Don’t Shoot for Retention - Tell Stories That Resonate
The other day I was on a call with a potential client, and something they said really stuck with me. After watching some of my recent work, they told me, “Your videos spoke our language.”
That meant the world to me. Not because it was flattering, but because it confirmed something I’ve been learning over and over again: flashy content may grab attention, but real stories speak to the heart.
In today’s digital space, everything is fighting for your attention. You can hire someone to create a fast-paced video packed with trendy transitions, drone shots, and b-roll overlays. And sure, it might rack up views. But if it doesn’t reflect who you are (or more importantly, who your audience is) then it doesn’t actually do its job.
Where This All Started
For me, storytelling didn’t begin with a camera…it started in the mountains. I fell in love with Christian camping as a teenager at Hume Lake, a place that would go on to shape not just my faith, but my career.
I started as a camper, then did their college discipleship program, and eventually spent ten years on staff, working my way up to the role of video supervisor for their marketing & communications team. I didn’t go there expecting to become a filmmaker, but that’s where God planted the seed. I learned to tell stories in the context of ministry and how to capture the soul of a place, not just its surface. I learned how to capture the “why”, not just the “what” or “how” of an organization.
A big part of my time there involved traveling with students to places like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Israel. That’s where I learned that when people step into something new, something sacred, their eyes open in a fresh way. That’s what happened to me when I first went to Israel and it’s part of why I’m so passionate about this kind of travel work now.
Telling the Stories That Matter
Today, I work with clients like GTI Tours to create videos that help people step into the story of Scripture in a personal, powerful way. It’s not just about promoting trips, it’s about inviting people to experience the wonder of God in the places where the stories happened.
And yes, I’ve done the flashy editing stuff. I know how to hold attention. But what I’ve learned is that attention is cheap. Resonance is what matters.
Videos that resonate don’t just generate clicks, they generate connection. They inspire trust. They make the right people stop scrolling and say, “This is for me.”
That’s what this client meant when they said my work spoke their language. And honestly, it’s the highest compliment I could ask for.
Why This Work Feels Like Ministry
At the end of the day, I’m not in this just to make cool travel films. I’m here because I believe in the work my clients are doing. I’ve seen lives changed through Christian camping and travel, because I’ve lived it.
I desperately want more people to experience the goodness of God in ways that crack through the routine of suburban church life. When novelty and wonder intersect with the Gospel, amazing things happen. That’s why I’m all in.
Flashy videos come and go, but stories that resonate stick around.