Becoming a missionary is like majoring in philosophy - no matter how good your intentions are, you'll never be rich.
That's why UF alumnus Chris Ammen started a company to help those who depend on others' generosity for their daily bread.
The company, Twenty-eight Nineteen Photography, combines Ammens' passion for photographing with his zeal for helping Christian ministries.
The company is named after a Bible verse, Matthew 28:19, in which Christians are commanded to go and make disciples of the world.
"One hundred percent of the profit goes to helping missionaries," Ammen said.
He said he had the idea for the company after spending three months last summer raising money so he could be on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ, a Christian campus organization.
During this time, Ammen said he realized how hard it is for missionaries to raise financial support.
The process is so difficult, he said, that many missionaries quit due to inadequate funds.
"It's just tough to maintain support," he said. "Many people who are called to be missionaries aren't called to be support-raisers."
Ammen said Twenty-eight Nineteen currently supports four ministries, but about 10 have contacted him.
"I want to make sure we're giving to people who have a real need, who would probably leave the mission field if they didn't receive our support," he said.
Ammen said he interviews each candidate before committing to financially support the ministry.
"It's a very personal process," he said.
So is his art.
He said the inspiration for his photography comes from capturing, in unique lights and angles, the everyday objects people walk by and never notice.
Ammen recently started taking portraits as well.
"Just trying to capture raw human emotion on film," he said.
Neither Ammen nor his seven staff photographers have been formally trained in photography.
He only recently even obtained his own camera.
"I kind of always knew I had a knack for it but never had the money to pony up for a camera," he said.
Despite the lack of classroom training, customers of Twenty-eight Nineteen say the company's work is professional quality.
"I appreciate good photography," said Romy Pinkcombe, who recently bought a 20-by-30-inch print from the Web site, twentyeightnineteen.com.
Jimmy Trent, one of the people Twenty-eight Nineteen supports financially, said that there is more to the company than just its mission.
"I think it's a great cause but I think they put out a great product as well," Trent said. "I think they do great photography."
Although Ammen said his company started out on nothing but a whim, he's now working on expanding the company nationally.
"We're dreaming big," he said.
