Young man wearing a cap and EasyRig Minimax, holding a Sony FX6 professional video camera, in a recording studio.

Hi, I'm Richard — a Vancouver-based director and cinematographer who loves telling emotive stories through a documentary lens.

Over the past three years, I've filmed close to 200 interviews. Each one has taught me something new about listening, about what makes people open up, and about finding the moments that matter. I believe every person has a story worth telling — and that the best ones happen when someone feels seen, not just filmed.

Documentary filmmaking has taught me to listen more than I speak and to approach every story with humility. The best work happens when you see yourself as a bridge — connecting someone's story with the people who need to hear it.

What makes my approach different is that I think like both a creative and a marketer. I'm drawn to the quiet details, the pauses, the things people don't always say out loud — but I also understand how those human moments connect with audiences at scale. I care deeply about the craft, and I believe that the most powerful brand stories are the ones that make people feel something real.

I'm comfortable wearing multiple hats. Some days I'm a one-person crew, quietly capturing intimate moments. Other days I'm coordinating with full production teams.

I'm especially drawn to projects that prioritize depth — short documentaries, branded content that has something meaningful to say, stories that stick with people long after they've watched them.

When I'm not behind the camera, you'll find me exploring Vancouver's coffee scene, curating playlists (ask me about the one that's 75 hours long), and playing hockey or tennis. I think staying curious about people and the world makes me better at capturing both.

If you're looking for someone who'll treat your story with care, creativity, and intention, let's talk. Reach out at hello@richardalam.com — I'm especially excited to hear about projects that go beyond the expected.

Want to learn more about my journey? Check out my appearance on The Freelance Lounge podcast.

TRUSTED BY GLOBAL BRANDS & INDUSTRY LEADERS

Porsche, The Body Shop, The Ritz-Carlton, Lonely Planet, Web Summit, Vancouver Aquarium, Explore Costa Rica, Visit South Africa, Eurail, Yes Theory, Sampa The Great, CIFAR, Matador Network, BC Cancer Foundation, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Thursday Boots, Atomized Studios, Reliance Foundry, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Content With Purpose, and many more.

I collaborate with brands, agencies, and production companies, moving easily between all three worlds and working with teams around the globe.

  • Daryl, Reliance Foundry

    “Our company had the pleasure of working with Richard on a storytelling-style of video, to celebrate our 100th year anniversary. We wanted someone with a documentary background that could go through the history of our company, our relationship with our customers, and show where we’re headed in the future, with innovation and sustainability.

    Richard was really easy to work with, super chill, and collaborative. He made the whole experience fun, never said no, and took on every challenge and idea that we threw at him. We were very pleased with the final video, and now that we’ve tapped into storytelling as part of our marketing, we’re looking forward to working with Richard again on future projects.

    I would highly recommend his services and expertise.”

  • Lynda, Volentia Healthcare Translation

    “Richard’s work is outstanding—his expertise in filming, video production, and editing is exceptional. He has a remarkable ability to craft a cohesive story that aligns perfectly with our organization's mission and values. Moreover, his patience and commitment to customer satisfaction are truly impressive, and his turnaround times are remarkably fast. Without a doubt, it would be a privilege to work with Richard again.”

  • Magnolia, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

    "We had the pleasure of working with Richard and his team and we are very happy with the results. Not only was Richard and his team incredibly talented, but they were also professional, personable, and easy to work with.

    What really stood out was their ability to capture the vibe of togetherness throughout the event. The photos and video beautifully reflected the connections and atmosphere of the entire event. The attention to detail was fantastic, and they made sure to accommodate all our requests while adding a unique artistic touch.

    Communication was great, and Richard delivered everything much quicker than anticipated. If you're looking for a photographer/videographer who’s not only talented and delivers excellent results but is also approachable and collaborative, we highly recommend Richard! It was a positive experience from beginning to end."

