We make things that feel human.
Films. Photos. Words.
We are Hearth Creative.
Films, photos, and words that actually mean something. Whether it's a story worth telling or a message that needs to land, we're here to help people connect.
Our film work spans event recaps, experience pieces, brand stories, commercials, and documentary style portraits. We also shoot stills: family moments, live events, and natural headshots. On the writing side, we craft knowledge bases, onboarding flows, white papers, thought leadership, and web content.
We'll work with your footage or shoot from scratch. And we're just as flexible with writing — building from a loose idea or overhauling content that's not quite hitting. Either way, we aim for work that’s real, clear, and built to resonate.
This lights our path...
We believe in living and working with honesty, freedom, and curiosity. Through stories with heart and substance, we support those working to bring positive change to their communities.
...and fuels our hearth.
We care about honest work that feels lived in — real voices, true moments, and stories that leave something behind.
We bring our own texture and character to everything we make, leading the way on vision and craft, but your story is always the foundation.
We make space for clarity, emotion, and the quirks that make stories come alive. We’re not after perfection, just something real.
Have passport, will travel.
We met while traveling, both landing at a volunteer project in rural Thailand. Anne-Marie had already been there a month when Michel walked in like something out of a movie scene: long hair, linen scarf, gentle presence, and the kind of quiet confidence that makes the whole room slow down.
We connected instantly. What started as a chance meeting became the kind of love that grows fast but holds steady.
Travel’s been part of our relationship from the start — together we've been to 15 countries (and counting). We love going off-grid, exploring nature, and soaking up local culture. But these days, with a toddler in tow, our priorities have shifted: good beds, AC, and strong coffee are non-negotiable (okay, the coffee always was).
Kai's already been to nine countries, making friends wherever he goes — especially on airplanes, where even the grumpiest seat mate can't resist a spontaneous game of peek-a-boo.
We’re always happy to travel for work; it keeps projects fresh and gives us an excuse for a new adventure. But if you want both of us, you get the toddler too. He's part of the deal.
Near or far, we’re game. We travel light(ish): gear, snacks, and a small co-producer who leaves a trail of smiles wherever he goes.
This is us.
We are a husband and wife team. From the moment we met, our story has been built on curiosity, creativity, and a love of adventure.
And cats. We love to say hello to a random cat.
Anne Marie has always been drawn to stories — the messy, beautiful, ordinary kind. She was raised by a literature-loving mother and a finance-obsessed father, growing up steeped books and budgets. She was the kind of young adult who felt everything all at once. Writing became the way she processed the world, and eventually her craft.
Before landing in creative work, she studied primatology and environmental science, then spent years in animal care — zoos, wildlife removal, vet clinics. Later, she moved into tech and worked her way up to Head of Customer Success at a SaaS startup. That odd mix of empathy, systems-thinking, and chaos laid the groundwork for what she does now: writing that connects.
She’s the detail-obsessed half of the Traas duo; the one who sees the trees while Michel sees the forest. Together, they make things that feel clear, honest, and human.
She cares deeply about relationships — how people, animals, even objects connect with the world around them. That lens shapes everything she makes, whether it’s onboarding content, a knowledge base, or a small human. Her work is always guided by one goal: to make people feel seen.
Outside of work, she’s raising a sassy (and amazing) toddler, becoming Dutch one form at a time, and moving through life with pretentious coffee, too many hobbies, and a slightly abrasive tone that hides a very soft heart.
Anne-Marie
VP of Language & Logic
Writer, strategist, keen on clarity. With a background in science, tech, and communication, she brings curiosity and a grounded voice to every project.
Michel grew up in a family where helping others was the norm — his mom a nurse, his dad a first responder and repairman. Whether you needed a bandage or a dishwasher repaired, someone had you covered. He considered becoming a physical therapist at one point, but after finishing school, he did what a lot of people dream about but never actually do: he packed up and left. He spent two years traveling through Australia and Southeast Asia, chasing sunsets, making friends, and figuring out what mattered in life.
And then one day, he picked up a camera and has never put it down.
For Michel, film is about focus. Not just camera focus, but attention. He’s always been drawn to the raw, unpolished, and real. His background in yoga shows up in his process: calm, steady, and grounded. Whether he’s shooting a story or editing for hours, he approaches each project with quiet intensity and deep respect for the people in front of the lens.
He’s the big-picture thinker in the duo — the one who sees the forest while Anne Marie sees the trees. Together, they make work that’s thoughtful, clear, and full of heart.
Outside of work, Michel’s happiest with his family, a good coffee, and a new place to explore. He’s not the most expressive guy, but watching his son discover the world always makes him smile. That quiet joy shows up in the way he works—with calm, care, and attention to what matters.
He’s also completely smitten with his wildly talented wife. And that has nothing to do with who wrote this...probably.
Michel
Director of Vision & Vibes
Filmmaker, visual storyteller, natural stoic. With a background in travel, yoga, and human connection, he brings focus and heart to everything he makes.
Quotes, questions, ideas?
Imagine spotting someone interesting at a bar, walking up to say hi...and getting handed a form. That's what contact forms feel like to us.
We'd rather keep it human. Send us an email or a WhatsApp. Say hey, share your idea, tell us a joke. Just don't call unannounced — we won't answer. We're millennials, after all.