Kevin Ou

Last updated

Kevin Christopher Ou
Born
Kevin Christopher Ou

(1979-03-04) March 4, 1979 (age 45)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPhotographer
Years active1997–present
Website imkevinou.com

Kevin Christopher Ou (born March 4, 1979) is an American celebrity, director, photographer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is originally from Singapore. He is the sole founder of KEVINOU INC., the co-founder of Modern Home + Living (MH+L), and founder of The Lumenere Group and LIVMO. [1] [2] His photographs have been published in Rolling Stone , Nylon , Elle , DUB , People , Surface , Vogue , and Entertainment Weekly with clients like Levi’s, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Maserati, SONY, Universal Music, Hermes, H&M, Uniqlo, Lego, BMW and General Motors. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

Kevin Ou was born in Singapore, on March 4th, 1979. He attended St. Joseph's Institution International High-School and graduated in 1991, and then attended Catholic Junior College in 1997. He attended Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Mass Communications) in 1999. [5] Ou left Singapore after being "turned away" from a photography class. [4] He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 after obtaining a mass communications diploma from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. He studied photography and art at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and graduated in 2004. [6] After graduation, Kevin worked as a photographer on national advertising campaigns for a number of automobile manufacturers. [5] [6] After the automobile industry's shift of the to CGI-based work, he began to accumulate celebrities, politicians, music artists and actors as clients. [6] Since then, he has photographed Tom Cruise, Barack Obama, Nick Cannon, Ludacris, Mariah Carey, P Diddy, Elijah Wood and Johnny Depp. [4] [7] Kevin began as an intern for Los Angeles-based photographers David LaChapelle and Jill Greenberg. Ou then co-founded the celebrity home and lifestyle brand magazine, Modern Home + Living. [4] [8] Ou was later named one of the top 10 most influential U.S. photographers in 2009 by Creative USA. [3] [9]

Education

Ou has given educational talks on behalf of Canon and Leica. [10] He is also in demand as a guest lecturer at the Art Institutions Globally. He actively supports the mentorship program under the National Arts Council (Singapore), taking young Photographers under his wing. Ou is also an educational judge at CMYK Magazine (United States). [11] [12] In 2014, Kevin mentored an entrepreneur circle in his talk for CREATIVEMORNINGS in Singapore. [1] [2]

Professional career

2002 – Founded KEVINOU, INC. in Hollywood, California. [4] A production company shooting a mixture of actors, musicians, entertainers, and athletes, including Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Alice Cooper, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Miss Universe 2012, David Guetta, Chris Brown, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Nick Cannon, Ludacris, Elijah Wood, and 50 Cent. [7] [13] [14]

2005 – Co-Founded Four9Seven Creatives with fellow photographer, Stephen Dummit in Pasadena, California. A talent management company representing commercial photographers and designers. Ou's shares of Four9Seven was eventually sold off for an undisclosed sum in 2008. [15]

2008 – Co-Founded The Forum Agency, a strategic marketing agency for celebrity branding. [3]

2009 – Co-founded the celebrity home and lifestyle magazine, Modern Home + Living with the founder of DUB Magazine, Herman Flores and Creative Director of WeAreAnyone, Stephen Chavez [16] Modern Home + Living was later acquired for an undisclosed sum.

2012 – Kevin was an early cryptocurrency investor, moving into bitcoin at $55. Kevin started, THE LUMENERE GROUP, a development consulting firm with offices in the United States and Asia. [17] Specializing strategic development in the areas of Entertainment and Technology. THE LUMENERE GROUP's Venture Division finances Hollywood Blockbuster films [18] and the development of internal portfolio companies.

2013 – Kevin started publishing cryptocurrency advisory through the now defunct, The Bitcoinian.

2014 – Kevin was part of class-action lawsuit against Mt. Gox for its US$460 Million security breach. [19] Personal losses up to US$3.8 Million. The lawsuit is still ongoing. Shortly after, Kevin participated as a founding investor in the Ethereum Blockchain.

2015 – Kevin was involved in the merger of CATLYST/TV as part of a co-venture with BlinkAsia. CATLYST/TV was an independent Consulting & Development agency focused on entertainment formats in both traditional and digital media sectors. [20] In the same year Kevin founded SparkkSpace. [21] A co-working studio aimed at Photographers, Filmmakers and visual creatives. [22] [23] Sparkkspace was later acquired in 2017, by the Chinese conglomerate, MVR. [24]

2016: Kevin expands The Lumenere Group to focus on advisory and development of global ICO / Blockchain based projects. The group and global partners emphasize on capital funding and industry insights. [25]

2018 – Kevin launches the Global Experience Marketplace, LIVMO. Focusing on the connection of brands, consumers and communities through unique experiences. [26]

Articles Published

Awards

Exhibitions

Kevin has also had 12 gallery shows in New York, Los Angeles, Singapore and Thailand. One of them was A Leica Photography Exhibition. [41] His Art Pieces traditionally fetch around US$25,000 – $60,000 on the open market.

