The Sentinel-Record - HER - Hot Springs
Married to her work
Aubuchon a hopeless romantic for wedding photography
In some of her earliest memories, Kelly Aubuchon recalls the almost gravitational like force pulling her toward cameras.
That attraction developed into a passion and, later on, a career. Over the past 25 years, she transitioned from photographer to videographer, and eventually took on the title of business owner and entrepreneur.
Aubuchon attended National Park College, where she received her Associate of Arts degree in journalism and liberal arts. Two years after graduating, she started Capture the Moment Images, a video production service specializing in real estate, business commercials and special events. Over the years, she has continued to explore the possibilities of film, branching off into various creative directions.
Aubuchon’s relationship with film began by selling video equipment for John Cooksey at Elite Video. There, she had access to instructional videos Cooksey produced for his customers. Aubuchon took the videos home to study them, and eventually became an exceptional camerawoman. When she first began, she didn’t have access to top-of-theline equipment, but she didn’t let that stop her.
Today, Aubuchon owns and operates CTM Images. She caters to a variety of clientele, but her specialty is wedding videos. She offers a variety of video packages, making it affordable for everyone to have video documentation of their special day.
“I try to make all options available for everyone. I want people to have a wedding video,” said Aubuchon. She blames the fact that she’s a “hopeless romantic” on her love of weddings but, whatever the reason fueling her passion, it has truly blossomed. Her love of weddings evolved over the years into different pet projects.
“I enjoy weddings, and wanted to focus on that, primarily. Everything branched (out) from there,” she said. In 2005, she started Simply Bridal magazine and distributed it in the area. The magazine featured local weddings and vendors that catered to weddings, such as florists, bakeries and venues. It operated as an excellent networking platform for the bridal community until 2010, when circulation stopped.
The year following the debut of her magazine, Aubuchon unveiled the Hot Springs Bridal Expo and Fashion Show, which later became the Hot Springs Bridal Expo hosted by Garvan Woodland Gardens. The idea came to her via her former employer, John Cooksey. He saw the passion Aubuchon had for weddings, and suggested she put on the event. He connected her with Mark Fleischner, whose family owns Lauray’s The Diamond Center, who then put her in contact with Christopher’s Bridal — and the rest, as they say, was history.
Twenty-five vendors from the area participated in the inaugural Hot Springs Bridal Expo and Fashion Show, and each year the number has grown. She continued running the expo and fashion show for the next four years until handing over the reigns to the people at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
“(Starting the expo) was definitely a learning experience,” Aubuchon said, but she knew it was time to let go. Today, there is no fashion show, but the expo still happens each spring. Prospective brides from across Arkansas gather to find inspiration for their big day, and the resources to make it happen. Naturally, Aubuchon still participates as a vendor each year.
Within just the last seven months, Aubuchon quit her day job and decided to pursue her career as a full-time video producer. Most of the traffic she receives comes from recommendations from past clients who were greatly satisfied with the quality of her work.
“The main reason I started (CTM Images) was because I wanted to work for myself. That, and the lack of video production services located in Hot Springs,” she said.
Generating an income proved to be a daunting task early on. “It’s difficult to convince people to believe and invest in something that is just an idea. You definitely have to be prepared to work hard. It’s late nights, long hours and dedication,” she said.
In 2010, Aubuchon decided to try producing a full-length documentary film about the integration of Langston and Hot Springs high schools. She found something she enjoyed in creating longer films, and decided to produce her own film, “The Potter.”
A suspenseful thriller set in Dryden’s Pottery, the film follows the disappearances of several people in the fictional town of Cold Springs. Kelly filmed everything in Hot Springs, using local talent to fill the cast. It took 10 years to complete the film, but it finally came together. Aubuchon has already submitted the film to a variety of festivals.
With wedding season quickly approaching, Aubuchon prepares for her busiest time of year. She looks forward to continuing her work in video production for events, and even dabbling in writing, producing and directing another film.
Visit her website at http://www.ctmimages.com for more information about her work.