Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Lim.
Hi Marcus, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story started with meeting a friend named Isa. He was one of the people that inspired me in my creativity. He is an amazing videographer, producer, and creative and still inspires me today. About six years ago, I was given an opportunity to help a business entrepreneur and he gave me the chance to help sort out excel sheets and call people as an advertisement. I know… nothing directed towards my passion haha. But what was super interesting was he had a small studio in the back of his business space. Isa and I used that studio as our creative space. After a couple of months, the owner decided to host an event and wanted Isa and I to film it. This is where the story gets interesting. He decided to buy us cameras to video this event and during this time, the Sony A7s mark ii was the hottest camera on the market.. and he bought me one in exchange for shooting this event.
From that moment on… I was able to use this camera to further my videography passion and business. I shot weddings, concerts, and special events! During this time, I hated photographers and anything that dealt with photos. I despised the photography community. Well… after a year of video work, I got my first wedding photography gig and they decided to pay me even though I had NO experience in photography. I shot that wedding and instantly fell in love with photography. I started getting more side gigs such as graduation, family, portrait and many other different shoots. From those, I picked up four to five weddings within that year.
Fast forward to 2019, I’ve averaged about 15-20 weddings and made my own business account, website, and much more. This is where things started to level out and I felt like I could make a living off of photography. Throughout all of this, I was on a journey with God and even from the beginning, I always felt like God put certain people and situations in my life to direct me towards my passion. I’ve matured in my faith within the years and it’s definitely been a crazy journey. I gave my life to Jesus in the end of 2019 when things started to make sense spiritually and believe it or not, I grew up Buddhist so this was definitely a huge shift in my story.
For the last two years my passion in photography and following Jesus has rubbed against each other as I tried to balance both and for many days, weeks, and even months started to become really exhausted. God was definitely teaching me that I can’t have both as my number one and at some point, I have to make a choice of which one will take priority of my life. Although photography gave me amazing opportunities to travel the world, meet talented people and provide financially, I knew that God was behind all of this. I had a “ah ha” moment where I realized how could I ever choose photography over God. And so, my story still continues…
Today, I’m working a full-time job at a church called Community Bible Church in San Antonio Sunday – Thursday. and From Friday – Saturdays I get the opportunity to still live out my passion in photography. It’s almost as if God knew that weddings would always fall on Fridays and Saturdays and somehow my work schedule at church would be from Sunday – Thursdays, giving me the chance to still do what I love on the side. The craziest and coolest part is that I get out of work at church around 4:30 pm, which still gives me the opportunity to take photos during sunset throughout the week.
When I hear, “God is good all the time and all the time He is good.” It’s true and this whole story may seem like my story but it’s God’s story through me. It’s his faithfulness and goodness that has gotten me to where I’m at today and I’m just so thankful for everything that I’ve experienced.
And that’s how God and photography changed my life. 🙂
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, if anything, it’s been a roller coaster. Some of the struggles has definitely been getting my photography out there and also building clients that trust me enough to share with other people. Haters have been a big part of my struggle. You will always have haters and people that look down on you, but it teaches you to NEVER be that kind of person and to always help others in need.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in Wedding Photography. I’m known for my love and passion for Jesus and all that He’s done for me in my life that has honestly gotten me to where I’m at today with photography. The way that Jesus changed my life has definitely impacted the way I engaged with other people. I’m proud of the way I provide service to clients. Authentic, Organic, and Different.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m a jack of all traits so most people think I only do photography, but I also dabble in videography, graphic design, producing, and much more. 😉
Contact Info:
- Email: storyofmarcus@gmail.com
- Website: Storyofmarcus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyofmarcusphoto/
Image Credits
@storyofmarcusphoto
