding philosophy for the conference sponsored by photojournalists from various Southern Baptist Convention agencies. Held at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, people know right up front where the conference is headed. But don’t mistake the conference for a Sunday morning worship service or a revival.

“There is no altar call or anyone quoting the four spiritual laws. The non-Christian will be comfortable because they will be accepted, but they will receive a strong Christian witness,” David Fite, Southwestern’s director of continuing education and conference coordinator said.

Shelley Eades of Lookout, Calif. agreed. “I really got a lot out of this in a well-balanced photo-spiritual way.”

This year the conference featured: Eugene Richards, Don Rutledge, Melissa Farlow, Anacleto Rapping, Jose Lopez, Susie Post, Sam Cranston and Tom Mills. The faculty drew people from all over the world. Birgit-Cathrin Maier, traveled several days from her home in Kirchen, Germany.

Richards who rarely speaks at conferences, was the headliner. He was also a little unsure of how he would fit in at the conference. In one phone conversation a couple of months prior to the conference he expressed a concern to Veneman that he might slip up and say something off-color.

“I just told him that if he was as good at adapting to the situations he photographed, then he would surely fit right in at the conference,” Veneman said. “And besides, we want Eugene Richards to be Eugene Richards.”

The faculty were a hit with the conferees. Attendance soared to over 200 for the first time, an increase of over 40 from the 1996 conference. The conference made an impact on their lives.

“This is the best investment I’ve made in years. The information I received through this conference is priceless,” said Guy Warren of Westlan, Mich.

Charlotte Highsmith, a photojournalist for the Bolivar Herald-Free Press in Bolivar, Missouri. added, “I was truly inspired and was challenged to improve my photography.”

The conference has changed people’s vision and in some cases their entire outlook on eternity, not only this year but in the past.

“My whole philosophy on photojournalism changed after the conference. My focus is now on serving the Lord—I will do whatever the Lord leads me to do,” Pat Davison, of the Rocky Mountain News said.

Davison came to Christ at the close of the conference two years ago. God changed his life after listening to Gary Fong of the San Francisco Chronicle share his testimony in the closing session of the conference.

That legacy was passed on this year when Joe Stephanik of the Dallas Morning News, came to Christ several weeks after attending the conference. Davison had given him a tape of the talk he gave in 1996, one year after coming to Christ. Stephanik was heavily influenced by Davison’s talk and said he listened to it over and over, before finally making a decision.

Veneman added, “Most everyone at the conference this year was searching for something. Some found what they were looking for. For others it was the beginning of a journey, an exploration of uncharted, unmapped territory. And for us it was an adventure we’ll remember for a long, long time.’