My name is Ben Mathews, and I am the founder of Aetherra Media. Originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, I moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa in 2023 and quickly became passionate about serving businesses, creators, and individuals throughout Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Northeast Iowa through creative media and visual storytelling.

Photography and videography first started as hobbies through helping friends create short films and capture weddings. Over time, that passion developed into something much bigger. After moving to Iowa, I was given the opportunity to further develop my skills through Cedar Ridge Christian School, where I created and continue to teach a Media Production and Content Development class in a part-time capacity. Teaching students how to create meaningful content has helped deepen both my technical skills and my appreciation for storytelling through visual media.

Beyond content creation, business development has always been a passion of mine. I enjoy helping businesses identify opportunities for growth and finding creative ways to strengthen their presence. In today’s digital world, photography, videography, and social media have become some of the most powerful — and often overlooked — tools for building a brand and connecting with people. Through Aetherra Media, my goal is to help businesses and individuals create content that feels authentic, professional, and impactful.

While I love all forms of visual media, portraits continue to be my favorite type of photography. From families and graduates to professionals and businesses, I believe photography is about more than just images — it’s about capturing moments, personalities, and stories that matter. When I started Aetherra Media, I knew I wanted to create a business that allowed me to help people preserve those moments while also helping brands tell their stories in a meaningful way.