Gotham Gigs: Story collector uses audio and film
By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh

Jamie Yuenger believes that stories—like the lives, dreams and histories they depict—are irreplaceable. “Think of them as heirlooms,” she said. Something to be preserved. Cherished. Passed down.

A former documentary film editor and radio producer, Ms. Yuenger, 29, co-founded StoryKeep last April. Through long-form interviews—and with audio, film and other media—she crafts intimate portraits of individuals, families and companies for her clients that can be seen, heard and felt.

“We all have a legacy,” said Ms. Yuenger, who lives in Brooklyn’s Windsor Terrace and works out of an office near Park Slope. “We all have important stories to tell.”

As Ms. Yuenger has discovered, that story can be the long and textured life of a friend’s 85-year-old father-in-law. Or a family trip to Norway and Denmark taken 50 years ago. Or the creation of a successful small business.

Ms. Yuenger said she revels in the company of strangers. Recently, she found herself at the Nutley Historical Society in New Jersey, in a room with 40 women who were holding a baby shower. One by one, she plucked the women aside to record their advice for the mother-to-be.

“It was absolutely joyous,” she said.

If you’re a subscriber, you can read the article on Crain’s here: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120205/SUB/302059993

StoryKeep Cofounder Lisa Madison was invited to speak on Salt Lake City’s NPR affiliate station KCPW yesterday.

The show segment focused on capturing and sharing family stories in the digital age. Lisa joins the conversation at minute 17:00.

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