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Photo: Good Friday - Gritty Effect
https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/good-friday-gritty-frank-j-casella.html
Panoramic framing of Jesus on the Crucifix, with Palms.

"He submerged himself into our mess and it was our mess that killed him. Easter is primarily a celebration of forgiveness, of reconciliation and absolution. What moves us to our depths; what shocks us in our surprise is the realization that God the Father did not take vengeance on us for what we did to his Son but has decided to start over again with us in such a remarkable way of raising his Son to life again and wrapping us up with him in that Life. This indeed is what Easer is all about. Each year on the feast of the Resurrection we Christians climb to the roof tops, as it were, and shout out to the world a piece of Good news that has disturbed the status quo of the world ever since, namely, that our God in Jesus Christ is alive when evil men meant him dead. For this reason, Easter is more than an event. More than one Sunday in the calendar when we munch on chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chickadees. Easter is an attitude. Easter is liberation. Easter is Life, our life in the here and now and hereafter. Let this feast of feasts for Christians be the day to start over, to cross the chasm, to repair the broken, to rediscover God’s extraordinary grace transforming our most ordinary days." - Bishop Joseph N. Perry, Archdiocese of Chicago


Lessons From Lent

The purpose of Lent is to bring us back to God, to remove the distractions that become more important to us than God.

This past Lent of 2024 was most challenging, yet most rewarding. It is said that through our struggles is when we come closer to God and find ourselves.

At the start of Lent I had the apps and subscribed to the email prompts for my Lenten journey. And due to a health circumstance, I ended up doing none of it .. and this is what made it more rewarding.

A motto I follow for my photography is that simple things make big impressions. Well, this also applies to life itself!

So it was just me alone .... well .... with God.

And boy did He have some things to say.

Silence with God may feel like a waste of time .. not productive.

Yes it is. But not for God.

Because He then is productive as He has your attention.

This time was so silent that I actually noticed the church bells a few blocks from my house chiming every hour .. something I certainly took for granted. And the church music it played every evening.

I also learned how impatient that I didn't think that I was.

And how people and organizations I looked to for help are very independent and individualistic more than expected.

And how God's provisions helped me through people and organizations that I did not expect.

And how my photographs about simple moments are needed now more than ever, to do God's work to bring hope, joy, solitude, and love to a busy world divided and polarized.

But the lesson I learned from Lent the most is that in all the important things I have to do, the most important can be most simple.

Silence.



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Photo: Fence and morning sunlight shadows - Being Thankful - Copyright 2019 Frank J Casella - Click here to purchase. https://pixels.com/featured/being-thankful-frank-j-casella.html




Gratitude in the Face of Life's Obstacles
Life's journey is full of twists and turns, sometimes leading us down paths filled with barriers. But in these moments of struggle, there is a powerful choice we can make: to embrace an attitude of thankfulness. The most successful among us use their hardships as stepping stones to growth, surrounding themselves with kindred spirits who see opportunities in every setback.

Moreover, when we shift our focus from ourselves to a the love of God and approach our challenges with faith, we begin to see glimmers of progress each day. It's as if a ray of light is guiding us towards a brighter tomorrow.

In the face of adversity, we have a choice: to dwell on our troubles or to choose the path of gratitude. Let us always choose the latter, for it is in thankfulness that we find strength and hope.


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Photo: A bare altar with purple banner sets the tone at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois, where faithful Catholics visit throughout the days for prayer and observing for Holy Week - 'Holy Week' Copyright 2016 Frank J Casella - Click here to purchase. https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/holy-week-frank-j-casella.html



We all go through the dark moments in life. If you’re like me, you try to take the easy way out in moving towards the light. The thing is, often times until we go through the struggles we really don’t learn the full story.

For example, in times of struggles I often prayed for God to show me the way, but I never seemed to find any answers. Often times, after the fact, it is revealed to me that because I didn’t wait on God in His timing that I missed out on the blessing. Because I tried to avoid what I thought would experience pain or challenge.

Had I meant what I prayed for God to show the way, and not take it back as soon as I gave it to Him, because this is the easy way, then people and circumstances would have come into my path to show the way … and the rest of the story would be revealed.

I have lived through job layoffs, health setbacks, car accidents, people and their shortcomings, long-term unemployment, marriage issues, and the inevitable short on money when there is an ’emergency’ need, to name a few. In all of these I have learned that my viewpoint is not always God’s viewpoint. That I’m usually focused on my needs, and God is focused on using my circumstance to bring others into relationship with Himself, in addition to meeting my immediate need.

