What is PTM?
Portraits that Move is a team of professional, award-winning filmmakers who create documentary-quality videos for families. With a focus on joy, we preserve specific moments of family lives, documenting how children and families change and grow.
Every Portraits that Move short film reflects personality and spirit of you and your family. Our films are one-of-a-kind moving portraits of your life.
What is the process to create a Portraits that Move Film?
Step 1: Phone Consultation with a member of the Portraits that Move team. We’ll discuss your ideas, your kids’ needs, and the shoot schedule.
Step 2: Film Shoot for your Signature Portrait or Bar Mitzvah Video. On shoot day, the filmmaking team comes to your home (or location of your choosing). Count on three to four hours for the filming session and a team of two people for Portrait Videos (get more information on the Bar Mitzvah Videos see here).
During the film shoot, we observe your child doing the things they love to do — playing, reading, laughing, and being themselves and ask them to tell us about who they are, their likes and dislikes, their feelings, their dreams and their family.
Step 3: Film Editing. Our professional film editing team creates your custom Portraits that Move film.
When your film is complete, you receive the password-protected final product electronically to download on as many devices as you wish. PTM team members are available for technical support.
Can I be there while my child is being filmed?
Yes, of course! We love it when parents participate. The main objective during a film shoot is that you and your child are comfortable and relaxed.
WILL I BE IN THE VIDEO?
While it’s not necessary for parents to be on camera, including images of the family in the video can help to create a more holistic portrait, so we are happy to shoot images and video of you if you would like.
I have more than one child: Can I have them all in the video?
Yes! We love creating videos with siblings.
What makes PORTRAITS THAT MOVE different from home movies or iPhone videos?
Our one-of-a-kind documentaries are different from home movies in several ways. Our team is comprised of professional award-winning filmmakers who have spent their careers honing their craft. We bring a level of talent and expertise that elevates the end product. We offer a production value that is the highest quality — and not easily reproduced in a spur-of-the-moment click of an iPhone.
Portraits that Move videos are scored with licensed music and edited to the highest standards.
What if I don't want my video on the website/social media?
We only share what families give us permission to share. While we hope that you will want us to share your film with our community, it is your decision to do so.
All films are delivered to you as password-protected files, and it is with your authorization only that those passwords can be removed.
