My journey into legacy videos began long before I ever picked up a camera. It started while visiting older people in aged care and feeling a deep sadness at how easily meaning can slip away when life becomes quieter and more limited. I kept wondering: “What can I do to help people reclaim more meaning in their lives?”

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Around that time I discovered Dignity Therapy, which helps people foster meaning and dignity through reflecting on their personal life stories as they approach the end of life. This philosophy resonated deeply with me and set me on a new path.

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I became a volunteer helping people write their life stories — in particular, I worked with a young man named Michael who lives with cerebral palsy. After listening to him patiently and writing his story with him, I suggested he might like to tell it in his own voice. He agreed, so I videoed him on my phone, and the joy and pride he felt was unforgettable.

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That was the power of storytelling — not just capturing a unique story, but more importantly giving meaning and dignity to the person. This inspired me to be mentored by a filmmaker to learn videography from scratch and begin creating legacy films.

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I didn’t come to this work through television or film school. My background is in teaching, listening, and helping people feel seen. I’m simply someone who believes every person deserves to feel heard, valued, and honoured.

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I've also learned that legacy films may not be watched often. In fact they may sit quietly on a shelf or a hard drive much of the time. But their existence matters. They are proof that a life was seen, heard, and honoured. That’s why I do this work — to help people to find dignity and meaning by sharing themselves, their voice, their story, and their personal wisdom for the benefit of others.

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I also give presentations within the community to help people feel comfortable talking about their lives — the experiences they've had, lessons they've learned, the people they've become — to build a sense of meaning that comes from sharing their story and confidence to do this with a friend or family member holding a camera.