Our story

We believe every school moment deserves to be remembered.

The Narrative Lens was founded by educators and media professionals who saw a gap — school events were happening every day, but the stories weren't being told with the craft they deserved.

How we started

From one camera to a full team.

The Narrative Lens started in 2008 when our founders photographed their first graduation ceremony for a local middle school. The principal asked for "a few good shots." Marcus delivered 400. The school used them for years.

Word spread. More schools called. Jaemin brought in John Ricard to lead photography, then James Okafor to expand coverage across the region. What began as a side project became a full-service studio dedicated entirely to school communities.

Today, The Narrative Lens has covered over 100 school events across the country — from small rural middle schools to large urban high schools. Every engagement is treated with the same care as the first.

Founded 2016Serving school communities
100+ events coveredFrom ceremonies to championships
40+ clients servedAcross the country

Our mission

Capture the story. Honor the community.

Schools are where futures are shaped. Every graduation walk, every curtain call, every championship moment — these aren't just events. They're milestones that students, families, and faculty carry with them for a lifetime.

Our mission is to bring professional-grade storytelling to every school, regardless of size or budget. We show up prepared, we stay out of the way, and we deliver images and films that do justice to the moments your community has worked so hard to create. We are a creative media and education collective dedicated to the human experience on both sides of the camera. We believe every image carries a story. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then every frame deserves the same intention, precision, and purpose as every word carefully chosen. Founded by professionals with extensive experience across the public and private sectors, including 16 years supporting government communications and 20 years, teaching media arts within the Department of Education. The Narrative Lens brings together professional production expertise and a deep commitment to education and training. Our work spans photography, videography, media production, creative technology, and professional training. We partner with organizations to develop the skills of employees, educators, and students while providing the technical and creative knowledge necessary to confidently navigate an evolving media landscape. From teaching the technology behind compelling visual imagery, to capturing the people, milestones, and once-in-a-lifetime moments that matter most, our purpose remains the same: to tell the stories that connect us. The Narrative Lens. See what matters. Tell what matters

Authenticity

We capture real moments, not staged ones. Our work reflects the genuine emotion of your community.

Craft

Every image is composed with intention. Every film is edited with care. We hold ourselves to a professional standard on every job.

Inclusion

We believe every student deserves to see themselves in the story. Our lens is always wide enough for everyone.

Education

We don't just document — we teach. Our training programs pass these skills to the next generation of storytellers.

The team

The people behind the lens.

Jaemin cuevas
DIRECTOR OF VIDEOGRAPHY

Jaemin cuevas

Founder & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jaemin is a documentary filmmaker and creative director with 20 years of experience across the corporate and federal sector. For 16 years, he produced media solutions for the Office of Head Start, supporting its mission to serve children from birth to age five and their families. This experience grounded him in the belief that meaningful storytelling begins with trust. He creates environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to express themselves, bringing a cinematic eye and emotional integrity to each student’s journey. Jaemin has spent his career using visual storytelling as a lens, for illuminating self-discovery, personal growth, and creative expression.

Diana Reyes
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Diana Reyes

PHOTOGRAPHER & Senior TRAINER

Diana is as dynamic as the images she's captured. With 30 years of experience behind the lens, he brings a distinctive perspective shaped by a career spanning editorial and entertainment photography to education. A licensed New York City high school teacher, he has spent more than a decade teaching media arts within special education, combining creative expertise with a deep commitment to learning and communication.

James Okafor
Post-Production

James Okafor

Senior Videographer & Editor

James joined the team in 2012 and has since become the backbone of our post-production workflow. His editing style balances emotional storytelling with clean, professional delivery.

Priya Nair
Training & Education

Priya Nair

Lead Training Instructor

A former high school media arts teacher, Priya leads all student and faculty training programs. She brings a rare combination of classroom experience and professional photography expertise.

Ready to work together?

Whether you're booking an event or enrolling in a training program, we'd love to hear from you.