Book Preview: When You Only Get One Shot

There are no second takes at a funeral. No room for ego. No space for error. This is the story of a team that carried their brother home—with reverence, precision, and heart. Watch the film. Feel the weight. And remember the name. Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. End of Watch: August 2023.

There are no retakes at a deputy’s funeral.

You don’t get another pass at the flag fold. Or the rifle volley. Or the moment a grieving spouse locks eyes with the Honor Guard.

You prepare like hell. You trust your gut. And then—you disappear behind the camera and let the story tell itself.

The chapter Behind the Lens of Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr.’s Memorial is about one of the hardest films I’ve ever had to make. It’s not just about documenting loss—it’s about doing justice to a legacy in the span of a few fragile minutes.

Here’s a glimpse from the chapter—one of those moments that still hangs with me:

“From the missing man formation to Hector’s wife watching the Honor Guard delicately carry her husband in his coffin, to the silent exchange between grieving friends at the hearse—I got the shots. I didn’t force them. I didn’t chase them. They found me.

It was like I stopped operating the camera and just became a vessel for something bigger.”

This is just one story from the pages of my upcoming book—a collection of moments like these, where the weight of the work met the purpose behind the lens. I’m looking forward to sharing more soon. Stay tuned for updates on the release, behind-the-scenes photos, and the stories that shaped the storyteller I’ve become.

COMING SOON

The Story Comes First will soon be available for digital download on Apple Books. This is more than a book—it’s a call to storytellers who give a damn. Whether you’re behind the camera, behind the mic, or behind the scenes, this guide was made for you.

For the latest updates, follow along on Instagram @ctopherlee or check back here. The story’s just getting started.