We are storytellers, filmmakers and very big film fans
Our passion is helping individuals, families, businesses, charities and communities share the stories that matter.
We bring professional cameras, lighting and sound, but more importantly, we bring curiosity, patience and a genuine interest in people. We believe everyone has a story worth sharing, and our job is to help you feel comfortable enough to tell it.
Derek Abel
Derek is a trained cinematographer and documentary filmmaker with more than 15 years of experience in film and video production.
After studying cinematography in London, he went on to work around the world and developed a particular passion for storytelling that can make a difference. His documentaries about homelessness have been shown to politicians and discussed in Parliament, with some helping the people featured receive housing and support.
He is also very good at helping people forget there is a camera pointing at them.
Outside work, Derek is usually watching a film or investigating a piece of equipment he definitely needs. His definition of cinema happily includes 1980s action films and unnecessarily large explosions.
MICHELLE MACHADO
Michelle is a producer who looks after Client and Story Partnerships at Your Story, helping guide projects from the first conversation through to filming.
She has a knack for making people feel comfortable and making sure the whole experience feels far less intimidating than being filmed probably sounded when you first agreed to it.
Michelle is passionate about giving people a voice, particularly through work with charities and community organisations.
She is also a lifelong film fan. Mention Young Frankenstein and there is every chance the meeting will temporarily become about Mel Brooks instead.
Henry
Henry oversees morale, snack inspections and the occasional meeting.
He is also the most popular member of the team.
We have accepted this.
A small team with a big network
Every story and every production is different. Sometimes, all a project needs is Derek, a camera and a great conversation. At other times, it may call for cinematographers, photographers, producers, camera assistants, sound recordists, drone operators, live-streaming technicians, hair and makeup artists, editors or a much larger production crew.
Your Story works with an incredible network of trusted professionals, allowing us to keep a project small, personal and unobtrusive or scale up for complex productions, large events, documentaries and multi-camera live broadcasts. The team may change depending on the project, but the approach remains the same: working with talented, professional and friendly people who understand that the person in front of the camera always comes first.
Henry the Dog
Pawject Manager
Person 2
Lorem Ipsum
Person 3
Ut enim ad minim veniam
Person 4
Excepteur sint occaecat
Person 5
Ut enim ad minim veniam
Person 6
Excepteur sint occaecat
The people behind the cameras
When sharing a personal story, the people behind the cameras matter. We listen, treat your story with respect and help you feel comfortable being yourself, combining professional filmmaking and thoughtful storytelling with a relaxed, down-to-earth approach.