We were lucky to catch up with Song Lu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Song, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
OHuo LLC stands as an innovative creative studio deeply ingrained in the art world, offering a diverse array of artistic visual services. Our core commitment rests in serving an underserved community within the artistic realm, providing a platform for those artists whose voices frequently remain unheard.
Through our Captivating Artist Video Interviews, we delve into the inspirations and thoughts of these creators, striving to illuminate their distinctive perspectives. From Art Event Photography to Videos, our services are tailored explicitly for an underserved segment of the art community. Our extensive research in art marketing has highlighted the pivotal importance of not only documenting the art itself but also archiving the surrounding events and exhibitions. These records often play a crucial role post-event, attracting media attention and preserving these pivotal moments for posterity. Understanding this significance, we collaborate closely with artists, galleries, museums, and event organizers to ensure the capture and preservation of these remarkable moments for future generations.
Founded by two artists, Fan Yu and Song Lu who graduated from School of Visual Arts, OHuo Studio intimately comprehends what artists seek in capturing their defining moments. Our expertise transcends mere documentation; each shot, whether a self-portrait, an on-site photo, or a moment of excitement, is infused with artistry and creative flair, aiming to encapsulate the very essence of their work within the frame. At OHuo Studio, we exist to breathe life into these visions.
Our collaborations transcend the traditional boundaries of the art world. We engage with diverse creative communities, including theater groups, music bands, and movie directors. The photos and videos crafted by our team not only serve as evidence of these collaborations but also encapsulate the pertinent artistic concepts embedded within their work. This distinctive approach to marketing for art groups distinguishes us, filling a void within an underserved niche.
Our expertise encompasses various artistic expressions. With an unwavering commitment to detail and authenticity, our Artist Documentary projects unravel the intricacies of artists’ lives and their creative odysseys. Moreover, we specialize in creating timeless Artist Portraits that celebrate individual creativity, capturing the essence of each artist’s unique vision. At OHuo LLC, our mission extends beyond mere documentation; we aspire to elevate and celebrate the often-overlooked brilliance within the art world.
Song, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Song Lu, a multi-media artist, and I co-founded OHuo LLC with Fan Yu, based in New York City. We crossed paths as classmates, both graduating from the School of Visual Arts with MFA PHOTO degrees. Our startup germinated from a modest idea: blending our creative and aesthetic styles to aid fellow artists and an underserved art community in need of compelling visual content.
Through our research, we discovered an underserved niche within the industry. Many creative minds developed phenomenal work, yet the documentation fell short. After an exhibition ends, the challenge arises: how can they prove the success of their show? How can they network effectively in the art world’s longevity? How can they preserve these moments as high-quality visual records for posterity? While everything is recorded through phones and cameras today, the professional quality often falls short. Thus, OHuo LLC emerged to assist artists, galleries, museums, theaters, and music bands and so on in refining their photos and videos for social media and marketing, portraying their brilliance authentically.
OHuo LLC is an innovative creative studio within the art world, specializing in five main areas: Artist Documentary, Artist Interview, Artist Portrait, Art Collaboration, and Art Event Documentary. Our expertise spans various artistic expressions, meticulously capturing artists’ lives and creative journeys with an authentic approach.
Our compelling Artist Video Interviews reveal inspirations and thoughts. From Art Event Photography to Videos, OHuo’s lens immortalizes not just moments but emotions, preserving occasions. Crafting timeless Artist Portraits celebrating individual creativity is our forte.
We distinguish ourselves by offering high-quality bespoke solutions, understanding our clients’ needs, and delivering creative content that enhances their artwork. Unlike typical commercial companies, we eschew production line approaches and clichés. As artists ourselves, our team collaborates based on vision, creativity, and aesthetics, striving to meet art world standards. Our customized visual creations are tailored to diverse projects and client specifications. Leveraging our professional art training, we provide insights that elevate our collaboration.
The most fulfilling aspect is the gratitude from clients post-project, expressing satisfaction and joy with our collaboration and final creation. Witnessing their delight is the highlight, surpassing even our own satisfaction. It involves multiple rounds of meetings with mood boards, storyboards, and concept designs to bridge gaps. Listening to our clients’ needs remains paramount.
Our aspiration is to engage potential clients, followers, and fans who seek inspiration and strive to enhance the world through their creativity and artwork. Aligning in ambition, we work diligently to bring projects to fruition. OHuo LLC transcends boundaries, reshaping visual narratives through art collaborations and inventive storytelling.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
At the outset, my co-founder Fan Yu, who also graduated from art school, and I found ourselves at a loss about how to kickstart our startup. While we had a clear vision of where to find potential clients, understand their needs, and determine the services we could offer, the process of initiating a business was uncharted territory for us. Fortunately, the ability to research and self-teach proved invaluable.
We stumbled upon an online course titled ‘How to Start a Startup,’ a collaboration between Stanford University and Y Combinator, tailored for aspiring startup founders like us. Comprising 20 videos guiding through the inception and management of a company, it was precisely what we needed at the beginning. Determined to equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge, my co-founder and I committed to completing 1000 minutes of content within a month, concurrently preparing to launch our business. This decision significantly shaped our journey, offering invaluable insights.
The lectures, supplemented by reading materials and assignments, were invaluable resources we could independently study. Moreover, as co-founders, we engaged in discussions to deepen our understanding. These sessions covered diverse aspects such as acquiring users, scaling growth, sales and marketing strategies, recruitment, fundraising, fostering company culture, managing operations, and defining business strategies. While the course wasn’t a blueprint for guaranteed success in establishing a company, it provided a wealth of knowledge crucial for our journey.
It served as a comprehensive guide, enriching our understanding of the intricacies involved in the entrepreneurial landscape. The course empowered us with invaluable insights that continue to shape and guide us as we navigate the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Here’s a story: We collaborated with a company in the Netherlands, and they were highly satisfied with our work. Consequently, they recommended us to a pioneering and esteemed Dutch company seeking event documentation through photos and videos for marketing purposes—a trade need they wished to fulfill with top-notch quality. It presented a wonderful opportunity to engage with a new client, one linked to our previous client. This introduction from our satisfied previous client served as a testament to the value and excellence of our creative content production—demonstrating its worthiness and fabulous quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ohuostudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohuostudio?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ohuostudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdexBDSFhAcGLk5kblQOpdg
- Other: OHuo LLC showreel: https://vimeo.com/884867530
Image Credits
OHuo Studio