Sherwood Media

17/08/2024

Hitting the road with my DAD to tell his story!! We'll be driving across 6 states this week for interviews, then coming home to put it all together. I'm so excited!!!

05/08/2024

The chair squeaked a little when I sat down - it was among many antiques in my grandmother’s sitting room back in 2002.

The wooden arms were worn, and my feet barely touched the floor. I looked down at my paper, interview questions scribbled down, and I awkwardly asked my grandmother, my hero, about her life.

The old VHS camera hummed quietly beside me. At just 11 years old, I was learning what it meant to draw out someone’s story with honor, truth, and love.

I continued to tell my grandmother’s story, and record more interviews with her. Her story culminated in a 45-minute legacy documentary we showed her at her 90th birthday party 15 years later.

She was honored and celebrated, surrounded by family and friends. Even though she passed away just a few months later, we’ll always have this video to see her, hear her, and remember her.

I’ve had incredible opportunities to tell stories around the world with my camera. I’ve learned how to find what makes people light up, and how to bring out the raw emotions of a difficult memory with compassion and hope.

I’ve told stories of athletes, grandparents, foster kids, business executives, pastors, lovers, soldiers and more. I’ve seen lives changed through storytelling, and legacies established.

I know being on camera can feel intimidating, but I hope you’ll consider the impact you can make by telling your story this way.

30/07/2024

"At 12:15, I reported to work at the Medals Plaza where I nearly high-fived Usher, but then chickened out last minute as he was walking past me to go offstage."

- excerpt from my Blogspot account, posted February 28, 2010

😂😂😂

This post is not a deep dive into what could have given me the impulse to high five a celebrity (what?).

This post is about holding back from an opportunity. Have you experienced this? I certainly have.

I have held back from connecting with a fellow businesswoman at a networking event.

I've held back from sticking to my value-based pricing during a sales meeting.

I've held back from letting myself be authentic online.

So many times, I think we HOLD BACK from doing something that seems scary, or that we feel inadequate for.

I was ON STAGE at the Olympics, looking like a charcoal marshmallow with all my layers on, and had the opportunity to meet someone famous, and held back.

In Spanish, my favorite phrase is, "el no, ya lo tenemos" - it means "we already have the answer no."

If we already have a no by not going for whatever opportunity presents itself, we might as well try, because the answer can't be worse than the no we already have.

Confused yet?

Trying new things is hard. Putting yourself out there can feel so scary. But a lot of times, you'll be surprised what can happen when you decide to do it anyway.

Here's to saying yes to new, scary experiences, to being seen, and to realizing that celebrities are just humans too.

28/06/2024

My office setup has seen so many iterations in different homes over the last ten years. Here's the latest - a new work in progress! We moved a couple months ago and are still in the midst of settling in. If you're an IRL friend, please come over to visit! Just don't look in the garage... 🤣😂

I sometimes feel impatient wanting to dream up how to take basic, beige rooms and make them extraordinary. For example, I want to add something really bold on this wall! Maybe sound treatment? Maybe wallpaper? But for now, here's to enjoying where I am, right here at the beginning of the story for this space, in this home.

What would you do on this wall?

Already thinking I'll probably hide the shelves in a closet! And remove the TV mount left from the previous owner. 😊

05/06/2024

I'm coming out of my editing foxhole and out into the sunshine! It was so good to put on a colorful dress, meet up with a great group of business ladies, and have a spontaneous lunch date with my husband. 🥰 It's a great summer already, and it's just getting started! What makes you feel happy in the summertime?

11/05/2024

Time for another great ballet recital with maybe this will be the year I don't cry? Who am I kidding?!? These shows always get me, in the best way! So happy to be a small part of this amazing production!

01/05/2024

No matter if you're a business owner, nonprofit manager, or family, when you decide to tell your story, you gain so much more than a video.

You gain a chance to celebrate wins and grieve loses.

You gain insights into parts of your story you hadn't put together before.

You gain a shared experience with others with honor, truth, and love.

I'm passionate about creating intentional moments like this - pouring over old photographs, remembering stories and people, and allowing those stories to impact lives and shape the future.

16/04/2024

Writing straight from my heart today, honesty, vulnerability and all. I hope my story can encourage you in some way today!

I’m learning that you never start out where you want to be. It’s a journey. And if you're willing to embrace the unimpressive day-to-day, you could end up with a story that might just be incredible.

15/04/2024

Whether you're a new client, or curious about what it's like to have a film crew show up at your house, here is a blog post we've put together with what to expect on a production day.

Link in comments!

10/04/2024

I love the impact that quality cameras, lights, and audio make on an interview.

You can upgrade your camera from a phone to a cinema camera and have wonderful clarity, fine-tune adjustments, and color science.

You can upgrade your lights by turning off the overhead lights and bringing in a large source with soft diffusion to really flatter your subject.

You can upgrade your audio by purchasing a microphone, placing it correctly, and paying attention to the natural sounds in a room.

