Hello, World! The Birth of Luke Samuel

Seriously, this is one of the coolest things I get to do with my job as a 'record keeper.'  I love to document the moment a mother holds her baby in her arms for the first time.  The joy.  The relief.  So surreal.  Sorry photographers, but photos just won't do it justice.  

I loved Danielle since our very first meeting, where we discussed the many aspects of birth and motherhood over tea!  And, let me tell you, this woman is STRONG.  She planned for a natural birth and never once did she falter or say "I can't."   As anyone who has been in labor knows, births don't always go as planned, but Danielle faced every moment with courage, conviction, and grace.  

Thank you so much for trusting me to capture such an important moment.  It was an honor.

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren Keester

Robert + Paige

Oh, man! It was soooo much fun (and a tiny bit terrifying) to capture this special moment in Robert and Paige's life!  Terrifying because you don't want to mess up!!!  And, I have to say, (phew) these photos turned out great! I mean, how could they not?!?? Just look at how cute and in love these two are!  

Robert worked some magic to get the key to the top of the midtown plaza building!  And (so genius) had all their friends across the way on the rooftop bar, BosoNova! Anyway, congrats to these two and happy wedding planning! 

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren

Jennifer + Michael

Oh, wow! Did we have fun at this wedding!!!!!!  Thank you so much to Jennifer, Michael, and family, who made us feel so welcome.  And, our favorite OKC band, Drive, was there!  Not to mention HolliB Photography and co and Camden of Emerson Events!  We seriously love working with this crew!  

And, just like that, the 2016 wedding season begins!  

Lauren + Matt (Part Two)

Well, I had intended to post this last week, but that was before our family came down with some gnarly cold. Everyone was coughing and no one was sleeping.  And, poor Jared, who had the shortest bought of it, got to play nurse-maid to everyone else.  Anyway, one week and about 40 clorox wipes later, here we are.

Thank you again to Lauren and Matt! We soooo enjoyed working with you and your family! We wish you the best in all you do! May you have a long, happy marriage! 

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren

Elie + Aaron- Proposal

Did you know Carpe Diem films proposals?!??  Well, we do!  And, it is sooooo much fun!  I love the planning, the surprise.  The letter from Aaron to Elie's father, well....it will choke anyone up.  We are so excited to be a part of this fun, adorable couple's upcoming nuptials in Dallas!  And, it's right around the corner.  So, in honor of all those Valentines proposals and all the love in the air this weekend... enjoy.  - Lauren

Lauren + Matt (Part One)

As Jared and I were putting the finishing touches on Lauren and Matt's wedding video last night (I know, I know...it is a criminal offense to not watch the Superbowl... but, we are just not in to football.  We did watch the final episode of The Knick, season 2...and... AH-MAZING...but, I digress), I was reminded how sweet and sincere their our story was.  

I hope they look back on this video from time to time and are reminded of who they were when they got married...all the hope and joy and purpose and anticipation the beginning of a marriage brings. 

Jordan + Phillip

What a totally fun couple this was!  Seriously, check out their awesome dance moves.  The stars aligned to give this couple the perfect cool weather day in December! What luck!  And, it was so fun to see so many of our past brides at this wedding.  It is the highest compliment when our clients refer us to their friends.  Thank you, thank you.  It means the world to us.  

Thank you 2015 Couples!

Thank you to all the couples who trusted us with capturing their wedding day. And a BIG thank you to those who took the time to review us! We sincerely appreciate it!   

Jared and Lauren at Carpe Diem were absolutely wonderful to work with. They made our wedding day so fun and were able to capture so many great memories of our Wedding Day. We had crazy weather but it didn't phase them a bit and they were still able to get amazing footage of our big day. Our highlight film is something we will treasure for years to come. Thank you so much for everything Jared & Lauren! I would highly recommend this power couple for your wedding! – Carly S

Brandan and I could not have been more lucky or blessed with our choice to use Carpe Diem to capture our big day. From our first consultation to the week of the wedding, Lauren was always on top of things, making sure she and Jared knew everything that Brandan and I wanted out of our day. We also were given Lauren and Jared's personal cell phone numbers, which made us feel like we were very important to them and like we were in good hands. The actual day of the wedding, wow! They showed up and in the blink of an eye had their cameras rolling. There was a lot going on with two photographers and three videographers, but Lauren and Jared made us extremely comfortable and at times made us laugh when we needed it! They weren't in the way at the reception and warned me 30 minutes before it was time for them to leave to make sure that we didn't need anything else videoed. We got our video back on our two month anniversary, and we absolutely fell in love with it, I think we may have watched it a million times since we got it! There are shots in the video that absolutely astound me, I just wonder how they were able to get some of the clips! Brandan and I both agree that watching our video is like reliving our wedding day all over again, and we couldn't ask for more! If you want to have a extremely personal, intimate and classic way to remember your wedding, we strongly recommend contacting Carpe Diem.  – Amy

