Flagstaff Family Videographer

March 01, 2021 by Leslie Allred in lifestyle videography, newborn videography

I love this family. I met L + K in a Flagstaff coffee shop in early 2019 to talk about filming the birth of their baby girl. They were so excited and bubbly. A few months later, I sat in the hospital waiting room with my cameras, when I was told the unimaginable news that baby girl Lennon had died. Since then, I’ve thought about Lennon, L + K every single day. I’ve watched them grieve with so much vulnerability, strength, and sadness. After heartache that I can’t begin to understand, infertility, and an anxiety ridden pregnancy, little Oliver was born. I knew I wanted to gift them a home film, and being in their home was a beautiful experience. I could feel Lennon’s spirit and I have so much hope that she was there welcoming her baby brother home and comforting her parents.

Sweet Baby James {Flagstaff newborn videographer}

September 05, 2020 by Leslie Allred in newborn videography

This is an incredible family. They have five biological children of their own, but started to strongly feel that someone was missing from their family, and more specifically, that they should adopt a child with Down Syndrome. After lots of preparation and waiting, James came to their family through the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network. The birth parents and the adoptive parents both decided that he should be named James.

As the adopted parents flew across the country, they could not get the song “Sweet Baby James” by James Taylor out of their head. The adopted father was constantly whistling and humming the tune on the plane, in the hospital, and as he held him those first times. After filming this wonderful family, they asked if I could use James Taylor’s song in their film. I said we could contact him, but licensing songs from such well known musicians is often difficult and costly. Amazingly, after a heartfelt email from the family to James Taylor, James Taylor said yes.

I have to say that James Taylor has been phenomenal. He shared the film on his Instagram, bringing wonderful attention to the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network. He also sent the family an autographed copy of his children’s book “Sweet Baby James”.

During a global pandemic and a time of intense turmoil, it was so wonderful to be a part of this sweet family’s journey and share the love. So many people commented on my post and James Taylor’s post about how encouraging it was to see such loving, selfless people in the world. I think we are all craving some good news.

Click here to read this family’s incredible story.

Newborn Family Film // Ivy {Flagstaff Family Videographer}

April 11, 2020 by Leslie Allred in newborn videography

Filming newborn family sessions is one of my absolute favorite things to do. And every time I cry. Seriously- there is nothing like a newborn. Often on social media, you see hospital newborn shoots. These are lovely too, but definitely not for everybody. In this film, Ivy was close to a month old, everyone was a bit more relaxed, and it was wonderful. There is no wrong or right way to document this time! I am still over the moon for this family and can’t wait to see how much she’s grown during quarantine!!

Tucson Twins Newborn Film {Flagstaff and Sedona birth videographer}

August 30, 2018 by Leslie Allred in newborn videography

This is my sister's family. My sister and I have always lived too far apart to be there for the birth of each other's children. Until now!! With my move to AZ, I was able to be there the day her beautiful twins were born. It wasn't an easy ride for my sister though. She had preeclampsia so the twins were delivered about a month early. And then she felt pretty awful after. Guys, I'm sure you all know, but most births are not done with lovely makeup and silky robes. Often the cute robes and makeup don't come on the day after, or even week after. But this doesn't mean documenting those first moments with your newborn isn't possible. Watch this little film for a great example of this. I returned a month later to film her entire family, and the moments are just as magical. There are so many ways to do a newborn/birth film, so do not worry if labor and delivery doesn't go how you imagined.

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

May 28, 2018 by Leslie Allred in lifestyle videography, newborn videography

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.

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

April 24, 2018 by Leslie Allred in newborn videography, lifestyle videography

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.

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

January 29, 2018 by Leslie Allred in newborn videography, lifestyle videography

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.

Baby Clara, Moab Utah lifestyle and newborn film

April 25, 2017 by Leslie Allred in newborn videography, lifestyle videography

I got to snuggle with this little sweetie before I started filming her. I love how newborns are so curled up and how they startle and squirm. They just feel the best in your arms.

Their home was bursting with love. Family had traveled all the way from Michigan and Colorado to meet her. I am so excited that this video not only captures Clara and her parents, but her siblings, her aunt and uncle, and her grandmother. This little film will become a family history treasure as the years go on, and this is why I love doing what I do.

Baby Hudson Z.

October 31, 2016 by Leslie Allred in lifestyle videography, newborn videography

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.

Baby Andy {Moab Family Videographer}

June 02, 2016 by Leslie Allred in lifestyle videography, newborn videography

4 girls, a baby boy, and two loving parents.