Photographer Craig Norris’s Life is the Picture of Success

Scientology helped Hong Kong-based Australian photographer Craig Norris gain true spiritual wealth—a fulfilling career, ideal marriage, and personal happiness. His profile is one of 200 “Meet a Scientologist” videos available on the Scientology website at www.scientology.org.

Capitalizing on a flair for the aesthetic, a keen business sense, and advanced technical skills, when disaster struck, Australian Scientologist Craig Norris reinvented himself.

Arriving in Hong Kong in 1993, for a decade Norris designed the technical production infrastructure for TV stations, first at the Asian headquarters of a Japanese company and later as an independent contractor. But in 2003, the SARS epidemic (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) created a panic that crashed the local economy and left Norris without a job.

“Many expatriate positions were cancelled as a result of SARS, including mine,” says Norris. “My career in the Hong Kong television industry came to an abrupt end.”

But while friends packed to fly home, Norris chose to stay, creating a new career for himself as a photographer. Using communication, time management and organizational skills learned through Scientology, Norris was able to do so with ease.

“Modern photography has quite a strong technical element due to the use of digital cameras and computers, so with a good background in digital technology from my work in television production, I was able to hit the ground running,” he says.

Successful in his new career, the crowning element in his happiness was his 2005 marriage to Janet Tsui. Scientology principles have been invaluable to them in creating their relationship.

“Janet is the love of my life,” says Norris, 54. “Her beauty, both physical and spiritual, is my inspiration. Fundamental Scientology concepts about communication and respect have helped us build a solid foundation.”

Norris credits his understanding of administrative technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard for the smooth transition to his new career—a thriving, multi-faceted business including a studio, photography workshops and consulting.

“Scientology taught me that success is all about contributing value to the community and the world at large, and finding ways to increase the value and quantity of one's production,” he says.

Norris first learned about Dianetics and Scientology when he read Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health in 1978. Fascinated, he then took courses at the Church of Scientology in his native Sydney.

“I had wondered since I was a kid about the big questions like ‘Who am I really?’ and ‘What happens after we die?’ I found the answers to those questions and more in Scientology,” Norris says. “Material wealth is transient and does not guarantee happiness or loving companionship. Through Scientology I have gained real spiritual wealth and a peace of mind I can only describe as priceless.”

View the Craig Norris video at www.scientology.org.

The popular “Meet a Scientologist” profiles on the Church of Scientology International Video Channel at Scientology.org now total 200 broadcast-quality documentary videos featuring Scientologists from diverse locations and walks of life. The personal stories are told by Scientologists who are educators, teenagers, skydivers, a golf instructor, a hip-hop dancer, IT manager, stunt pilot, mothers, fathers, dentists, photographers, actors, musicians, fashion designers, engineers, students, business owners and more.

A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, in April 2008 the Church of Scientology became the first major religion to launch its own official YouTube Video Channel, which has now been viewed by millions of visitors.