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OUR e-GUIDE

Woman laughs during a documentary interview in an elegantly decorated room with camera in the foreground.
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But here’s the truth :

Your brand is sitting on some powerful stories (whether you already know them or not) that are begging to be documented with boldness, respect, & striking visuals.

The story of your organization is way too important to let mediocre video production muck it up.

There are some boring videos out there...

how we do things:

We’re documentary style storytellers & compassionate interviewers ... with expert level lights, camera, & action skills.

Our video production studio serves purpose driven brands by creating cinematic videos for fundraising, community outreach, branding, & more.

We’ll help you carry out your mission in bigger & better ways.

Man smiles during an on-camera interview in an industrial facility with professional lighting overhead.

Authentically attract like-minded people who will become long term champions (and patrons) of your brand.

Attraction

Tell complex, sensitive stories with clarity & compassion.

Story

Position yourselves as the solution to your audience’s needs.

Positioning

we'll help you with:

you may already know this, but ...

It’s about the individuals and communities you serve. We’ll demonstrate your brand’s importance by detailing its impact.

Your brand isn’t actually about you.

At Storyteller Studios, we:

Everyone has a story, but not everyone can unwind the meaning behind the story. We know where to look to find authentic, relatable stories that put real faces and results to the work you do.

Some of our clients come to us and already know the story they want to tell. Some want us to help uncover it. Whatever your position, we’ll find the most engaging angle to show the world why your organization matters.

Identify authentic stories.

01

Storyteller Studios videographer directs subjects on the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background.

Visual communication has been a key part of civilization since early humans carved images of aurochs, their source of survival, on cave walls.

Our tools are a bit more sophisticated now, but our goal is the same: to tell about & celebrate the things that matter most. Our Emmy® Award-winning team of producers, directors, and editors goes out in the field, gathers the elements of your story, and comes back to the studio to carve out an emotions-driven masterpiece.

Hook
your viewers.

02

Storyteller team member Payton leans back in her chair smiling as she interviews her subject.

All that work is pointless if people walk away unchanged. Otherwise, it’s just entertainment. As small business owners & strategy nerds, our work is always designed to further the goals you share with us, whether that’s attracting new clients, increasing donations, spreading community awareness (with measurable KPIs), or “other.” If you need help honing in on the goals that make the most sense for your business’ trajectory, we’ll coach you through that, too.

Compel action.

03

Woman in a cream dress laughs joyfully during an interview with boom mic, camera, and production lighting surrounding her.

Degrees in film, journalism, communication, and cinematography.

6

Combined years of experience on our team of six.

74

Telly Awards earned by our team

29

Regional Emmy® Awards and nominations earned by our team

12

by the numbers

get in touch today ▸

Let’s get your audience to take action.

think we might be a fit?

get in touch today ▸

Let’s get your audience to take action.

think we might be a fit?

We take that footage back to our studio to edit your film in the most cinematic, compelling way we can, before collaborating with you on final edits. Finally, we’ll deliver your final product (with a few extra cuts for social media and digital ads), ready for you to share with the world.

Editing

Next, we enter your space (or your customer or client’s space) with respect, gathering B-roll and interviews. We ask questions boldly yet with sensitivity, making interviews feel like conversations (our "hot" seat is actually room temperature).

Filming

Once we have your goals on lock, our team starts with the underwater part of the iceberg: preparing, researching, planning, and strategizing.

We figure out the storytelling elements so you can focus on your own tasks and goals, rather than trying to juggle a bunch of freelancers.

Planning

How the stories get made

Videographer films a ballet dancer performing on a haze-filled stage with dramatic backlight.

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In 2013, we started leveraging the power of documentary-style film for brands and causes in our hometown of Springfield, Illinois (hence our affinity for Lincoln).

Since then, we’ve worked with clients nationally and traveled to cities including Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Des Moines.

No matter where you are, we’d be honored to serve your brand next.

documentary-style film for brands & causes

we're storyteller studios

Lydia Stuemke, Storyteller Studios Production Manager, smiles at a wooden table with camera and lenses.
Storyteller owner Josh Hester leans over a wooden table.

- Nonprofit Executive

Stormy Udell

"Working with the whole team was an incredible experience. They were knowledgeable and professional but also truly have a passion for helping people, as seen in their finished polished, heartfelt product."

"We had the privilege of working with Storyteller and the experience was nothing short of outstanding. Their professionalism and dedication to storytelling were evident from the outset. They masterfully captured the journeys of families overcoming challenges, highlighting their resilience and achievements without resorting to labels or stereotypes.

"The team's approach was both respectful and empowering. They took the time to understand each unique narrative, ensuring that every story was told with authenticity and heart.

Man with glasses and beard speaks during an interview in a workshop setting with camera monitor and boom mic visible.

FROM OUR CLIENTS:

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we love meeting people like you ▸

Let's Connect

Josh Hester holds a camera on a tree-lined path on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Our method follows some very specific
guidelines. We lead with integrity, we respect every person and space we work with, and we believe in partnerships over dictatorships. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s get down to brass tacks.

How We Roll

Crew member monitors audio levels on a Zoom H5 recorder during a video production shoot.

We’ve got the heart of a romantic, the nose of a journalist, and the brain of a marketer. In a world where authenticity wins trust & quality wins loyalty, learn how our compassionate team can help your cause stand out. A cut above.

Meet the Storytellers

Cinematographer adjusts a camera on a slider dolly while filming in an elementary school classroom.

Where to next?

What makes Storyteller Studios different?
We combine award-winning filmmaking with a deep understanding of mission-driven brands, crafting story-first videos that move people to action.

Who do you work with?
We partner with brands, nonprofits, foundations, healthcare organizations, universities, and institutions that value purpose, trust, and meaningful storytelling.

Where are you based and where do you work?
We’re based in Springfield, Illinois, but we produce video projects for clients nationwide, including Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Louisville.

How do we get started?
Start with a conversation. We’ll help you clarify your goals, sharpen your message, and design a creative approach that fits your mission and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions