Project Overview
Through the Lens is an anthology of short documentary films highlighting local photographers with an emphasis on those that shoot film. With photography being the anchor point we are eager to explore people's lived experiences and the relationship between their journey and their art. Through this project we are committed to prioritizing subjects from underrepresented backgrounds with the sole purpose of providing them with a platform to share their work and tell their story.
A secondary goal of this project is to collaborate with local filmmakers to explore and experiment with different avenues of documentary filmmaking. The anthology will be produced and shot by Ensemble Media in collaboration with directors, editors, and crew members on each installment. We intentionally select folks that are in different stages in their career to create an environment that embraces learning, experimentation, and collaboration.
Episode 01
CYCLES | Meaghan Sutton
Photo by Aaron Baltierra shot on 35mm film.
When it came time to select a subject for the first installment of Through the Lens we immediately thought of Meaghan. Her work is stunning, she is an absolute joy to be around, and her immense passion for photography is infectious.
Photos by Meaghan Sutton
Sneak Peak.
Listen to Meaghan tell the story about her first film camera and the image that changed everything.
BTS photos by Trey Slyapich shot on 35mm film.
Next Steps
As of September 2025, we have officially wrapped production and are launching into post! We are actively seeking funds and support to finish this project with a custom score, sound design, and professional color grading.
Our aim is to continue developing community and highlighting local photographers after we complete this installment. We are on the hunt for potential subjects and crew members for future films.
Meet the team
Jaren Kerr
PRODUCER & DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY | He/They
Jaren is the filmmaker and photographer behind Ensemble Media. He has a passion for supporting local artists and arts organizations through the use of film and photography. Jaren thrives in a collaborative environment and is always experimenting with new ways to approach the filmmaking process. They approach every project with ethical collaboration at the center, ensuring everyone on the team has agency and voice throughout the production.
Daniel Cantu
DIRECTOR & EDITOR | He/Him
Daniel Cantu is a director and editor based in Portland, Oregon with a passion for short form documentary storytelling. His style is a balancing act between the creative spontaneity that came from making skateboarding videos at a young age and the process and intention he developed as a boring adult. He’s still looking for the perfect middle ground.
Photo by Aarron Baltierra shot on 35mm film.
The Crew
Jaren Kerr (he/they) | Producer & Director of Photography
Daniel Cantu (he/him) | Director & Editor
Aaron Baltierra (he/him) | 1st Assistant Director & BTS Stills
Gabe Clement (he/him) | 1st Assistant Camera - Day 01
Kayla Caldiera (she/her) | 1st Assistant Camera - Day 02
Justine Lacio (she/her) | Location Sound - Day 01
Arttthew Ng (any/all) | Location Sound - Day 02
Trey Slyapich (he/him) | BTS Stills
Ensemble Media | Production Company
Want to be apart of the next one?
We are actively seeking potential subjects and crew members for future installments.
An important aspect of this project is building a collaborative and supportive crew for each film. We hope to connect with different filmmakers throughout the development of this anthology and explore the different ways to approach documentary filmmaking.
Please fill out the following form if you're interested in collaborating with us on the next one!
A look behind the scenes. Photos by Aaron Baltierra and Trey Slyapich shot on 35mm film.
