Soul Shine Creative Studio

28/08/2024

Bright colors, laughing children and exotic outfits dazzled me as I experienced the Multicultural Festival for my first time. Major highlights included the piñata, the Hmong dancers, Irie Sol's soulful performance, and JONAH of the Chippewa Valley's welcoming quilt project.

Irie Sol is an absolute treasure! This eclectic group brings so much love and conscious energy to our community, and we're are so lucky to have them in our small city. I had a blast dancing with their soulful songs!

JONAH of the Chippewa Valley is making a quilt to welcome immigrants to our community. People enjoyed some art time while sending love and well wishes to ther newest members of Eau Claire.

Shout out to Larry Mboga for emceeing the event with his infinite energy and enthusiasm. Larry is an old basketball buddy of mine, and it is such a delight whnever I have the good fortune to see him around town.

28/07/2024

This video was a joy to create! I biked for all five filming days, even putting my bike on the bus for the first time. I had a blast riding to Woodman's and buying some produce with local actor Brett Bullock, can't wait to collaborate with him again. And it was so good to see all of my driver friends who were extremely helpful with my unusual requests, like "can I put a GoPro on the front of your bus?" Big thanks to Ty Fadness of Eau Claire Transit for his enthusiasms for the project. Can't wait to create another bus video soon!

14/06/2024

Watch 2 year old Luka, clad in his gator jammies, go on a relaxing kayak ride at dusk with his dad (that's me, Micah) on kid-friendly Half Moon Lake and learn a few tips to help you have a great time with your little buddy on the water.

This video is happily sponsored by Eau Claire Outdoors, which is offering 15% off your next rental or purchase. Watch the video to get the code for your discount - valid now through June 30, 2024.

If you find this video helpful and/or entertaining, please lemme know, and I'll make some more!

Do you have any other tips for paddling with your children? Share them with us in the comments.

See you on the Lake...

24/05/2024

Oh my goodness - so much fun on the BUS again! I loved vibing with all the good folks of Eau Claire Transit while collecting rider and driver interviews. I'm excited to be part of an important project spearheaded by JONAH of the Chippewa Valley, Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance, and Eau Claire Transit that's showing how essential public transportation is for our community.

While there were plenty of laughs and light moments, I did meet a man whose car broke down a year ago, and he couldn't afford to fix it, so the bus is how he gets to work. He couldn't finish the interview because he was crying - I patted his back, wishing I could do more.

Public transportation is important for all 9 riders I interviewed. Without it they can't work or shop or see friends.

Do you think public transportation is essential

01/05/2024

I love a fun photoshoot when I'm called upon! Ben & Corissa were a delight to collaborate with!
Gena was going to photograph Ben & Corissa's engagement shoot and wedding, but we're expecting our third son just before their wedding in September. Luckily, I can hop right in!

09/04/2024

When I found out that Lakeshore was fundraising for a new playground, I immediately offered to make a video without hesitation. I didn’t realize at the time but this video was making one of my dreams come true: a playground full of children who I have permission to film. We filmed interviews with 19 bright beautiful kids and we ultimately filmed EVERYONE - all 250+ students and staff on the playground. Creating this video was a delight and I hope you love it too.

Please share our story and consider making a donation: https://givebutter.com/letsplay Donations are being matched (up to $15,000) for the month of April!

01/08/2023

"I've always looked at as you, as a, a mentor, a friend, and just someone that I love."
-Xavier Mercado speaking to his former teacher Joanna Rizzoto

We enjoyed a lively conversation between Joanna Rizzoto of Educators Amplified and Xavier Mercado of SpearHead Conversations. Joanna and Xavier met when he was in her high school class. They have since developed a deep trusting bond and a lifelong friendship.

I enjoyed a high school reunion during the shoot with my good friend and long time video collaborator Parker Thomas Winship.

I'm excited to share Xavier and Joanna's story with people attending the Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit at South Milwaukee High School on August 10!

31/05/2023

It's awesome that our videos are playing in the Governor's Mansion as our leaders take time for the young children of Wisconsin. And how funny to see Gena and Isaiah snuggling in bed on TV in the mansion 😂

28/03/2023

Good morning!

10/03/2023

Isaiah and Grandma creating numbers out of playdough. This is practice footage for an upcoming project telling the story of how the WI Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Competence is helping improve early care and education in Wisconsin.

09/03/2023

It's Baby Luka being beautiful and amazing as always! I was trying out some new camera moves with my gimbal in preparation for an upcoming shoot for the WI Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Competence.