I highly recommend Jared and Lauren and I cannot say enough good things about this power couple. They make you feel comfortable and relaxed as opposed to being videotaped. They are fun and phenomenal at what they do! Our wedding video is something that we will treasure forever. The memories of our wedding were captured so well and my husband and I were overwhelmed with happiness as all of the joy from our special day was brought to life and revealed/relived in our glorious video. The editing, music and their professionalism was pristine and so on point. Jared and Lauren both were very easy to get a hold of throughout the wedding process if I ever had a question. Like I said earlier, I cannot express the many positive things I have to say about Carpe Diem!! You need to book them if you are contemplating a videographer as you won’t regret it! –mike m

Jared and Lauren with Carpe Diem Videography are awesome and absolutely wonderful to work with! Our wedding highlight video is perfect!! He covered all of the highlights of our wedding perfectly. We will cherish our wedding videos for years and years to come! –Meghan B

My husband and I are so incredibly grateful that we chose to have Carpe Diem Productions cover our December wedding. From start to finish Jared and Lauren were absolutely amazing. From the initial meeting they seemed genuinely excited about capturing our day and were extremely attentive to how we wanted the video to turn out. On our wedding day, it was perfect- everyone involved felt like Lauren and Jared were just two more friends hanging out with us to get ready (but with very nice cameras!) which allowed us all to be ourselves. I truly believe their attitudes and warm personalities helped us all feel more relaxed which allowed them to capture so many precious moments. When we recieved our video, my husband & I were truly overwhelmed with how perfectly it captured all the small moments, that may have been forgotten with time, and how it perfectly reflected our personalities, and the magic and joy that surrounded us that day. If you're looking for videographers that will take the time to focus on you, with a commitment to bringing out what makes you and your love story unique, Carpe Diem is where it's at. I cannot say enough wonderful things about them! –Amari

Jared and Lauren are two of the most amazing and fun people we have ever met! They were extremely accomadating and went above and beyond for us from start to finish! Carpe Diem captured the most amazing memories from our special day for us to remember for a lifetime! -Jacy

Hip Hop You Don't Stop

When we meet with clients, we often are met with questions about what else is included in their wedding package outside of the ceremony and the highlight reels we publish on this website and our social media accounts.  We always have the same answer, "Anything we think you might want to watch again."  You want something on film, tell us! And we will film it.  

It is so hard in those meetings to list the 'bonus features,' for your wedding, because I have no idea what your wedding day will hold.  And, neither will you.  Here is a great example of a surprise performance by a guest at the wedding.  And, he nailed it.  Without further ado...

Megan + Nathan (Part Two) "Cruse Cruise"

You honeymoon with Carpe Diem's goPro, send the camera back, and we splice it together!  Fun, right?  Especially with a couple like this!  We were literally laughing out loud while editing this.  Megan and Nathan, we love your adventurous spirit!  I think this video reflects it well.  Congrats, again!  May you two have many, many more wonderful adventures along the way! 

Seize the day!

Lauren + Jared

Megan + Nathan (Part One)

Tulsa, Here we come!  I tell you what, we just had the BEST time with this group!  (Even though they were actively rooting against my OSU Cowboys-wink-I guess we will forgive them).  And, I just cannot say enough about this beautiful new venue and its lovely owners.  Everyone go check it out at http://www.spainranch.com/ . 

Megan and Nathan, thank you for all the laughs and fun times at your wedding (and while editing your awesome honeymoon footage-- part two to come later).  We truly enjoyed it!

Dallyn + Tyler

Happy New Year! 2015 was a banner year for us, and we are so excited for the nine couples who have already booked for our 2016 season.  We are even headed to Dallas this spring.  As we wrap up the 2015 films, I thought I would post this one.  I LOVE the story of how these two met!  And how cute is their puppy?!?!  

Large Family Photo Session- The Hamptons

I had such a wonderful time capturing this very large, very fun family.  I hope you will enjoy this photos for years to come.

-Lauren

Kaitlyn + Kyle

Wow! This was a busy, busy fall for us.  We are hustling over here to get these videos out and to our brides for the holidays.  Can't believe 2015 is almost wrapping up....just one more wedding Saturday for Carpe Diem until 2016.  Thank you to all our brides for trusting us to preserve such an important day.  

