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

Hi Bobby, how do you think about risk?
I think taking risks is one of the only ways to really grow and progress. The failures we make makes us better. I’ve done tons of photoshoots and videoshoots where I thought it was trash and wasn’t up to my personal standards. Since I’ve been doing what I do for almost 20 years, you can imagine how many mistakes I’ve made within that time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is inspired by all the movies that inspired me when I was growing up so I guess you can consider it cinematic. I’ve always wanted to create films but always had some obstacles to creating them so I’ve picked up photography and wanted to communicate my art through images in hopes to give a glimpse of what would it be like if I created a film. I want to world to know that I am a film director by heart and after many years, I’m finally writing and directing my first feature film. Details coming soon!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a big foodie so I’m definitely showing my friends my favorite spots to eat. My favorite cuisines are mostly all Asian food such as Vietnamese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean foods. But I also know tons of other places besides Asian foods.

First, I usually like to show my friends restaurants that you usually wouldn’t eat at unless someone introduces it to you but also, it would be easy to enjoy and not TOO adventurous. My first restaurant is probably Little Sister in Downtown LA. It’s not the most authentic Vietnamese but it’ll be a good gateway besides pho.

Then I would probably show them around what LA is known for. The beaches. We’ll probably walk around Venice Beach or Santa Monica Pier in the daytime. Then catch the Getty Museum. As for dinner, we probably hit somewhere in Koreatown. This restaurant called Dan Sung Sa is a great place for good conversations and food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Most of my work is self-taught, however, I grew up watching tons of movies. So I have tons of indirect mentors. They’re all filmmakers. So shoutout to Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kar Wai, and Park-Chan Wook. Quentin for the storytelling. Wong Kar Wai for the emotion, and Park-Chan Wook for the style.

Website: www.kingvuddha.com

Instagram: @kingvuddha

Twitter: @kingvuddha

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kingvuddha

Other: VogueItalia https://www.vogue.com/photovogue/photographers/53767

Image Credits
Models: Suzanna Son Diana Georgie Haley Warr Casey Elyza Marina Romashina Alina Lee Kanna Oyama

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.