One other thing I’ve learned from all this is that, many times we struggle because we don’t know our life mission. That when we know our mission, some people call this your ‘why’, and we find a way to serve others through our mission, then we have less confusion in life. Because many times serving others without a mission we are fighting ourselves or getting in our own way. We should see others through our mission to know how to best serve them.

Broken relationships, for example, are like a vase that falls off the table and breaks into many small pieces. Depending how we look at it, if we try to put the vase (relationship) back together piece by piece seeking for God to show us through the struggle, instead of looking at serving self before the other person or giving up and taking the easy way out, that vase has the potential to become a beautiful mosaic.

You have to decide how important the struggle is to you, and grow through it, and how much you want God to complete the story in your life.

Jesus had to go onto the Cross to do the will of God. This struggle that He encountered was and is a part of His story. What struggles have you experienced that are a part of your story?

Reflect for a moment on how you can better allow God to radiate His love for a beautiful life from your past struggles and storms.

God’s will is that we depend on Him.



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Photo Descripton: It's important to have family and friends. Sometimes, though, our friends are more like family, and our family can be more like friends. It all depends on what we need from each... or give to. The people around us most influence how and where we go in life, and us with them. So, it's wise to pick and choose who we spend most our time with. Life is too short ....
- Click here to purchase. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/family-and-friends-frank-j-casella.html








Being that we are now in Lent, I am going to get a bit more spiritually deep than usual for this blog entry.

Lent is about turning back to God. About reconciliation and repenting.

The best way to help others to repent, is when we first do it ourselves.

The best definition of Sin that I have heard is: I want what I want.

What this means is that when we empty ourselves of sin and bad habits, we leave room for God to fill us up.

But when we work to help others to repent, and have not done so with our own lives, then we are working on our own agenda.

In other words, if you are not filled with Christ (or God), then you are full of yourself.

The fastest way to success, is when we replace bad habits with good habits.

Then when we are filled with Christ, we can then keep giving away as He keeps filling us up.

Then you are working on the purpose WHY God made you.

God does not need Lent, we do. Lent is not so much what we do for God, rather what God does for us when we let go and not always be in control.


" He who has a WHY can bear any How. "

~ Victor Frankl


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A man stands on the boardwalk absorbing the wetlands at the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve in Illinois. What makes this moment more interesting to me is the juxtaposition of the cell tower in the background connecting the digital world at the same time he connects with nature in the real world. Wetlands Worship – Copyright 2024 Frank J Casella. Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/wetlands-worship-frank-j-casella.html


One of the things I prefer to do with the smart phone camera is to make square format photographs. This is because you can naturally hold the phone vertical with one hand, while using the other hand to make adjustments for the exposure. When you hold the phone horizontal I find that you often need both hands to hold the phone as well as to hold it steady and move your fingers around the screen. And this is important because my Samsung Galaxy A13 makes large 50-megapixel images, similar to the Hasselblad or Mamiya medium format cameras.

The great environmental art photographer Ansel Adams preferred square format for easy cropping and no need to rotate a camera for vertical shots. He saw no loss of performance with a cropped 6×6 image compared to an uncropped 6×7.

Back when Instagram first came out I had a Fine Art Shop on MobilePrints by Fine Art America, where most of my images were square. The site no longer supports Instagram, and I no longer have an IG account, but I made those images with the iPhone 5s and then the iPod Touch. As you may know, the Square Art World Artist Group on Fine Art America is one that I curate, in addition to my own Square Format Collection. This collection includes visual stories, and some with words, on the lessons from life in a picture square.

What I like most about the square is it lets pictures breathe on my products. And, much like Ansel says, doesn’t cramp the top and bottom, as do horizontal products, or squeeze them in on left and right as do vertical products. On Greeting Cards you rotate the cards not the image, and it fits naturally on Shower Curtains, Phone Cases, Mugs, and Tote Bags as well. You never have to rotate the picture!


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Photo: Summer Breeze on the Chicago River - Black and White. Two people sharing a moment of Chicago urban scenic beauty from Michigan Avenue at the Chicago River. Copyright 2011 Frank J Casella. Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/summer-on-the-chicago-river-black-and-white-frank-j-casella.html




My Process for Selecting the Perfect Photograph.

Every picture I take is infused with a deeper purpose – to spread positivity and the unyielding love of God to the world. From the smallest details of humanity to the grandest landscapes, I am constantly on the lookout for moments that evoke a sense of hope.

