Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Lafady.
Hi Robert, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Portland, Oregon, and got into photography at a young age when my father introduced me to film cameras. Being behind the lens gave me a way to observe the world and eventually led me into filmmaking. Over time, storytelling became much more than a creative outlet. It became a way to connect with people, share experiences, and help others tell their own stories.
A major turning point came in 2025 when I faced severe heart failure caused by a congenital heart condition and underwent a TAVR procedure. The experience changed my perspective on life and reinforced how valuable our time is. Since then, I’ve returned to shooting 35mm film and embraced a philosophy that values authenticity over perfection. Today, my work is focused on telling honest, human stories that help people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges was the scope of the project. We were telling stories from people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and it was important that each person felt represented authentically and respectfully. Building trust with participants and creating an environment where people felt comfortable sharing personal stories required time, empathy, and patience.
Another challenge was balancing the technical side of filmmaking with the emotional responsibility of the subject matter. We weren’t just capturing interviews, we were documenting real lived experiences involving identity, disability, discrimination, resilience, and personal growth. As a cinematographer, I wanted the visuals to support the stories without distracting from them.
Like many independent documentary projects, we also faced limitations in funding, resources, scheduling, and coordination. Producing a film of this scale required a tremendous amount of collaboration, flexibility, and perseverance from everyone involved.
Ultimately, those challenges reinforced the importance of listening, adapting, and staying focused on the people at the center of the story. The experience made me a stronger filmmaker and deepened my belief that meaningful storytelling is always worth the effort.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a cinematographer, storyteller, and co-founder of Crow & Moon Productions, a Portland-based production company focused on creating meaningful stories that amplify voices and experiences that are often overlooked.
My background is somewhat unique because I bring both creative and business leadership experience to my work. Professionally, I’ve spent more than 30 years in leadership and management roles, leading large teams across multiple locations, building strong relationships, and helping organizations grow. Those experiences taught me how to communicate, collaborate, and connect with people from all walks of life, skills that have become invaluable in filmmaking.
In my current role, in addition to my leadership responsibilities, I help manage an internal production company that creates training and educational videos for our vendors. I work closely with a team to develop, film, direct, and edit these productions. That experience has allowed me to strengthen both my technical and creative skills while learning how to tell clear, engaging stories that educate and connect with audiences.
My specialty is human-centered storytelling. Whether I’m producing training content, shooting 35mm photography, or working on documentary projects, I’m most interested in authentic stories and genuine human experiences. I believe the best stories aren’t necessarily the most polished, they’re the most honest.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised to learn that filmmaking started as a form of self-protection for me. My father introduced me to photography at a young age, and being behind the camera gave me a safe way to observe the world. What began as a place of comfort eventually became a way for me to find my voice. Today, many people know me as a filmmaker and storyteller, but they don’t always realize how personal that journey has been or how much it helped me overcome childhood PTSD.
Pricing:
- https://crowandmoon.net/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://crowandmoon.net/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lafady/?isSelfProfile=true
- Other: https://linktr.ee/crowandmoonproductions