03/01/2023

❄️📸❄️WINTER PHOTO OPPORTUNITY ALERT❄️📸❄️
With some fresh snow coming down, this is a great time for snowy family photos! ☃️

Here's the Family Photography Forecast with Eau Claire Meteorologist, Drew Williams

Message me to book your winter wonderland family photo shoot! 💙

08/12/2022

Had a blast getting creative out with my good friend Cheyenne Cherie and her Cadott High School crew. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and a fun time!

I filmed Cheyenne leading a mindfulness exercise as part of a project focused on improving youth mental health in the Chippewa Valley for the Mental Health Matters Coalition, a project of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department.

21/11/2022

Starting your own business is empowering, terrifying, and thrilling. Tom and I talked about how exciting it is to help folks cross the threshold into entrepreneurship. We created these masculine headshots for his blue collar business consultant venture 6 Figure Landscaper. In these photos, we show how Tom is an approachable, rugged, intelligent, blue collar entrepreneur.

Set amidst a blooming garden, squealing piglets and towering trees, we had a great time collaborating at the O’Halloran hobby farm and forest.. He is a dynamic and surprising dude - he is thoroughly manly and rugged, but is also uncommonly gentle with his daughters. And he has an expressive side - he recently acted in a theater production of Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I’m thrilled to be a part of Tom’s journey, and the journey of those he’s helping. Message me if you’re looking for creative professional headshots in the Eau Claire area.

15/11/2022

Thanks to all of the kind community-oriented folks I met while photographing at the JONAH of the Chippewa Valley annual event.

This event was amazing thanks to people like Julia Bennker and Lynn Buske putting in a lot of thoughtful effort.

If you're working hard to plan an event, include an event photographer in the budget to spread your message even further.

08/11/2022

Thanks for all of the love and support EC! Shout out to Eric Rasmussen and Volume One for putting this article together about our recent Midwest Emmy win!

If one were to create a list of topics that would make for exciting video projects, “trees” would probably land towards the bottom. Still, local duo Micah Davis and Steve Betchkal produced just such a video, “Champion Trees,” and not ...

25/08/2022

It was a pleasure hanging with these creative dudes and hearing Zach's stories and insight. Excited to watch this one come together!

Next up in our Eau Claire Public Education All-Star line-up? Jamf and Pablo Group co-founder Zach Halmstad and his North High School band director Howard Lehman. We are united in what we learn, and who we become as communities. Such sweet music!

Big thanks to Wisconsin Public Education Network for sponsoring this inspiring series!

25/08/2022

My soul sister and me kickin' it in the woods. Oh yeah, and we're making a video to get the word out about hope for women who are suffering physical/emotional discomfort related to their menstrual cycles. Abigail has found a way to transform the menstrual cycle from a burden - into a gift!

Check out

25/08/2022

Good juice made by good people :)

This is a pic from a fun shoot we did last fall. It was great to collaborate with Soul Shine Photography & Wonders Of Nature Cafe

When it comes to getting real deal, quality cold pressed juice, cleanliness of the produce should be of the utmost concern. You don’t want plants sprayed with pesticides or grown through bottom-tier methods that ultimately result in low quality juices.

Food is medicine, and you never want contaminated medicine; nor do you want your medicine to come at such an ecological cost that the planet is now worse off because of it.”

That is why at Wonders of Nature we do our best to provide only high quality, hand selected, organic ingredients in all of our menu options.
Combine this with compostable and or reusable packaging, not only is our juices great for you but also limit any harm to the planet.

02/08/2022

A boy who looked to be about 10 asked me, somewhat annoyed, "Why are you taking pictures?!?" I got down on one knee and said,

"I'm taking pictures to tell the story of Blue Ox to people who aren't here, so they can learn about this beautiful place. And also, for all of us who are here, to help us remember and appreciate this experience."
I hope these photos do that for you!

Much love and appreciation for the beautiful people of Blue Ox Music Festival

07/06/2022

Hey fellow dads! It's time to celebrate our connection with our kids! Check out this fun and handsome dad in this picture!

This is a place for families and community members to deepen understanding of the complex and rich emotional worlds of our babies and young children. This has been a dream of over ten years, and I’m thrilled to watch it come to life. Thank you for taking time to open your hearts and minds, thank y...

17/05/2022

People gawked at the wild hippie joking around with the police officer. I had a blast filming with Officer Adam of the Eau Claire Police Department. He was friendly, enthusiastic, and a fun guy to spend an afternoon with.

This big shoot was BIG FUN! In addition to officer Adam, We had two one-wheel riders (thank you Alice and Chris Buske), a student pedestrian, a van driver (thank you Babs, Merce and Hanna Hengst), and a drone operator (shout out to Justin of Fair Flight). And I was stoked to see tons of friends while filming. I was a little nervous about coordinating all of these good people, but it worked out great, and the weather cooperated.

