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.

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.