I had one of the most memorable experiences filming at a children’s orphanage in Cajamarca, Peru. Every year I go on a medical mission with the Osborne Head and Neck Foundation.
I have the opportunity to document and film the amazing surgical team do free head and neck surgeries for people in third world countries. It is a life-changing experience to be able to document first hand these amazing stories.
One particular event that was memorable for me was when part of the OHNF team split off to renovate and restore a recreational room of a children’s orphanage.
On a personal note, I was getting some establishing shots with my drone (DJI Phantom Pro 4 Obsidian), and a couple of the kids came out just to see what I was doing.
A couple people told me that this was the first they have ever seen a drone. It was pretty cool actually to be a part of an experience that they never had. You never really know how you are going to impact people big or small. And at the time I didn’t really think about it. I was just doing my job and something that was routine for me.
But for these kids, it was something completely special. I thought a lot about that time and how special it was for me too. Sometimes we lose track of things, because we are stuck in a routine. I forgot how amazing and cool it was to be able have the technology where you can fly a drone to take pictures and video.
I remember back when I started filmmaking, you would need a helicopter of some sorts and a camera to be able to obtain and capture aerial footage. Now, this technology is available for even the consumer.
I forgot how excited I was when I got my first drone. I couldn’t wait to be able to capture video on another level. Here I am years later, it all became routine to me. Though I was excited to film in a new country and a new location, I forgot that feeling until that day.
The kids made me excited again. Just seeing their reactions brought all of the feelings I had. I realized that for these kids, this is something they don’t have access or even see first hand.
It made me appreciate a lot of the little things that I may have overlooked. I feel like as filmmakers, we sometimes remove ourselves from living in the present, because we are too occupied trying to capture the moment.
I was able to be a part of that moment, and ever since that day, I don’t forget.
Shot by Aimee 