Today we’d like to introduce you to Thao Nguyen.
Hi Thao, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I found my way into photography almost by chance. I picked up a camera in high school and began by documenting my friends and family during sporting events and then expanded into photographing more general, everyday moments like hanging out with friends and various extracurricular activities. That interest led me to study photojournalism at Syracuse University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science.
When I graduated, the housing market had just collapsed, and newspapers were laying off rather than hiring. From the start, I moved straight into freelancing. I’ve now been a freelance photographer for over 20 years, 17 of those based in Austin.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Early on, I had moments where I questioned whether photography was the right path and if I was making the right life decision. At one point, I even considered joining the military as a photographer, but when I mentioned it to my parents, they shut that idea down pretty quickly.
In the end, I stuck with it, and over the years, I learned to trust the process and to just keep the momentum going. Looking back at my older photographs, I can clearly see how my work has evolved and improved over time.
The beauty, as well as the challenge, of event photography is that no two rooms or situations are ever the same. You have to think on your feet, quickly assess the space, light it correctly, and position yourself so you’re ready when pivotal moments unfold.
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?
Over the years, I’ve shifted from working primarily with newspaper clients to focusing more on corporate work, photographing events and conferences, while also continuing to photograph families through weddings, anniversary parties, family portraits, and professional portraits. With a foundation in photojournalism, storytelling has always been at the core of my work. I love being present with people during meaningful moments and capturing the full range of emotion as stories unfold, whether it’s colleagues engaging in a team-building exercise at a conference, individuals stepping into a professional portrait, a production team coming together for a planned shot, or families celebrating important milestones.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Early in my career, I was also fairly introverted and shy. Through reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, along with years of real-world experience, I learned how to confidently walk into a room, gather and position people for group photos, and move seamlessly through a space to capture both candid and posed moments that clients consistently love.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thaophotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaophotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thaophotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaophotography/