Now, on to Kaitlyn and Kyle.  Seriously, I think I smiled the whole time I worked on this film.  I just couldn't help it.  This was SUCH a fun wedding and I LOVE how much these two love each other.  Happy Turkey day to all of you!  

Lauren

Julie + Carla

I love that in our business you never know what is around the corner.  We have some brides book almost two years in advance, and then, other times, you have someone call you only a handful of days before their 'big day.'  This was one of those events.  Some people decide last minute they want a wedding videographer, and...wow, are we glad these two did!  

This was a wedding for the books!  Every little detail of the day was beautifully designed and every word, song, and message of their ceremony was perfectly crafted.  Due to the short time between booking and the actual wedding, we did not meet the couple before their wedding day, but, as soon as we arrived, we felt 'right at home' with this crew.  Julie and Carla, it is undeniably apparent you are surrounded by an amazing group of family and friends.  It was truly an honor to be a fly on the wall (with cameras, of course) for your special day.

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren + Jared

And a BIG THANK YOU to Camden at Emerson Events.  We LOVE working with this talented and thoughtful wedding planner.... AND, she did the flower arrangements!  So impressive.  http://www.emersonevents.com/ 

Venue: http://www.oklahomahof.com/

Rentals:  http://mariannesrentals.com/

Rentals: http://www.moodpartyrentals.com/ 

Catering: http://www.goodeggdining.com/  (Cheevers) 

Cake: http://www.amycakesok.com/

Photographer: http://www.aaronsnowphotography.com/

Paper goods: http://chirpsandcheers.com/

DJ: www.ZachDowning.com

Kylie + Jordan

I mean could these two be any cuter? and could this wedding day be more beautiful?  I think not!  This was such a wonderfully fun wedding to shoot and to edit.  Thank you to Kylie, Jordan, and their family for being so fun to work with! It was a joy.  

Hopie's Home Birth Story (Part Two)

Thank you to everyone for your kind words regarding the photos (published earlier) of Hopie's Birth Story.  I've never really considered myself much of a photographer; I just like taking photos of my kids...but, obviously, photography and videography share a basic core knowledge about using light and sharing a narrative.  But, my medium of choice for birth story's is video, and, I think you will see why...

(Make sure the HD is on by clicking the "HD" in the bottom right hand corner.)

Hope's Home Birth Story (Part 1)

Dear "Hopie,"

It has been such a wonderful, amazing experience to watch your journey to motherhood.  When we first spoke over the phone about you taking on a part-time caregiver role for Jude and Harvey (in 2013 was it?  Harvey was just 4 months old), you apologized for not being able to start right at 8am that first day, because you were seeing a fertility specialist.  I have been praying for this day for you since that phone call, and here it is. 

When I told Jared I had finally found childcare, he asked what I knew about you, this stranger coming into our home, and I told him you had an inner light that shined bright and strong, and that was all I needed.  

My kids fell in love with you almost instantly, and your grace was a calming presence in our home.  Thank you for loving my children.  I say that knowing you now know, truly know, what it means to be apart from your baby for even just a few seconds, let alone a whole work day.  I always felt comforted knowing they were with you. And the testament to your love in grace is that my children still ask for mommy, daddy, and you when they are upset. 

I was so honored when you asked me to document your delivery, and when you look at these photos, I hope you will sometimes think about the smiles of the two little boys whose lives you shaped before you started you own family.  I am forever indebted to you. 

From one mother to another,

Lauren

Dance'n!!!

January will mark the 6th anniversary of our business.  I almost cannot believe it!  And we have learned a lot of lessons along the way.  One of those lessons is to have fun.  Jared and I try to have as much fun as we can while working, and we think the feeling can be contagious.  We always try to dance to one song (time permitting) at each event and smile, laugh, and joke as much as possible.  Thank you to Meggan and Jenna  at Truly You Photography for capturing these photos! 

wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble...

-Lauren

Taylor + Corbin

What a fantastic couple! I was so proud to work for an Edmond Memorial Bulldog family being a couple myself (and my wife!). It was awesome to hear from the father of the bride about how he met his wife at Memorial and set all this in motion. Amazing toasts from Maid of Honor, Best Man, and Father of the Bride. This couple made making the video so easy. First look, killer bouquet toss, and above all else, a clear love for each other.

It was such an honor to capture your day. Thank you both so much! 

seize the day-

Jared