Jesse Robert Newborn Film {Flagstaff and Sedona newborn and lifestyle videographer}

AZ NEWBORN VIDEOGRAPHY

This session brought me so much joy.  They were lovers and cuddlers and just the sweetest people I could ever hope to spend my morning with.  Little Jesse was 10 days old when I came over to film.  I loved seeing how the family had adapted to being a family of 4 and watching them in their new routine.  I was impressed with how productive they had already been.  This family lives in a rural area outside of Moab.  They built everything they have.  Everything!  Since Jesse was born, Dad had built a playground for big sister, and Mom had been out digging a new fire pit. This morning filled me with peace and helped me remember what really matters.

Preview film below, full film above.  

This film is a great reminder that even if you don't have your newborn video filmed in the hospital, this time is just as precious from home.  I don't think there is a bad place or time to film a family in love with their new baby.

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Nora Jean Newborn Film {Moab, Flagstaff, and Sedona videographer}

I don't think I will ever forget filming this little baby. My morning with this family was so sweet and so emotional.  This baby was long hoped for and some health scares throughout the pregnancy made things stressful.  But in the end, after a bumpy C-section, baby Nora and her mother safely made it through the journey.  Kenna really wanted me there to film when her two other children met the baby for the first time, as well as when the children's aunt with Down syndrome met the baby.  And Kenna was wise, because it was incredible.  There were so many tears.  Kenna's 12 year old just completely melted all of our hearts.  And their sweet aunt just had this immediate love and connection for the baby.  I won't forget it.  There were also such sweet moments with her grandparents.  At one point I captured Tanner's dad holding Nora and saying "I'm grandpa.  We're going to have lots of fun!" 

There is just so much love in hospital rooms with brand new babies.  Honestly, every single time I've walked into a hospital room with a fresh new baby, I cry. It is just such a miracle- every single time.  

Grand County High School Promenade {Moab, Flagstaff, and Sedona videographer}

One of the most anticipated nights of a teenager's life is unquestionably: PROM.  Annabelle's mom called me up and asked me to create a film of her daughter's prom.  I loved this idea.  Especially, because I love Moab's prom.  They do it the old fashioned way.  Months and months before prom, the kids start learning a choreographed waltz. Practically the entire community comes out to the gym to watch the anticipated promenade.  Every couple gets their own entrance where their names and their parents names are announced.  And then they promenade.  And then they dance with their moms or dads.  And then all the grownups leave, the lights go low, and the true dance begins.  When I first moved to Moab years ago, I thought it was so strange.  Now I think it's wonderful!!  Just what prom should be.  I loved the opportunity to document these fun teenagers at such a joyful life event.  And teenagers love being in front of the camera, which makes my job incredibly fun. 

Bridgette Newborn Film {Moab, Utah lifestyle and newborn videographer}

Angela is one of the coolest women on the planet.  Three days before she gave birth, we were at the park and she was doing pushups.

We go way back.  Our husbands were roommates in college.  My husband set the two of them up on their first date. We ended up in Moab a few years after them.  We have kids the exact same ages (until now!!). We both have a craving for adventure/physically exhausting fun.  A few of my favorites include riding the White Rim in day, summiting the Grand Teton in a day, and backpacking the Grand Canyon (in 2 days).  We are pros at cramming in as much fun as possible into short increments of time.  We know the exact amount of time it takes to mountain bike or trail run a large majoirty of the trails around here, making it possible to squeeze in adventure during preschool or before work.

Angela is also a fantastic photographer.  Check her out at Angela Hays Photography. 

Anyway- lets get to the point.  Two weeks ago, Angela had a baby in the middle of the night. Eight hours later, I drove to the hospital to film this beautiful bundle of joy and to capture three sisters meeting little Ms. Bridgette for the first time.  

I cried at least 3 times in that hospital room, and then multiple times again as I edited.

There is nothing like the love and joy a newborn brings to a family.

Curtis Family Film for Dad {Moab family and lifestyle videographer}

I love this family.  After I had my first baby, I went back to work for another season with the National Park Service.  A friend recommended Tonya to watch my one-year-old, and that is how we met.  I remember having this fear that he would take his first few steps at her house, but I quickly learned that even if he did and I missed it, Tonya would be just as excited as I would be.  She has so much love in her heart.  Don't worry, he walked for his first time at home.

This family also has an amazing ability to make dreams a reality.  For as long as I've known them they've had a vision for a CrossFit gym in Moab.  After a few years and lots of problem solving and hard work, here they are as owners of successful CrossFit Moab.  Drop in gym goers from around the globe have commented that this gym truly feels like a community.