Television

In 2008, Kevin ventured into the world of TV. Kevin has been featured in several TV shows including:

Philanthropy/Charity

Kevin is known as one of the biggest philanthropists of media/ photography because he gave time, skills and money to help others. Kevin has partnered with several causes and celebrities over the years.

Related Research Articles

The annual Walkley Awards are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. They cover all media including print, television, documentary, radio, photographic and online media. The Gold Walkley is the highest prize and is chosen from all category winners. In 2023, Not all awards were open to male journalists. The awards are under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism.

The Hasselblad Award is an award granted to "a photographer recognized for major achievements".

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) is a post-secondary education institution and statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Education in Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raghu Rai</span> Documentary photographer

Raghu Rai is an Indian photographer and photojournalist. He was a protégé of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who nominated Rai, then a young photojournalist, to join Magnum Photos in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Testino</span> Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer

Mario Eduardo Testino Silva OBE HonFRPS is a Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tzang Merwyn Tong</span>

Tzang Merwyn Tong is an underground filmmaker and screenwriter from Singapore, best known as the producer, scriptwriter and director of the dystopian teen movie Faeryville (2015). In 2015, Faeryville made its world premiere in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gallagher</span>

Robert Gallagher is a commercial and editorial photographer currently based in Los Angeles, California. He has been awarded four times in the Communication Arts Photography Annual, named one of the 'Top 25 Photographers of 2016' by Creative Quarterly and is archived in The National Portrait Gallery in London.

Tay Kay Chin is a Singapore-based photographer.

Russel Wong is a Singapore-born Hollywood celebrity photographer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Hetherington</span> British photojournalist

Timothy Alistair Telemachus Hetherington was a British photojournalist. He produced books, films and other work that "ranged from multi-screen installations, to fly-poster exhibitions, to handheld device downloads" and was a regular contributor to Vanity Fair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Leibovitz</span> American photographer (born 1949)

Anna-Lou Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer best known for her portraits, particularly of celebrities, which often feature subjects in intimate settings and poses. Leibovitz's Polaroid photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, taken five hours before Lennon's murder, is considered one of Rolling Stone magazine's most famous cover photographs. The Library of Congress declared her a Living Legend, and she is the first woman to have a feature exhibition at Washington's National Portrait Gallery.

Zhang Jingna is a China-born Singaporean photographer widely known as "zemotion." Her works have appeared on multiple editions of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar. She was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri</span> Indian-born Canadian-British director, photographer, artivist and lecturer

Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri is an Indian artist, film director, and photographer.

<i>Double Exposure</i> (American TV series) American TV series or program

Double Exposure is an American documentary series which premiered on June 15, 2010, on the Bravo cable network, and was syndicated to over 200 countries. The series featured the creative process and working lives of two of the world's top photographers Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Markus Klinko, along with producer / designer GK Reid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Month of Photography Asia</span> Photography festival

Month of Photography Asia was an international festival of photography in Singapore from 2002 to 2011.

Dennis Chew Chong Kheng, also known as Zhou Chongqing, is a Singaporean radio deejay, actor, variety show host, businessman and singer. Chew is known for playing Aunty Lucy, a character which requires him to cross-dress as a woman in the variety show Paris and Milan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Saglimbeni</span> American visual artist, director, and photographer

Nick Saglimbeni is an American photographer and filmmaker, best known for his work with celebrities and 3D photography. Through his production company Slickforce Studio, he has produced creative projects for entertainment figures worldwide such as the Kardashian-Jenner family, Priyanka Chopra, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Paula Abdul and B1A4. He has photographed commercial campaigns for large companies including Neiman Marcus and Skechers, as well as for non-profit organizations such as Autism Speaks and The Humane Society.

Leslie Kee is a Singaporean photographer based in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Grecco</span> American photographer, director, and author (born 1958)

Michael Grecco is an American photographer, film director and author.

