Ballard Family session {Moab family videographer}

After filming this family, I was ready to move in with them.  Partly because they live in beautiful, remote, La Sal, about 45 minutes away from Moab, and partly because they were such a joy to be around.  And their 6 year old will teach me to ride a dirt bike.  

I love family videography.  It is so rewarding to capture simple, intimate moments in a family.  I loved filming Caitlin as she danced with her daughters in the living room.  I loved capturing the siblings play both mischievously and so sweetly.  Also, I loved filming Bryan and Caitlin together.  Newlyweds are a joy, but filming a couple that has been married for years and is smack in the middle of raising children was special and inspiring.   My husband and I know that amidst the joy, frustration, and chaos of kids, it is so important to pause and remember how much we love each other. I loved filming Bryan and Caitlin snuggle and laugh genuinely. I gave practically no direction.  They still have the love.

Kids grow and change so fast, but this little film has preserved this stage of the Ballard's life forever.  And what a lovely, cute, spontaneous stage it is! 

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Campaign films for Curtis Wells, Grand County Council At-Large

I had the privilege of working with Curtis Wells on a series of short films for his successful 2016 Grand County Council at-large campaign.  Videos are an extremely valuable election tool, reaching voters that newspapers and local meetings often can't.  The night I filled out my absentee ballot, I went to many websites and hoping for videos.  It's such an easy way to get informed! 

The Curtis Wells videos helped people understand who Wells was, what he looked like, and where he stood on the issues.  His main campaign message video went viral on Facebook among the Moab community and it got a lot of people talking.  This was a very rewarding project and I hope to do similar work in the future.  Until next election season....

The following was his main campaign message:

John + Ami Canyonlands Wedding

John and Ami are friends of my husband's.  They all wear the green and grey as employees for the National Park Service.  John told Clay (my husband), that they were having a cliff-side dirtbag wedding.  Clay decided it must be filmed to be remembered forever, and that is where I entered the party.  Long Canyon is a long, glorious canyon that winds down to the Colorado River.  They were married, barefoot, with toes on the slick rock, looking off a massive cliff towards the river and the La Sal Mountains. John and Ami fell in love watching sunsets and camping under the milky way, so this was all so fitting.    

One thing I love about weddings is that there are no rules.  You can get married where, how, and when you want, and John and Ami took full advantage of that, surrounded by family and friends cheering and hugging them on.  

One of the best parts of my job is hearing back from the bride after they see their film.  Ami wrote this to me: "Leslie, John and I both teared up watching it.  This will be so special to us and our families. So amazing that you also included such special small moments like my Mom and her sister talking together. Wow it's so perfect!!  There are no words to describe how meaningful this is to us and how much gratitude we have toward you. Even Orion started kicking around while we watched it!"

Congratulations John and Ami!

Baby Hudson Z.

On October 8th, I received a text from Karlie at 7:35 am that said: "Hey Leslie! I know this is last minute, but I wanted to see what you were doing around 8.  I just had our little baby!  They haven't weighed him yet or anything, he's just been sleeping on my chest since he arrived.  Do you think you can come?"  

 I jumped in my car as quickly as I could and drove the full 1.5 minutes to Moab Regional Hospital. Hudson was born at 4:27 am, less than 4 hours before I got there.

As I walked into their room, Karlie was still laying in the bed with little Hudson on her chest.  The nurses hadn't weighed or measured Hudson, nor had Karlie really even moved.  It was such a beautiful sight, I started crying and then was a little embarrassed.

For her first baby, Karlie's labor was fast.  No time for an epidural, and the nurses and doctor said she was a warrior. 

I spent two hours with Karlie, Jake, and Hudson and was able to capture some of their first moments together.  Karlie and Jake were up most of the night, so of course they were tired but  more so, they were radiating joy and excitement. I captured Jake holding Hudson for his very first time so Karlie could eat her well earned French toast.  I captured one of his first sleepy newborn smiles.  I also happened to be filming as Hudson opened his eyes for one of the first times. Jake guessed Hudson would be 7 lbs 7 oz, 21 inches, and when the nurse came in and weighed him Jake was 100% correct.  Dad's intuition. 

