STORIES WITH SOUL THAT DRIVE ACTION

Human-centred films and branded content for people & organizations who believe great storytelling matters. Based in Vancouver, working anywhere the story takes us.

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SEE MY WORK
Black background with a white Porsche logo and the word 'Porsche' beneath it.
Black background with white circle logo featuring two stylized hands, above the bold text 'THE BODY SHOP'.
Logo for South Africa with the slogan 'Inspiring new ways' beneath.
Black background with the Ritz-Carlton logo, featuring a white lion's head in a crown, and the text 'THE RITZ-CARLTON' below.
Text that reads "essential Costa Rica" in a stylized font.
Logo of Eurail on a black background
Black background with white neon-style text that says "Intelcom".
Logo for YES Theory with black text and a white circle background.
Hogan Lovells logo with black text on a white background
Logo with the text 'Sampa The Great' in bold, white, stylized font on a black background.
Black background with white text that reads "MATADOR network" and a logo above the text with a stylized 'M' inside a circle.
Black background with white logo and text for Vancouver Aquarium, featuring an abstract coral design.

What We Can Help With

DOCUMENTARIES

Films that matter. We tell real stories about real people, movements, and ideas that deserve to be seen — built for impact, not just views. Perfect for film festivals, fundraising campaigns, and building movements.

BRAND STORY FILMS

Show what your brand stands for through the real people behind it. These aren't traditional commercials — they're films that make people understand why you exist. Ideal for brand launches, anniversary campaigns, and recruitment.

SERIES & CAMPAIGNS

Content people keep watching. Multi-episode stories that build real connection through customer journeys, behind-the-scenes moments, and campaigns. Great for ongoing marketing, content calendars, and audience building.

CLIENT STORIES

Testimonials that actually work. We create cinematic client stories that feel real, look stunning, and convert better than any talking-head video ever could. Turn happy customers into your best sales team.

Our Process to Bring Your Story to Life

  • Great videos start with deep listening. We conduct pre-interviews, uncover compelling angles, and shape narrative frameworks before we ever touch a camera. You'll see mood boards, story outlines, and a clear creative direction — so there are no surprises on shoot day.

  • We bring cinema-quality gear and a small crew that moves fast without sacrificing craft. Our documentary approach means we're observing and listening, not just checking boxes on a shot list. You get the polish of a large production house with the agility and care of a boutique studio.

  • This is where the story comes together. We edit for emotional arc, not just information dump. Expect thoughtful pacing, tasteful colour grading, sound design that elevates every moment, and close collaboration through revisions. Final deliverables are optimized for your platforms — whether that's a hero piece for your site or cutdowns for social.

Tell Us About Your Project!

You'll hear back within 24 hours. After submitting, you'll be able to schedule a free discovery call.

Two men seated on stools in a living room being filmed during an interview, with professional lighting and camera equipment, and a background of large windows, plants, and furniture.
A photo of a photo shoot or filming scene with a large professional lighting softbox, a woman with long dark hair smiling, another woman with curly dark hair standing, and a man in a beanie writing or drawing on a paper, in a cozy indoor setting with
A video shoot in a dark studio with a photographer capturing a model who is posing with arms outstretched. Light equipment and a person taking a photo with a phone are visible.
Two men, one holding a professional video camera and the other holding a tablet, appear to be working in an indoor setting, possibly a kitchen or food service area.
A man in a black shirt and cap operating a camera on a tripod, capturing a man playing a grand piano while wearing headphones in a music studio.
Two people sitting on a black leather couch in a recording studio with wooden wall panels, a large green plant, and music equipment, while a cameraman films them.
Two people sitting on the floor, one with a camera on a tripod, filming a small object under a cloth on a table in a room with wooden flooring, two framed landscape photographs hanging on the wall, and various chairs and equipment in the background.
Person holding a tablet recording a scene in a restaurant kitchen with chefs preparing food in the background.
A man filming a kitchen with chefs, one of whom is smiling and another is wearing a striped apron.
A woman being interviewed in a restaurant or cafe, surrounded by several people, some taking photos or videos, with professional lighting equipment set up.
Person holding a camera on a filming set, surrounded by people, with a bright spotlight in the background, all in a dimly lit room.