Stefen Chow a Malaysian photographer and artist based in Beijing, China. His work is widely published and exhibited internationally. In 2013, Chow's portrait of iconic Chinese artist and activist Ai Wei Wei was awarded at the World Press Photo. Chow frequently collaborates with economist Hui-Yi Lin using extensive data and research to produce long term visual projects. One of their prominent projects is “The Poverty Line", a visual project that contextualizes global poverty. The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago and the Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum in Beijing has acquired works to their permanent collection.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kevin Ou The Lumenere Group". Creative Mornings. May 24, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Singapore with Kevin Ou". Peatix. March 21, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Neuman, Chad. "Supermodel Me" . Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ang, Kristiano (May 11, 2011). "Why Luck Matters in Photography". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "What's In Kevin Ou's Canon EOS 5D MK III". The Sunday Times. October 9, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Soh, Joanne (March 17, 2011). "Made it in America". Asia One. Archived from the original on March 22, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 Soh, Joanne (April 22, 2011). "Fiona Xie models for charity campaign". The New Paper. Archived from the original on April 26, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  8. ↑ Modern Home + Living Magazine. "MHL Magazine Bio & Position". MHL Magazine. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  9. ↑ "A Day with Singapore Celebrity Photographer Kevin Ou". Hayo Magazine. August 18, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Eos-X—perience". Canon. January 6, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Meet the Judges". CMYK Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Judges Wall". Broderick Design. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  13. ↑ Ang, Kristiano (May 11, 2011). "Why Luck Matters in Photography". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  14. ↑ Tay, Alice (June 22, 2011). "Kevin Ou,Los Angeles". Feature Shoot. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ "CMYK Volume 50 Judges Wall". Broderick Design. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Stephen Chavez:Biography". We Are Any One. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Global Clinic". The Lumenere Foundation. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Singapore Red Cross". The Lumenere Foundation. March 14, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  19. ↑ Robert McMillan (March 3, 2014). "The Inside Story of Mt. Gox, Bitcoin's $460 Million Disaster". Wired. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Catlyst TV". Catlyst TV. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  21. ↑ "We Have Been Acquired". July 9, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  22. ↑ "SparkkSpace". SG Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Sparkk-Space". Co Working. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  24. ↑ "SPARKKSPACE Is Acquired By Chinese Conglomerate, MVR (Cinematics)". Online PR News. July 9, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Ico Alert". Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  26. ↑ "LIVMO-Live More. Be more" . Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  27. ↑ "9 Smart Habits of Real Millionaire Entrepreneurs". Mr Tycoon. October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Why Luck Matters In Photography". Wall Street Journal. May 11, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  29. ↑ "A Day in Singapore with a Celebrity Photographer". Hayo Magazine. August 18, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  30. ↑ "An Interview with Kevin Ou". Chad Neuman. May 15, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Microsoft Future Pro Photographer Contest Winners". Nepal Photography. April 28, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  32. ↑ "2005 Altpick Awards Entries – "Amber Podratz Portrait"". Altpick. December 18, 2005. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  33. ↑ "2007 Altpick Awards Entries – "Irresistable"". Altpick. December 15, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Images of the Year Award 2007". American Photo Special Issue. February 19, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  35. ↑ "American Society of Media Photographers Award" (PDF). American Society of Media Photographers. January 26, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  36. ↑ "IMAGE07 WINNERS: Student Category". American Society of Media Photographers. January 26, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Luezer's Archive Featurette". Art Center College Of Design, Pasadena. October 12, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  38. ↑ Clyde Smith (May 1, 2009). "Kevin Ou Appears On Bravo TV". Hip Hop Press. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  39. ↑ Sara Jane Ong (November 19, 2013). "Be part of the Grey Goose Guild Iconoclass and Gala events". Her World Plus. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  40. ↑ "The Grey Goose Guild Visionary Programme". Esquire Singapore. November 20, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  41. ↑ Geoff Ang (April 15, 2013). ""REDred" by Geoff Ang, a Leica photography exhibition". Artitute. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Life of Ryan". MTV. December 19, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  43. ↑ "kat-von-d-high-voltage-tattoo". Kat Von D High Voltage Tattoo. December 23, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  44. ↑ Kristie Bertucci (April 22, 2008). "The Girl Next Door". Dub Magazine. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  45. ↑ "The Millionaire Matchmaker – Season 2". Blogspot. February 17, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Episode 11: Farrah & Kevin". Bravo. April 30, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker". Hollywood. January 22, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  48. ↑ James Fuller (May 1, 2009). "Kevin Ou appears on Bravo Tvs". Global Grind. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  49. ↑ "The Big Shot". Facebook. November 1, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  50. ↑ "History Asia Shows". History Asia. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  51. ↑ "American Red Cross". The Lumenere Foundation. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Muse James Cameron". The Lumenere Foundation. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  53. ↑ "David Lynch's Music Foundation". The Lumenere Foundation. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Because We are One". Juice Singapore. April 14, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Falconiere-x-Carte-Blanche-x". Carteblanche-x. April 14, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  56. ↑ "MCM Alumni fundraiser for Japan". NGEE ANN Polytechnic. October 17, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Photographer Kevin Ou". Anchora Team. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.