the                   and 

Heart         Soul

behind

the

films

fig. 002

preserving moments, 

crafting A legacy

          My journey with filmmaking began when I discovered how a camera could freeze time yet somehow make it feel more alive. For over a decade, I've dedicated myself to the craft of visual storytelling, learning how lighting shifts mood, how composition guides the eye, and how timing captures truth.

          Stories have a way of bringing us back. Since the dawn of time, humans have connected over the art of storytelling. We can travel in time, cross borders, and experience profound emotions through the narratives we share with one another.

          When I film a wedding, an elopement, a milestone, I carry with me both the technical precision to document your truth, alongside a genuine curiosity about your story. Who you are, what you love, how you love, what that love feels like. Each story receives my complete devotion — from the first conversation to the moment you press "play" on your memories.

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the               i'll hold

Day

dear

Forever & Always

          Tucked away in a hidden corner of Ruby Lake on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, our wedding weekend was everything we had hoped for—intimate, immersive, and deeply connected. 

          With guests arriving on July 26th, we kicked off two unforgettable days of celebration surrounded by nature’s beauty and the warmth of our closest friends and family.

          By choosing a destination that encouraged everyone to unplug, slow down, and simply be present, we created space for genuine moments and lasting memories. It was more than just a wedding—it was a shared experience that felt like a retreat. 

          If you're dreaming of a celebration that goes beyond a single day, here’s how we planned a wedding weekend that brought everyone together in the most meaningful way.

I was a filmmaker,

Before

          Growing up, I was a curious, adventurous kid who loved the unknown. Whether it was trying something new, exploring the woods behind the house, or packing into the truck for another trip across the country, I chased the thrill of discovery. My cousin Alex was my partner in all things wild and free—back then, and still now. We built forts, made up stories, and got into just enough mischief to keep things interesting. It was through these simple, uninhibited moments that I first learned the joy of expressing myself freely.

          One of my most cherished memories is our annual trip from back east to Buttle Lake in British Columbia. That place still feels like magic. I believe we all have a part of ourselves that never grows up, and as an artist, I’ve found that letting my inner child take the lead is often where the most honest, powerful work comes from. That child—the one who loved animals, mischief, and chasing sunsets—still lives in me. And through my artistry, I invite you to meet them.

          My dad—my role model, my compass—was the heart of my world. He never tried to mold me into anything I wasn’t; instead, he gave me the space to be fully, unapologetically myself. That kind of unconditional encouragement planted the seeds for the artist I’ve become. Life on the countryside, surrounded by animals and farmland, taught me how to listen—to nature, to others, to myself. There’s a raw honesty in that way of living, and I carry it with me into everything I create.

Work With Me

i was just a                 
kid in the woods.

Curious

MY                    MUSES

Forever

          As an artist, my life is punctuated by inspirations and experiences that lead me

deeper and

deeper into my expression.

          My heart can be found in British Columbia, where the forest meets the sea. The towering trees, the rugged coast, where the ephemeral touches the divine.

I. mother earth

deeper and

II. analog

III. stamps in my passport

          I'm forever a pen and paper, Super8 and 35mm film before digital kind of girl. There's something honest about the click of a manual camera and the weight of a good notebook that keeps me connected to what matters in my work.

I. mother earth

deeper and

II. analog

III. stamps in my passport

          Every border crossing leaves its mark on how I see the world. The colors, sounds, and faces I encounter in my travels don't just fill my passport - they fill my creative well and reshape how I approach each story I tell.

I. mother earth

deeper and

II. analog

III. stamps in my passport

P.S. I wrote you a letter.

( Close Letter )

Dearest Reader, 

         You may not know me quite yet, and I'm hoping that changes very soon. In a nutshell, I've always been that person dancing wildly on my bed to Mariah Carey's Butterfly album (don't pretend you didn't do it, too). Since childhood, I've carried a camera everywhere I go, documenting backyard adventures, rescuing neighborhood animals, stargazing from my bedroom window. These childhood hobbies are so intrinsically linked to how I see the world today.

          Now, as a filmmaker in my early thirties, I approach each story with fierce devotion, because I know to my core how these films become more valuable with time. I take my job very seriously, documenting with the intention that this is the thing you'll reach to every year on your anniversary. And perhaps one day, you'll be show your children and grandchildren what your love looked like in its early chapters,

all my love,

Shayla Dietrich

          Wedding films often get labeled as luxury items, but I see them differently. They're time machines. Future heirlooms. Visual proof that on at least one day, everything aligned perfectly and love was the center of your universe. I can't wait to craft that legacy with you.

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