In 2003 Lani Jo and Roger traveled to rural Nicaragua as part of a work brigade digging and building latrines. Upon their return, the customs officer told them they needed to find a better travel agent. The trip was so life-changing that, when the decision was made to return to Nicaragua in 2004, they decided to document the experience to share with friends and family in the states. This film, Brick by Brick, Side by Side, premiered at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, OR, January 2006.
Following the success of Brick by Brick, Lani Jo and Roger formed their own film and digital media company, american lifeograph, in 2004. They took this name from a film production company that operated in their hometown of Portland during the silent film era. The primary focus has been on documenting life-changing events.
Their second full-length documentary, Walk To Me, about a marathon-training program had its début at the Hollywood in September 2006 as a benefit for Sisters of the Road.
A third documentary, "Acting Out" (produced in 2007), documents the creation and development of a teen theatre troupe focusing on grief experiences. It follows seven teens as they meet over several months at the Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon and work together on an original stage production.