I loved this project.  I treasure my memories in the hospital with my newborn babies.  I have three children, and each time, I remember my heart absolutely bursting with joy and love. Love for my baby; love for my husband.  And truthfully, joy that labor was over and that we were both ok, and that I could eat a giant meal. 

I am grateful that I able to be with this family at this intimate, incredible time, and I am grateful for the safe arrival of little Hudson.

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Joseph and Katy's Arches National Park Sunset Wedding {Moab, Utah wedding videographer}

I loved this wedding.  I loved that the extended family and friends camped together before and after the wedding at the Devil's Garden campground in Arches National Park. I loved filming the children in their wedding best playing on the sandstone fins.  I loved that Katy was willing and totally comfortable applying her finishing touches in the campground bathroom.  And she was absolutely stunning. Seeing a wedding dress in the red rock desert will never get old to me. I loved how the setting sun illuminated the arch during the wedding. I especially loved that we had the arch completely to ourselves for the entire time.

As I edited this film, I fell more and more in love with their vows.  Today as I delivered their film, I told Katy today how much I loved the vows, and she responded that their vows were completely on the spot.  They spoke with so much sincerity, love, and eloquence.  I feel privileged that I was there to capture the vows and provide a way that they can listen and watch this incredibly intimate moment, forever. 

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Venue: Devil's Garden Campground, Arches National Park

Photography, makeup, and hair: B. Beautiful Artistry

Moab, Utah, Whispering Oaks Ranch Wedding {Moab wedding videographer}

I love the song in this wedding film. I've been singing it for weeks. One lyric happened to sum up the day quite nicely: 

"You’re the sun after the rain, chase away the cloudy days, all I’ll ever need my dear."- This is Love by Jack Etheridge, featuring Marie Hines.  

Soon after Michelle and Jamie's first look, a powerful monsoon rolled in.  We could see it coming from Canyonlands National Park, and while the Whispering Oaks balcony is a beautiful place to watch a storm, we were worried it would pour for the rest the day. Visibility became terrible; we could no longer see the La Sals, nor the Moab Rim, nor even the cabins just down the hill. Jamie and Michelle hardly stressed and, just as the song said, their love did chase away the cloudy day and their wedding was beautifully sunny.

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10 memorable moments

1. A dog in a tux and a dog in pearls. Look for them in the film!
2. The first look.  Michelle's smile as Jamie turned and saw her was so bright and beautiful.
3. The abundant Converse Chuck Taylors.  Michelle changed into an aqua pair after the ceremony, which was genius because she had to tromp through mud and tall grass during her couple's session.  And obviously, they are perfect dancing shoes.
4. I set my camera up for a time lapse as the storm rolled in.  The storm was more powerful than anticipated and blew my camera right off the balcony.  Do not worry,  no cameras were harmed.
5. While it was storming, no one seemed to stress.  In fact they started a game of poker.
6. Walkie talkies.  Walkie talkies are not only fun but essential for pre-ceremony planning.  It makes communication 10x easier.
7. The wedding vows.  I love when couples write their own vows.  When I am editing a wedding film, I always imagine the family watching this 50 years from now.  What I would give to watch my parents on their wedding day!
8. The way Michelle and Jamie's personality shone throughout the wedding details.  The music, the flower girls, the drinks, the groomsmen and bridesmaids and man of honor.  The wedding was completely their own.
9. Seeing the first yellow aspens of Fall.
10. After the ceremony, I had a few moments to film Jamie and Michelle away from the crowd.  It was a privilege to film the bride and groom in their first moments alone as husband and wife.  They were happy, relaxed, intimate, and in love.

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Venue: Whispering Oaks Ranch

Photography: Angela Hays Photography

Moab and Manti, Utah Wedding {Lexi and Taylor}

Lexi and Taylor's beautiful wedding weekend began with an intimate, romantic first look at Pack Creek Ranch.  A few days later they were married in Manti, Utah. The weekend ended with a backyard sunset reception.  

