Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonardo Araujo.
Hi Leonardo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is a bit long, but it all started back in Venezuela when I was around 13 years old. I used to spend my free time playing around with Adobe programs just as a hobby, editing videos for my friends, their university projects, and some YouTube channels. By the time I turned 16, I touched a camera for the very first time. My cousin was studying mass communication and wanted to go out to practice reporting, so I helped him out as his crew and editor. I did not know much back then, but my creativity was definitely there. Even though news reporting was not really my thing because I preferred science fiction and creative storytelling, it got me started. We actually had a YouTube channel called ToToN200 where we made those childhood reports about 13 years ago. It cracks me up to remember it now, because back then I had no clue I would end up doing this for a living.
Time went on and we grew up. After I graduated high school, I started studying marketing at a technical institute called IUTAR. I met a lot of creative people there and realized I was not the only one who knew how to use cameras and software. I have to admit the education there was not the best, but it gave me a solid idea of how marketing and its branches work. Later, I tried studying computer engineering at another university, but it was way too technical and not creative at all, so I quickly realized it was not for me. Around that same time, I also took a bartender course because I was already preparing myself mentally to leave the country. It was all just talk at first, but a year later, my dad managed to organize everything so we could leave. Because of political problems and organizations that my dad was dealing with, and since he was well known where we lived, we had no choice but to pack up and go.
That is how we ended up arriving in Kissimmee around 2018 or 2019, and later we moved to Orlando. At first, I did not really know what to do here, so I started working as a dishwasher. I was just meeting people, doing my legal paperwork, and trying to stabilize myself, which is the typical immigrant experience. But then one day, some friends invited me to Tomorrowland and I decided to record everything with my phone. It was a completely different experience with different people, and the edit actually turned out pretty good. My friends started pushing me to do more projects. One of those friends was starting a clothing brand, so we went out one day to shoot photos and videos for her. I have to admit the content did not turn out exactly how I wanted, but I learned so much from that experience. Soon after, I started shooting music videos with friends. We were all chasing a dream, some as artists, others as producers or clothing line owners. Since the videos looked good with the little equipment we had, we just kept creating more and more. More people joined us, and even though it was all free work, it was incredibly satisfying.
Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and 2021, and the world stopped. I was laid off from my job, which gave me more time to just make art with my friends. I enrolled in an online filmmaking course where I connected with other filmmakers in the industry, and that is when I realized this was not just a coincidence. I knew I was ready to do this for real. After the pandemic, after working many different jobs, I ended up as a lifeguard at Aquatica Orlando. I met a lot of college students there and realized this country had so many opportunities, and I was not going to stay behind. I started working with event producers on the side, until one day I got a call to film a US tour for a famous artist from Venezuela. I really wanted to go, but my bosses told me I could not have the time off. They said it was impossible. So, I quit right there without thinking about it too much, not even knowing how I was going to survive.
I started doing Uber and DoorDash while shooting videos at the same time. The money was barely enough to cover my bills, but it was one of the freest moments of my life. I met so many people, made great connections, and worked on both high budget and low budget projects. Eventually, through referrals and running ads, I found more stable clients and was able to dedicate myself 100% to this. The entrepreneur life is never easy. You always feel like you are one step away from losing everything rather than reaching the top of the world, but you do it with love and passion because you know it is meant for you. You get to learn from successful artists, see new places, and get an education that no university can give you except real experience. That is how I slowly got to where I am today, going from a small town in Venezuela to helping businesses look better visually and attract clients, making artists look great on camera, and dreaming big. There are new projects on the way and the future has a lot of options. Even with all the political things that happened out of my control, I never lost the ability to dream, and I feel that with hard work it is possible. My name is Jose Leonardo Araujo. There are probably many other details I left out, but what I will say is this: as long as you have feet, never stop walking.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. There have been plenty of obstacles along the way, mostly economic and political, plus the language barrier. I actually had to learn English when I arrived here. Back home, I had a general idea of how the language worked and how it was supposed to sound, but it is a completely different story when you are trying to speak and it takes you a whole minute just to say four words. The Latino community here helped me a lot to get started and overcome that initial barrier.
After that, I had to learn absolutely everything else as I went. I had to figure out how to do taxes, how to handle my own marketing, how to find actual clients, and even how to navigate around Orlando without getting lost.
But honestly, the biggest challenge is the constant need to adapt. This industry moves so fast, and there is something new to learn every single day. I have come to realize that if you have resilience, the biggest obstacle you face is usually just yourself and your own doubts. There will always be things completely out of your hands due to political situations, but I truly believe there is always a solution and a way to push through.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I handle everything visual: photos, videos, scripts, and creative concepts. I absolutely love art. As I mentioned before, I started out making music videos, which is something I will never stop loving, but Orlando is a very different market compared to Miami. Here in Orlando, I focus a lot more on working with businesses. I have noticed that business owners are usually great at customer service and managing their teams, but they often struggle with the creative side of things. That is where I come in. I create cinematic pieces that make people fall in love with the brand’s image, rather than just showing a basic product.
One of the things I am most proud of is a transportation client who came to me when he was just starting out with a single van. Thanks to the videos we made and the brand image we built together in a short amount of time, he was able to convince high profile artists in Miami to work with him. Now, his business is fully dedicated to that, working with high value names in the industry.
What sets me apart from others is the genuine connection I build with my clients. When a client truly values my work and trusts my vision, we help each other grow, and that partnership changes everything. On top of that, I am always trying to innovate, constantly upgrading my equipment and my knowledge of editing and new technology to deliver the best possible results.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely like taking risks when it comes to where I am or where I am going. I have been in some sketchy locations with all my expensive gear, and creatively, I am always trying to do something completely different from everyone else. Those risks do not always pay off instantly, but they often bring great results down the road. Plus, it gives me the satisfaction of knowing that at least I tried and did not stay wondering “what if.” I have traveled far out just to see how a project would turn out, and I have left my comfort zone with absolutely no plan just because I had a new idea.
On the financial side, I do try to be a bit more careful and less reckless because I do not have family or a safety net in this country to back me up if something goes wrong. Even so, I still risk what I can and invest whenever I see a good opportunity.
Honestly, just coming to this country with nothing in my hands was a huge risk in itself. And like I mentioned before, quitting my job to start shooting videos in nightclubs and for other local businesses was a massive leap of faith.
Now, after about three or four years of shooting and working full-time as a filmmaker, those experiences have really made me mature. But even though I am more strategic now, I am still waiting for the next big opportunity, and I am ready to take it, whatever it takes.
Pricing:
- Creative Consulting & Strategy: Helping brands define their visual identity and content roadmap.
- Cinematic Video Production: filming for commercials, social media, and music videos.
- Professional Photography: Tailored photoshoots to elevate brand and artist presence.
- Full Post-Production: Professional editing, sound design, and color grading services.
- Custom Projects: Flexible solutions adapted to specific needs, visions, and budgets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://filmsleoart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsleoart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmsleoartllc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardo-araujo-75a0b3242/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FilmsleoartYT
