Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Pham-Nguyen.
Hi Kay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As cliche as it sounds, I’ve always known I wanted to do something in the arts industry. Whether it had been performing or visual arts, I had a gut feeling that I just absolutely needed to work in this industry specifically. That being said, ever since I was a little kid, I was always stealing the camera away from my mom and deciding that I needed to take the picture instead of her. Granted, it wasn’t the best photo but it made for good memories. Anyway, when I got into high school, I took the photography course through all four years and when AP Portfolios came along, I couldn’t decide what I needed my concentration to be. Funnily enough, I panicked and chose concert photography about two months before portfolios were due so I ended up shooting as many concerts I could get into at the time. That time crunch was actually a blessing in disguise. I was stressed out over 10000%, but the moment I shot my first concert, I knew that this is what I had to do for the rest of my life.
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?
Honestly, I think that it’s kind of a hard question to answer in a straightforward sense. Obviously, in any job or work industry, there will be struggles of all different kinds but I think that freelancing in art, specifically visual, brings up challenges that aren’t normalized in the world of people working 9-5 jobs. I think the biggest obstacles that I’ve been challenged with would be people expecting free work just because “I’m pushing a button”, along with developing a sense of originality when it comes to post-production editing. Lastly, the biggest obstacle that I think a lot of photographers and creatives struggle with would be coming up with a price range that doesn’t over or undercharge work and holding value to that because at the end of the day, your art is worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
If I had to confine my work to one area of expertise, I would definitely 100% throw myself under the photography category. However, I do like to consider myself a “jack of all trades”, mainly because I absolutely love diving into other fields of the arts. I’ve taken positions on crews for creative directing, cinematography and post-production work. I think being able to possess more assets as a creative is pretty important because it’s definitely a lot easier to find work and expand your connection.
When it comes to what I’m most proud of, truly and honestly, I’m so proud to say that I’ve worked with as many artists as I have. Though it may not seem like much from the outside, having a dream from when you were little and seeing it blossom into such a career path and success in a sense is absolutely insane. I love looking back on past work and seeing how different it is from when I had begun this hobby to where I am now in my artistic style and who I’ve shot for and become friends with.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Live music makes me the happiest I’ve ever been. Though it may seem unoriginal, I think that live music is something that seriously brings people together from all generations. Of course, people will always have their differences, but people can always agree on having a good time at a concert, even if they don’t know the artist! Concerts are my favorite place to make new friends, mainly because it’s just so easy since you already have something in common, your favorite artist. My family also makes me happy with their support in my career and being open to coming to concerts with me on a whim.
I think another huge thing that makes me super happy would definitely be the fact that I get to create and collaborate with my best friends in our startup media outlet, Stranger’s Muse. I’ve definitely been included in a lot of collaborative groups in the past, but in a place that I wasn’t really able to say much, and being able to have creative freedom and a team who is almost always on the same page, with the same end goal is so uplifting. I feel beyond blessed and thankful that I have some of my greatest friends, Charles Page and Faith Luevanos, by my side in creating a space that has a place for everyone. Being a part of a group of people who constantly pour 110% of themselves into a project we all strive to succeed from makes me so so happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.kaaysphotos.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kaaysphotos
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaaysphotos
Image Credits:
David Lee
