Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Mauderer.
Hi Brooke, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started doing Videography and editing when I was very young. As long as I could remember my siblings and I would make “movies” growing up, and I would always be the sister who edited them all. My dad purchased me my first editing program when I was around 10 years old, and that was the backbone for everything I do today. I never saw it as a career at the time, but I always enjoyed creating stories. Fast forward a few years and I ended up joining my multi-campus church’s volunteer Live Production team. That is when I rapidly began to realize my true passion was doing videography and I bought my own camera. There is this YouTuber Filmmaker I was constantly watching around that time whose channel is called “DevinSuperTramp”. His channel was my first “I have to do this” moment. I would watch his stuff for hours and dream of getting to film like he does one day. This one video he put out was about fighting for your passion. He said in the video: “It’s all about getting the shots that no one else will get, or that no one else will fight for…..You have to fight for it like no one else will fight for it.”….”. That sent chills up my spine. I wanted it that bad, I wanted to make something someday that would send chills up someone’s spine because of how moved they are by it. I keep that in the back of my mind to this day. Back to my volunteering – I was homeschooled my entire life, so I had the flexibility to be at my church volunteering 3-5 times a week. With that much exposure to the production equipment, I learned a lot, fast. I was a shy kid at the time, and getting this much training on professional equipment in high-pressure situations, with amazing mentors, really developed me as a person. Over the years, those connections I made really became what launched me into the next era of my life where I got my first job working in the Television Department of a local ministry here in Fort Worth. I still didn’t know a lot, but apparently I knew enough to get my foot in the door! I started to learn a totally new set of skills here where I learned the administrative side of video production, working with clients, scriptwriting, producing, and so much more. I was only 21 years old – never went to college, and somehow found myself doing the closest thing to a dream job I could get at that time! Simultaneously, I am starting to book a few freelance gigs filming friends’ weddings, or taking photos on the side through word of mouth. I started to gain more and more confidence with every shoot I went on and client I talked to. Then finally in 2021, when I was around 23 years old, I had prayed deeply and felt like it was my time to leave the TV job I had been working at for so long. I didn’t have a plan B, but I felt strongly God was telling me it’s time to move on to what He had next for me. I had never booked more then a few freelance film gigs a year before, so I didn’t think I could support myself by doing what I loved. But I was wrong! Over the next couple of months, I had several random mutual connections start showing up and asking for someone to film for them, I also was able to start working on a project-to-project contract basis for my previous job. After a few months I still figured I’d go get a full-time job somewhere since these gigs probably wouldn’t last, but they kept coming, and all by word of mouth! That’s when “Light Leaks Creative” was officially born. Wikipedia describes a Light Leak as “a hole or gap in the body of a camera, or other optical instrument, where light is able to “leak” into the normally light-tight chamber, exposing the film or sensor with extra light”. Just as light can “leak” into what is usually very dark space, my personal mission is to bring hope and light, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to normally dark spaces. My hope is to make a kingdom impact through the videos I create, and through the finances that come in. I want to inspire people and make a difference in the world. Throughout these last few years I have been able to travel across America and even overseas with my camera and film stories of hope. I got married just over a year ago and my husband now shares this adventure with me! We have become the dynamic due – filming and editing as we expand the business and make meaningful pieces of content that inspire. Last year we went out of the country to Turkey to film for a Ministry who helps Iranian refugees. This year we get to go back for almost a month. Never did I think this would be my life, getting to live out my videographer dream alongside my husband, but I’m watching the path be laid out before me. So to wrap this up I would just tell anyone if you have a love for a particular hobby or skill, push into it and see where it goes. Trust God, work hard, and don’t quit!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was only 6 years old. I was 16 when it relapsed severely, to the point where I was scared to go out with friends or volunteer at my church where I learned everything about video production, cause I was scared of not having a bathroom to run to incase I needed one quick. That really made me start to wonder if I could pursue the career I wanted. I was sure I would never be able to travel on a plane, book a long filming gig, or even do something like camp with my family or friends. I was 18 years old when I was so weak I thought I might not wake up sometimes when I would fall asleep. I had to make a difficult decision to have my colon removed, which was not easy for someone my age. It ended up changing my life for the better though, I felt like I had my life back after the surgery, and can now do all the things I was scared about! I still have other gut issues to this day I have to be mindful of with diet, but nothing that can stop me from doing what I love!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Light Leaks Creative?
I started in Church video Production and still work with many to this day, but over the years have expanded to many more “genres” of content creation! Most recently, I have been helping commercial businesses with their social media content and uploads, podcasts, music videos, and lifestyle videos. We really are well-rounded in any area! I’m a perfectionist, which is really great for my clients. No matter if you are paying for a higher-tier package or lower, I put the same care into each project. What I feel is the strongest distinction between what I do and what another company is we (my husband and I) really do want to bless others through what we receive, and we do. So if you work with us, it is not only benefits you and your business, but it is also gives us the opportunity to help other people who need it.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I few people/channels on Youtube that I want to have a similar quality of whether that is for their business tips, storytelling, creativity, or production quality, are: The Diary of A CEO, Jon Youshaei, Devin Graham, Jimmy Donaldson (Mr Beast), and Hayden Hillier Smith (amazing editor)
Some of my favorite books for inspiration are Creativity Inc and Atomic Habits.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lightleakscreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke_mauderer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightLeaks.DFW
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeMauderer
