Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruoyu Xu.
Hi Ruoyu, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Like many art enthusiasts, I’ve been captivated by the world around me since I was a child. The shapes of clouds, the shadows cast by morning sunlight filtering through blinds, the ripples on the surface of a lake in the park—these everyday moments always drew my attention. When I was in elementary school, my family got a film camera, and they allowed me to experiment with it. That’s when I began taking photos of my family on trips or capturing scenic moments. In middle school, I won a school photography competition, which made me realize that I might have a natural talent for photography. Encouraged by this, I sought out more opportunities to shoot, even taking on some documentary-style photography at my parents’ workplaces, which gave me a taste of photojournalism. However, all of this was still just a hobby.
My journey into professional photography began after I graduated from graduate school in 2013. A friend informed me about a photography studio in New York City that was very famous in the Chinese Community at that time and was looking for an assistant. Since I loved photography and had always dreamed of living in New York City, I applied for the position and was fortunate enough to start my professional career as a photography assistant. The role allowed me to shoot and edit a lot, which was a far cry from my earlier amateur experience. Coupled with professional training at the International Center of Photography, especially in lighting techniques, my skills improved significantly. During that time, I worked on everything from weddings and engagement shoots for private clients to fashion photography. Some of my most notable assignments included shooting the red carpet at the Met Gala for Vogue China, and working on features for Elle and Harper’s Bazaar during New York Fashion Week, as well as portraits of celebrities.
In 2015, I left New York to join a startup company in Silicon Valley, working in-house in marketing and creative roles. My professional photography career took a brief hiatus, but I continued to pursue personal projects, documenting the cities where I lived—Shanghai, Suzhou, and Los Angeles—and capturing the beauty of Japanese artisanal crafts. While I wasn’t working on client assignments as frequently during this period, focusing on my personal projects allowed me to refine my own photographic style. My approach became one of capturing the world as I see it, with a natural, organic quality that invites viewers to extend their imagination beyond the frame.
In 2024, due to some fortunate circumstances, I returned to full-time photography, primarily working in the South Bay area on family, engagement, and children’s session photography. My goal now is to use my camera to help others preserve moments that are worth remembering.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There were always challenges. It was not very normal for an engineering graduate to work as a professional photographer. Doubts and pressure from family members were always with me. And income was another one. A photographer must be very lucky to have enough clients to support his living at the very beginning of their career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Like many creative workers, my work is not only for clients. I do a lot of personal projects. I shoot crafts from Japanese artists in some very unique set-ups. For example, I brought an artist’s vase to the Original Flower Market of Los Angeles to shoot.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My first boss when I joined a professional studio, Haiyin Lin, was a tremendous help to me. She is a very meticulous and serious person, and her work ethic had a direct influence on me. She also leaned towards a natural style of photography rather than overly polished or edited images, which helped shape the foundation of my own photographic style.
Additionally, my wife played a significant role in supporting me during the period when I had stepped away from full-time photography. As an influencer, she always had creative ideas for shootings. Our aesthetic tastes align closely, but she is more open to experimenting with new shooting techniques and set-ups. Working with her greatly broadened my perspective on various kinds of shooting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ruoyuxu.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruoyufoto?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rg-photography-rolling-hills-estates
