Michael Belk, a 30-year fashion photographer whose work has appeared in Vogue, Elle, GQ, and Vanity Fair with clients Christian Dior, Nautica, J.Crew and Polo, sensed God had an even bigger plan for his time and talent. Thus, he decided to leap from GQ to create Christian photographs or inspirational images.

After nine months of planning and pre-production, Belk headed to Matera, Italy, which is known in Christian paintings for its resemblance to 1st century Jerusalem and the filming location of The Passion of the Christ. With an Italian actor to play Jesus, more than a hundred extras, a production company from Rome and a film crew from the U.S., Michael directed what became “the most grueling, but most rewarding seven-day shoot” of his career to create the inspirational art / inspirational photographs and Christian photographs that became Journeys With the Messiah.