Stories That Move People
I’m an outdoor lifestyle director drawn to the kind of beauty you don’t have to fake.
My work lives at the intersection of art and emotion, inspiring people to get outside and enjoy the things that make life worth living.
Because when you lead with meaning, people can feel it. They act on it.
And that’s where real momentum begins…
Who I’ve Worked With
Heyyo!
I’m Roo Smith - a two-time Emmy-nominated commercial director based in Boulder, Colorado. I’ve spent the last decade crafting stories and moments that move people, working with brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Microsoft, Outside Magazine, and Netflix to tell grounded, human stories rooted in outdoor lifestyle.
I approach directing as experiential, creating moments for art and creativity to unfold organically. I try to make the environment feel real enough, safe enough and dynamic enough for something authentic to unfold.
Whether it's a short branded documentary, an outdoor lifestyle commercial, or a campaign built for conversions, I’m here to take the creative off your plate and deliver something that sticks with people.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me songwriting, swimming in alpine lakes, and trail running.
Work That Inspires People - and Brands
You don’t need more content, you need content that connects. These are memorable stories built to dig deeper on, created for brands that care about impact, trust, and the outdoors.
Every film, photo, and campaign below started with a clear vision and ended with results that made a difference.
Full-service branded documentary | Story-first campaign | Emmy-nominated, theatrical release
After experiencing discrimination and trauma due to her blindness, Addie found freedom through skiing, ice climbing, and climbing redefining her identity not as a "blind athlete," but simply as someone who belongs in the outdoors.
I directed, filmed, edited, and produced this film independently, handling everything from pre-production and story development to post and festival distribution. The result became an anthem for the adaptive sports community.
Results:
Nominated for an Emmy
Screened at 8 film festivals worldwide
Won “Best Short Film” at Lookout Wild Film Festival
Premiered in over 100 AMC theaters nationwide
Used in inclusive outreach by nonprofits and outdoor organizations
Amplified social engagement and community conversations around accessibility
This project exemplifies how I work: one story, built authentically, turned into a powerful asset that drives real-world visibility and brand trust. Unseen Peaks wasn’t just content, it became a movement.
1½-minute branded doc | Sustainability messaging
Fast, lean production
Patagonia wanted to spotlight climbing ambassador Katie Lamb’s record-breaking grit (first female V16) and her quieter practice of sewing her own clothes - proof that performance and sustainability can share a single thread. In just four hours, with one light, I directed, shot, and edited a film that weaves intimate probe-lens close-ups of fabric with Katie’s reflections on climbing, craft, and conscious consumption.
Takeaway: One focused story, shot lean, became a multi-platform campaign that turned Patagonia’s values into measurable engagement - exactly how I help mission-driven brands grow.
19 minute viral documentary | Shot and edited solo | Filmed in 3 days, Delivered in 5 days.
The Brief: Capture the spirit of the world’s most secretive ultramarathon - The Barkley Marathons - no pre-selected athlete and strict filming zones.
The Challenge: Minimal sleep, two approved locations, unpredictable start time, and zero time for reshoots - yet the film needed to feel immersive and emotional.
My Approach: Embedded myself in camp, built trust over shared potluck dinners, followed two emergent story anchors, shot vérité plus atmospheric B-roll, and edited on-site/plane to deliver hero film, photos, and social clips within 120 hours of the finish.
Assets Delivered: 19-min documentary, 10 vertical reels, 50 editorial stills, and a press-ready media kit.
Impact: Premiered on Singletrack’s YouTube; topped 250 K organic views in first month, approaching 1 million views in the first year, earned mainstream running-media pickup from ESPN, Outside Magazine, etc.
Why It Matters: Proved I can turn a logistically insane event into a polished viral video - and hand clients a complete, campaign-ready asset kit - faster than most agencies can start a brief.
My 3 Step Plan
1. Reach Out & Kick Things Off
Shoot me a message below. We’ll jump on a quick call, swap ideas, and map out the story you want to tell - whether it’s wild, heartfelt, or product focused.
2. Lock It In & Hit the Trail
Once we’re aligned, I’ll send over a contract and set the shoot date. From there, I’ll handle the heavy lifting - planning, filming, editing - so you can stay focused on your other missions.
3. Launch Your Story & Watch It Move People
You'll get a finished film or photo set crafted to inspire action and spark connection. Get ready to share it with the world and see real results roll in.
All assets will always be optimized for all platforms, website, social, and paid ads.
Full-Service Brand Campaigns
From story development to final edits, I create emotionally resonant films, photos and short-form content that connect with your audience and drive results.
Let’s Tell a Story People Remember!
If you’re looking for creative partner to lead a story-driven campaign from start to finish, I’m here to help you create work that actually moves people. My goal isn’t just to make beautiful content, it’s to make something that works hard for your brand and feels deeply human.
Fill out the form below and tell me a bit about your vision. I personally read every inquiry and usually respond within 24–48 hours.
This isn’t just a contact form - it’s the start of making something meaningful together.
My Blog
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5 Things Brands Should Look for in a Director
When you're an outdoor minded brand, your identity doesn’t just live in your product, it lives in the stories you tell. And in 2025, storytelling is everything. A single short film or campaign video can define how your audience perceives your values, your authenticity, and your purpose.
But too often, brands pour their budgets into gorgeous films that don’t land. They look great, sure - sweeping drone shots, golden-hour lighting, a voiceover about “the journey” but they don’t connect. They don’t get shared. And they don’t build long-term trust with the audience.
A big reason is brands are hiring the wrong creative leadership.
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Branded Documenataries Vs. Commercials
In marketing, storytelling isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s the foundation of connection. The most beloved brands in the space aren’t just known for their products. They’re known for their point of view. For the way they frame adventure. For the way they make people feel seen, inspired, and invited into something larger than themselves.
But here’s where things get tricky.
There’s more content than ever competing for attention. Scroll-stopping visuals are everywhere. “Authentic storytelling” has become a marketing buzzword. And outdoor brands are left asking:
What kind of content actually works?
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What Makes a Great Marketing Campaign?
In an era where people scroll faster than they think and skip ads without blinking, getting someone to not only pay attention to your campaign but to care about it is hard. Doing that as a brand is even harder. But it’s not impossible.
The strongest campaigns have a spark, a pulse, something that makes people stop. And that spark isn’t always the biggest budget or the flashiest celebrity. Often, it’s resonance. A deep alignment between what’s being shared and what people feel.
Good brand campaigns are simple at their core.
They find one clear feeling and build everything around that.