We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Reagan Miller Kearns a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Reagan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I began learning the ins and outs of video editing at age 12 by watching YouTube tutorials and playing around on editing softwares. I maintained my editing skills as a hobby throughout high school and college, creating projects for friends, clubs, and my sorority, but I never considered honing the craft professionally until I filmed my first wedding in 2020. I saw so much potential in the beautiful footage I’d captured, so I wanted to push beyond the “standard” editing formula. I enrolled in an online film school called “Full Time Filmmaker,” and thus, my career began. Through this course and the mentors I meet, I continuously learn about all things videography: bookkeeping, editing softwares, camera equipment, client relationships, creative shooting techniques, audio setup, legal protection, and more!

I had always referred to myself as an editor first and a shooter second; however, this course offered a piece of advice that I carry with me: “Shooting video makes you a better editor. Editing video makes you a better shooter.” In my opinion, it is essential for videographers to focus on BOTH skills rather than just one. When you experience the difficulty of cleaning up muffled audio, you learn how to properly configure microphones for clarity. When you notice grain/fuzz in your footage, you learn how to properly set your camera’s exposure.

The greatest obstacle that stood in the way of my learning was my reluctance to ask for help. Entering a field with so many brilliant artists can be overwhelming and intimidating, so it is easy to try and “figure it all out on your own.” The moment I began leaning on other creatives for input, my filmmaking changed. Almost everything I know, I have learned from friends and mentors in the field. Now, beginners come to me asking for advice, and I always jump at the opportunity to help!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Reagan Miller, the owner of RLM Film! I’m a filmmaker and photographer who specializes in capturing weddings, non-profit projects, and impactful stories. My work spans several genres, including travel, documentary, wedding, business, family, non-profit, and portrait.
 My filmmaking journey started over a decade ago with nothing more than a desktop webcam, iMovie, and a YouTube channel. What began as a silly hobby transformed into my life’s passion. I have worked over the years to polish my technical and storytelling skills, and I’m fortunate to utilize these skills full-time now, sharing stories of people from all walks of life.

What sets me apart in my field is my ability to capture authentic, unfiltered moments as they naturally unfold. I have a deep passion for creating films that reflect the true essence of a person or event, whether it’s a child’s joyful laugh, a mother’s heartfelt tears, or a father’s quiet, reflective sigh. I believe in crafting wedding films not as a polished production, but as a timeless heirloom—something that preserves the raw emotions and genuine connections of the day for generations to come. My goal is to create pieces that not only tell a story but evoke the feeling of being there in the moment, long after the day has passed.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to freeze fleeting moments and preserve them for future generations. In the context of weddings, it’s incredibly fulfilling to craft a family heirloom—something that will not only be cherished by a couple but also passed down through the years, allowing their story to be relived by loved ones. To capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments, like walking down the aisle, exchanging vows, or sharing a first dance, and knowing that these memories will be revisited time and time again is a true honor. Beyond weddings, I’m deeply driven by the opportunity to give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. I’ve been fortunate to document the stories of children in rural Zambia, shopkeepers in Morocco, refugees from Guatemala, and underserved communities in Houston. It’s incredibly humbling to know that my work has provided these individuals with a platform to share their experiences, especially when I see their stories reach a wider audience through social media and other channels. It’s a privilege to be the one who enables these voices to be heard, and it’s those moments that remind me why I do what I do.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2020, I graduated college during the height of the pandemic. With everything going remote, I moved back in with my parents and saw my job prospects vanish, especially for international opportunities I had been pursuing. It was a humbling time, and I found myself questioning my purpose: When would the world reopen, and what should I do in the meantime? To stay busy, I started applying for grants and graduate programs, but I also filmed my best friend’s wedding as a favor, since she had limited guests due to COVID restrictions. When I shared the wedding film, I was surprised by the response—people began reaching out for me to film their weddings. What started as a way to pass time quickly turned into something more. The more weddings I filmed, the more I realized this might be my true calling.
In 2022, I was awarded a Fulbright grant to live in Morocco for eight months. There, I immersed myself in the culture, capturing the stories of the people, the landscapes, and the unique moments around me. I continued documenting my travels throughout Europe after the grant, and it became clear that this—telling stories through my lens—was my purpose.
Two years of uncertainty led me to a path I hadn’t anticipated, but now, I’m grateful to do what I love every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: rlmfilm.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/rlmfilm
• Facebook: facebook.com/rlmfilm
• Other: https://vimeo.com/rlmfilm

Image Credits
All photos were shot and edited by me, Reagan L. Miller, RLM Film.