  • Ahmad, Seek Discomfort

    “We couldn’t have asked for a better videographer to work with here at Seek Discomfort. We’re an account with 300k followers on Instagram and Richard made sure to thoroughly execute our vision for the video. He was also incredibly professional and communicative throughout the whole process. We definitely recommend him!”

  • Omar, TutorLyft

    “Richard was fantastic to work with on our ‘Our Story’ video and another content piece for my business! He made the whole process easy, kept things on schedule, and the final video really captured the heart of our brand. Couldn’t recommend him more!”

  • Ava, Encephalitis International

    “I travelled from the UK to Canada and needed a reliable and sensitive videographer to film some stories with me. It meant travelling and bearing witness to some heart-rending material. I found Richard Lam and my goodness I am SO pleased I did! Great work, great company, and great prices. Professional videos delivered on time and with virtually no edits required from me - Richard really got it, making my job so much easier and allowing me to focus on other priorities. Highly recommended! Thank you Richard!”

  • June, Intelcom

    “Richard was wonderful to work with. Trying to coordinate a shoot for a location across the country from where we are based ended up being a breeze thanks to his professionalism and easy communication. Thanks again!”

  • Julie, Designer & Interviewee

    “Richard is the essence of talent and professionalism and I cannot recommend him enough. He shot an interview of myself to be used in a campaign run by the YouTube channel YesTheory and he managed to capture my story and the project so beautifully. It was an absolute pleasure working with him. As someone not comfortable in front of a camera he made me feel completely at ease and relaxed throughout the whole shoot. Thanks so much Richard, I hope we get to work together again!”

  • Jack, Westgate Communications

    “Richard was very professional and pleasant to work with, his focus on customer satisfaction is brilliant. Our clients were also very pleased with him and his team. On top of that, the end product was top-notch, just as we asked for. If another occasion rises in Vancouver, we will reach out again!”

  • Kate, Thin Air Adventures

    “This was my first experience with a professional photographer and Richard has delivered beyond my expectations. He’s an amazing photographer, very professional, and easy to work with. I’ll be working with him in the future and would highly recommend him to anyone for their media needs.”

  • Natalie, Macintyre Communications

    “Richard was so amazing to work with and delivered an AMAZING video. He was responsive, reliable and accommodating to our schedule.”

  • Vanessa, Author & Entrepreneur

    “I have worked with Richard twice already. Both times he went above and beyond to ensure my vision is being brought alive in the most stunning way. His thoughtful and professional approach, coupled with his immense talent make him my number one choice for any photography and videography projects moving forward. I can’t wait to work with him again this summer and beyond.”

  • Trevor, Burnaby Hospital Foundation

    “Richard was fantastic! He was personable and also very professional. We appreciated his attention to detail and the creative direction that he provided! He made the day very easy.”

  • Mark, Rothewood Academy

    “Rothewood Academy had the pleasure of hiring Richard to come to many of the schools to take some amazing photographs of the students. His professionalism and expertise made capturing students at their best come alive through his photographs. We would absolutely hire him back again for future sessions.”

  • Ryan, Roller Hockey Canada

    “Richard is a very creative individual with a knack to capture great moments. He’s got a keen eye for beautiful shots and you can only expect top-notch production output when it comes to his photography and videography skills. On top of this, his professional and friendly demeanour makes him very easy to work with. There’s no question that he comes highly recommended.”

  • Sam, Jane & Co.

    I had the pleasure of working with Richard recently for a special event, and I must say, the experience was nothing short of phenomenal. From start to finish, Richard demonstrated not only immense talent behind the lens but also a deep passion for their craft. The quality of the photographs speaks for itself. Each image was beautifully composed, with stunning clarity and depth. It's evident that Richard takes great pride in their work, and it truly shows in the final product. Overall, I cannot recommend Richard highly enough.

  • Kelly, Encephalitis Patient & Interviewee

    It was a delightful experience to meet Richard who documented a chapter in my life. Through incredible photography, music and editing he illustrated a difficult journey into one of endurance and hope. I was overwhelmed with joy at his finished product. Many thanks Richard!