Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Nguyen and Cham Keat.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
CK and Diana first learned how to use professional camera equipment back in 2015 when they decided to visit their homelands in Vietnam and Cambodia. They wanted to document their travels and post them on Youtube. Unfortunately, they are not wealthy and could not afford to travel constantly, but a lot of people really enjoyed the food they posted.
In 2017, they decided to create “Hypefoodies” on Instagram to showcase the best food to eat in the DMV and beyond. In 2018, they began to post daily and that’s when their page really took off! In 2019, they started to really see the impact they had on the food community as they got a lot of messages from small business owners who told them they changed their lives. That really influenced them to support more local small businesses. (Sidenote: CK & Diana do not message businesses for free food unless the business contacts them first). They also got offers to get paid to shoot photos/videos for business websites/social platforms. In 2020, COVID-19 really affected their jobs.
Diana, a behavioral analyst, had to work from home. CK was forced to quit Amazon like because a lot of his co-workers began to get ill and Amazon refused to shut down and disinfect the warehouse. This pushed CK & Diana to create “Hype Film Productions LLC” which focuses on a photo, video, and social media marketing. Diana created a TikTok account which began to go viral. They also helped businesses market take-out food and ways people could help restaurants during the pandemic.
In 2021, CK & Diana continue to create aesthetically pleasing, informational videos while also shouting out small businesses that make amazing food!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been smooth sailing, but the majority of the journey has been fulfilling and enjoyable. The main issue we come across is the stigma towards “influencers.” We see ourselves as a hybrid page. We know how to use professional camera equipment and can offer quality content. A lot of people write us off as “influencers” and do not take us seriously.
We prefer the term “content creator” but we also understand that we are “influencers” in that we influence people where to eat. The more people we work with from the food industry (chefs, small business owners, public relations, etc.), the more they realize we have something special to offer. The future seems promising!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Like we mentioned in the previous question, we consider ourselves content creators. With Hype Film Productions, LLC., we shoot photos and videos not only for our page but for many businesses in the DMV area. We are also not limited to food as we have shot videos for fitness, nightlife, music festivals, and more!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
We grew up watching Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and were inspired when we saw him visit Vietnam and Cambodia. This caused us to want to visit our homelands and learn to use camera equipment. In a way, Mr. Bourdain really inspired Hypefoodies being made. We are also children of Southeast Asian Refugees.
We did not grow up with much. I feel our humble upbringing has influenced us to really focus on minority-owned businesses that remind us of us and our parents.
Contact Info:
- Email: hypefoodies@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.hypefoodies.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypefoodies/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypefoodies
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hypefoodies
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ck7o3
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hypefoodies
Image Credits
@foodsinmyheart and @hypefoodies
