Video Portfolio: Mini-Documentary
Title: Historic Barns Park: A Story of Transformation and Renewal
Role: Videographer and editor
This mini-documentary captures the remarkable transformation of Historic Barns Park, a cornerstone of Traverse City’s Commons. Through engaging interviews and visuals, it tells the story of a century-old site reborn through community collaboration, environmental cleanup, and public investment.
The video highlights how an EPA Brownfields cleanup grant enabled the remediation of environmental contaminants, paving the way for the restoration of historic barns, lush gardens, and vibrant public spaces. It celebrates the collective efforts of local government, nonprofits, and volunteers in creating a dynamic community hub where history, sustainability, and recreation intersect.
As videographer and editor, I was responsible for capturing all visuals, recording audio, and assembling the final narrative. Acting as a one-person production crew, I ensured the project’s technical and creative aspects were executed seamlessly to bring this compelling story to life.
Title: Syndicate Park Dune Restoration Project
Role: Videographer, drone pilot, and editor
This mini-documentary highlights the Syndicate Park Dune Restoration Project, an effort to protect and restore a rare and fragile freshwater dune system along Lake Michigan’s shoreline in Van Buren County. As a videographer, drone pilot, and editor, I worked to capture both the vast scale and the delicate beauty of this unique landscape, weaving together stunning aerial footage, on-the-ground visuals, and insightful interviews to tell the story of the restoration efforts.
The film explores how human activity and erosion have destabilized these dunes, threatening nearby homes and disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem. It highlights how local conservationists, government agencies, and community members have come together to implement sustainable restoration strategies—including strategic dune grass planting, trail design, and access management—to help the dunes recover while still allowing people to enjoy them.
Through cinematic landscapes and expert perspectives, this video underscores the importance of protecting Michigan’s freshwater dunes, which are unlike any other ecosystem in the world. It serves as both an educational tool and an urgent reminder of the delicate balance between recreation, development, and environmental stewardship.
Video Portfolio: Educational
Title: Woodland Ephemerals: A springtime nature walk
Role: Writer, videographer, editor, and voice over artist
This short educational video, created in partnership with Nature Change, highlights the fleeting beauty of a Great Lakes hardwood forest in spring while drawing attention to the importance of protecting this threatened ecosystem. As writer, videographer, editor, and voiceover artist, I crafted a presentation that emphasizes the lush landscapes and the delicate balance of life they support.
The video connects to Nature Change’s mission by showcasing a forest type—mature Maple-Beech-Hemlock hardwoods—that faces growing threats from climate change, human development, and resource extraction, inspiring viewers to consider the critical need for conservation.
Title: Painting the Peninsula: Neil Walling (Leland, MI)
Role: Videographer, editor
This episode of Painting the Peninsula follows accomplished plein air artist Neil Walling as he sets up along the Carp River in Leland, MI, capturing the beauty of a historic boathouse on canvas. As a one-person crew, I filmed the entire process using three cameras and professional audio recording, ensuring that every brushstroke and artistic decision was documented with clarity and depth.
The video immerses viewers in the plein air painting experience, from scene selection and color mixing to Neil’s insights on composition and artistic flexibility. I designed the opening title sequence to complement the serene, observational tone of the piece, while the multi-camera setup allowed for a seamless blend of close-up details and wide scenic shots. The result is an intimate, educational glimpse into the art of plein air painting, set against the backdrop of one of Northern Michigan’s most picturesque locations.
Title: Local Landscapes; Deadman’s Hill
Role: Videographer, editor
This episode of Local Landscapes explores the breathtaking Jordan River Valley, capturing its diverse plant and animal life while highlighting the history behind Deadman’s Hill. As a one-person crew, I hiked through the landscape, filming the sights and sounds of this remarkable Northern Michigan ecosystem.
The video opens with a montage of native flora and fauna, each labeled with common and scientific names, offering a deeper appreciation of the valley’s biodiversity. Midway, it delves into the tragic history of Deadman’s Hill, sharing the text from an on-site marker that recounts a fatal logging accident that gave the hill its name. The piece concludes with a long, meditative pan across the valley’s sweeping vista, set against the haunting song of a rose-breasted grosbeak, inviting reflection on both the beauty and the history that shape this landscape.