Justin Wu is a 34 year old Toronto-based Director and Photographer. After forgoing a conventional career in the sciences and business, Justin was scouted and signed as a commercial & portrait photographer.As a teenager, he loved sketching and drawing and took up photography when he started at Queen’s.He splits his time working in Paris, London, Los Angeles and New York, but says Kingston is where it all started. It was during his second year at Queen’s when he decided to pursue a career in photography instead of following his initial plan to become a doctor.
“Despite all the fun I am having right now, Queen’s was the best time of my life,” says Mr. Wu during a phone interview from Paris. “It is where I learned the most — it was transformative. I have to give a big thank you to Queen’s.”
He worked with many artists including Bella Hadid, Winnie Harlow and Nicole Scherzy. He’s also directed videos and taken portrait photographs with Victoria Beckham, Emma Roberts, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Irons, and Willem Dafoe.Working in Europe with the likes of Vogue, Elle, and GQ, he became an internationally recognized artist in the fashion world. From photography, Justin transitioned into commercial videos, where he found his passion for filmmaking. His work soon became a topic for the press, where he is best known for his uplifting approach in his videos and commercials; most notably, his music video for Jay-Z’s Life+Times ‘Empire State of Mind’ received international acclaim and was featured on CBS News, MTV, Huffington Post, Vogue, GQ, Entertainment Tonight, and Le Grand Journal (Canal+).
Recently, Justin was a guest star Director on Germany’s Next Top Model, judging alongside Heidi Klum and he also graduated from the Half Initiative by Ryan Murphy on the hit Fox show 9-1-1
Having spent over a decade between Paris, New York and Los Angeles, Justin continues to shoot & direct commercially around the world with an interest in directing narrative television and features.
He is presently nominated for the Image-maker of the Year Award by the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards.
Justin is represented by Creative Artists Agency & The Characters Talent Agency.
Photos:
L’Officiel Thailand
Elle Singapore
SID Magazine
