Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Thomas
Hi Caleb, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always had a passion for art and creativity. Growing up, I loved to draw, and as I got older, I got into theater. After high school, I went to work in my family’s construction business because it felt like the only option, but I lost sight of my creative side. That disconnect led me down a tough path of alcoholism and addiction. I struggled for 3-4 years before finally getting the help I needed. I moved to Costa Mesa, California, for treatment and spent a year in sober living reconnecting with myself and my passions.
Before moving back to Austin, I explored California and got a drone to capture my adventures. That’s when I discovered my love for photography and video. When I got back to Texas, I looked for creative jobs but didn’t have enough experience, so I went back to construction. While working, I started managing the company’s Instagram, taking photos and videos of our projects. After long days on-site, I’d obsess over creators like Peter McKinnon on YouTube, learning everything I could. On weekends, I’d practice what I learned.
One day, I saw a friend from 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu post on Instagram looking for someone to create content for her. I didn’t have much experience, but I was honest with her and offered to do it for free so I could learn. Thankfully, she gave me a chance, and from there, things took off. My skills snowballed, and I started getting more clients. I realized I could make a living in this business and started thinking about leaving my full-time job as a project manager in construction.
That’s when I got an offer to be a full-time videographer and editor at Flintco, a large construction company. I wasn’t sure what to do, but my mentor, John Whitton, encouraged me to take it as a stepping stone to build my skills even further. In 2021, I made the leap, taking a $30,000 pay cut to chase my dreams. It was worth every penny because I was finally doing something I was passionate about. After three years, my salary is back to where it was before, which is an incredible bonus.
What drives me now is the curiosity to see how far I can take this career. My passion for storytelling has grown so much, and I love conveying messages through beautiful imagery. More than anything, I hope to inspire others to chase their dreams and show that you can pivot in life if you have courage and grit.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The hardest moments have been trying to balance work, life, and my health. About 80% of my time working is spent editing at a desk, and making time to exercise and offset all that sitting has been one of my biggest challenges. It’s absolutely necessary for both my mental and physical health. Recently, I set a goal to complete my first Ironman 70.3 in July 2025, which has been a huge motivator. Even on days when I don’t feel like training, that goal pushes me to keep going because I know I won’t reach it unless I stay consistent.
This shift toward prioritizing health started after a heart scare where I thought I was having heart issues, but it turned out I was experiencing panic attacks. Regular exercise has been a game changer for managing my anxiety and depression. It’s helped me stay grounded, and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my mental health.
As a creative, I’ve also faced emotional ups and downs. There’s this cycle of hitting massive highs when creating something amazing, then dropping into a void where depression sets in, the creativity disappears, and I hit a wall. It’s super discouraging because I always feel like I need to keep creating. I also fall into the trap of comparing my work to others and feeling like it’s not good enough, which makes it easy to lose sight of how far I’ve come.
What’s helped me is taking time to reflect on my journey. Watching my very first videos compared to my most recent work reminds me that I’m making progress, even when it doesn’t feel like it. I’ve learned to ride the waves, embrace the highs and lows, and trust that growth is happening along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a videographer and editor, specializing in storytelling through video. My work focuses on creating content that inspires, educates, and connects with people. I produce videos that help build culture, recruit employees, win projects, and tell the company’s story. Over the past three years, I’ve produced over 150 client videos, including assisting on a YouTube documentary series called Beyond the Fence about a high-rise project in Austin Directed and produced by Steadybuilt Productions, and a feature-length historical documentary on a building in Oklahoma City, which has been in development for two years.
What I’m most proud of is the journey itself—from starting with no professional experience to helping Flintco secure multi-million-dollar projects through my work and grown my portfolio and skills immensely. It’s incredible to look back and see how far I’ve come. In my free time I collaborate with local creatives on short films, shoot weddings and music videos for friends, build my YouTube channel and Instagram to inspire new creatives, and shoot still photos to keep the passion alive.
What sets me apart is my self-taught background and relentless drive to grow. I’ve learned through trial and error, hands-on projects, and pushing myself with challenges like the Shot Deck Recreation challenge, where I won the grand prize for best black-and-white recreation. I’m not afraid to take risks or start from the ground up, and I think that willingness to embrace the process is what makes my work stand out. I also love people and telling their stories for others to learn and grow from.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance of some incredible people. My mentor, John Whitton owner of Steadybult Productions, has been a huge influence throughout my career. When I was debating whether to leave my construction project management job for the videographer position at Flintco, he encouraged me to take the leap. His advice to see it as a stepping stone to build my skills gave me the confidence to make such a big career change.
Another big supporter was my friend Mary Barron, who gave me my first chance as a videographer. She trusted me to create content for her, even though I was just starting out. That opportunity was the spark that helped me grow my skills and build confidence in my abilities.
My family also deserves credit for their support. Even though I left the family business to pursue a completely different path, they’ve been there for me and encouraged me to follow my passion.
Finally, I have to give credit to the creative community I’ve surrounded myself with. Whether it’s other videographers, photographers, or local filmmakers, working alongside talented and driven people has pushed me to improve and think outside the box. Their feedback, collaboration, and support have been invaluable in helping me grow as a creative.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @calebthecameraguy
- Youtube: @calebthecameraguy
