Meet Sam Yu of Fotoworks Pro in Tustin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Yu.

Sam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Since as early as I can remember I always loved pictures. I doodled all over the walls and floors as a baby. As a student, I got the attention of fellow classmates and teachers through my drawings. The process of bringing ideas and images to physical form relieved an itch deep inside of me. It’s felt like magic to manifest an image to something you can touch and share. The novelty never went away.

About 22 years ago, I had the opportunity to open a 1 hour photo lab. After graduating UC Irvine with a degree in mechanical engineering, I was eager to bring my flavor of photo finishing to the world. We were successful from the start by engineering efficient workflows and offering a more attentive brand of customer service.

Our reputation soon traveled amongst local professional photographers. Since then, our business grew by serving pros, businesses and discerning prosumers. With the rapid growth of digital photography, our business grew further because we were able to leverage my grasp of technology and my love for imaging.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not all the time. Back in 2009 we were caught in the perfect storm. Along with the great recession we finally saw the local wedding photography market sink. Digital cameras and the internet democratized the photography business. Most people were able to become very proficient at photography because it cost nothing to shoot pictures (compared to the days of film and processing) and instruction was readily accessible through the internet. You no longer needed to go to school or learn from a mentor.

The thriving middle class of professional photographers disappeared almost overnight. Everybody became a photographer and flooded the market with cheap photography and the shoot & burn trend where photographers gave away their images on a cd or flash drive. Many of our pro photographers went out of business or diversified into other types of photography.

Ubiquitous mobile devices also lowered the demand for prints. Now images could be shared through the cloud and social networks. Small prints were replaced by iPhones and mobile devices.

Things eventually turned around as the novelty for prints came back with the demand of film, vinyl records and nostalgia.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fotoworks Pro – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in fine crafted photo print products. We currently offer prints in three medias–metal, photo paper and canvas. Metal prints are our forte.

From what my customers tell me, I listen well. Perhaps, it’s because I’m genuinely interested in the stories of the people who walk through our doors. I get to meet incredible people. Everyone has a story to tell. I get the privilege to see the stories through pictures.

Through my extensive tech background, I’m able to create consistent and desirable results with the latest printing technologies. I can also help people with technological issues related to color management and digital imaging. Once an engineer always an engineer.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Love the diversity of Southern California. You can get great Mexican, Korean, Mediterranean, Japanese, Thai and Italian food within miles of each other. You get to experience such a rich mix of people and cultures.

I lied about the Italian food. I grew up in Jersey and I can’t get a decent pizza here in SoCal. That’s what sucks about this place. Fuhgeddaboudit!

Contact Info:

• Address: 15012 Red Hill Ave, Ste A, Tustin, CA 92780
• Website: www.fotoworkspro.com
• Phone: 714-258-7080
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotoworkspro/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FotoworksPro/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fotoworks-pro-tustin-2

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.