Recent Work

Branded Content Campaign | Lonely Planet

Award-Winning Documentary | AOD

Documentary Storytelling | Reliance Foundry

Brand Story Film | TutorLyft

  • Matt, Lonely Planet

    “Richard filmed an excellent video about British Columbia for Lonely Planet's Best In Travel. With gorgeous footage of Vancouver and BC's wilderness, engaging stand-ups with our host, and stunning drone shots, the final video was one of the strongest in the campaign. Richard was very professional and thorough. I highly recommend working with him.”

  • Daryl, Reliance Foundry

    “Our company had the pleasure of working with Richard on a storytelling-style of video, to celebrate our 100th year anniversary.

    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 we’re looking forward to working with Richard again on future projects.

    I would highly recommend his services and expertise.”

  • 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!”

  • Natalie, Macintyre Communications

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

  • 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. 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 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, Graphic Designer

    “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!”

  • 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.”

  • Vanessa, Author

    “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.”

  • Kelly, Interviewee

    “It was a delightful experience to meet Richard who documented a chapter in my life. He illustrated a difficult journey into one of endurance and hope. I was overwhelmed with joy at his finished product. Many thanks Richard!”

  • Sam, Jane & Co.

    “I had the pleasure of working with Richard recently, 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.”

Why Work With Us?

  • No account managers. No middlemen. You get direct access to me from first call to final delivery. Faster decisions, clearer communication, and a final product that actually matches your vision.

  • If you're tired of generic brand videos that could belong to anyone, this is where we shine. We dig deeper in pre-production to find the stories worth telling — the ones that make people lean in, not tune out.

  • We combine the observational, character-driven approach of documentary with the production value brands expect. Think film festival aesthetics, built for your marketing goals.

  • Whether you're an in-house leader or an agency producer, you know what separates good from great. We've worked with dozens of agencies bringing premium documentary-style content to their clients.

  • We've done everything from intimate single-subject pieces to multi-day shoots across BC. Small teams, big capability. We adapt quickly, work in challenging environments, and deliver premium results without the bloat of larger shops.

  • You have deadlines. We respect them. Regular updates, quick revision turnarounds, delivery when promised. We've built our reputation on being the team that just makes it work.

Let's Make Something People Actually Want to Watch

Ready to elevate your brand's storytelling? Whether you're planning a campaign launch, building a video series, or finally creating that mini-doc you've been thinking about — let's talk.

You'll hear back within 24 hours. After submitting, you'll be able to schedule your free 30-minute discovery call.

START YOUR PROJECT

  • We focus on documentary-style storytelling: branded content, character-driven videos, and short documentaries. If your project centres around real people and authentic storytelling, we're the right fit.

  • Full-scale projects typically range from $10-20K. We can also scale back based on your project needs. We'll provide a customized proposal tailored to your goals and budget after our discovery call.

  • Most projects follow a 4-6 week timeline from kickoff to final delivery. This includes pre-production (research, pre-interviews, planning), production (typically 1-3 shoot days), and post-production (editing, revisions, colour, sound). We can accommodate faster turnarounds when needed.

  • Great! We can jump in wherever makes sense — refining your idea, handling production and post, or just providing cinematography and editing. We're adaptable like that.

  • As involved as you want to be. Some clients prefer a hands-off approach after the initial creative brief, while others want to be in the edit suite. We adapt to your working style and ensure you have input at every major milestone.

  • Absolutely. While we're based in Vancouver, we've produced work throughout Canada and are eager to travel for the right projects. If your story takes us somewhere compelling, we're there.

  • Full edit, colour grading, licensed music, professional sound design and mixing, titles and motion graphics (if needed), and multiple revision rounds. We also create additional cutdowns and platform-specific versions (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) based on your needs.

  • We're documentarians first. That means we're trained to find and tell compelling human stories, not just execute shot lists. You're hiring someone who thinks like a filmmaker but operates like a pro — premium craft, documentary soul.

  • Yes — this is one of our strengths. Through our discovery and pre-production process, we help you identify the most compelling narrative angles, find the right characters, and structure stories that resonate with your audience.

  • Reach out via our contact form or email hello@richardalam.com. We'll schedule a discovery call to discuss your vision, goals, and timeline. From there, we'll create a tailored proposal and production plan. Most clients hear back within 24 hours.