by Mike Romero
Photos by Richie Cooper
For Los Angeles–based filmmaker Desire Lacap, better known online as LACAPTURE, storytelling has been a lifelong pursuit. We caught up with her after a trip abroad, where she toured Asia for 3 weeks and documented her experiences there.
An emerging Director of Photography and editor, Desire has carved out a career that blends film production with a thriving online presence, inspiring a global community of creators along the way.
"My journey hasn’t been linear – it’s been a wild path so far," she says. "I was always the kid with the camera in middle school but never thought I’d make filmmaking into a full-time career." She grew up in a traditional Filipino household, and the expectation was to take on something in the medical field. "I tried, but nothing aligned. So years went by and I finally decided to listen to what my soul really needed to experience."
She decided to tackle her dreams head-on.
Desire’s career began in 2019 with the NBA's Golden State Warriors, where she learned to work under pressure and discovered her passion for crafting visual stories. "I learned a lot from incredible leaders," Desire recalls. "At the same time, I was constantly creating my own opportunities – shooting free music videos, mini documentaries, and even vlogs just to better understand the craft of videography."
She fell in love with the post-production process. An old filmmaking maxim says that the story is found in the edit. Desire loves being able to craft the story herself by shaping the layers of music, sound, and imagery.
After the pandemic and a stint in corporate video editing, she realized her purpose extended beyond client work. She wanted to inspire others to pick up a camera and create. "When the pandemic hit, it became a turning point," Desire says. "It tested me emotionally, mentally, physically, and creatively, but ultimately made me stronger... I realized my true passion was not just in filmmaking, but also in sharing what I know with an audience, like teaching tips and tricks while building community around creativity."
In March of 2022, Desire set herself a bold goal: reach 10,000 TikTok followers in one month. Armed with low-budget gear and ten tutorial ideas, she filmed, edited, and posted daily for ten days straight. By the end, she hit her goal – and uncovered something bigger.
"By the end of that run, I had hit my goal. But more importantly, I realized something deeper: consistency and authenticity had the power to open doors," she explains.
"Collaborations started rolling in from gimbal companies and SmallRig and suddenly I wasn’t just posting tutorials – I was building a bridge between my filmmaking skills, my personality, and a growing community that resonated with both."
Things took off from there, and for Desire it has been nothing but abundant opportunities. "It opened doors to work with icons like Alicia Keys and G-Eazy, create music videos for the 2025 Tiny Desk Winner Ruby Ibarra and many talented artists, and collaborate with dream brands like Adobe, Samsung, Nikon, Canon, Sony, DJI and SO much more."
While content creation has become a huge part of her platform, Desire Lacap is a Director of Photography and editor first and foremost. She loves partnering with amazing filmmakers to tell stories that bridge gaps.
"In many ways, social media became my digital resume – only more alive, interactive and personal," she explains.
Her recent credits include serving as DP on short films such as HEART OF SUNSHINE by Joy Ofodu, CITIES LIKE OAKLAND by Jarod Backens, DAWN by Shia Shabazz Smith, DEVILLE by Fego Navarro, and ALTAR EGO by Stephanie Franco (which has already been accepted into the New York Latino Film Festival and the Chicano Hollywood Film Festival). She also directed her own short, CRACKED FORTUNES.
"Each of these projects has been an incredible collaboration, not just in the craft of filmmaking, but in the opportunity to bridge perspectives and highlight stories that matter," says Desire.
"What excites me most is how these films reflect a spectrum of voices and experiences, yet still share a universal thread of humanity. As a Filipino filmmaker, being part of these stories allows me to bring my lens – both literally and culturally – into spaces where representation still has so much room to grow."
Desire sees social media as a canvas, not the art itself. "Social media is the like the stage or even the gallery, where people can freely choose to put out their art. And what I love about it is that it proves everyone has an artist within them. You don’t need access to Hollywood-level budgets or equipment to express yourself. You just need an idea, your authenticity, and the courage to share it."
For aspiring filmmakers, her advice is simple: start where you are. "Create your own opportunities and don’t wait for permission to start. Do it and do it proudly," she says boldly. "Own your 'shitty' work. The first few projects aren’t going to be the best but they’re necessary. They’re the foundation that leads you toward better. Be patient with your journey. Learn to adapt to changes, let go of your ego when it comes to collaborations, and always communicate openly – because filmmaking is never done alone."
When asked what “tomorrow” means to her, Desire doesn’t hesitate: “It means possibility. It’s a reminder that no matter how heavy today feels, there’s always another chance to start again – to rewrite, to grow. Tomorrow is both the pressure and the gift of knowing that my story isn’t over."
As she looks ahead to tomorrow, Desire hopes to expand into travel and lifestyle storytelling, collaborating with brands like Jeep, Genesis, Delta, or United. As she puts it, any brand that connects people to new places and experiences.
"Travel isn’t just about getting from one place to another. It’s about transformation, about what shifts inside of you when you move through different landscapes, cultures and communities. That’s what I felt while traveling in Asia these past 3 weeks. That’s the kind of storytelling I want to bring forward, merging my personal lens as a Filipino filmmaker with the universal experience of journeying somewhere new."
