It’s just so important to tell your story, to preserve your memories, to put them together in some form or fashion… It’s all worth recording. It’s all worth preserving.
Kalee Isbell
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Kalee Isbell’s mission is to preserve life’s fleeting moments. As the founder of Isbell Family Films, she has built a business that turns everyday smartphone and video clips into deeply personal, beautifully crafted family films that can be cherished by your families for generations. With over 7,200 films created to date, Kalee has become a true memory curator, helping families revisit the small yet significant moments that often go overlooked in today’s fast-paced world.
My interview with Kalee is a thoughtful exploration of her creative mission to help others hold on to the beauty of their everyday lives. From her personal struggles as a young mother to launching her business during a challenging chapter in her life, Kalee’s resilience and passion for storytelling are central to her inspiring success. This episode dives into how her work is a labor of love, the way it bridges art and emotion, and why she believes everyone’s memories are worth preserving.
Kalee’s story is a reminder that creativity can heal, memories are treasures, and seemingly small moments can hold big meaning. Here’s what you’ll discover:
- How Kalee found light during dark times and turned her own family videos into a meaningful business.
- Her perspective on why documenting life’s fleeting, everyday moments is so important.
- The thoughtful creative process she uses to turn raw photos and videos into timeless films.
- The emotional impact of these films on her clients and how her work fosters connection across generations.
Grab your favorite cup of coffee, settle into a cozy spot, and get ready for a conversation that will open your eyes to the importance of preserving the stories that matter most. We hope you enjoy the episode, cheers!
Q: Why do you think it’s so important for us to hold onto and revisit these small fleeting moments in our lives?
Kalee: I really found that when we pay attention to the small things that could easily get forgotten or lost in our busy day-to-day lives, we start to see them more often. The more light I bring into my life, the more light I can see. There’s a forgotten beauty in little things, like my kids tying their shoes for the first time or losing their first tooth. These moments might seem small, but they’re so meaningful when you take the time to notice them.
Q: How did making these films help you during difficult times in your life?
Kalee: There are studies that show reactivating the creative side of your brain can help when you’re anxious or depressed, and I think that played a huge role for me. Creating these videos gave me a creative outlet and a new perspective on my life. I started looking for moments I wanted to remember, and the more I looked for them, the more this weight just came off. It helped me see the good in the midst of the hard times, and it brought so much peace and happiness to my family.
Q: What sets your work apart from AI-generated videos or other automated tools?
Kalee: You can’t replace a real human sitting behind a computer, intentionally looking for moments that enhance the story. AI might pick random clips, but it doesn’t understand the emotional weight of a child’s laugh or a special family moment. My team and I put so much care into curating these films, from selecting the perfect music to finding the moments that truly matter. It’s an investment in your memories, and I believe that’s something AI can’t replicate.
Key Links and Mentions From the Episode
Isbell Family Films
Kalee Isbell’s official website, where she transforms everyday smartphone photos and videos into curated, timeless family films that preserve cherished memories for generations.
Visit Kalee’s Website
Instagram
Follow Kalee on Instagram for tips on capturing family moments, behind-the-scenes looks at her editing process, and inspiration for intentional storytelling.
Follow Kalee on Instagram
People Mentioned
- Kalee’s Husband: The entrepreneurial force who encouraged Kalee to turn her personal video-making into a business, pushing her to share her gift with others.
- Jodi Ann Crane: A Canadian newborn photographer mentioned by Perrin, whose focus on connecting with families mirrors Kalee’s approach to storytelling.
Tools & Gear
- iPhone: The primary tool for clients to capture photos and videos, praised for its powerful camera capabilities and ease of use.
- iMovie: Kalee’s initial editing software, used during nap times to create her first family videos.
- Private Cloud Storage: A secure system where Isbell Family Films stores client content, ensuring longevity and accessibility.
Projects & Opportunities
- Legacy Family Films: Kalee’s core service, creating heirloom-quality videos from client-submitted photos and videos, with over 7,200 films made for 700 clients.
- Disney Video Guide: A detailed guide on Kalee’s website offering shot lists and tips for capturing intentional family videos at Disney parks without feeling overwhelmed.
- Retirement Video Project: A unique client project where Kalee edited B-roll and party footage into a heartfelt congratulations video for a retiring plastic surgeon.
- Educational Content (In Development): Kalee has started a filmmaking course, aiming to teach others how to capture and edit family stories.
Places and Locations
- Disney World/Disneyland: A popular setting for client videos, where Kalee developed a guide to help families record meaningful moments.
- Spain: Home of a client family whose son’s emotional birthday moment Kalee intentionally captured in consecutive years.
- Texas, Florida, and Beyond: Locations where Kalee’s clients live and record their universal family stories, highlighting shared human experiences.
Key Themes Discussed
- The Power of Small Moments: Kalee’s emphasis on cherishing fleeting moments, like a child eating cereal or saying “guacamole” as a toddler, to spark joy and memories.
- Authenticity in Storytelling: Prioritizing simple, timeless editing to let raw, unfiltered family moments shine, avoiding overproduced or AI-generated videos.
- Healing Through Creativity: How creating family films helped Kalee navigate a challenging time as a new mother, rewiring her perspective to find light in darkness.
- Intentional Documentation: Encouraging clients to record purposefully, using horizontal video and cinematic techniques to craft meaningful stories.
- Building Lasting Legacies: Kalee’s mission to provide families with tangible, emotional films that can be passed down for generations, like modern photo albums.
- Human Connection Over AI: The irreplaceable value of human editors who understand family dynamics and curate content with care, unlike impersonal AI systems.