If you have the experience to know how these elements all work together, video can truly be art.

I've learned over the last decade of producing thoughtfully crafted videos that it's ok to lose business to someone's nephew, cousin, or brother-in-law.

What I do is different. And the people who understand that will appreciate the value in it and will get an incredible product in return.

08/04/2024

I've heard this question a LOT lately:

“So... what can we do with this video?” 🧐

And usually, I defer to the marketing person on the team.

But let’s pretend that this person just took a bite of a delicious cookie. And I had to say something to fill the silence.

From my purely intuitive, non-marketing background, I might suggest these 3 unique ways to use a high-quality video to grow your business (whatever that looks like for you).

(post linked in the comments below!)

02/04/2024

It's my birthday today! Of course, thinking about gifts and celebrating is one of my favorite things to do, therefore I ADORE my birthday. But today I want to give you a gift too.

See, I wrote a NEW BLOG POST (linked in comments) with 3 tips that help you start documenting your own story, which happens to be the GREATEST gift you can give to those you're closest to. :)

My wish is that you'll make the time to tell someone how much they've impacted your life, today.

26/03/2024

Shot some beautiful interviews today with and some of her team! One day of shooting and this story is wrapped! Hmu by the talented

22/03/2024

In the edit today for telling the story of the Science Fair and its impact on students. Oooh it's gonna be good!

19/03/2024

Mindset, authenticity, and polyester.

Professional friends, what have you found helps you show up authentically? I'd love to hear about your journey!

Read my latest blog post on my website to hear more about my own professional journey, and throwing out my old polyester suits! (linked in the comments)

12/03/2024

I've been in a video editing vortex for the past few weeks, and it's so nice to come up for air! If I saw you in person now, I'd greet you with my best (terrible) British accent, "lovely weather we're having!" How are YOU? What is the first thing you start doing when the weather gets warm in spring? For me, it's more walks!

11/02/2024

It is safe to say our booth is the only one that has made people cry this weekend. 😁

Who do you wish you had a video of telling their story? What would it look like for you to tell your story? Who do you want to honor?

Guys, it got deep. We heard from bereaved mother's, war vets, and people you'd never expect.

I have loved people lighting up when we talked about creating legacy videos for families, businesses, and nonprofits. We've literally had people crying in our booth when they heard about this idea.

Can't wait to see where this goes.

09/02/2024

Day 1 is in the books! I got over my nerves and delivered a talk titled, "Video Storytelling to Build Your Legacy." And it is so exhilarating to meet people who are getting excited about this concept! I had several people crying in my booth today telling me about their mom, grandpa, or friend. Thanks Uncle Ned, for visiting me today!!

08/02/2024

Learning to power pose, thanks to . I'll be exhibiting at the House and Garden Show all weekend, including speaking on stage tomorrow at 12:30! I can't wait to show you my booth, with the lights on. It's epic!

03/02/2024

Attended legacy storytelling event today and 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 just being in the room was an honor and inspiration for me. And I made a new friend!

What an incredible group of women (and men!) Listening, getting, and supporting women! So many brave stories shared today. Catherine, I can't wait for that podcast to come out next month!

01/02/2024

COME SEE ME at the Dogwood Arts Home and Garden Show next weekend! I'll be giving a presentation Friday at 12:30pm titled "Video Storytelling to Build Your Legacy" and sharing some of my own story too.

Want to win a free ticket? Make sure you like and comment on this post, tagging a friend who has an awesome story! Winners will be announced Monday (2/5)!

12/01/2024

What a joy to help Friends of Pregnancy Resource Center East TN tell these stories! We took on a BIG challenge of filming 10 videos in just a day and a half, and we did it! Now time to get into the edit... :D

We have an exciting project in the works with our friends at Sherwood Media! 💙

Today, we finished filming in our Sevierville office, and we've been in tears all day. The stories emerging from all our locations keep us in awe.

This one, in particular, involves one of our incredible volunteer interpreters helping translate for a brave momma and help share her story.

The transformation that has taken place in her life since she found out she was pregnant is amazing!

More to come! 🎉

04/12/2023

On set today with and WOW!!!

Walking in, I instantly felt the love and care of all the staff. I'm excited to honor this place that does such an incredible job honoring others.

We are filming a mini series of volunteers, families, and staff who are connected with the Pregnancy Resource Center. Can't wait to release these at the beginning of the year!

07/11/2023

T-minus 24 hours till the premiere of Blair's Story! We'd love for you to join us for the FREE digital premiere on YouTube tomorrow at 7pm!

This is a 16-minute legacy documentary that we've created to celebrate Blair's 10 year milestone as a midwife, and her impact in the community and in her family.

Sign up to be notified when it starts, and use the same link to watch it afterward:

https://youtu.be/WiW1QuHSMHo

26/10/2023

Tell your story, right now, in the middle of it.

New blog post is up!

https://www.sherwood.media/blog/if-youve-ever-thought-ill-just-wait-to-tell-my-story