10 best moments from their weekend:

1. Taylor's big grin as Lexi approached him during the first look.  He was EXCITED to see her. 
2. The perfect sunset after a cloudy afternoon. 
3. Since the first look wasn't on their wedding day, Lexi and Taylor were in no hurry and very relaxed. Their romance could really shine.  
4. Driving to Manti and helping a family stranded on the side of I-70.  Good thing we left with plenty of time to spare.
5. The crowd of family and friends that traveled to Manti to support the couple. So much love.
6. Lexi and Taylor's fun couple's session on the Manti temple grounds.  That temple is stunning (finished in 1888!!) and so were the bride and groom.  They were playful and in love, a winning combo.
7. The sprinklers came on during the couple's session.  Lexi kept her cool, and Taylor acted as a shield to protect Lexi.  Luckily it was hot.
8. Eating a burger, fries, and raspberry milkshake on the drive home from Manti.  
9. Filming the bride's dance with her father.  I cry when I film this 100% of the time.
10. The little boy catching the garter and his "what is this thing?" expression.

Photography: Moab Photo Co

Flowers: Forget Me Knot Flowers and Gifts, Moab, Utah

Location:  Pack Creek Ranch (Moab, UT), Manti LDS temple

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Eureka Lodge, Silverton, Colorado Wedding

The Million Dollar highway from Ouray to Silverton, CO, is one of the most incredible stretches of road in the country.  Waterfalls cascade down every gully and there are too many peaks to count.  Although paved, the highway has a few exhilarating/terrifying stretches where the white paint delineating the lanes practically hangs off a 500+ foot cliff. No room for guardrails. No texting and no Pokemon Go. 

Moab bakes in the summer so it was a welcome relief to dig my puffy jacket out of the closet and head to the San Juan Mountains.  So much green!  So much water!

From Durango, Andrew and Amanda genuinely love these mountains.  The day before their wedding they summited Engineer Peak.  The wedding was held at the Eureka Lodge and the entire party stayed there for multiple nights.  This secluded spot is past Silverton, CO, where the road turns to dirt and the Alpine Loop begins, basically the last ounce of civilization before steep 4x4 roads, abandoned mines, and the tree line.  The Eureka Lodge is nestled in the pines at nearly 10,000 feet elevation, along the Animas river.  It was built in the 1920's as a mining boarding hotel and has been wonderfully preserved.  It was rustic and charming and full of history.  I wanted to get myself a room and stay for a week to listen to the river and climb a few peaks. 

This wedding was special.  Watching Andrew commit himself to Amanda and her daughter, was something I will never forget.  It was such a celebration. Their vows were genuine and bursting with love.  Everything turned to magic in this remarkable location. Amanda's choreographed dance with her daughter was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen, and when they pulled Andrew in at the end, I had to really hold the tears back. But truly I felt immensely privileged to witness such beautiful and meaningful moments, and I'm so glad I could capture this day for them and that they have this film to relive and remember the day. 

Nearby the lodge is a small campground where I happily stayed.   I set up my tent by headlamp, dreamt all night that I was still filming, and then woke bright and early to hit a trail before my drive home.  The trail, like all trails around there, was relentlessly steep but offered huge rewards.  I ended just above tree line at a crystal clear blue lake. I then made the drive back to Moab to snuggle my children and squeeze my husband.   Such a fulfilling weekend.

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Venue: Eureka Lodge

Photography:  Collected Light Photography  

CrossFit Moab

"Can you meet us at the Moab Rim trailhead, 5:15 am tomorrow to film a promo?" asked CrossFit Moab co-owner, Tonya Curtis.  I was elated.  I love sunrises on the trail and I've had a secret dream of being a pull-up, burpee, push press, squat queen. Right now I'm maxed out at about 3 pushups and 1 pull-up. 

Tonya and Clint Curtis are an inspiration. CrossFit Moab was a dream of theirs. They wanted and worked for it it without giving up, despite numerous obstacles, all while raising a family with Clint pursuing his career in law enforcement. When I was searching for music for their film, I found this song and instantly knew it was perfect.

 And they are also in really good shape.  As was everyone there that morning.  I was grateful that I'd been doing at least a little trail running this summer because I had to hike/jog as fast as I could to keep up and get shots from ahead of the pack.  From behind the camera I was in total awe as they summited the trail, did some stretching and quickly began the workout of the day, which the uneven terrain made even more difficult.

I loved the great energy and positive vibes that seemed to be oozing from the CrossFit Moab crowd.  Everyone was extremely friendly and cheered me on as I attempted a pull up on the cliffside. This group doesn't care how fit you are- they are just stoked to have you there trying.   No egos allowed.  

Visit their website: http://crossfitmoab.com

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