Hi, I’m Lay Htoo
— a filmmaker, photographer, and visual storyteller based in Melbourne.
For more than 25 years, I’ve been helping organisations, brands, and communities tell powerful stories through video and photography.
My work has taken me across Asia, Africa, and Australia, capturing real moments of resilience, culture, and impact.
I believe the most powerful stories are authentic, human, and purpose-driven.
Whether it’s a brand film, documentary story, or content for campaigns, my goal is simple:
to create visual stories that connect, inspire, and move people to action.
If you’re looking for a creative partner to bring your story to life, you’re in the right place.
My Story
I grew up in a developing country where poverty and injustice were part of everyday life — but the stories behind them were rarely told. In a place where speaking openly was risky, many realities remained hidden. That silence stayed with me.
Even at school, I was drawn to telling stories. I remember getting into trouble for writing essays that told stories instead of simply answering the assignment. Looking back now, I realise I was a storyteller long before I knew storytelling could be a profession.
In my country, cameras were often treated with suspicion — sometimes seen as dangerous as weapons. But curiosity pushed me forward. I began learning photography and video using film cameras and VHS camcorders, experimenting and teaching myself along the way.
That curiosity eventually became a career.
My journey into professional storytelling began with World Vision in Myanmar, documenting community development programs and the lives of families overcoming poverty. From there, my work expanded across Asia, Australia, North America, and Africa, capturing stories from emergency response programs to global marketing campaigns.
Today, based in Australia, my work has taken on another meaningful dimension — helping share and document First Nations stories. Through collaboration with Elders, communities, and educators, I contribute to storytelling that honours culture, history, and lived experience, helping audiences engage more deeply with the true story of this land.
For more than 25 years, storytelling has taken me across communities and cultures around the world.
Because behind every community, every challenge, and every moment — there is a story worth telling.
