Seasoned Photographer Answers God’s Call
Renowned Photographer Michael Belk: the artist behind "Journeys with the Messiah"
Michael Belk. Does his name ring a bell? It should. If you’re an avid magazine reader, you’ve likely seen his stunning, award-winning photography in world-renowned titles such as Vogue, Elle, GQ, and Vanity Fair. As a young clothing retail employee, Michael grew up around top name brands and flashy runway models. His later passion for photography gradually cemented his name among high-ranking apparel executives and forever blasted him into the world of fashion photography.
And it all started with a kid, a camera, and a dream. No one would have guessed that a young retail associate turned camera-lover would evolve into one of the photography industry’s leading icons. But an event all the more amazing was peeking just over the horizon of Belk’s already thriving career. Weary of the intensity that accompanies years of astonishing feats of success, he ultimately came to the conclusion that God desperately needed to regain sovereign control of his life and his work.
“Outwardly, my life was full,” Belk said at the age of 42. “Inside I was running on empty. You can red-line your engine only so many times and mine had flamed out.”
Although he had known and achieved success like few other people his age, something was missing. His $2 million studio remained in a constant state of busyness, cranking out work for several high-end, account-holding fashion clients, including Russell Athletic, Nautica, J. Crew, Polo, Christian Dior, and Calvin Klein.
After shutting down his business in 1993, Belk published a photo-story book entitled “Beyond the Sport, The Victory Within”, a work that recounted the tales of several former world-class Olympic athletes. He then decided to set out on a personal project that has kept the last year and a half of his life engrossed in work. However, this would be a journey that would forever reshape not only his career, but his faith, testimony, and ministry as well.
Michael Belk & crew shooting the Journeys project on location in Matera, Italy.
The Journeys with the Messiah project was born out of Belk’s own personal passion and spiritual desire for the world to encounter a radically different perception of Jesus Christ. Armed with a professional production crew, a cast of over 100 extras, and Italian actor Sergio Muniz donning the role of Jesus, he regained his focus and reconstructed his message to be clearer than ever before. Together, they set out for Matera, Italy, a beautiful town located in the southern Basilicata region known for its exquisite architecture. However, few people are aware it was also the home of Writer/Director Mel Gibson’s controversial 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. In what Belk has described as “the most grueling, but the most rewarding shoot” of his career, he purposed to masterfully illustrate the timeless truths found in “the best-selling book of all time” and paint them as culturally relevant for today’s society.
Belk’s astonishing and breathtaking photographs tell the story of a life-changing 1st Century Jesus who is still present and active in 20th Century dilemmas and social issues. Each collection is reflective of a Biblical parable, concept, and passage and often contains modern and ancient elements. In a controversial piece entitled The Second Mile (pictured below), viewers will be challenged by a gentle, meek Jesus walking alongside a decorated Nazi soldier, carrying the officer’s gun and military satchel.
"The Second Mile", one of Belk's most controversial pieces, places Jesus on a road with a Nazi soldier.
Of this provocative photograph, Belk’s official website asks, “Where does a mother garner the strength to stand in a courtroom and forgive the man who murdered her daughter? How do Jews ever forgive the Nazis for the Holocaust? Jesus’ teachings on this subject were revolutionary: “Love your enemies as yourself. Pray for those who persecute you. Forgive people seventy times seven.” Jesus reminds us that, just as God forgives us, we are expected to do the same for others….Just saying “I forgive you” releases you from emotional, physical, and spiritual bondage. It sets us free to move on with life and His glorious plan.”
But it has not only been the occurrences of past world history and Biblical events that have so inspired Belk’s superb work. In a recent exclusive interview with CNN reporter Don Lemon, Belk spoke of the creative inspiration he gleaned from the horrific tragedies of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In "Rest for the Weary", Belk reminds us to whom we should turn for peace in a world filled with financial struggles & economic downturn.
“I watched people in New York searching for something different,” he said, “something outside of themselves. And now in this [current] economic crisis, I see the same thing all over again.” Belk’s piece entitled Rest for the Weary (pictured right) visually manifests this truth by depicting a downtrodden, collapsed, business man stretched across a set of stone steps, his head gently resting in the lap of a confident Messiah. Scattered all around, in addition to the gentleman’s paperwork and briefcase, are several empty clay jugs, no doubt symbolic of the emptiness left by a lifetime of futile pursuits outside of Christ. The photo references the words of Jesus found in Matthew 11: 28: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (New American Standard).
In a day and age where the physical and financial safety of our nation has been questioned like never before, Belk’s photographs retain the power to speak soothing peace and the reality of an eternal future to a culture so caught in uncertainty and fear. The realism and striking nature of the Savior of all mankind walking in the flesh among “Nazis and prostitutes, Ferraris and motorcycles, and high-rollers and Wall Street executives” serve to connect “messages from the life of Jesus to current dilemmas including financial stress, addiction, anxiety, materialism, poverty, hypocrisy, and persecution.” (Journeys with the Messiah Fact Sheet: Press Kit authorization).
William Shakespeare once wrote, “There is a history in all men’s lives.” Truly, the impact of the historical figure that was and is Jesus Christ can be seen in and through Belk’s timeless artwork. However, the heart of Journeys with the Messiah rests within the heart of the Gospel Message. The salvation offered by Christ is freely given to every individual of every gender, socioeconomic status, every tribe, race, color, creed, and every generation. There is no limit to the cultural relevancy of grace, hope, forgiveness, and love found in the arms of the Messiah. He is for all people at all times and in all times. And we have been given the incredible opportunity to journey through this life and enter the next alongside of Him.
To read more about Michael Belk’s testimony, view the Journeys with the Messiah collection, or to purchase prints, framed art, and photographs, visit the official website at: www.thejourneysproject.com.
All photos, biographical information, and press release materials contained within this article are copyright of Michael Belk, Journeys with the Messiah, and The DeMoss Group and were used with prior written consent. You can contact the project’s PR Firm at: www.demossgroup.com or by visiting the project’s official website.
