Captured Productions

The Day That Changed My Perspective

One year ago Renee' & I were out to dinner with our parents enjoying the evening while the kids were at home with our baby sitter.  At dinner we got a call from our babysitter that she saw some smoke coming out of our upstairs bathroom vent and that she got everyone outside and called 911. Needless to say we moved quickly to get back home.  On our way down our street we saw 4 fire engines, fire hoses across the street and a lot of fire fighters....reality began to sink in.  Unable to get down the street we parked and quickly walked to our home along with half of our neighborhood.  There we were met with our kids and babysitter....although we knew they were safe, it was great to see their faces.  You can see more about that day on our blog post Counting Our Blessings.

It is amazing how something like that can change your perspective on life.  As important as our house and all that is in it, including our studio, and decades of memories, it is amazing how it paled in comparison to seeing our children walking down the sidewalk towards us.  Those next couple of months were a blur of remote living with 4 kids including a 2 week old, insurance claims, moving out of our house, and moving back in.  With all of the stress and inconvenience behind us, we are so grateful that all it was, was inconvenience that would soon be over.  With the source of the fire being wiring smoldering in insulation, we were only hours away from going to bed with the unknown burning in the attic above us.

In hindsight it is all like a bad dream...still a little shooken up but our family and life being intact. I am eternally grateful to God for sparing us from so much worse than inconvenience.  All's well that ends well, a couple months later we created Lauren's First Video (a tradition for us with all of our kids), we didn't plan the story to play out that way, but it serves as a constant reminder of what God spared us from and what a beautiful gift Lauren was, the calm in the middle of our storm (Lauren's First Video).

Jordan "Picasso" Turns 7!

I am so excited with the way that Jordan's video turned out.  I have to say I had my doubts at first, but with Renee's brilliant idea and an amazingly cute boy who loves to ham it up for the camera, we have success!  Jordan's movie was also inspired by the movie "August Rush", which is fitting since music is another one of Jordan's passions.  In the words of Jordan, "this is AWESOME!"...I couldn't agree more.

Jordan, you are truly one unique kid, to quote your grandpa Deckrow, "I am not sure what makes you tick".  Like you have said many times, Jesus has a big plan for my life, all I have to do is ask him what it is and he will show me.  Well, I can't wait to see all that He has in store for you my little buddy, and I am excited to be a part of that journey with you.  Your humility and love for life is evident.  You are definitely one of a kind...and you rock!  Thanks for producing your movie with me, you definitely had A LOT of input.  You are the coolest 7 year old around.  Happy Birthday "Jordan Picasso".  I love you!  -Dad

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Jordan Picasso....Coming Soon!

One of the biggest holidays are coming up...at least in Jordan's eyes...his birthday.  Ever since Christmas, he has been asking me how many more days until his birthday...I am so glad "they have an app for that"...172 more days Jordan.

Ever since I started creating movies for others, I promised Renee' that I would never get too busy to create them of our kids.  I can't say I have not gotten too busy to create them, but I have found a way to continue to create them throughout the years...I'm not doing anything from 1AM to 6AM anyways right?

Each year Jordan has a theme for his birthday party, usually chosen 6 months in advance.  With every theme we try tie it to his annual birthday video and show it at the party or send it as a DVD invitation.  In the past it has been, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and this year he threw us a curve ball, "Dad, this year I want an art party".  Wow, an art party, how do you create a video about art.  I gave it a few months to sink in...still nothing...what if it was only 30 seconds long?...still nothing.  In his past movies Jordan has played the part of Jordan Skywalker and Indiana Jordan.  I asked Jordan, "what should we call this movie", he replied "Jordan Picasso", in his best French accent.  At least now we have a title, which was very fitting since that has been Jordan's nick name ever since he was 2 and he colored the neighbor boys entire face blue and his own countless times.  Jordan has always loved art, and if you ask him what he is going to be when grows up, he will confidently say, "an artist".  Okay, an artist video it is for sure now, but I still don't have a clue what it looks like.

