Brad + Taylor

Brad and Taylor. When I first met with them I always try to get a sense of the couple that I'm going to be working with, and immediately I could tell they were going to be a fun-loving, chill husband- and wife-to be. But it wasn't until the actual wedding day that I saw just HOW goofy and natural these two were together. They loved to laugh and have fun, and at times seemed completely oblivious to the fact that they were THE wedding couple and seemed under no stress at all. 

Aside from being naturally good-looking and beautiful, which always helps the camera, they were just incredibly loose and comfortable with each other, and I wish I could take credit for their incredible poses, but really, that's just all them. Their goofy antics and impromptu asides were all pure GOLD for my camera and gave me a good couple of chuckles during the editing process. But they weren't just all horseplay (did I also mention they're horse-whisperers?!), there were plenty of truly touching moments during the day. Whether it's Brad's face and losing his composure as he sees his bride walking down the aisle, or the sweet way Taylor absolutely buries her face into her daddy's arm while they dance, there was definitely a tissue or two needed to be passed around that day. How fitting that their wedding favor was a jar of honey, because it was definitely SWEET.  

Thank you Swaims for letting me be part of your special day, may your marriage be richly blessed and don't stop making each other laugh - ever. 

Congrats Brad and Taylor!

Brad + Taylor

Clint + Kristin

Aubrey and I had the privilege of filming Clint and Kristin's wedding this past February, and it was such a fantastic time. Clint and Kristin are such a sweet couple, and it was so fun to watch them interact and see the love and excitement in their eyes. It was an unseasonably warm February, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect on their wedding day. The ceremony took place at Mosaic Church in Durham, in an area that, coming from Winston Salem, reminded me a lot of Ardmore with large beautiful oak trees and old historic homes. The reception that followed was at the magnificent Rickhouse, a newer venue in the more artsy district of Durham, right near some excellent establishments such as the Pit and the co-working space the Mercury House (incidentally, where I have filmed before, see Taste and See NC). This wedding reminded me of everything I love about North Carolina, aka awesome BBQ and warm February nights. Seriously. The food was SO good, and it felt like a warm Spring day. The atmosphere was incredibly cozy and the night was just so beautiful between the touching toasts from the bride and groom's sister and brother, respectively, to the sweet daddy-daughter dance. And then, of course, the party really got started when they came on to the dance floor and, man, these guys can dance. They exited the party to an explosively fun row of sparklers, and what I really loved is that they took their time! Seriously, people rush through the exit and there's hardly enough time to film them let alone for them to savor it. But savor it they did, with a kiss and a swoop halfway through and a slow jog as if they had just completed a marathon. Send-offs are my favorite and theirs was so good. What I love about video is that you get to relive those moments over and over again. The day was a success, and we left with happy hearts and full stomachs. A good time was had by all. 

Clint and Kristin, thanks for letting us be there for you and we wish you all the best in your marriage!

Two City Weekender

When my wife and I were searching for a new church here in the Triad to attend together, we had heard about a great church that was planted out of Raleigh and had seen tremendous growth in a short period of time. We checked it out, and though I was initially skeptical (I prefer smaller churches), I was impressed by the intentionality and thought they put it into every level of leadership and service. Not only that, they were Gospel-centered, and though being big(ish), they had almost no programs, but really only one goal: to make Jesus known and plant more churches. This church is Mercy Hill, and we've been attending there for about 2 years now and have loved being part of it.

So we were also excited when we heard that the same church in Raleigh who planted Mercy Hill was sending out another group to come plant in our city, Winston Salem. And though my wife and I are committed to Mercy Hill for the time being, we love that a similar-minded church will be reaching out to people right here in the heart of downtown. I have loved getting to know the leadership of the church personally, and can vouch for their heart and vision to reach Winston Salem and beyond. I consider it a privilege therefore to get to partner with them in making videos for Two Cities, and thereby spreading the gospel in our own city. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for them and all the stories of transformation and redemption that are (already) coming out of this new church plant. God is glorified when we tell His stories, and I'm happy to share with you the first of many. Enjoy!

You can find out more about Two Cities here: http://twocitieschurch.net/

 

Peru - Part I: Learning To Listen

" "Be still and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!" " - Ps. 46:10

 

Lima was cold. The chill air mixed with the fumes of jet fuel hit me in the face as soon as I stepped off the plane, but it wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it was quite the relief from the heavy humidity of summer back home in North Carolina. It was hard to prepare for this trip climate-wise. I knew Lima would be a foggy, overcast 65 degrees (perfect). But I also knew I'd be heading deep into the Amazon jungle, and then back up into the mountains of the Andes. That Amazon bit made me equal parts nervous and excited. I had never dreamed I would see the Amazon, but with the threat of Zika, Yellow Fever, and who knows what else, I was a little apprehensive to say the least. But for now, the fresh Lima air and welcoming smiles, the foreign smells and excited chatter made me grateful to be here. Now, to find my local contact and guide...without whom I'd be completely lost.

