ABOUT JEN

I AM AN OBSERVER.

When I was four, my brother was born. I quietly watched as my mother hummed, fed and rocked him to sleep.

Once as a child, while playing in the front yard, I saw my father walk out of the house and turn to kiss my mother goodbye.

I sat at the table in my Grandma Rose’s kitchen, taking notice as she buzzed around, preparing a meal for us with no recipe, just dashes of tenderness.

I observe what love looks like.

Hi! My Name is Jen Martodam.

I'm a dreamer, a seeker of light, and a lover of the Earth. I long to know the story behind almost everything I encounter. There's an invisible pull I feel toward creating.

My home is just outside Minneapolis, MN from June-December. From January-May, I reside in Flagstaff, AZ.

Loves of mine include being an auntie, my dog Zoey, nature, mountains, and travel. Every night, I watch Wheel of Fortune. I've got a thing for Kevin Bacon.

Why Family Videography?

Being a family videographer feeds my nostalgic soul. Old home movies from childhood are gold to me. There’s magic in watching my parents interact with my siblings & me and viewing myself as a child.

Like all the Christmases when my family would bundle up and head to my grandparents’ house to celebrate. Two have since passed but hearing their voices and seeing their smiles is a comfort. These links to the past are treasures that I’m grateful to own.

I began photographing in 2007 and ran a successful wedding photography business for 10 years. When the time was right, I transitioned to lifestyle family films and photographs. I’m also a former elementary school teacher who now teaches DSLR photography and videography.

Emerald Rue is all about serving others with heartfelt imagery, films, and valuable content. It’s about gifting nostalgia to others.