By Caylyn Pfizenmaier

For more than four years Addy Lehman has catered to the world of weddings with her business, “Addy Lehman Films.” Lehman says that part of the reason she started creating wedding films for couples, was because of her love for creating. 

“I always loved creating videos since I was young,” she said. “When I was in middle school I had an Ipad and I had this app called video star, everytime my friends came over all I wanted to do was make these music videos on video star,” she said. I’ve always thought that taking a video and putting music to it is so cool and magical, as simple as it is.”

Lehman says that she began filming wedding films in high school shortly after her family had purchased a Go Pro camera. 

“Shannon Stark was the first person to reach out to me and ask if I would film her Wedding for her,” she said. “I actually filmed her wedding on the Go Pro,” she said. “A light bulb kind of went off, that I could do something that I love and that it could be my job.”

After graduating from high school, Lehman attended Western Colorado University in Gunnison Colorado. As soon as she settled in Gunnison she took action to find work related to videography. 

“As soon as I got out there I reached out to a bunch of wedding planners and photographers as a way to get on their radar,” she said. “I didn’t really know if anything would come from it or if I would ever hear back from them.”

Lehman says that shortly after making connections she received a message from a planner stating that a couple had been interested in her work.

“I filmed my first wedding in Colorado just a month into school, I could not believe that I was doing this, it was so surreal and it made it seem do-able,” she said. “I then reached out to one of the videographers that I had looked up to, Mckenna Bangerter, shadowed and learned so much from her. I owe so much of this to her, she was one of my inspirations. 

In the summer of 2020, Lehman says that she decided to take a leap of faith, and officially start her business. 

“I remember the exact day that I decided to start my business,” she said. “I was having such a fun summer but at the same time, I was unsure of what I was going to do next after the summer had ended,” she said. “I remember God so clearly telling me that now was the time to start this business,” she said. “I decided to go for it and just trust him, and the rest is history.”

Each wedding videographer has a different type and sense of style that is unique to them. Lehman says that she aims to create something that her couples can look back on with joy and nostalgia. 

“I would describe my style as cinematic nostalgia, when my couple watches their film I want them to feel nostalgia, I want it to feel like a movie or music video, ” she said. “I really try to focus on the joy of the wedding day, so my videos are more high energy and upbeat.”

When filming weddings Lehman says she strives to get on a personal level with the couples, so that she can create something that the couple can look back on

“I really try to immerse myself in the wedding day, showing up and being present and observant,” she said. “I also like to take note of who they are as people, she said.” “When I edit the film, I look through the footage again and put myself there again, almost trying to relive the day. 

Over the years Lehman says that she has learned how to prioritize and plan things related to her business to fit her life schedule. After getting married in the fall of 2022, Lehman says she realized that she had to find a balance. 

“One of my biggest challenges was finding a work and life balance, the first couple years I was so busy, I booked so many weddings which was great but it did lead to burn out,” she said. “It was hard for me to say no to filming a wedding because every wedding is a great opportunity,” she said. “Because of the feeling of being burnt out, I distanced myself from the job,” she said. “Then I got married and we moved all over, to Florida, then Utah, she said.”I wasn’t booking many weddings, I realized how much I missed it, I became very determined to find a life and work balance, I feel like 2024 was truly the year where I did find that balance, I think I found a great sweet spot for the amount of weddings I’ll do each year.”

Lehman says that the most rewarding part of her job is creating something that is special and that each couple can love forever.

“The most rewarding thing is definitely creating something that the couple can cherish forever,” she said. “After getting married and watching our wedding video over the years, I realize how important my job is, and I’m very grateful to be able to provide something for couples that they can look back on.”