Lea Mende is a Director of Photography, camera and drone operator, and founder of Origin Film Productions LLC — a Los Angeles– and Berlin–based production company focused on cinematic storytelling across continents.

Fluent in both creative and technical languages, Lea has shot news, documentaries, and scripted content across the U.S. and Europe. Her work spans major broadcasters and networks including ZDF, ProSieben, VOX, RTL, and ARTE, with field credits on series such as Germany’s Next Topmodel, Goodbye Deutschland, and Gallileo. She’s also served as photographer with Paramount/MTV since several years, working on campaigns for internationally recognized musicians and brands.

Lea is a FAA-certified drone pilot, fully insured, and equipped in-house with high-end camera systems, audio, and streaming tools. Whether operating solo in fast-paced doc environments or collaborating on large scripted sets, she is known for her efficiency, visual instinct, and adaptability.

With dual U.S./EU citizenship, she operates globally — supporting productions from prep to post. Backed by a degree in Acting and over ten years of on-camera experience, her visual approach is rooted in human connection, movement, and story-driven imagery.