It started off way back in 2015…I begged my parents to let me take a gap year from college to chase after what I truly wanted for once. I was a 22-year-old college kid with a camera, hell-bent on proving to my parents that I could become a successful photographer and business owner within a year. And I wish I could continue that with "I built a thriving business, quit college, and bought my parents a house." It was actually quite the opposite. I had a photography business that paid my rent every other month, went back to college, and had to piggyback off my parents whenever I needed help.
I'm David Suh
For another 4-years, I slowly grew my photography business through serving my local community and helping women find and celebrate their beauty in portraits. Don't get me wrong, I was still barely making rent some months, but I never saw quitting as an option. I always believed in being my truest self and not just showcasing my portfolio online, but doing my best to add value to other people's lives online (yes—even at less than 2,000 followers on Instagram). To me, it was never about "marketing," it was simply about letting my heart sing of its passion. Things took a really big turn in 2019, when I started applying the same idea to TikTok during quarantine. I was honestly making fun videos about the joys in my life like working with my clients—I had no idea that would turn into more than 30 million people watching me dance in a red dress. Now, fast forward to the end of 2021, I'm in Los Angeles on a path to create more entertainment for the masses, to share deeper education for the inspired, and to redefine what success means to me and those around me.
For another 4-years I slowly grew my photography business, serving my local community and helping women find and celebrate their beauty in portraits. Don't get me wrong, I was still barely making rent in some months, but I never saw quitting as an option. I always believed in being my truest self and not just showcasing my portfolio online but doing my best to add value into other people's lives online (yes - even at less than 2,000 followers on Instagram). To me, it was never about "marketing," it was simply letting my heart sing of its passion.
Things really took a big turn in 2019, when I started applying the same idea into TikTok during quarantine. I was honestly making fun videos about the joys of my life of working with my clients - I had no idea that would turn into more than 30 million people watching me dance in a red dress. Now fast forward to end of 2021, I'm in Los Angeles on a path to creating more entertainment for the masses, deeper education for the inspired, and redefining what success means to me and those around me.
These are the pillars i build on top of for everything i create online for you to see.
My 3 Core Values
Self-Love
Confidence
Authenticity
I am a big believer in staying true to myself and knowing what I want in life, and I encourage both my audience and my clients to have that same authenticity for themselves. A sincere openness with ourselves and the world is the best tool for becoming better people and making a better world. When we know who we are and put our genuine thoughts out into the world, that same energy always comes back to us.
I value confidence. Not the fake-it-until-you-make-it brand of confidence, but genuine confidence that stems from gratitude and growth. The kind of confidence that helps you take the leap toward trying something new or following your passions. The type of confidence that you work at over time. My camera certainly is a magic wand that gives people this kind of confidence, but I do like giving my clients a little guidance to continue in the right direction in their daily lives
I can never stop stressing how important self-love is to me, and how important I think it is for others. To me, self-love is a sort of self-empowerment through intentional action. We can’t wait for some unspecified time to start acting with sincere intention towards ourselves. Sometimes self-love looks like getting yourself flowers or booking a photoshoot, other times it looks like getting to know yourself and the ways you like to be loved.
I LOVE gaming. The first game I got hooked on was Pokemon Leaf Green and Maplestory.
One of my biggest pet peeve's is when people say "sure." I need more YES people in my life!
Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch are my two favorite love languages <3
My all time favorite songs are: Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 and Fly Me to the Moon (any version)
I had a runny nose during my middle school president speech and sniffled my way to my loss.
Dance was my first ever passion in 7th grade! The Jabbawockeez and Michael Jackson were my inspiration.
Suh Fun Facts
It's just #facts
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2013
David Suh didn't just happen overnight. Here's a story of a burnt out people pleaser who had to understand that his value wasn't defined by helping others, but by helping himself become the best version he could be.
The Timeline
Through the years