There are some people in life who are thoroughly impressive. People who make me feel, think and see. Differently. People who hold a mirror to life and ask if you like what you see. Rachel Lacour is one such person. Better yet, when she holds the mirror, she'll ask if you're doing anything to change what's before you.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Rachel over three years and I was honored when she agreed to guest post today about a $12,000 photography grant she started through her company, ShootQ. A grant we both hope will change how people see the world.

Making a Life, Not Just a Living

I love my freedom. It's an invitation to savor the things I love most: family, friends, travel, wine. In fact, I'm sitting in a cozy art-nouveau bistro in Paris as I write. This freestyle approach to work is my joie de vivre.

But it's not enough.

Stumbling serendipitously into a Parisian gallery yesterday and seeing Stanley Greene's photographs reminded me that freedom doesn't just afford me time. It entrusts me with a sacred responsibility to create something bigger than myself.

As I wandered, gazing – and gaping – at Stanley's photographs, I recalled the first year of my photo business. A friend gave me the book The E-Myth. The author's mantra is: “When your business serves your life, you are liberated and given the freedom to truly pursue the dreams you've imagined.”

Sounds great, right?

Sure, freedom is great, but what I do with my freedom is what's important. This responsibility challenges me more than any financial or artistic question ever could.

I wholeheartedly believe in photography's ability to catalyze justice and social change. By bearing witness to suffering, photographers gives a voice to the voiceless. That's what struck me yesterday as I looked at Stanley's photographs. His work exemplifies what I hope to do with the freedom I achieve through my business. If the purpose of my business is to serve my life, then I believe the purpose of my life is to serve others.

My first small step is The ShootQ Grant, a $12,000 award given annually to one photographer to fund a documentary project. My hope is that the ShootQ Grant will help photographers use their freedom to seek justice for those who need it most.

To learn more about the ShootQ Grant, check out: ShootQ Grant
To learn more about Stanley Greene, check out: Stanley Greene and the Foundation he started, Noor Foundation
To learn more about Rachel, check out: LaCourPhoto.com