FAQs

Led by Lacey Criswell, HUNT + CAPTURE is a full-service photo and motion production company that tells powerful narratives to foster connection. We believe good work should spark a conversation and create community.

Lacey hand picks the team for your project needs. It’s a diverse group all equally talented and determined to deliver an authentic story. As a collective, HUNT + CAPTURE seeks to operate with integrity, foster long-term relationships, and bring passion to every aspect.

HUNT + CAPTURE works with agencies to create still and motion assets. Agencies often have well-developed concepts in place by the time they bring my team on for visual storytelling. However, I love being a part of the creative process and can offer professional insight into the large picture. An effective campaign defines your brand and sets you apart from the competition. I believe that happens when humanity and emotion, steered by concept and direction, are at the heart of the concept. As a director and photographer with extensive production knowledge, I am able to create motion and image libraries (integrated campaigns)seamlessly. How we work together really depends on the scope of your project. My preferred method of working is to keep a light footprint and deliver big results. My team is a full-service motion + photo production company. We can do it all or fill in your team.

H+C works directly with in-house marketing teams and all sized businesses. My team is often part of the creative conversation early on and takes a larger role in the campaign. Working business to business I know you are filling many roles and are looking to get the biggest bang for your resources. I use all my expertise from ad campaigns, directing, and photography to fit your needs. These can be as simple as me showing up with a camera to full productions. No job is too big or small and I am here to help you put your business first.

Similar in needs to ad campaigns and brands, but different in approach. I love working with nonprofits. Nothing feels better than doing the greater good. Through my years of experience, I know that you have a different chain of command and answer to a board of directors. You also have different budgetary needs. Often your planning needs to happen year/s in advance to fit in with the fiscal budget. This just means there are probably more steps to navigate and we need to plan accordingly. I have successfully worked with large non-profits like mia, smile network international, and smaller grassroots like Homeward Bound and Zaagibagaang (a grassroots effort focusing on governance and nation-building within the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe).

I have done it all. James Kerwin delivered a lecture at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), where he said to say ‘'yes' to everything because early on in your career you don't know where it will lead. So I started and ran a successful wedding photography and videography company (which I started while still in school). Meanwhile, I was photo assisting and freelancing as a digital tech in the commercial world. This led me to photographing food at General Mills and shoots for Target focusing on product and people. From there, I launched HUNT+CAPTURE because I knew I loved working with people and Ad agencies. Through these experiences I learned that I need to be calm under pressure and thrive in organized chaos in order to do well in advertising. Lucky for me this is my natural habitat (I credit developing these skills by bartending for years and a high volume bar).

My directing is influenced by understanding all the levels of production. While attending MCAD I took numerous motion classes, such as 8mm, cscript writing, and film theory. Starting with limited resources I had to wear the hats of producer, director, and DP. As my interest grew and turned to commercial work I taught myself sound and editing. This way I could work with any size production. I started to shadow shoot (set photographer) on huge productions in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Houston. This gave me a chance to observe different renowned directors as well as learn the set from the bottom up.

My experience has made me adaptable and approachable in many environments. My curiosity combined with my relaxed nature enables me to respond well under pressure and collaborate with colleagues and clients alike. Because everything is so planned out and organized, my sets are fun and loose.

This delivers a mood of playful spontaneity where actors or real subjects are encouraged to deliver authentic performances. My teamwork, creative vision, and knowledge of the process from concept through post means that every project I touch is in trustworthy hands.

I believe in working collaboratively and creating compelling and authentic stories, regardless of genre. To do this there are a few fundamental components. I rely on my instincts of knowing exactly the right spot to set up and how to direct my subject to bring the story to life. Often what makes the story are the small details, authentic moments, that are created and captured in the dance between myself and the subject/talent. Even in the most complex productions I bring only the gear and crew that's needed. Keeping a small footprint is key to creating a comfortable set and allowing the emotion of the story to breakthrough.

I have a huge appetite for an experience that’s driven by my intensely curious nature. I believe film and photography are powerful tools for transformation. Telling a good story can fundamentally alter the course of a life, a business, or a conversation in a positive way, and that is my true goal.

I pride myself on having “done it at every level” earning my way through the ranks of the business by consistently delivering for ad agencies and my clients. I work with your budget to deliver best-in-class visuals.

Ping me at (612) 227-9010 for the quickest response. You could also email (lacey@huntcapture.com) or call me.

After our initial conversations, I will build a detailed estimate and treatment that captures the style and approach of a service tailored to your unique needs. Most treatments require 5 to 7 days, but if you’re in a pinch H+C can usually turn out a treatment in 48 hours.

Short answer, YES!

I once had the pleasure of following Guillermo Del Toro for 48 hours for a photo shoot. He shared many golden nuggets of information, and one of them related to budget. He said whether it’s a thousand dollars or millions of dollars it’s never enough-- he always makes his films look like a bigger production. I always think about this often. I always find ways to stretch your budget to create the highest-caliber work possible.

Reach out to me ASAP. I love ideation and helping people come up with the best plan to create and tell their message. I am happy to take a creative solution from a single thought to the final delivered campaign. I am also equally thrilled to be a part of a team and make your vision come to life.

Call, text or email me. Let’s discuss your situation. I love brainstorming, and I feel confident we can come up with a solution.

As a Director and Photographer, I excel at delivering content and library shoots, both still and motion. With my background rooted in fine art, commercial, and nonprofit experiences, I offer portraiture, lifestyle shoots, and a variety of product shoots. See a comprehensive list of services here.

Hunt + Capture is a full-service motion and photo production collaborative specializing in content and library shoots. H + C can be one piece of a team, or H+C can do it all from start (ideation) to finish (assets).

The right equipment. This may seem like a nonanswer but every job is different and every camera delivers a different look. I had the pleasure of attending a Todd Hido workshop and he said “A painter never uses one paintbrush, because each paintbrush accomplished something different. It's the same with cameras, lenses, film, etc.”.