From Kalokolevu Village in Rewa Province, Fiji, Savenaca Nakete Rosanabalawa is a talented 25-year-old with a passion for photography. A self-described “photography enthusiast,” he is “interested in all genres of photography, the latest gadgets and photography trends.”

Living next door to Naboro Seventh-day Adventist Church where he is a member, Rosanabalawa says his photography skills developed through attending church and social events. 

“When we got our first digital camera at home, I was obsessed with it; exploring its features and effects,” he says. “I captured anything that caught my eye--at the cost of repeated lectures from my father for AA battery replacements!”

Rosanabalawa continues, “I would take photos of family get-togethers, church activities, youth and school events, and just play around with it. I posted my photos [to social media] and would get compliments and advice from viewers to further pursue photography. [But] in the eyes of my parents, this was not a stable career pathway for me.”

Rosanabalawa completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of the South Pacific and now works as an accountant for Fiji Mission in Suva, all the while pursuing photography as a creative outlet. 

“I do photography as a side-line job that started off as a hobby,” he explains. “I was doing gigs for extra cash and continued with my studies simultaneously. Tertiary learning was a challenge and photography was my escape. Often, I felt like throwing in the towel, but I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father’s guidance, the support from my family [and] church family . . . and having faith in myself.”

To show his support, Rosanabalawa’s father purchased for him a DSLR camera, which enabled him to pursue photography more professionally. 

“This boosted my spirit and elevated the quality of my photos,” Rosanabalawa shares. “My brand ‘Igare Images’ was born. Igare is a word from my mother’s province dialect which means ‘exceptionally good or outstanding.’”

Rosanabalawa continues: “The beauty of my work is that I’m capturing moments; memories that will live for generations to come. Here in Fiji, culture and tradition are of great significance to who we are. My photography gigs are mostly capturing celebratory occasions like weddings and birthdays, and each comes with a cultural aspect to it. This allows me to connect with new people from different backgrounds, walks of life, and experiences.”

Photography has opened doors for Rosanabalawa to share his faith, grow deeper in his relationship with God, and practice gratitude wholeheartedly. 

“Reflection is my way to experience God through creation,” he says. “[I] continually thank him for this talent with which he blessed me, which I can in turn use to bless others and share with them. The lesson of being reflective—taking time to really see the shots I take—teaches me to grow deeper in faith individually, and to share God’s greatness with whomever I encounter, giving him all the glory, honor, and praise.”

While Rosanabalawa doesn’t know exactly what lies ahead, he plans to further his studies in finance and continue to refine and perfect his photography craft. 

“Every day I am learning something new,” Rosanabalawa says matter-of-factly. “This ensures that I’m continuously growing and sharing God’s goodness in my life.”

This article was originally published on the website of Adventist Record