Meet Olivier Lessard

We recently connected with Olivier Lessard and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivier, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I got my work ethic from the incredible women I had the privilege of working with early in my career in television. They were sharp, driven, and deeply respectful—not just of the work itself, but of the people doing it. I learned so much by watching them navigate the production world with both force and grace. They held high standards, but always made space for empathy, collaboration, and fairness.

I distinctly remember moments at the end of shoots when there was leftover money in the budget. They could’ve easily kept it in the production account or used it to throw a fancier wrap party—but instead, they chose to redistribute it as bonuses to the crew and freelancers. That kind of integrity and generosity made a huge impression on me. These women came from different corners of the industry—researchers, writers, producers—but regardless of their roles, they were genuinely curious about each other’s work and always mindful of people’s time and value. Even within a hierarchy, they created an environment where we all felt like equals, working toward a shared goal. That spirit of collaboration has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a Director and Cinematographer, mostly working in branded content, helping clients bring their ideas to life—whether I’m building something from the ground up or turning an existing concept into something visually impactful. I’m involved in every part of the process, from assembling the right team and making creative decisions to keeping everything on track and within budget (which, honestly, is a whole skill of its own). My background is in film, and storytelling has always been my thing—especially through movement, emotion, and mood. Early on, I worked with dancers and models, and the camera became like a second eye for me. That instinct for rhythm and feeling still influences how I shoot today.
What excites me most is telling stories about people—especially the ones who don’t always get the spotlight. I’m drawn to the strange, the raw, the honest, and the human side of things. I love emotion and humor, and I think deep down, we all just want to feel seen. Whether it’s a fashion film, a commercial, or a narrative project, I hope everything I create feels real, entertaining, and carries a sense of empathy behind the lens. That’s really what my work is about: team first, people first, and beauty without the burnout.
Collaboration is key in what I do. I’m lucky to work with such talented people, and I focus on making their jobs easier. When the chemistry clicks on set, that’s when the real magic happens.
Most recently, I directed and shot a video with Rachel Zegler for DIOR at the Snow White premiere. Despite the time pressure, it was an amazing example of teamwork and mutual respect. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love this work.
Right now, I’m also building my own production company, Oakes Films. We just wrapped our first short film, which will be screening at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase in LA this spring. I’m also working on the feature version of it. As much as I love branded work, I’m putting more energy into writing and directing narrative films and pushing my voice as an artist. This next chapter is all about diving deeper into the kind of storytelling that connects with people—and making room for others to do the same.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been adaptability, collaboration, and storytelling. Adaptability has been crucial in navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of this industry—being open to new ideas and challenges allows creativity to thrive. Collaboration is key; building strong relationships and creating a space where everyone feels valued leads to the best work, and I’ve learned that great ideas come when everyone’s strengths are brought to the table. Lastly, storytelling is at the heart of everything I do. It’s not just about crafting a narrative, but about understanding people and connecting with their emotions.

For those just starting out, I’d encourage them to stay curious—whether that’s learning about how things are made or taking classes to open your mind to different perspectives. I personally read a lot about psychology, but there are so many ways to expand your understanding of people and the world. Keep exploring and never stop learning; growth comes from constantly pushing yourself to see things from new angles.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have the parents I do. From a young age, they recognized that I was different, but they never placed any expectations on me—they simply rode the wave of my imagination right alongside me. They helped me create theater sets in the basement when I was seven, supported my experiments with gory special effects as a teenager, and even allowed me to film at their work, with them as extras in my projects. Their support has always been unwavering, and even now, though we’re far apart, they continue to encourage me to push forward and follow my own path. What stands out most is that they’ve always been there for the real me—no pretense, no pressure, just love and encouragement to be true to who I am and where I want to go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.olivierlessard.com
• Instagram: oli_crapaud
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-lessard-b8227894/
• Other: IG : oakes.films

Image Credits

Martin Diegor for the portrait (IG @martindiegor)