Wedding Wednesday: Jodie & Rob

I have long been a fan of the blog, Love24fps, and it was during a recent marathon of watching wedding films, that I came across Jodie and Rob's. I mentioned last week that what makes a wedding film special isn't the lighting, b-roll, music, or even how beautiful the couple is. What it's really about is the couple's love story. Jodie and Rob's story is certainly one of love, but it's also about family and about heartbreak. Threadless Films had an enormously difficult task, but they managed to capture this family's story with grace and sensitivity. They accomplished their task so beautifully, that even watching it for the hundredth time - I can't help but shed buckets of tear. Before watching the film, you should read what Threadless had to say. Oh, and don't forget the tissues! 

"Rob and Jodie met 13 years ago and have been lovers and best friends ever since. The past 12 years has seen them become parents to Tyson, Jaxon, Logan, and Grace, and happily settled in Ballarat. Rob was a heart kid at RCH Melbourne but survived to become the steadfast and wonderful father he is now. Jodie nursed her mother through her battle with COPD and she was by her side when Kathy passed peacefully 5 years ago.

Unfortunately for this family, 10 year old Jaxon was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, known as a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, in February this year. Initially he just had a bit of double vision but a week and multiple tests and appointments and scans later was given the devastating diagnosis.

He has undergone a brain biopsy and then chemotherapy and most recently, radiation therapy, and, then, shatteringly, an MRI scan- coincidentally scheduled for Jodie's birthday- showed that there had been no improvement and indeed, the tumour has grown. There are few options left and the family have had to come to terms with the awful truth that Jaxon will not have long to live.

Jaxon himself has been an absolute fighter through all of this, going to school, and trying to remain as active as he can, being a keen basketballer amongst other sports. However, he has become increasingly dependent on his wheelchair as he has lost control over the left side of his body.

Jaxon has had only a few wishes. One is to see the New York Knicks play in Madison Square Gardens (thanks to the many kind donations this is happening!), the Starlight Foundation have granted Jaxon the other which is to see the Great Barrier Reef. And his parents are going to grant him the third; to get married while they are there.

On the 29th September 2014, Jaxon walked his mum down the isle and fulfilled this last wish. It was our privilege to be there and capture the day.

Jaxon you are an amazing, spunky, brilliant, clever and funny boy! Enjoy your trip to see the New York Knicks game!"

Jodie & Rob // Highlights Film from Threadless Films on Vimeo.

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Wedding Wednesday: Michael Justin Films

Happy Hump Day, friends! So, I've decided to jump on the "Wedding Wednesday" bandwagon, and for my first installment, I'm going to talk a little bit about Michael Justin Films. I've been working with Michael since 2013 and was recently tasked with finding us a summer intern (if you want deets hmu). With all of the searching, a quickly approaching summer season, and an abundance of free time on my hands, I've been able to do some reflecting, some of which I'll share with you now.

The beginning takes us back to November 2012 when I first stumbled upon "Jackie and Michael's Wedding Film" on Pinterest. Watch it. Seriously. This was back when the video only had about 100,000 views, now it's sitting pretty over on Youtube with over 1.2 million - damn. I like to think this indicates my mild psychic ability to predict trends, more on that later. 

After doing my due diligence (read: stalking), I reached out to Michael asking if I could intern with him the following summer. I might have been getting a little ahead of myself, but that's how compelled I felt by their story. It was only recently that I realized it wasn't the film that was so captivating, but rather Jackie and Michael's love story.  It's the kind of thing that gives all single, potential cat ladies hope for love in the future. By the way, I would be a weird dog lady - I can't stand cats. 

Anyway, a week or so later, Michael replies to my message and was basically like "Chill. It's November. Get back to me around April of next year," except much nicer and more professional. I followed my instructions and in May of 2013 I found myself sitting in the MJF office (aka: Michael and Jackie's living room on the upper west side).

Over the next three months, I worked several weddings with Michael, Donnell, Edison and Kraig. At that point, we were only working on films. It was a three man team and me. Literally. All Michael's emails started with some variation of "Hey guys... and Taylor." Honestly, I love being part of "the guys," but I appreciate the effort. That summer, there was one wedding in particular that I remember. It was a destination wedding and Michael, Donnell and I road tripped to Jamestown, Rhode Island. Since there were only three of us it was an insane amount of running around like crazy. This was the first time I really felt like a really integral part of the team. It was a gorgeous wedding. In fact, all the weddings I've worked or attended have been beautiful. I think what really sets the good apart from the best, are the people. In my experience, the least-stressed brides and grooms end up with the best results, and of course, having the most fun.

At the end of that first season I was sad to have to say goodbye. But mostly I was okay, since I was going back to college to see all my friends and make the most of my liver. I was also okay, because I was confident that my time with MJF wasn't over. I had worked really hard and established great working relationships and friendships. Spoiler alert, I was correct - told you, I'm mildly psychic.

A few months later, knowing Michael and the guys had their first dual, photo and cinema wedding coming up, I mentioned that I would be home if he needed me. I was hired to third shoot for the cinema team and that was my first paid video gig. I did a minimum of twenty different things wrong that day, but Michael proceeded to hire me for the following summer and still, to this day, trusts me to do good work for him.  

Realizing that someone I look up to, sees inherent value in what I do and in who I am, was a critical turning point in my professional career. I have grown tremendously as a creative professional and storyteller since working with Michael Justin Films and I'm happy to have cultivated relationships that will allow me to continue this growth and development.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to surround yourself with good people. People who are good at, and passionate about what they do. People who are kind and generous. I really am lucky to have found a home with Michael Justin Films, I can only hope that more young people find the same kind of happiness and fulfillment in the work they do.

En route to the 2014 Michael Justin Films Holiday Party

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