Renee' & I started brainstorming the idea together...and leave it up to Renee' to come up with the most brilliant idea.  I can't give away all the details yet but it involves nature, a very creative boy and A LOT of paint.  The video will debut right here on this blog on June 3rd, in time for his June 22nd birthday.  Until then, here is a shot from behind the scenes of "Jordan Picasso"

Other Recent Deckrow Videos:

1. Lauren's First Video - Safe in my Arms
2. Ethan's 8 Year Old Video - Skate....Ethan Turns 8!
3. Lindsey's 2 Year Old Video - Something Beautiful
4. Lindsey's Outtakes
5. Jordan's 6 Year Old Video - Indiana Jordan
6. Jordan's 5 Year Old Video - Everyday Superhero
7. Jordan's Outakes
8. Lindsey's First Video

An Amazing Proposal.....Undercover

We are all about telling stories....most of the time they are wedding stories but from time to time we get to tell a little more of the story, no not their "Love Story", their engagement story.  All good engagements begin with "The Proposal".  If you are like Amanda you see the importance of having that part of the story captured.  Amanda went as far as making it a requirement of engagement.  Yes, you heard me, Matt ran the risk of rejection on one knee if there was not photo and video documentation of the big question.  Well, Matt not only lived up to having it all captured, but you raised the bar for any guy.

So any of you brides to be out there with engagement around the corner, take a tip from Amanda and make sure your engagement story is captured as well as your wedding story.

Well enough of my introduction....Matt says it all in his proposal to Amanda at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, MI....

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This post wouldn't be complete without showing off the images captured by my very talented wife Renee' of Captured Photography.  Check out more of her work at http://www.capturedphotographyart.com or her blog at http://capturedproductions.typepad.com/cp_photography.

Safe in Our Arms - Lauren's First Video

Wow!!! It is finally complete!  It has been a slow and long road for this five minute video for Lauren......it hasn't been your typical summer...being out of our home and studio for over a month of her first few months.  This little girl never had a chance to sleep in her newly decorated room before we were displaced by the fire in our home.  She didn't have your typical first few months home from the hospital but has taken it in stride.

I caught the video bug back in 1999 when our first son was born and since then we have never looked back.  As Captured Productions was launched I promised Renee' that I would always make time to continue to create videos of our kids.  As our summer wedding season ramped up and proved to be one of our busiest and being out of our studio, I didn't plan on so many hurdles in creating Lauren's first video.  I managed to steal away a few hours here and there to finally complete this short 5 minute video of Lauren''s first few months.  The irony is that we selected the music for Lauren's video before we knew what this summer had in store.....needless to say it was the perfect soundtrack for Lauren's video ......"Clouds will rage in....Storms will race in....But you will be safe in my arms.....Rains will pour down....Waves will crash all around.....But you will be safe in my arms".  The contrast in this video of the good times with the bad, caused great reflection of how blessed our family is and how many things we have to be grateful for.

Lauren, you are a precious little baby, I love that we can see your personality already.  Your smiles brighten our day.  It is hard to imagine "The Deckrows" without you.  I can't promise you an easy life, but I can promise you that you will always be safe in God's arms.  No matter what life brings at you remember that God has you in the palm of his hand.  

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I’ve born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, Oh God.  They cannot be numbered!  I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!  And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!"  -Psalm 139:13-18

We love you Lauren and we can't wait to see your life unfold.   -Mom & Dad

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Other Recent Deckrow Videos:

1. Ethan's 8 Year Old Video - Skate....Ethan Turns 8!
2. Lindsey's 2 Year Old Video - Something Beautiful
3. Lindsey's Outtakes
4. Jordan's 6 Year Old Video - Indiana Jordan
5. Jordan's 5 Year Old Video - Everyday Superhero
6. Jordan's Outakes
7. Lindsey's First Video

"I do....." Deckrow Style

To quote one of my previous posts, We Are Family, "What else happens when the Deckrows get together.....a lot of memories are made and they are all captured with photos and video.  With 3 professional photographers and 2 professional videographers in the family our gatherings somewhat resemble the papratzi."   Well the Deckrows got together again, all the way up from Georgia.  This time we got a little surprise....as well as Kaylie.

Josh had big plans to propose to Kaylie and thought it would be a good idea to do it at Michigan Adventure when the whole family was together.  So how was Josh going to propose in front of 20 Deckrows who didn't know the plan and still keep things looking normal......well a train ride of course.  Some were complaining about a dumb train ride, some were starting to wander off.  Then we get in line and realized we were the line and pretty much took over the whole train......sounds like the Deckrows.

So here we are....the 20 of us going on a train ride at Michigan adventure....not necessarily an everyday affair.  Then you have a video and still camera turned around and pointing at you.....okay that is a little more normal in my family.  Josh had strategically placed signs along the train ride to do the talking for him.  Now it was a little awkward when the signs said, Will...... You....... Marry...... Me........................ (long pause) and there were two of my sisters who were with their boyfriends.....hmmmmmm......who's it going to be...........Kaylie!

It was quite an exciting time for my family.  Josh I am glad we haven't scared you away yet.  You will be a great husband for Kaylie and fit in well as our new brother-in-law.  For the rest of you that didn't happen to be on the famous train ride here is a short video of the proposal and of course the "I do.....".

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Indiana Jordan Turns 6!

Jordan our animated 5 year old has become our animated 6 year old.  When Jordan gets into something he goes all the way.  Last year it was Star Wars with his Everyday Superhero video.  After seeing the previews for Indiana Jones - The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, he "had" to see the movie and he wanted an Indiana Jones Birthday Party.  Since we make a short video of our kids each year, what better theme than Indiana Jones.....excuse me "Indiana Jordan".  Indiana Jordan's movie debuted tonight at his birthday party.

I love this guy....we had so much fun making this video together.  I would throw an idea out there and he would take it to the next level.  Jordan gave his stamp of approval today when he watched it for the first time, "Cool!"....and then he watched it over and over.

For those who remember Jordan's outtakes from last year....yes there will be outtakes again.  You can't shoot Jordan for 2 hours and not capture at least a few of his "isms", or "I can'ts" (although there were a lot fewer this year).  You may recognize some of the voice over work done by the star of Something Beautiful....or at least her Outtakes....yes those soundbites were captured while the camera was running, all candid moments of course

....oh yes and we do offer these "Day in the life...." movies to others as well.

Jordan...You Rock Buddy!!  I had so much fun making this with you.  Keep your imagination alive and keep dreaming big.  I can't wait to see God's plan for your life, you are one cool dude!  Happy Birthday Indiana Jordan!   -Love, Dad

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Valentine Weekend Getaway

Lately most of our posts have been done about recent work or weddings we had the chance to film.  Here are a few pictures from Renee' & I's Valentine weekend getaway.....with no kids!!!!  After shooting a wedding at the JW Marriott and hearing all of the great things, we had to see what all of the talk was about.  It has been a standing tradition to get away each Valentines for little R&R....minus the kids.

I used to get a big bouquet of flowers, Renee' got bummed when they died, we had to travel with them.....and you couldn't eat them.  You can't beat chocolate covered strawberries...they taste better than roses too.

We had a great view of the sunset.

We have gotten pretty creative propping the Elph up on just about anything to get a photo with the two of us in it.

Yikes....even the picture makes my stomach turn. This is the overlook in the JW. I was comforted that a piece of glass separated us from quite a drop.

We ate pretty good that weekend....we got to eat without any interruptions from the kids and we were served for a change.

 

Happy Valentines Day Renee'!  I am truly blessed to be married to my best friend and share this wonderful life together.  I look forward to the future and life's journey ahead.  After a few days back in reality, I am already looking forward to next year.   -Love, Aaron

Tis the Season.....

Not only has it been a great year for Captured Productions, but for our family as well.  We look forward to growing our family by one more come next year.  We have so much to be grateful for, and this time of year is a great time to reflect on our many blessings.  We hope you all have a great holiday season!  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

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Remember when....

I remember when Ethan, our oldest, was 2, it was like it was yesterday. After producing Lindsey's 2nd year video and working on Ethan's 8 year old video, came across this video in my walk down memory lane. Early in our business I would put the hours of Ethan's home videos to multiple music videos.  Here are the 2 of the 3 videos from his 2nd year.  It is hard to believe he is going to be 8!  We tell him to stop growing up so fast, he just doesn't listen.

Back then we didn't have state of the art technology, but like today we loved to capture life and we did a lot of it. I am so glad we started while he was so young. It was back then I started to truly understand the power of video.

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Captured Productions - Click To Play

Captured Productions - Click To Play