Daily Inspiration: Meet Hongyu Liu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hongyu Liu.

Hi Hongyu, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey with the camera actually started because of a school policy. I attended a boarding school where smartphones were strictly off-limits, but cameras were allowed. My mother gave me her old pink camera with a flip screen, one she didn’t use anymore, and it became my constant companion. While other students were disconnected, I was documenting everything: our middle school years, high school, and eventually college.
To be honest, I used to feel sorry for the person behind the camera. I always thought, “It’s kind of sad to be the only one not in the frame, the one missing out on the moment.” But eight years later, when I looked back at those thousands of photos and videos, my perspective shifted entirely. I realized the person behind the camera is actually the luckiest. Every memory is preserved through their eyes. Although I wasn’t in the picture, the entire narrative was shaped by my perspective. That realization that I could control time and memory was the spark. I wanted to be the storyteller behind the camera.
This passion led me to the U.S. to study Film and Cinematography at college. Before film school, I called myself an “all in one machine”, I thought filmmaking was just about shooting cool clips and editing them to a beat. I completely deconstructed that. I learned that a film set is a massive, precision machine where the Director, PD, Sound, and G&E departments all support the story from the shadows. I fell in love with the collaboration. In the three years following the pandemic, I worked on 83 different sets. My friends thought I was crazy, but the set became my habitat. I couldn’t live without it. Today, as a cinematographer, that obsession with documenting life has evolved into something bigger, it’s how I craft and share stories with the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge wasn’t necessarily a specific external event, but rather a complete reconstruction of my understanding of filmmaking.
Coming into this industry, I had to unlearn the lone wolf mentality. As I mentioned, I used to take pride in doing everything myself. But when I started working on professional sets in the U.S., the reality hit me hard. I realized that cinematic storytelling is too complex for one person to carry alone. The struggle was learning to trust others, to communicate effectively across departments, and to find my specific place within that “precision machine.” Learning the technical side is one thing; learning the human side, how to network, how to empathize, how to lead a crew was a steep learning curve.
Another ongoing challenge is holding onto my artistic conviction in a changing world. We are living in an era dominated by fast-paced short videos. While I don’t oppose that format, seeing the industry shift so heavily towards instant gratification can be discouraging. Sticking to my favorite, insisting on “slow” storytelling, long takes… feels like swimming upstream sometimes. But I believe that’s where the real emotional resonance lies.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Cinematographer based in Savannah and Los Angeles, and I started my own production company called DUO STUDIO.
What sets me apart is a bit of a paradox. In my daily life, I am a naturally restless and high-energy ADHDer. I’m the kind of person who stands in the center of a city, staring up at apartment windows, desperate to know the story behind every single pane of glass. I feel their happiness and their regrets. However, when I look through the viewfinder, my style is the complete opposite of my personality.
I am drawn to stillness. I specialize in quiet, observational imagery that allows the audience to breathe. Films like Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma or Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain are my touchstones—scenes where the camera doesn’t scream for attention but allows the emotion to swell naturally. I love using natural light, a preference inspired by the works of Chloé Zhao and Sean Baker. I’ve found that the most beautiful images often don’t require massive lighting setups; they require patience and the right eye.
I am most proud of my ability to channel my chaotic energy into calm, empathetic storytelling. I want to counter the noise of today’s media with visual silence and depth, proving that even a hyperactive mind can create the most tranquil and touching art.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My middle school campus was frequently used as a filming location for variety shows and movies. I remember vividly the days when classes would end, and I’d see camera operators running through the hallways with heavy rigs on their shoulders.

One specific afternoon, I watched a director working on set right there in my school. Seeing the command they had, the chaos they were orchestrating into something beautiful—it hit me like a lightning bolt. I thought, “That is my dream.” That moment validated my obsession with recording life. By the time I graduated high school, I had accumulated over 130,000 photos and videos on my hard drives. I didn’t want any person I met or any road I walked to disappear from memory. That childhood instinct to “save” moments is still the core of what I do today as a filmmaker.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.duooooo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duohanson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duohanson