Mitch Wu thought he knew exactly what his creative career would look like. But after years in product design, a difficult job, and the loss of his brother, he realized how far he’d drifted from the kind of work he actually wanted to be doing.

Then one afternoon he and his nephew went to the park with a couple of action figures and from the first photograph he knew he'd found what he was meant to do.

In this episode, Mitch shares what it’s like to build miniature worlds, develop a creative niche that didn’t really exist, and turn play into a profession.

• His journey from illustration to product design to wedding photography—and how he realized he’d gotten off his creative path
• The moment in a park with his nephew that instantly shifted his career direction
• What toy photography actually is, and why it’s rooted in storytelling and world-building
• How he built a career in a niche that barely existed at the time
• The difference between being a “commodity” creative and owning a specialized niche
• Why continual learning and experimentation keep his work evolving

• Larger Than Life (documentary) – See Mitch at work and get a behind-the-scenes look at his toy photography process
• New York Toy Fair – The largest toy industry convention in North America, where Mitch exhibited his work and connected with major brands
• Disney+ Marvel documentary series – A series featuring toy creators, including Mitch and his work
• Mitch Wu’s toy photography work – See examples of his work for major toy companies, including Mattel’s Ever After High, one of Mitch’s first major clients

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