But how do I choose which photographs to share? It all starts with my spiritual connection. During my sacred moments of prayer, I am guided by a gentle nudging from God and the Holy Spirit. And when I follow through on these divine whispers, I am always amazed at the overwhelming response from others.

What may seem like an ordinary snapshot to me, is often a profound and impactful moment for someone else. After all, what is commonplace for me may be a new and wondrous sight for another. That is the beauty of photography – it has the power to turn the familiar into something extraordinary.

Amidst the vast collection of artists on Fine Art America / Pixels, I am drawn to those who use their platform to not only showcase their art, but to also share a piece of their soul. While others are solely focused on making sales and building their brand, I have adopted a different approach.

As I carefully select which photos to put up for sale, I am inspired by those artists who tirelessly strive for perfection in their work. Their unwavering determination to capture their vision is commendable, and any imperfection is immediately scrapped and replaced with a new and even better creation.

Thus, from this my process of selecting a photograph is more of a journey of discovery and connection.

As a photographer, my goal is to capture moments that reflect God’s beauty and wonder of the world through the lens of my camera. With every click, I strive to create an image that is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also meaningful and impactful.

Gone are the days of chasing perfection, for I have learned that the most breathtaking photographs often stem from spontaneity and imperfection. Rather than endlessly editing and perfecting, I trust in the divine timing and inspiration that guides me when to share my work.

Each artistic photograph tells a unique story, waiting patiently to be heard. I take the time to truly listen and let each image guide me towards its purpose and message.

This philosophy extends beyond the realm of photography and into our daily lives. We must not be so consumed with the small details that we miss out on the grander experiences life has to offer.

So next time you view a photograph, remember that there is more to it than meets the eye. It is a piece of someone’s journey, waiting to be unveiled and appreciated. As for me, I choose to let my photographs speak for themselves, with the hope that they will inspire and uplift others in their own journeys.

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Photo: Let There Be Peace on Earth – Color Photograph of Trees Silhouetted by the Sunrise, and the convergence of cloud formations in the blue sky – Copyright 2017 Frank J Casella. Come and save us, LORD our God; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Let there be peace on earth. Let it begin with me. Psalms 80:4 Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/let-there-be-peace-on-earth-frank-j-casella.html


Discover Your Purpose: The Power of Your ‘Why’

Within every action and decision lies a deeper motivation, a guiding force that shapes your entire existence. This is your ‘why’ – the core of your being that drives everything you do, from the way you work to the way you live and treat others.

Renowned speaker and author Simon Sinek describes this concept as ‘the golden circle’, with your ‘why’ at the very center, surrounded by your ‘how’ and ‘what’. He explains, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.”

But finding your ‘why’ is not a one-size-fits-all process. Some may excel in understanding their ‘why’, while others are better at executing their ‘how’, and some specialize in their ‘what’. It’s about recognizing your strengths and crafting a life vision statement – your ‘why’ – and a life mission statement to achieve it.

Uncover Your WHY: The Key to Unlocking Your True Potential

No one conquers life alone. Without a clear understanding of your purpose in life, everything else seems meaningless. As my late father always said, “You must have a solid foundation or you’ll be easily swayed.”

My ‘why’ is constantly evolving, but at the core, it is driven by my desire to make a positive impact on the world and the people around me. I believe that by using my talents, passions, and experiences, I can contribute to creating a better and more just society.

I am driven by my curiosity and thirst for knowledge, always seeking to learn and grow as a person. I am also motivated by my loved ones, wanting to make them proud and inspire them to live their best lives. Ultimately, I live for the moments of connection, joy, and fulfillment that come from pursuing my passions and helping others.

My reasoning for living is to leave a positive mark on the world and leave it a better place than I found it. To do my part given to me by my ancestors. To help each other make it through life, and to get each other to Heaven.

Every action we take should be driven by our why. So ask yourself, what’s your why?

What is the fuel that propels you forward?

What is the ultimate purpose that gives your life meaning?

What is the driving force that keeps you going?



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About:

Frank J Casella - American. Photographer. Catholic. Co-founder. Living in Chicagoland - USA. Pictures speak in ways that words can not. Since I was a kid, I've been perfecting how to put the viewer where my subject is - I call this "Pictures People Listen To".

I've been a Documentary and Stock Photographer since 1988, and Independent Artist and Blogger on Fine Art America since 2013. Though, I've had a camera in my hand since I was a young boy. I produce and sell pictures of moments in time, and human interaction, that share hope and God's love in the world, through my Catholic Faith.

I'm also co-founder of Bishop Perry's Chicago Catholic Men's Forum, and Executive Director of Catholic Men Chicago Southland, since 2004. When you foster a Man in holiness, the positive adjustments he makes creates a upstanding man, husband, or father, and this impact can be felt for three generations.

