Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Brooks
Hi Maya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Even as a young teen, I was captivated by the magic behind television, film, and theater. My first taste of this enchantment came during a 6th-grade elective at my Performing Arts School when we watched “The Phantom of the Opera.” The film’s sheer beauty moved me to tears, and from that moment, I was hooked.
Fast forward to my freshman year at the University of Central Florida, and it was time to choose a major. Math, science, and writing held no appeal, so I turned to my first love: production. I enrolled in Radio/Television Management, eager to unravel the secrets behind the scenes. As graduation loomed during my senior year, the hunt for a job began. Fresh off an internship with the UCF Athletics Production, I jumped at the chance to apply for a Game Day photographer position at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.
The initial interview went smoothly, but the second round demanded a photography portfolio – something I lacked. With my parents’ generous support, I rushed to Best Buy, bought a DSLR camera, and headed to a local park to photograph unsuspecting basketball and softball players. Looking back, my portfolio was far from impressive, which likely explains why I was offered a Photopass position at Disney’s Hollywood Studios instead. Little did I know, this detour would shape the foundation of my career.
Hollywood Studios became my photography bootcamp. I quickly grasped the fundamentals and eventually balanced my time between Disney and ESPN. At ESPN, I thrived on the creative freedom and learned the art of capturing motion from a talented group of female photographers.
While honing my photography skills, my passion for production remained. Remembering Hollywood Studios’ history as a production powerhouse, I ventured into their Visual Media Department (formerly Broadcast Production) during a lunch break. I inquired about opportunities and left my resume, then waited anxiously for a response.
My career breakthrough came as a Production Assistant on an episode of “Black-ish”. It was my foot in the door, and I made it count. Quickly, I landed a seasonal Production Assistant role and spent eight transformative years with Disney’s Visual Media Department, climbing the ranks.
During my time there, I contributed to prominent shows like American Idol, The View, and Wheel of Fortune. I managed projection mapping projects for iconic landmarks such as Cinderella’s Castle, the Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life. I also launched a new cruise ship and oversaw visual media creation for shipwide entertainment during various Disney Cruise Line refurbishments. My proudest achievement? Creative Producing “Disney Junior Dance Party,” a fleetwide children’s program.
Throughout this chapter, my camera was my constant companion, capturing “the magic behind the magic.” I documented the immense teamwork, the sleepless nights, and the sacrifices made away from family. The work was exhilarating, yet relentless. As burnout threatened my well-being, I realized the unsustainable pace demanded a better life-work balance.
My healing journey led me to Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way,” introducing me to the concept of the “shadow artist.” Despite my photography and creative producing experience, I was entrenched in managing artists, not recognizing myself as one. This revelation was profound: I am an artist, a creative, and it was time to explore this facet of myself.
Leaving my Production Manager role at Disney in October 2024 was a pivotal, albeit difficult, decision for my creative development. Freelancing now grants me the freedom to craft an authentic life. The interplay between production and photography continues to fuel my curiosity, and I embrace both with proficiency and passion.
I acknowledge the privilege of stepping back to rediscover myself and forge a new path. This awareness fosters deep gratitude for those who recognize my true self and choose to collaborate with me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Two major struggles I consistently encounter are the cyclical disruption of my creative growth and the debilitating experience of burnout.
My passion for the arts ignited after seeing “The Phantom of the Opera” in an elective class. I selected drama during our elective wheel, exploring diverse roles like stage technician, stage manager, film actress, and producer. The 2 years I spent immersed in drama before an abrupt mid-8th grade school change were incredibly formative. Leaving that creative haven stunted my artistic development, and I’ve been on a journey to rediscover that spark ever since.
In early 2020, I returned to my role as a Production Assistant at Disney following a three-month medical leave due to injuries from a severe car accident. Initially, I was assigned a desk job, which was a significant shift from the physically demanding 12-15 hour workdays I thrived on in the field. This transition introduced me to production management and motion 3D graphic projects, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose and stability. However, this period of growth was abruptly interrupted in April when I received an email announcing a two week furlough that eventually extended to 11 months. This period of unemployment triggered an identity crisis and forced me to re-evaluate my priorities.
Returning to Disney after the furlough was challenging. My values had changed, and the experience of layoffs and unemployment was deeply traumatic. Like many other corporations at that time, we were expected to shoulder the responsibilities of our departed colleagues, creating an overwhelming workload. The pace was too rapid, the demands too high, and there was not enough concern for our mental well-being.
“The show must go on.”
I attempted to persevere.
But one morning, I woke up feeling utterly devoid of energy and could only lie in bed and cry. I was forced to take a break from a high-profile project to prioritize my well-being, trusting that my team could manage without me. I experienced profound survivors’ guilt for not being laid off, guilt for needing a break in my youthful 20’s, and guilt for letting my team down and making their jobs harder, when we were all struggling.
That moment marked a turning point from which I never completely recovered. Even with ongoing therapy and prioritizing rest, my body simply couldn’t sustain the pace, and I recognized the situation was unsustainable.
I find myself pondering the repeated interruptions to my creative growth. I wonder what my path would have been if I hadn’t left that middle school, or if I had been able to navigate the burnout and emerge stronger. Ultimately, I trust the process and believe I will arrive at my intended destination. Every experience has value.
Today, I embrace a sense of flow, welcoming change and exploring every open door, even if driven by mere curiosity. My priorities are nurturing my inner artist and finding a sustainable balance between well-being and financial stability.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the owner of Maya B. Photography, a small business offering both photography and freelance production services. I work as a Producer, Creative Producer, and Production Manager, alongside providing still photography in various genres.
My photography specialties include commercial, event, sports, portrait, and behind-the-scenes work. I’m particularly passionate about capturing the artistry of motion in sports photography and revealing the captivating stories that unfold behind the scenes of productions.
I am currently producing a civil rights documentary for WEDU PBS, exploring the significance of the F.W. Woolworth counter sit-ins in downtown Tampa. As a Tampa native, this project has been incredibly enlightening, deepening my understanding of local African American history and forever changing how I view my city. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of personal research and uncovering the hidden narratives in our own communities.
My genuine approach, and always working from a place of love is what distinguishes me from everyone else. I’m most proud of my courage to forge my own path, prioritize my inner child, and embrace the philosophy of “Do it Scared.”
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My deep curiosity for holistic healing, and its connection to creativity, often surprises people.
Whether we identify as creative or not, we are all creators – of breath, life, or even a simple recipe. Throughout my healing journey, I’ve complemented therapy with self-help audiobooks, meditation, energy work, somatics, and sound healing. I’ve learned to trust my body’s wisdom over my mind’s chatter. My therapist encouraged me to “let my body prove my mind wrong,” which has led me to identify and label physical sensations as emotions arise. This practice has significantly enhanced my intuition, particularly in decision-making. I also incorporate chakra alignment based on my body’s signals and integrate solfeggio frequencies into my creative process, like editing photos while listening to sacral alignment tones. My daily routine includes Morning Pages from “The Artist’s Way” and 30 minutes of physical activity.
Pricing:
- Commercial Photography | Investment starting at $300
- Event Photography | Investment starting at $300
- Sports Photography | Inquire on website
- Portrait Photography | Inquire on website
- BTS Photography | Inquire on website
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mayabphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayabphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHOTOGRAPHYMAYAB/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/35646707/admin/dashboard/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mayabphotography?_t=8qDQpiCApJK&_r=1
Image Credits
Maya B. Photography
