Forgotten Memories

When I started this video business, one of the things I really wanted to focus on was taking existing videos and making them new again. Old slides and film reels are often all but forgotten, because so few of us have the ability to enjoy them, since the formats are so outdated. I am so glad to have the opportunity to take these old and forgotten memories, and turn them into something that families can enjoy for years to come.

The Linderer family is very near and dear to my heart, and it meant a lot to me to be able to give some of their long lost memories new light. These video clips were transferred from old 8 mm and 16 mm film reels to DVD, so that the family can enjoy these old videos for generations to come!

Sneak Peek! Casey and Kimberly

It was truly a pleasure to be a part of Casey and Kimberly's special day. They had a beautiful wedding, and, more importantly, I know that their marriage will be just as beautiful. Congratulations, Kim and Casey! I wish you all the best, and hope you enjoy your wedding video for years to come!

Rhylan's First Year

A baby's first year is a very special time for new parents, full of change and new experiences. I love that a part of my job is to take the memories a family makes through pictures and home videos and turn them into a unique keepsake for the family.
Here is a shortened version of the video slideshow from Rhylan's first year. I hope the Zehnle family will enjoy looking back on this video for many years to come!

(Professional photos were taken by KP Photography.)

What are you doing this weekend?

If you are interested in or have ever considered having a custom video created, be it a home video, a slideshow, or a wedding video, now is a great time to take the next step. Smiles Remembered will be at the Home and Living Show in Quincy, IL this weekend (March 2nd through 4th). The show is being held at The Oakley Lindsay Center in downtown Quincy on Friday from 5-9 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. So if you are thinking about a particular video project or if you just want to see the kinds of videos we can create, we'd love to see you there! 

If you need an extra incentive to come and see us, we're offering a 10% discount on any order placed during the show. (Even if you can't make it to the show, you can still take advantage of this offer--send me a Facebook message for more details!) We'll also be giving away a $75 gift certificate to one lucky customer! So be sure to come and take advantage of these great opportunities. :-)

If you'd like more information about the show, go to www.wgem.com and click on the "Home and Living Show" tab. We hope to see you at the show! And in the meantime, here's a video highlighting some of the different kinds of videos we can create! 

The Zanger Family

In addition to the video I made telling Easton Zanger's story, I also had the pleasure of editing all of the Zanger family's home videos from 2010 and 2011. Their video slideshow captures bits and pieces from the last two years-- the little moments that help to define a family.

This video serves as a great reminder that, even in the midst of the most difficult of times, there are still beautiful moments in life, and it's up to us to take notice and appreciate those moments.

Enjoy!

**Professional photos are courtesy of Callie Page Photography.**

They grow up so fast...

It's really amazing when you think about how quickly time passes us by, how quickly the little ones we love grow up. It feels like just yesterday I was meeting my niece (and Goddaughter) for the first time, just a few hours after she was born. But she is two years old now, and I can't believe how fast those two years have passed.

Sometimes we don't realize how important and special the "little moments" are in life. But when we look back on our lives, it's those little moments that really mean the most. That's part of the reason I love what I do.  I love editing home videos and turning them into an extra special tribute to life's little moments. And my very favorite part of that is the video slideshow I put together for any home video I edit. The video slideshow is sort of a "Year in Review" montage of highlights from the home video footage. It's a really neat way to see how quickly a child changes and grows in a short amount of time, and it's a unique way to relive those memories.

This is the video slideshow I created for my sister and brother-in-law from their home movies. Every time I watch it, I am amazed at how much my niece has changed in a year. It's such a privilege to watch her grow, and to have the chance to commemorate the little moments in her life.

Superman's Journey-- Chapter One

Many of you are familiar with the story of Easton "Superman" Zanger and his family. This family has faced unbelievable obstacles in the past year. They've been to hell and back, and their journey is far from over. They are truly an amazing family-- they've endured their struggles with such incredible strength and grace.
When Shannon (Easton's mom) approached me with the idea of telling Easton's story through a video, I was beyond excited. The idea of contributing in a small way to such an incredible family was both an honor and a challenge. I had never done a video project quite like this one, and I wanted to give the Zanger family an appropriate tribute to their journey thus far.
One of the songs I used in this video is entitled "Crazy Ride". The song is about the ups and downs in life, and how we all experience both heartbreak and triumph. I can't think of anyone who has experienced a more "crazy ride" in 2011 than Easton and his family. And yet, through it all, they remain an incredibly close-knit and loving family. Each member of the Zanger family is truly a superhero in my book, and it is my pleasure to share a small piece of their story with you.

*This video is about 15 minutes long, so depending on your Internet connection, it may take a few minutes to load. Also note, the first few seconds of the video have no sound- the music will begin after the opening slide.