I'm a product of Columbia College Chicago and, shortly after, my childhood dream became reality when I was assigned to photograph the ministry of the (Roman Catholic) Archbishop of Chicago - the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.

My artwork style is inspired by Norman Rockwell. I'm privileged to be nurtured by John H. White - Pulitzer Prize photojournalist.




Life Mission:

My life mission is to share hope and God's Love in the World. Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” ~ Luke 9:62



Testimonials:

"Frank Casella .... is like an Old World artist, creative yet meticulous, inspired yet careful, in awe of visual beauty yet not afraid to engage it through the lens of his camera. .... Frank Casella's work is what we mean when we say that photography can be an art".

-- Rev. Anthony J. Brankin, Chicago Priest and Sculpture


"Frank, I just wanted to Thank you again for coming to our photo club and your program on visual storytelling. I know we all got something from your presentation. It was a good idea the way you got us involved in your program. ....

.... For myself it was humbling to see how well you can design a moment to last forever. And your sense of getting the essence of the subject, that simple moment. I have a new respect for black and white images and I understand how it can enhance an image. Thank You again Frank it was a privilege for us to have you as a program presenter."

-- Tim McGrath, c/o Park Forest Photography Club


“Frank, Great Work and great job on your Website. Your work is thoughtful and good and you are an excellent Godly man and photographer”.

– The late James Klein Lenderink, Commercial Photographer



Stay Connected:

If you would like to see my latest updates and blog posts, sign up for my Official Artistic Website Email List for updates ... Direct to your Email box! Unsubscribe at any time.

Or you might like my SundayLetters - dispatch sharing my photos and thoughts about hope and God’s love in the world.

I am very intentional about my use of social media....


To that end, here are positive reasons why I post primarily on my own blog or mailing list:


1. Having a home

This site is a creative outlet for me and my works. When I want you to know something, I'm going to talk about it here, both with the mails I send you and with the blogs. This is where you'll be able to find me over time and space. This is my home.

For example, people in my old neighborhood used to just drop by to sit on the front porch and catch up; this site serves the same purpose for me. It's something we can depend on so we can always be in contact.


2. Internet citizenship

This is called the "web" because our sites all interconnect with links. Hyperlinking is what gives the Internet its richness. Following links has helped me learn so much, and give back. My own blog site lets me do that.



Online Channels

Official Artistic Website Email List - Latest updates, and related posts from this blog..

CMCSMen - A Blog to Nurture Catholic Men's Spirituality.

SundayLetters - A dispatch sharing my photos and thoughts about hope and God’s love in the world.



View My hometown photo project 'Home Sweet Homewood 1 Day' - moments in time photographs of Homewood, Illinois.

Read what I'm thinking about fjcasella.wordress.com

Follow me on brighteon.social

View all my artistic inspiration on GETTR


Come back here to browse my website - bookmark this page

Search My Stock Photos


Drop me an E-mail and - say hello. (Phone calls by appointment made via email.)







“As a photographer, the big secret is entering into the charisma with the person you have in front of you. If you don't feel it, you'll never do it well.” ~ ARTURO MARI, Vatican photographer

Thank you for visiting the blog for Frank J Casella Photographs. Pictures of moments in time, and human interaction, that share hope and God's love in the world.

To start reading from the top, click the 'VIEW ALL" button above. Enjoy!

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I am very intentional about how I (don't) use social media to directly promote my artwork, because I choose to live a balanced life in a noisy high tech world ( though you can find more about that here ).

I've become passionate about designing my life around focused work and protecting my time from distraction and devices. After all, it's the only way to get any photography done.

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My blog posts are also shared to the Fine Art America blog section. This section provides an overview of all blogs that have been posted by Fine Art America artists and galleries.

When we are able to be silent and listen to our own thoughts and emotions, we can also extend that understanding and compassion to others. In our fast-paced world, we often overlook the importance of silence and how it can bring about inner peace and empathy. It allows us to reflect on our actions and connect with our surroundings in a more meaningful way. Embracing silence can also bring a sense of gratitude for the little things in life that we often take for granted. So, let us make more time for silence in our lives and embrace the beauty it brings.

Photo: A snowy scene down a neighborhood street, in my home town of Homewood, Il., where the paw prints from a dog follow the trees off the beaten path of human footprints on the sidewalk. Copyright 2014 Frank J Casella. Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/1-pet-prints-in-the-snow-color-frank-j-casella.html

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