His name is Andres, and as soon as I met him I knew we would be fast friends. A jolly but gentle bearded man sporting a cowboy hat, he hails from Chile but lived in the US for a while so his English was great, thankfully, because my Spanish was not. We had met on Skype weeks before, but meeting him in person I could tell he was a man of deep faith, and rich with cultural insights. We would come to know each other very well over the course of two weeks, talking about family, missions, God's Kingdom, and life. We shared harrowing journeys on mountain roads, questionable foods served to us, and even tears as we began to bare our souls over the course of many meals. Despite the many hardships that accompany being on mission for God's Kingdom, the sacrifices, the setbacks, and losses, one of the greatest rewards are the deep friendships you form with fellow soldiers for God's Kingdom. As I grow older I realize friendships like these are rare and precious, gifts from God to be gratefully treasured.

The purpose of my trip was rather straightforward, but the path that got me here anything but that. And the reason I want to take just a little time to trace it is to give God all the glory and credit, and to encourage those of you who cannot see the future or your purpose in life.

It all began when I lost my job at World Relief. That was one of the most painful and hardest things I've gone through, and while I'm sure it won't be the last time, it shook me to my core and gave fear and insecurity a huge reign over my heart. I was months away from getting married to the woman of my dreams, who graciously supported me and stood by me the whole time. Her strength and faith carried me during the times when mine faltered, for which I'm forever grateful. I applied for many jobs in many states, wondering how it would all work out and whether we'd have to move. One of those jobs was in Albuquerque, New Mexico with an organization called Faith Comes By Hearing. My wife had first found them through a blog she follows, but the name rung a bell for me. I had heard of them, in fact, I had distributed some of their Audio Bibles (called Proclaimers) when I was doing missions work in the Philippines for a time. While I didn't get the position I applied for with them, they got back to me a few weeks later. There was another job they had in mind for me, as a contractual videographer. It seems they had been praying for someone like me to come along for a long time. They flew me out there and I met with the core leadership and staff and even stayed with the president and founder at the retreat center they had built. I had never felt more welcomed, loved, and at home in a workplace as I did there. Staff came up to me saying they had been praying for someone like me for a long time. I was overwhelmed. Who were these people and why did they want poor old me? It's not because of my amazing skills, there are better videographers out there who would die for an opportunity like this, I knew. So why me? All I know is that God had something bigger in mind than all of us were aware of, and they listened. I listened. Despite the voices in our head that scream in fear, the voices in our heart that accuse and condemn, we must learn to listen to the still small voice who calmed the waves and spoke: "Peace". When we listen, it's not just our lives that are changed, but others also. God can accomplish much through His people when we listen, together.

Almost a year to the day that I had flown out to New Mexico I was sitting on another plane, this one headed to Peru. I was about to embark on a two week journey to document and film the impact of this ministry in the field. I was about to hear from real people and hear first hand the stories of those who are working to reach the lost and illiterate in some of the most inaccessible places in the world with the Word of God. The Word, I saw, that comes with power

To be continued...

 

 

Taste and See NC

One of the joys of being a freelance videographer is that you get to be part of so many interesting people's stories. Take Shayla for example. She called me up because she had a vision. She has such a passion for supporting local businesses, and paired with her day job of being a freelance food journalist which gave her an insider knowledge of the North Carolina food scene, an idea was born. Her idea is a monthly subscription box of hyper-local North Carolina foods. Each month would focus on a different city, and she personally meets with the vendors, selects the products, and puts the boxes together. Talking with her it was apparent that she was passionate about this idea. And I was sold. 

We set out to pitch her vision in a short fundraising video to raise the initial capital for her business. I traveled to Durham, her home city, and we set up shop in a cool cooperative workspace called the Mercury Studio. Inside the studio is a shop called the Makery where they sell exclusively NC-made products. It was the perfect setting to shoot and cast her vision. The staff at Mercury Studio were so chill with us filming there and were even willing to make an Oscar-worthy cameo. 

Of course we had to get a burger from King's Sandwich Shop just down the street, which I must say, was one of the best burgers I've ever had. (Note to self: befriend more food bloggers). 

We wrapped up filming, it was a blast working with Shayla, and I'm excited to share that her business is up and running! I would really encourage you to check out her business and get yourself a box and support local North Carolina businesses. Check it out and subscribe here: 

 

http://www.tasteandseenc.com/

 

Ashley + Matt

What a wedding!! 

This was a wedding that made us here at Zachary Philip fall in love all over again with what we do. So much emotion, so much beauty. It was such a joy editing this occasion and putting this video together, there may have been a lump or two in our throats by the end of the video.

Check it out for yourself!

Enjoy!