Moving Portraits Testimonials

There’s a place in the mountains that means a great deal to my husband and to our family. To him, the property reminds him of his childhood, his long-gone grandparents, his brothers, and of a time when his parents were still together.

To me, that lovely spot reminds me of our courtship, nervous first holidays with his family, our daughter as a baby and a toddler, warm days by the lake, and cool nights by the fire. We’ve played in the snow there, we’ve chased leaves and fireflies there, and we’ve shared a lot of laughter there.

In the last two years, that property has changed and has been developed. In fact, one could argue that very little about the area is familiar to those who remember it from 10 years ago. But because of Stephen van Vuuren—his skill and his art—my husband has a lasting reminder of what it used to be like there by the lake. He can relive it any time he wants because his memories, his favorite things, were all captured through the lens of Stephen’s camera. And my husband’s emotions are played out through Stephen’s deft combination of pictures and evocative music.

Things change, people change, but memories can last forever. Stephen was able to capture moments in time that mean so much to our family.

Cheminne-Taylor Smith

I was blessed to receive the first ever video/CD birthday card. I was so excited about it that I suggested Stephen van Vuuren should produce these for others as well. If I had to follow my old English teachers’ request of “five words or less,” it would read: An exquisite, poignant, moving treasure! I recommend this creation as the perfect birthday present.

With flawless workmanship, Stephen van Vuuren displayed remarkable talent in blending pictures and music to tell the story of my fifty-odd years on this earth. It made me laugh and it made me cry as it touched the valleys and the peaks of my life. I could remember the sweetness of my ups and found semi-sweetness in my downs.

This was a reaffirming experience for me—of who I am and that my life matters. No better way to celebrate a birthday. A gift I will always treasure!

Laura K. O’Donnell