Quite often on trips like this, in the moment, I am emotionally shielded a bit by being behind my camera. It is not intentional, though at times I do have to literally bite my lip to hold back my tears and continue doing the work for which I am there. But it is important for me to reconnect with those emotions when my work is done, which is usually after I return home. It is natural to feel tremendously blessed by all that I have, from a protective home to good schools for my children to an abundance of food. And that list, too, goes on and on. But each of these experiences is also an opportunity for healthy change and I have to let myself be impacted by the experience–by the names, the faces, the stories, the homes of these wonderful people who are more like me than I typically understand on a daily basis. With knowledge comes responsibility and I keep learning more and more each time I have the opportunity to experience a new land, a new culture, a new group of people. How do I continue traveling what I believe to be the right path in life while adding this knowledge and responsibility? That is what I will continue to process. If you’d like to dialogue over coffee sometime or simply see some cool photos and compelling video, let me know. I’d love to pass some knowledge on.

Shifting gears in a huge way, last week was another first for Cotton Field Communications. I had the opportunity to shoot orthopaedic surgical procedures being performed on cadavers. It was amazing to watch achilles tendon repair surgery done on part of a leg. Our bodies are so complex! I couldn’t help thinking, though, that there was so much more story kept from us–who was this person who donated their body (in parts) to science? What kind of life had they lived?

I love the varied opportunities for visual storytelling!

Next up is my Africa trip. Very early on the day after Thanksgiving, I was blessed to be able to travel to Ndola, Zambia, with my colleagues and friends from Access Services. It was an amazing experience and we learned a lot. I shot hours of footage, including home visits, interviews and general b-roll around the community. I’ll begin to share more specific info in my next post. Stay tuned…and happy holidays!

Last week, Beej and I spent the week out in Wyoming, while I had the pleasure of shooting video for Ring Lake Ranch, a spiritual retreat center in the Wind River Valley. It was an amazing week of hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, absorbing the beauty of creation, meeting great people…oh, and working, too. Stay tuned for what video stories emerge from my time at the Ranch. For more info, you can check them out at www.ringlake.org.

What story do you want to tell? Contact me, and we’ll figure it out together!

I’m finally backing that up with my first 2 video testimonials. Visit the Testimonials page of the website to see and hear what Brenda Boorse (regional director of Access Services) and Neil Harner (co-owner of Inverse Paradox and co-founder of Philly Beer Scene magazine) have to say about working with Cotton Field Communications.

The video projects with the nonprofit iRun4Llife have been a lot of fun. I’ve shot the running programs at 3 local elementary schools, including nutritional talks, warm-ups, practice runs, and even yoga cool-down. Last Saturday, in between raindrops, was their annual culminating 3k event. How great to see so many kids participating and how special to be part of a great organization. Kudos to Ivy Stock and her team of dedicated volunteers!

Yesterday, I was invited into a rare valuable experience–one which requires you to push yourself and see just how much you can accomplish in a short period of time. My friend Natalie Wi of Allure West Studios called me into action. We shot all morning at Old Glory Farm (this year’s Bucks County Designer House) in Buckingham Township for a video that needed to be completed in the same day. I transferred footage while eating lunch, spent a little bit of time at the Central Bucks Chamber’s Business Expo, then hunkered down for an afternoon commitment of editing. The final, 7-minute piece was completed and uploaded by 6:30 p.m. Mission accomplished! Many thanks to Nancy Koller and her team of volunteers, as well as to all the designers (especially Holly in the Vintner’s Corner and Richard in the Master Retreat). If you haven’t already visited the 2011 Designer House, check it out. All proceeds support the Village Improvement Association’s commitment to expansion and renovation of Doylestown Hospital’s Birthing Center.