Meet Ryan Tu | Videographer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Tu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Expressing yourself through art is incredible, but to me, what’s even more incredible is turning your passion into a career. Content creation has always been something that’s brought me so much joy, but this creative career path has only become something I considered tangible more recently during the pandemic.

The social media and creative industry have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years and it’s only getting bigger from here. I saw this as an opportunity to develop my craft of connecting with audiences through videography & photography to see how far it can take me. Growing up watching creators build a career off of their passion, I was so inspired and thought to myself – if they can do it, why can’t I?

Everyone in this industry starts from somewhere. At the end of the day, it just depends on how much devotion and time you’re willing to put in to get to where you want to be.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m a 21-year old freelance videographer and photographer, creating content for brands, couples, and talents. I pride myself on being able to adapt to different industries and create a variety of content within the creative space including wedding films, commercials, and dance videos.

In 2020, what started out as a hobby and a way to escape during the pandemic turned into a career that without a doubt, changed my life forever. My eyes had opened to what was possible if you pour your heart and soul into your passion. Over the past 2 years, I’m proud to have gotten the opportunity to work with notable brands like the Fairmont Hotels, Circle-K, L’Oreal Paris, and the Ottawa Redblacks to name a few.

Now, this doesn’t go without saying that I haven’t been faced with challenges that still continue to affect me here and there. As a perfectionist, I usually have a very particular vision in mind that I want to bring to life, and when my work doesn’t turn out to be at the same standard, I find it very easy to doubt my own capabilities and think that my talent isn’t good enough. I’ve come to realize that as your skills improve in a particular area, so does your taste – which can leave you feeling constantly unsatisfied with the work you’re producing. As a matter of fact, it’s in the moments of growth that our greatest doubts rise to the surface and we believe that someone will uncover us as a fraud.

I’ve come to realize that these feelings of imposter syndrome are completely normal, but they’re very irrational. Understanding that these struggles are coming from a place rooted in fear and to look back at all the progress once in a while has really helped me overcome these challenges. At the beginning of 2022, I was nominated as “Videographer of the Year” at the Faces Magazine Ottawa Awards and this achievement just solidified that despite all the self-doubt, with consistency, your hardwork and dedication will be recognized.

Celebrate the smallest wins and keep going because it will all be worth it in the end. I hope my story can inspire others that are thinking of taking their passions seriously to do it. I know it may be scary or overwhelming at times, but imagine how far you’ll go if you take one small step forward in the right direction everyday. So take that risk, follow your passions with everything you’ve got, because sometimes not taking that risk is the biggest risk of them all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in Ottawa, Ontario and contrary to popular belief, it’s a beautiful city full of hidden gems. In the summer months, I love going on bike rides along the Ottawa River towards downtown. The scenery is so refreshing and it’s fairly easy to hit all the best spots like Byward Market, Major Hill Park, and Parliament Hill. In the evening, we would wind down by enjoying some live music at RBC Bluesfest, which is one of the many music festivals that Ottawa puts on. I’ve collected so many memories at the local festivals over the years that I will forever cherish.

The winter months in Ottawa offer a completely new experience. When the Rideau Canal freezes, the ice path goes throughout downtown and is known as the world’s largest skating rink. We would skate along the canal and obviously try the infamous beavertail (which is fried dough tossed in sugar & cinnamon). Some other exciting things to do in the winter include visiting the Winterlude festival, cross country skiing in Gatineau Park, and of course, trying fresh maple taffy on snow.

** & obviously this is imagining that we’re in a non-COVID WORLD because I miss all of this! **

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to recognize Brian Tong, who is a choreographer & agency owner and has mentored me throughout my creative journey. He believed and saw the potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself, and without that, I would not be where I am today without his guidance and knowledge.

CASCO Charity is a student-run organization that has played a big role in allowing me to develop the confidence in my artistry and creativity that I put into my work today. During my early years of undergrad, I was part of the organization as a Videographer and then Creative Director for their annual gala showcase. These roles have helped me explore my own interests for content creation in a professional setting.

And lastly, I want to give a huge shoutout to my parents and sister, Jasmine, who have been my biggest supporters since day one. When I was a kid, my parents really encouraged me to explore my interests by signing me up for different activities like piano lessons, guitar, painting, taekwondo, and swimming. Trying out these different hobbies only led me to find my ultimate passion for videography & photography. My sister is like my personal hype-woman and she continues to inspire and push me creatively. We always have the best time working on videos together. I love you guys!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryantucreative/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24q31SJD3rq_ehcyovo06w