I remember sitting in my bedroom as a teenager, watching wedding films from filmmakers I admired, completely moved by stories of people I had never met. I could not explain it then, but I understand it now. There is something about two people choosing each other that cuts right through everything else. That feeling never left me. It became the reason I do this work.
What drives me is the people behind the lens. I love getting to know my couples, hearing how they met, and understanding what makes their relationship entirely their own. By the time your wedding day arrives, I am not a stranger with a camera. I am someone who genuinely cares about you and wants to be there for every moment that tells your story.
I'm leah, your storyteller
On December 28, I married my best friend Gunner, and it is the reason behind the name 1228. I have always loved telling love stories, but living my own wedding day made me understand what it truly means to be on the other side of the camera. I know what it feels like to want to hold onto every single second. That is the conviction I bring to every wedding I film.
Gunner is by my side on most wedding days, and I could not be more grateful for that. As a talented cinematographer and certified drone pilot, he brings a level of artistry and aerial perspective that elevates every film we create together.
the heart behind 1228
For as long as I can remember, I have been moved by stories. The way a film can make you feel something so deeply for people you have never met — I was captivated by that as a little girl and I never got over it. I did not know then that it would become my life's work. But looking back, it was always going to be this.
The beginning
After college, I spent years working for video production companies, learning the industry from the inside out and developing an eye for the kind of storytelling that actually moves people. It was the foundation that everything else was built on.
the craft
Then life took us to Alaska — Gunner's home state and a place that quickly stole my heart too. I spent two years there filming weddings and elopements against some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. That chapter grew me in ways I did not expect.
the adventure
When we were ready for a new chapter, we chose the Gulf Coast and have not looked back. The beaches, the sunsets, the magic of 30A — there is truly nowhere else like it. This is home base, but adventuring is in my heart and I am always available to travel. Wherever your wedding takes you, I would love to be there.
the here + Now
