Blog
Real People, Real Places: Why Authentic Stories Still Matter
I was digging through my archives looking for an image for a customer and came across a behind-the-scenes photo from a recent Raleigh video shoot. This image got me thinking about all the new AI video tools out there and the doom-and-gloom surrounding what it means for video and photography.
You’d have to be willfully ignorant not to believe that AI is changing digital media at a rapid pace. For my business personally, it’s helped automate a lot of the “business” side of what I do, like scheduling and planning projects. It’s also helped speed up a lot of the mundane tasks with editing, writing, and graphics.
But when anyone can create a professional video or photo in just a few minutes using these tools, digital media is commoditized. Maybe we’re already there.
Maybe I’m naive, but I tend to feel more optimistic about this topic than most. I think the ease of access to these tools will just get rid of the unserious creators. The cream will rise to the top, and the people that are focused on telling real stories about real people and real places will shine through.
When you watch a corporate video, commercial, or a movie, you want to connect with it. And nothing does that better than authenticity. When something gets commoditized, the value of that thing goes down. But if AI-generated content is the norm, then human-made and human-focused content will skyrocket in value.
I recently read a great quote by an AI tech founder that sums it up perfectly:
“We’re heading towards an economy of meaning.”
Filming Jarrett Bay’s 90-Foot Hull 68 + Marine Commercial Photography
A couple weeks ago, we headed back down to the coast for another video shoot with Jarrett Bay Boatworks in Beaufort, North Carolina.
As a video production and photography company based in the Raleigh area, we work with a wide range of clients, but there is always something uniquely impressive about stepping onto a custom sportfishing boat under construction.
For this shoot, we produced a new episode of the Jarrett Bay Insider series, focusing on the massive Hull 68, a 90-foot sportfishing boat that is currently in production. We also conducted a few interviews with employees for the monthly employee spotlight series as well as shot portraits of them. Jarrett Bay boatworks uses these videos and images to keep their customers and fans engaged.
Inside Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay's Latest Build: Dual Masters, Custom Woodwork & Luxury Design
Last week, we spent a morning at Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay filming their newest luxury boat build. In this video tour, we get an exclusive first look at their first dual master stateroom layout, spacious VIP stateroom, and unique mezzanine area. We also shot a quick interview with Master Carpenter Kurt Telfer to discuss the custom woodworking project he's currently working on for this custom yacht.
Our Photography in the Wild: Jarrett Bay's New Ads
It’s always great seeing our work featured. Our photography for Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay's latest ads is now running in the Marlin Magazine newsletter.
90 Foot Sportfisher gets MTU engines and a cabin
On the most recent episode of the Jarrett Bay Insider, RV Hodge walks you through the install process of the twin MTU engines as well as setting the cabin. This 90 foot sportfishing boat is expected to be splashed in 2026.
Jarrett Bay Boatworks - Newsletter Photography & Videos
Several photo and video projects highlight Jarrett Bay Boatworks’ latest newsletter.
Marlin Magazine Newsletter Ads
Jarrett Bay’s recent ad placements in Marlin Magazine’s eNews letter feature screen grabs from the the latest Jarrett Bay Insider episode. Next week we travel from Raleigh back to Beaufort to begin production on the next Jarrett Bay insider episode. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes shots from that shoot.
Early Morning Magic on Lake Wheeler
Some shoots are worth the early wake-up call.
My wife and I took our 1974 Ski Nautique out on Lake Wheeler for sunrise a couple weeks ago. I got a permit from the City of Raleigh to shoot photos and videos on the lake for a project so thought I would grab some personal pictures while I was there.
I wanted a low angle shot of the boat to emphasize the speed so I found a rock on the shoreline to setup on. She fired up the Nautique and made a few full throttle passes right as the sun broke the horizon. From my low angle in the water, every ripple and reflection was magnified, making the classic boat look and feel much faster.
Everything clicked on about the third pass when we finally figured out the framing, distance and light.
Most of my time behind a camera these days is spent shooting photos and videos for clients around Raleigh, so projects like this are a reminder to slow down and create something just for the sake of being creative.
Raleigh, NC Video Production - Behind the scenes
We’ve shot thousands of interviews for corporate videos over the years and rarely get to shoot them in an ideal location. The key to getting a great interview in less than ideal situations is the following:
1. Preparation and comfort of the subject. Know the person, the company and the topics before you sit down. Give them a sense of the flow so they feel ready but not scripted. Small talk and a relaxed setup go a long way in getting natural answers.
2. Good storytelling questions. Ask open-ended questions that invite stories instead of one-word replies. Guide them to answer in full sentences so their responses stand on their own in the edit. A solid flow is personal connection, challenge, solution, impact, and vision.
3. Technical execution. Clear audio matters most, followed by simple/clean lighting and framing. Set them up with soft, flattering light and capture supporting B-roll to match what they are saying.
Make them comfortable, ask the right questions, and get the technicals right. That is the formula for an interview that looks sharp and feels genuine.
*This shot is a behind the scenes photo from a corporate video shoot in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Boatbuilding Newsletter - Photography & Video
Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay’s latest newsletter, features the new Jarrett Bay Insider video and a recently employee spotlight photo and interview.
New Jarrett Bay Insider Episode for August
Check out the new Jarrett Bay Insider Episode for August. In this video RV talks about travel lifts and the crew that operates them. He also gives updates on Jarrett Bay’s newest and largest build to date, the 90 foot Hull number 68.
Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay’s Email Newsletter
Jarrett Bay’s newest email newsletter features our latest episode of the Jarrett Bay Insider video series as well as a new employee spotlight photo and write up.
Corporate Video Shoot - Raleigh, NC
This behind the scenes photo was taken during a corporate video shoot we did for a long time customer in Raleigh, NC. The final video was a three-person conversation that aired during a large conference out of state. For this shoot we used a two camera setup and ran hard wired lapel mics into a mixing board to get clean audio.
Boatbuilding Video Series
For more than eight years, the Jarrett Bay Insider video series has shared the custom sportfishing boatbuilding process with viewers. Here’s the latest episode featuring Jarrett Bay Hull 68 and Hull 44.
OnBoard Magazine Photos
Bluewater Yacht Sales publishes an annual magazine with customer stories, marine product insights and yacht sales listings. This year’s magazine features a two-page spread with some of our photos from Jarrett Bay Hull 68.
Raleigh Video Production - Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes of a Raleigh video production shoot featuring a two-camera setup capturing an on-camera conversation.
Safe Harbor Marinas - Cover Photo
Safe Harbor Marinas used my photo of Jarrett Bay Hull 62 Jaruco for the cover of their Water Magazine.
Social media video reaches 6 million views
The instagram reel video we put together with Jarrett Bay Boatworks has hit 6 million views, 171k likes, 514 comments, and 16.3k shares.
Impact over Hype | Big Rock 2025
As this year's Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament comes to a close, it has been fun to see our video production and photography work reach thousands of viewers throughout the event. Seeing all the comments has reminded me how powerful simple stories can be. We had a few videos air during key moments throughout the week, and seeing that visibility turn into real connection with people has been incredibly rewarding. Thanks to Jarrett Bay Boatworks and the Big Rock Tournament for their continued trust through the years.
Watch the Jarrett Bay Boatworks commercial HERE.
Graphic Design | Premier Concepts, Holly Springs, NC
I recently wrapped up a graphic design project for Premier Concepts in Holly Springs, NC which specializes in architectural specialty products. This is an ongoing project, encompassing everything from initial design concepts and layout to developing a strong brand identity and crafting compelling copywriting. It’s always a fun challenge to communicate their unique offerings through these data sheets.
