Drumroll please...

Leah Blankespoor
Aug 29, 2017
4 min read

I alluded to a big reveal a couple of days ago on my Instagram. I’ve gotten some texts from people just dying of curiosity. So here it is.

This is a really personal decision of mine, as I have toyed around with making this dream a reality for quite awhile. I decided to let go, give it to God, and see where it takes me. So this is my dream idea, guilty pleasure, High School Musical moment where the thespian announces she wants to be a chef, the skater proclaims he loves playing the cello.

I am starting my own videography business.

There I said it, no turning back. No questioning if I’m good enough or what people will think.

Here’s my story:

Hi, I'm the face behind the camera. My actual name is Leah Joy Blankespoor, but this will change at the end of December when I become Mrs. Leah Rozendaal. This is where I got my name Leah Rose Productions, in addition to my Grandmother Rose Blankespoor who is married to my Grandpa Morry. Growing up my grandfather was always known as the camera guy. I cannot remember a time that he did not have a camera in hand. He has inspired me to capture moments for others to look back on for years to come. Photography has a way of bringing people together.

My journey to how I have got to this point in life is long and winding. I believe beauty is in the journey, so I will highlight some of these pieces to give you a bigger picture. I graduated from Iowa State University with a major in Event Management and an emphasis in Entrepreneurial Studies.

Ever since I was a little girl, I was always coming up with new business ideas. My dad, an entrepreneur and multi-business owner, has always seen this in the fabrication of my being. As a 7 year old, I would sell my Fourth of July candy to my neighbors. I have always loved having control as well. I've been called a "control freak." But hey, someones gotta run the show! In fact, when asked what I wanted for my sixth birthday (my golden birthday) I stated that I wanted a surprise birthday party. Not a normal thing to ask for.

While studying abroad during Fall of 2016 I fell in love with videography. Capturing each location in the style of a highlights video. Video transforms me back to the moment in a way that other methods can't.

Last week I had a break down moment. As I was sitting at my desk at work I thought to myself “How are my talents glorifying God and shining His light to other people?” I broke down and realized I feel as though I am not making a difference in the world. I feel like all I am doing is working to make money so that I can pay the bills.

That crushed me.

My passion is videography but I just saw this as a hobby that I would some day hopefully turn into a reality. This is where God stepped in. A couple of days later, I was on Facebook and saw a bride on a wedding site looking for a videographer two days before her wedding as hers canceled last minute. As a fellow bride to be, I couldn’t imagine what she was feeling. I messaged her, and she chose me to capture her wedding.

I was excited, terrified, but ultimately knew this was God’s doing. Within 4 hours of accepting to cover her wedding, I received 4 wedding videography inquiries. This could not be just me, God definitely was showing His faithfulness.

On Saturday there was the most beautiful fall day with the most amazing couple that I got to spend their wedding day with. I walked away that day and my cheeks hurt because I was smiling so much from behind my camera.

Getting to help a bride in a stressful situation helped me. You see it gave me some purpose. I have also gotten approached to help with a project for those battling cancer to make videos for their loved ones to hold onto. Now THAT is what makes me love what I do. I like to call these Legacy Letters.

Okay, so now for some shameless shoutouts. First off, Lucas Rozendaal, for brushing off the tears, listening and always allowing me to chase my dreams. My entrepreneur enthusiast father who has given me business consulting/coaching (which I get for free!!!), my graphic design sister, and writer of a mother. My friends for their encouragement when I doubted, my mentors for giving me the opportunities to grow. Dr. Niehm taught an entrepreneurship course my last semester at ISU which is definitely the class that I learned and grew the most in. Through this course, I had the chance to meet some amazing business owners: Bill Malone of Cafe Diem and Jess Clyde of London Underground. Thank you for trusting me and my team with your money, resources, and businesses. Later on in the semester, I pitched a videography business idea to a panel of judges in this entrepreneurship class and was awarded second place out of over 20 entries. This class taught me to not be shy of chasing what I wanted.

I will upload the wedding from last weekend, but for now I uploaded the highlight wedding video from last weekend within the next week, but for now here is a video from my grandparents 50th anniversary trip this last summer. I found it fitting because I love sharing my love of photography and cameras with my Grandpa Morry :) Plus, my business name, Leah Rose Productions, has my sweet Grandma Rose’s name in it. I’ll stop rambling now.