Sarah Smith Media: A Visual Storytelling Journey

Hi there, future friend or potential client – whichever you prefer, hopefully both soon! I’m Sarah, the face behind the lens and the brain behind the storytelling. They call me a videographer and storyteller based in Vernon, BC, but really, I’m just a gal who likes her wine and the Toronto Blue Jays a little too much.

Let me guide you through the peaks and valleys of my life, all leading up to this moment where I’m so stoked to introduce you to my brand-new venture – Sarah Smith Media.

Picture a young spunky Sarah, born in Vancouver, growing up in Burnaby, chasing soccer balls and softballs like there’s no tomorrow. Fast forward a bit, and I earned a softball scholarship in North Florida. Guess what…the Southern life was not my cup of sweet tea, so after finishing my Associate’s Degree, I packed my bags and headed back home, landing in the winter wonderland of Whistler, BC.

Enter the glorious ski bum years; slopes, bartending, and beer league sports…this is, of course, where I met my husband Ryan. Luckily, he was an Ontario boy, so when Toronto called to me next, it wasn’t too hard of a sell (it wasn’t an easy one either!)

We bought a super cool minivan, packed up our lives and moved to Toronto where I attended the College of Sports Media. Next up, I had the pleasure of interning as an editor at Sportsnet. Cutting together episodes of “Blue Jays in 30” was definitely a highlight (pun totally intended.) The move east proved to be the right move as I was ready to dive headfirst into the world of broadcast and videography.

While the move was right for me career-wise, Ontario just wasn’t home for us, so we packed that minivan up again, and back to Whistler we went. I was quickly offered a job at Shaw TV in Merritt, BC.

No town is too small for your first broadcast position, so I happily took it. I drove the Duffey Lake road nearly every weekend between Merritt and Whistler – now there’s a story! After 16 months of honing my camera, editing, production and hosting skills amidst the lovely Merritt community, Shaw TV transferred me home to Whistler. Finally, I was living where I wanted to live, working a job that I wanted to work! Magic.

Speaking of magic. Ryan proposed to me at the Pennywise show. It was a punk rock proposal for the ages! Work was good, life was good, and we were set, right?

Of course, life threw us a bit of a curveball – a baby boy named Braden arrived in July 2017, and four months later, we had an amazing surf wedding in Mexico. We moved to Pemberton in 2019, and then I’m not sure what happened in 2020…nothing big to note, I guess? After a weird couple of years, it had been a while since I made us move, so apparently, it was time to shake things up again…

Vernon, here I come! We love Whistler but the Okanagan beauty and culture were intriguing. 2021 saw me transfer once more, and in 2022, our family grew with the arrival of beautiful Sadie girl.

But, as they say, change is the only constant. Life at Shaw TV was breezy, but when Rogers TV swooped in, I took a leap of faith, embraced change, and bid farewell with a buyout in July 2023. With a pocket full of experiences and a baby brain full of dreams, Sarah Smith Media was born in November 2023.

So, what exactly is the deal with Sarah Smith Media, you ask? Well, it’s my mission to help businesses tell their stories, build their brands, and capture those precious moments through visual storytelling. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t want their tale told with a bit of flair and finesse?

When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me indulging in my love for sports – baseball, golf, hockey, snowboarding, and mountain biking. I play a mean first base in mixed slopitch, and don’t even try me on the hot corner in ladies’ ball! Weekends are filled with outdoor adventures with my husband, our 6-year-old dino enthusiast, Braden, and our 1-year-old sweet, cheeky monkey, Sadie. Camping, beach days, and a good game of disc golf – count me in!

In the grand scheme of things, I value family, friends, authenticity, creativity, and that warm feeling of being understood. So, whether you’re a fellow sports enthusiast, a fine wine aficionado, or just someone looking to capture life’s precious moments, let’s raise a glass to new beginnings, capturing memories, and creating stories that stick. Welcome to the Sarah Smith Media journey – grab a seat, stay awhile.