Cinematic, documentary-trained videographer and video producer with hands-on experience across concept development, filming, editing, and talent direction. Extensive background in run-and-gun documentary coverage, scripted shoots, and social-first video production for nonprofits, editorial outlets, and digital platforms. Known for blending strong editorial instincts with production leadership, platform fluency, and creative storytelling. Let’s connect and tell powerful visual stories together. TECHNICAL SKILLS Cameras & Capture: Sony FX3, Sony a7 IV, Canon C100, Canon C200, Nikon DSLR Shooting Styles: Run-and-gun documentary, scripted productions, interview-based shoots, social-first vertical video Audio: Location sound recording, boom microphone operation, lavalier microphone setup, dual-system audio workflows Lighting: Basic three-point lighting, interview lighting setups, available-light shooting Post-Production (Video & Audio): Adobe Premiere Pro (editing, color correction, delivery), Adobe Audition (dialogue cleanup, sound design), Adobe After Effects (basic motion graphics, lower thirds) Design, Graphics & Photography: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Procreate, Adobe Lightroom (photo editing, color correction)…

Maarya Zafar

Cinematic, documentary-trained videographer and video producer with hands-on experience across concept development, filming, editing, and talent direction. Extensive background in run-and-gun documentary coverage, scripted shoots, and social-first video production for nonprofits, editorial outlets, and digital platforms. Known for blending strong editorial instincts with production leadership, platform fluency, and creative storytelling. Let’s connect and tell powerful visual stories together. TECHNICAL SKILLS Cameras & Capture: Sony FX3, Sony a7 IV, Canon C100, Canon C200, Nikon DSLR Shooting Styles: Run-and-gun documentary, scripted productions, interview-based shoots, social-first vertical video Audio: Location sound recording, boom microphone operation, lavalier microphone setup, dual-system audio workflows Lighting: Basic three-point lighting, interview lighting setups, available-light shooting Post-Production (Video & Audio): Adobe Premiere Pro (editing, color correction, delivery), Adobe Audition (dialogue cleanup, sound design), Adobe After Effects (basic motion graphics, lower thirds) Design, Graphics & Photography: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Procreate, Adobe Lightroom (photo editing, color correction)…

Available to hire

Cinematic, documentary-trained videographer and video producer with hands-on experience across concept development, filming, editing, and talent direction.

Extensive background in run-and-gun documentary coverage, scripted shoots, and social-first video production for nonprofits, editorial outlets, and digital platforms.

Known for blending strong editorial instincts with production leadership, platform fluency, and creative storytelling.

Let’s connect and tell powerful visual stories together.

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Cameras & Capture: Sony FX3, Sony a7 IV, Canon C100, Canon C200, Nikon DSLR
Shooting Styles: Run-and-gun documentary, scripted productions, interview-based shoots, social-first vertical video
Audio: Location sound recording, boom microphone operation, lavalier microphone setup, dual-system audio workflows
Lighting: Basic three-point lighting, interview lighting setups, available-light shooting
Post-Production (Video & Audio): Adobe Premiere Pro (editing, color correction, delivery), Adobe Audition (dialogue cleanup,
sound design), Adobe After Effects (basic motion graphics, lower thirds)
Design, Graphics & Photography: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Procreate, Adobe Lightroom
(photo editing, color correction)

