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.  

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.

family project for my parents

Last October, my entire family was able to be together.  I have three siblings, and we all have families of our own.  Two of my siblings live in AZ, and two of us don't, so having everyone together happens only every few years. On this trip, due to conflicting work schedules, we would have one dinner with everyone together at my parents house, and then in Mexico, we would have literally 12 hours where every single person would overlap.  We will take what we can get and cherish it!!

I knew that I had to bring my camera, and I knew that for Christmas, I was going to make my parents a film or two.  Rocky Point, Mexico is a 4.5 hour drive from Tucson.  It is one of my favorite places on the planet.  I've been going there since before I could walk and I truly think it is a piece of heaven.  We sail, fish, paddle board, kayak, hunt for shells, swim, eat.  It's the best.

I love everyone in this film so much and I am so grateful to be a part of this family.

To see a short film from our family dinner click here. 

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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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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