Storytelling has never simply been about cameras, lighting, or editing for me. It has always been about preserving something precious before time carries it away — a voice, a memory, a laugh, a life story that deserves to be remembered.

As a documentary filmmaker, I’ve spent my career drawn to stories rooted in history, memory, and human connection. I’ve always believed the most meaningful stories are the ones that leave an emotional imprint — stories that remind us who we are, where we came from, and the people who shaped our lives. That passion is what led me to create Time and Tides, a place where memory, legacy, and storytelling come together.

The photograph shown here holds deep meaning for me. It features “Charlie Brown,” Carl August Dittmann (1825–1901), a Prussian-born sailor and otter hunter who accompanied Captain George Nidever to San Nicolas Island. He was one of the men who actually found Juana Maria — the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island — whose remarkable story later inspired Island of the Blue Dolphins. Pictured beside him is Richard Dittman, a relative carrying forward that family history. To me, that photograph and Richard’s story represents more than a historical connection; it is a reminder how important it is to preserve the stories that might otherwise fade with time.

Through Time and Tides, I want to bring together everything I’ve learned through filmmaking, photography, interviews, archival storytelling to create deeply personal legacy films and tribute pieces for families. These are more than videos — they are living keepsakes. They honor a life, preserve a voice, and hold onto the moments that matter most, allowing future generations to reconnect with the people and stories that shaped their family long after time has passed.