All of this fantastic energy is going toward an important project focused on youth mental health for the Mental Health Matters Coalition of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. I'm beyond stoked to watch this 30 minute video come together!

05/05/2022

Work n' Snuggle

Our newest soul Luka is shining his light on the world! So grateful I can serve the world and my family at the same time.

Just wrapped up filming baby Luka for a short video about childhood brain development as part of an important project for the Mental Health Matters Coalition (an Eau Claire City-County Health Department project)

Also VERY excited to officially launch a project featuring my son Isaiah for the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health

I love my boys, and I'm amazed at how much they help me be the person I want to be. Thanks little dudes!

04/04/2022

With a booming voice speaking from his big heart, it was a treat to get Dennis Beale on camera. He passionately shared his story of overcoming adversity and ultimately launching his own non-profit, Power of Perception, Inc, to help others do the same.

This is part of a video about Youth Resiliency for the Mental Health Matters coalition, a project of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department.

30/03/2022

I love filming our Eau Claire Transit buses! Yes, it is intimidating to film an active transit system that's always moving. And yes, I went out to film with my car's clock 10 minutes slow leading to confusion and several missed shots in a row on a bitterly cold day. But the warm welcome from the drivers and riders is what I remember best. I felt energized after each day of filming people. Overall, the creation of this video was ecstatic!

See how people safely ride the bus during the pandemic in Eau Claire in this delightful video.

A lot of good folks helped make this video possible!
Thank you to:

Tom and Brandon of Eau Claire Transit
Audrey Boerner and the Eau Claire City-County Health Department
Joe Del Vecchio and Aerus of Eau Claire https://aerusofeauclaire.com/
Renee
Hanna and Merce
Gabby, Kyle, and Edward
All of the ECT drivers
Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance
Jeremy Gragert
Jamie
Stacey

Drone Footage provided by: Fair Flight Drone
A Soul Shine Creative Studio production

Chippewa Valley Videos

29/03/2022

Transforming a lump of clay into an elegant pot is an impressive super-power! Reverend Colleen Kwong is a master at her craft and creates amazing "pottery for the work of the Church."

We filmed this video at Colleen's Spirit of Creation pottery studio at her lakeside home near Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

24/03/2022

Ecstatic Video Production! This was a fun one :)

It was all smiles as we kicked off production for a video series for Wisconsin Public Education Network showcasing successful public school alumni - and the teachers who helped them.

Here is Charles Vue with Peggy Haggman, his ESL teacher from 40 years ago. In back is Christian Phelps of Wisconsin Public Education Network and Steve Betchkal of course!

08/03/2022

EXCITED TO KICK OFF FILMING FOR A NEW PROJECT!!!

Steve and I had a fantastic time filming an interview with Chippewa County Health Department Public Health Director Angela Weideman. She was warm, knowledgeable, and great on camera. Thank you Angela for such a fun shoot!

This is the first filming we've done for a video about Youth Resiliency for the Mental Health Matters coalition, a project of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department.

We have a creative and impactful viewing experience planned for local youth-serving professionals - excited to watch it come together!

21/02/2022

Soul Shine Creative Studio and Eau Claire Transit are SEEKING PEOPLE WHO RIDE THE BUS to appear in a short video about riding the bus.

We are looking for:
🚌 Riders with children
🚌 People who use wheelchairs
🚌 Students and
🚌 People of color

There is minimal time commitment- you will be filmed during your normal bus ride. We just ask that you arrive early for your ride to touch base with Micah.

If you are interested, please message the Soul Shine Creative Studio page or call/text 970 568 6019

(The video clip is from "Bus About" filmed by Micah in Eau Claire in 2019. See the full video here: https://fb.watch/bjNLh3qFeo/ )

10/02/2022

Tom is tall and his smile is even bigger! I had the good fortune of filming an interview with Eau Claire Transit manager Tom Wagener today, as part of a video to show how riding the bus during the pandemic is safe. He is so warm and inviting, and it's a joy to collaborate with him. In fact everyone at ECT is super-nice - I felt like I was surrounded by friends, even though I didn't know most of the folks. Thank you Tom, Brandon, Mike, Renee and the ECT crew for helping make the shoot fun and comfortable! Next time you see a bus, give them a friendly wave :)

This was a landmark shoot for me and the studio! It was the first time using 3 new lights, a Ninja V external monitor and recorder, and a new camera - the Canon R6! All of the new gear worked splendidly, and I'm ecstatic to see how the video turns out!