We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Addison Brush. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Addison below.

Hi Addison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

What corporate America often gets wrong about the film, photography, and marketing industry is the assumption that corporate content has to be boring, dry, or overly safe. There’s this idea that professionalism requires stripping away personality, humor, and creativity, but in reality, that approach just leads to content that looks and feels like everyone else’s.

It’s a challenge I run into often: trying to pull corporate clients out of the corporate shell. Internally and externally, a lot of their content lacks identity. I often find myself asking, why does corporate content have to be so blah? The irony is, the same professionals sitting in gray cubicles watching funny TikToks or clever ads on Instagram are the ones approving lifeless internal videos or templated marketing assets. There’s a huge disconnect between what people consume and enjoy and what they think their brand should put out.

Recently, I heard a podcast about how LinkedIn is becoming one of the most powerful platforms for B2B outreach and content. That tells me there’s an opportunity to really stand out now by being bold and creative in spaces that have traditionally been stiff. Whether it’s making someone laugh, telling a compelling story, or showing off your company culture, there’s huge value in breaking the mold.

One project that really brought this home for me was with a production house in St. Louis. They worked with a manufacturing company that builds display systems. Instead of making a typical corporate video, they leaned into humor and storytelling, creating a series of short skits for social media that poked fun at their competition while showcasing their culture. It was clever, memorable, and totally unexpected, and that’s why it worked.

At the end of the day, most of us in this industry are creatives. We’re artists. And artists don’t thrive in boxes. We want to push boundaries, tell stories, and make people feel something. Corporate America has a huge opportunity here to stop playing it safe and start creating content that’s actually worth watching.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My interest in photography and video started early in grade school, but it really took off in high school when I was elected to produce all of the school’s video content. Over the course of three years, I created around 200 videos, ranging from sports highlight reels and promotional skits to more polished pieces like our official admissions video. That experience not only taught me a lot about storytelling and production, but also showed me how much I enjoy the process of bringing ideas to life visually.

I went on to earn a degree in Video Production from Webster University. After graduation, I spent four years freelancing on commercial and broadcast sets. I then transitioned into a full-time role at a local marketing company, where I worked as a videographer for five years. About a year ago, I returned to freelancing full time and have been focused on growing my creative work independently ever since.

As a freelancer, I provide a range of services including shooting, gaffing, editing, and full video production. I’ve worked on everything from brand stories and product promos to corporate interviews and creative campaigns. What I really enjoy, and what I believe sets me apart, is my ability to wear multiple hats and stay adaptable. I love collaborating with others, troubleshooting on set, and staying involved through every step of the process. I believe in creating high-quality, engaging visuals while also making the experience smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved.

I recently had a conversation with a fellow freelancer about the idea of finding your identity in this industry. Looking at my portfolio, you’ll see a wide variety of work, and honestly, I enjoy that. I think maintaining versatility helps keep creativity sharp. At the same time, I understand the value of having a specialty. Right now, I’m especially drawn to aviation. I’m in the process of becoming a pilot, and creating content related to aviation is something I’m very passionate about.

What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with clients and collaborators over the years. Whether it’s a small business or a larger brand, I approach every project with the same level of care, curiosity, and creativity. At the end of the day, I’m here to help people tell their stories in a way that’s visually impactful, authentic, and memorable.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The majority of my clients come from word of mouth. I’ve found that once you do solid work for one individual or organization, it often leads to more opportunities. Maybe one of their clients or colleagues sees the video or photos and asks who created them, or they simply recommend you to someone in their network. Word travels fast when you deliver a great product and you’re easy to work with. Being reliable, collaborative, and professional makes a big difference.

The second biggest source is social media. I haven’t had the time recently to put together a full, polished portfolio, so in the meantime I focus on sharing my work on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Surprisingly, a lot of leads come from people who already know me but may have forgotten what I do. Just putting something out there can spark interest and bring you back to the top of their mind when they need a project done. It’s a great reminder that consistency and visibility really matter.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After college I actually stepped away slightly from production to pursue an opportunity to make it to the NHL as a referee. Even while traveling and skating, I stayed connected to the industry. Wherever I went, I found ways to stay involved in video production. When I wasn’t on the ice, I was still immersed in creative work.

Eventually, that journey came to an end due to the impact of COVID, and I found myself back home where I accepted a full-time role at a local marketing company. It was my first traditional 8 to 5 job, going into an office every day, having consistent paychecks, and being part of a larger team structure. It was a major shift for me. Previously, I had mostly worked freelance where I would join a project for a shoot, hand off footage, and move on to the next gig.

This role introduced me to a much more layered workflow. I wasn’t just delivering for clients anymore. Before anything could be shown to the client, it had to go through rounds of internal reviews and approvals. I had managers and directors involved at every stage. It was a big adjustment, especially since I was used to more creative autonomy. At first, it felt like a challenge, but over time, it became a valuable learning experience. I gained a deeper understanding of structured workflows, corporate expectations, and how to collaborate across departments.

In the end, I took away a lot from that role. New skills, great connections, and some amazing projects I’m proud to have been part of. That said, I also learned that the corporate environment may not be the best fit for how I like to work and create. I thrive in more hands-on, collaborative, and flexible settings where creativity can flow freely. That realization helped shape the direction I’ve taken since returning to freelancing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paintbrushoriginals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addisonjbrush/?igsh=MTR1ejl6azE4eG9ieg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brusha
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addison-brush/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Ryan Olsen, Matt Swaringim