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Hackergal, Toronto
October 1, 2024 - June 15, 2024
Spearhead the development and execution of marketing and communication strategies to amplify Hackergal's mission, creating engaging content across social media, email, and website to increase program participation and visibility. Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to craft compelling narratives, design event promotions, and execute fundraising initiatives, contributing to organizational growth and impact.
Associate Producer at The Science of Happiness Podcast, Berkeley
March 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024
Led comprehensive research on scientific studies and guest profiles, contributing to the creation of engaging and evidence-based content for over 30 episodes of the Science of Happiness podcast. Managed the publishing process, from developing engaging promotional audiograms to crafting detailed show notes and providing transcripts, ensuring improved accessibility and audience interaction.
Intern at Chandi Films, Berkeley
May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Assisted with videography and sound recording for two documentary films, Coach Emily and Welcome Home Jhaiji, ensuring high-quality footage and audio for the final product. Logged and organized footage string-outs for Coach Emily, and created compelling social media graphics and promotional materials to boost audience engagement and visibility.
Social Media Manager at AQ Network, Toronto
April 1, 2021 - April 30, 2022
Developed and executed engaging social media campaigns to promote company services, enhancing brand visibility and expanding reach to a global audience. Led the design and launch of AQ Network's new website, logo, and social media profiles, establishing a cohesive and compelling brand identity.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Hackergal, Toronto
October 1, 2024 - June 21, 2024
Spearhead the development and execution of marketing and communication strategies to amplify Hackergal's mission, creating engaging content across social media, email, and website to increase program participation and visibility. Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to craft compelling narratives, design event promotions, and execute fundraising initiatives, contributing to organizational growth and impact.
Associate Producer at The Science of Happiness Podcast, Berkeley
March 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024
Led comprehensive research on scientific studies and guest profiles, contributing to the creation of engaging and evidence-based content for over 30 episodes of the Science of Happiness podcast. Managed the publishing process, from developing engaging promotional audiograms to crafting detailed show notes and providing transcripts, ensuring improved accessibility and audience interaction.
Intern at Chandi Films, Berkeley
May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Assisted with videography and sound recording for two documentary films, Coach Emily and Welcome Home Jhaiji, ensuring high-quality footage and audio for the final product. Logged and organized footage string-outs for Coach Emily, and created compelling social media graphics and promotional materials to boost audience engagement and visibility.
Social Media Manager at AQ Network, Toronto
April 1, 2021 - April 30, 2022
Developed and executed engaging social media campaigns to promote company services, enhancing brand visibility and expanding reach to a global audience. Led the design and launch of AQ Network's new website, logo, and social media profiles, establishing a cohesive and compelling brand identity.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Hackergal
October 1, 2024 - Present
Own and manage the social media and video content calendar, leading end-to-end social video production of ~40 social-first videos across Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn ensuring platform-native storytelling; utilize Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Metricool to create, edit, and track performance. Execute tight-turnaround production cycles, frequently delivering same-week filming, editing, and posting. Direct and coach on-camera talent (staff, educators, youth voices), translate organizational impact into emotionally resonant video storytelling supporting fundraising, partnerships and national visibility. Increase social media reach by 29% and interactions by 46% over 1 year through performance-informed creative strategy. Managed a video collaboration with Archipelago Productions for Hackergal’s 10-Year Anniversary film by sourcing archival footage, shaping narrative direction, and providing editorial feedback.
Photographer and Storyteller at Maarya Zafar Photography
July 1, 2025 - Present
Lead full visual production lifecycle for events, proposals, and portrait sessions, including creative consultation, shot planning to filming/photo, editing, and final delivery. Shoot documentary-style content with a strong emphasis on natural movement, emotion, and storytelling. Edit and color-correct visual assets using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Premiere Pro, delivering platform-ready content optimized for web and social media.
Assistant Producer at The Science of Happiness Podcast
March 1, 2023 - April 1, 2024
Conducted deep research on scientific studies for 30+ episodes, shaping episode structure and narrative flow. Produced promotional audio grams for social media distribution and created detailed show notes to improve accessibility, discoverability, and audience engagement. Collaborated closely with producers and hosts to ensure editorial clarity, tone, and consistency.
Intern at Chandi Films
May 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023
Supported field production for two documentary films (Coach Emily and Welcome Home Jhaiji), assisting with camera operation, location sound, and on-set logistics. Shot supplementary footage and assisted with boom and lavalier microphone setup, utilizing body-mounted gimbal stabilizer for smooth moving shots during interviews. Logged, organized, and built string-outs to support long-form documentary editing workflow.

Education

Master’s of Journalism at University of California, Berkeley
August 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024
Honours Bachelors of Arts at University of Toronto
September 1, 2018 - June 30, 2022
Master of Journalism — Documentary Film at University of California, Berkeley
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026
Honours Bachelor of Arts — Visual Studies & Book/Media Studies at University of Toronto
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Education
    paper Fairyland

    A short doc on the oldest running puppet theatre in the United States.

    paper Fighters: In Between Fire and Cancer, 2022

    This film critically examines the rates of cancer amongst firefighters.

    paper In The Name of Caste

    A short documentary on role of caste discrimination in California.

    paper When the Smoke Clears

    Desperate for relief they can’t find at home, two first responders battling PTSD and depression travel to Mexico to undergo psychedelic therapy using medicines prohibited by U.S. law.