Tonya wanted to give Clint a family film, celebrating him, for Christmas.  Christmas morning, Clint had this film under the Christmas tree.  We also created another film with him in it, in full uniform.  It is so touching, and he beautifully snuggles his family and verbally expresses his love for them, but we are keeping it off the web for privacy reasons (we can't have all of our treasures on the internet now can we!!).   Happy New Year everyone!!!

Hoffmann Family Film, {Moab, Utah lifestyle videography}

Lately I feel like time is flying by. Sometimes the days can feel so long.  But then suddenly a month has gone by.  And then a whole year.  This is one reason I love and believe in family films.  Video is such a great way to capture a time and a phase of life.  Next year the Hoffman family will look different.  Their baby won't be much of a baby and their oldest a teenager.  I love the opportunity to create pieces of family history to be cherished with the passing of time.

Interview Style Family Films

I was lucky enough to travel to San Clemente, CA for a week back in July.  If I could split my life between Moab and San Clemente, I would.  Surfing Donuts, SUP surfing at Old Man's, Pedro's Tacos, beach all day everyday with the kids.  I barely saw my boys all week they were so busy digging and boogie boarding.  

While I was there, I was able to film two lovely families.  I tried something different and created an interview style family film.  Audio adds so much emotion to a wedding film, so I've been dying to try it with a lifestyle film.  I absolutely love the result!  I love watching the parents' eyes sparkle as they talked about their children.  I loved the thoughtful things they said about each child.  Their words were not scripted nor rehearsed nor too rosy. 

I can't imagine having a film of my parents talking about me as a little one.  About how cute I was without my two front teeth, or what a stubborn toddler I was (both true ;).  

 One of the mothers said her film showed her kids as they truly are.  That is what I want!!!  I want something that will become more and more of a treasure as time passes, both to the parents and the kids.  I want to create films showing families in their true, authentic ways, doing what they do. Something more than families posed and smiling.  I wouldn't mind filming a few more 6 year old knock knock jokes, or brothers putting sand in their sister's hair either.  

Taylor #25

I've been wanting to write this post but wasn't ready.  Now I think I can. About 5 weeks after I filmed the high school basketball team, there was a terrible car accident in the early morning hours after prom.  Five Moab teens were in a vehicle, traveling far too fast.  The car rolled and two kids were killed, three injured.  That Sunday, the community knew there had been an accident because we could hear the helicopters flying.  We then heard that it involved local teens, we just didn't know who.  That night, I received a text from Lexy, the assistant Lady Red Devil basketball coach, informing me that Taylor, a freshman, #25, had been killed in the car accident.  Lexy wondered if I could make a memorial video for Taylor and of course I wanted to.

As I went through the footage, I cried. A lot.  14 is too young to die. I stared at the face of this beautiful young girl for hours. Taylor wasn't a starter or captain and was the only freshman on the team.  At first I worried I wouldn't have much footage of her, but as I started looking, I actually had a lot of footage of her.  Great footage.  She may have only been a freshman, but she was a fierce and smart player and confident with her spot on the team.

I believe there was divine intervention that helped me capture what I did of Taylor.  So much of it was unique and different than what I had of the other players. During the pre-game warmup, Taylor is the only player not wearing her long sleeved red warmup shirt, so she shines bright from the others in her white jersey.  I found footage of Taylor coming off the court at half time and giving her coach a big high five.  I found footage of Taylor giving her closest friend on the team, a senior, an encouraging pat on the shoulder.  I actually remember filming that, and thinking how sweet it was, and it was one of the warmest things I captured that day.  In the locker room after the game, of all the players, it was Taylor I captured handing her worn jersey to the coach. As I watched her on the court, it was clear to me she was a smart, aggressive player.  She wasn't a starter, but she would've been a star by the time she was a senior.  Multiple times I filmed her diving on the floor to save a ball and driving through thick defense for a layup.  

I was beyond grateful I could make a video for Taylor, her family, and her team.  I am grateful the coaches had the foresight and followed their gut to have me come film.  As a videographer, I always thought something like this could happen , but I thought it would be for a grandparent or parent in a wedding.  Not for a teenager.  I think of Taylor often, even though I really only knew her through this video.  Our lives can change in a day.  I know we have all experienced tragedy that shove this reminder in our face.  But it is so true.  May we all strive to cherish those around us.  To be kind.  To love others.  To forgive.