I began taking photos in 2016 when I worked somewhere where I could see the sun set over the river. I was in the middle of a custody battle, and I would walk outside and take five minutes to center myself and take a deep breath. Then I began using my cellphone to take pictures of the light and the beauty. Snapping photos became a daily habit, and I began trying out Lightroom. I then began following the Facebook group Harrisburgers with Cameras and started posting my digital images.

In 2021, I bought a used camera from a friend. Then, I took the Introduction to Digital Photography course offered by Michael Yatsko Photography. Next, I purchased a used full-frame Canon 5D Mark III. After Michael’s course, which I took twice, I also took courses at the Art Association of Harrisburg with William Hicks. I placed 2nd in 2025 at the Harrisburg Photography Contest during ArtsFest. I am hoping to expand my photography by selling my prints, doing event and nonprofit work, real estate, and portraits. I would also love to help take adoption photos at courthouses to help families with their first official family photos.

When I take photos, it is my time to reconnect my heart and soul after a busy week of life. I work full time, am married, have a son, and care for my mother. The time I am out with my camera is my time to see the light and beauty of God. This is where I find time to pray, worship, dream, experience joy, and discover hope. Out in nature, with its rhythms and solitude, is where my mind stills, my heart opens, and my creativity blooms.

As a person living with complex PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, and ADHD, photography has given me an outlet to find peace. My goal with my photos is to share that peace and inspire people to see God and the many blessings that surround them. I hope my photos will bring people serenity and calm.

My ultimate goal with my photography is to teach classes and inspire people to find a way toward trauma healing through art therapy. I want to build community. Community is a place where inclusion fosters creativity, relationships, cultural intelligence, and hope. I want people to find the best of themselves and discover the world is better together than alone. The world today needs positive energy, and my wish for everyone is to see a path forward in my images.

Light and Love,

Deborah “Deb” Jenkins
Peace 5 Photography