Today we’d like to introduce you to Thuy Pham.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Thuy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a proud self-taught photographer! Although I’ve always appreciate the art, I never thought I could make a living from it. My family and I immigrated over to the US from Vietnam when I was just five years old. Life in Vietnam was a struggle, especially since my father fought against the Viet Cong in the war. There wasn’t much of a chance for an education for myself or my brother back in home country. My parents left everything behind in order to give us a better life. They truly wanted to live the “American Dream”. Because they worked so hard to provide for myself and my brother, I wanted to make them proud any way I can. I studied hard, and went to Emerson College for Marketing Communications. After graduation, I worked in advertising. I thought this was the way to success and happiness. I had a good life, a good job, but it wasn’t fulfilling.
While working my 9-5 corporate job, I started diving more and more into photography on the weekends. After my best friend got engaged and asked me to shoot her engagement session, I knew I wanted to be a portrait photographer. Something about capturing true joy and love really resonated with me. My day job provided income but my adventures behind the lens on the weekend gave me purpose. I started shooting with an amazing wedding photographer in the Boston area. He found my work online and we connected immediately. He was my mentor and partner for three years. He taught me everything I needed to know about wedding photography.
Waking up and leaving for work became a chore. I lived for the weekend and daydreamed about pursuing a full-time job as a photographer. One day, I just threw my hands up at work and decided then and there that I was ready to pursue my dreams. I had no savings, no client prospects, no plan… I just knew I wanted to do this for myself. I wasn’t afraid of failing, I figured I was young enough to go back to work if I really needed to, my last resort. I’m so grateful I didn’t have to go back and I was able to build a successful business doing what I love.
I can’t imagine doing anything else! I love photographing people, and I love photographing special moments. Weddings are my bread and butter. For the last several years I’ve been specializing in South Asian weddings. The community in Boston, and around New England is incredible. Most of my clients are from word and mouth and referrals from past clients, parents and other vendors in the community. I love showing up to a wedding and being able to recognize familiar faces and connect with past clients. It’s always a joy to feel that sense of community at every wedding photograph.
When I’m not capturing unforgettable moments, I take every opportunity to explore the world. I love traveling and capturing new faces. Regardless of where we live, our cultures and beliefs, happiness looks the same on our faces when captured on camera.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I say this every day, but I am so fortunate to do what I love and I didn’t struggle too much to get there. I’m very much a go with the flow type of person. I’ve always lived this way and believe whatever happen will happen. I quit my corporate job with no business plan, no clients or money saved up. It probably wasn’t a very smart move, but I was lucky enough to pick up work quickly. I quit my job in August and photographed almost 20 weddings my first full-year in business! I didn’t advertise or implement any marketing… all of my work came from referrals.
For young women who are looking to pursue photography full time, I would say, save your money and start building relationships instead. The best people to know are other professionals in the wedding industry. Become friends with them, find ways to make their jobs easier. Developing and fostering these relationships are the key to success. In addition to keeping a strong a relationship with other vendors, have a good attitude! Weddings can be stressful, but try and stay calm and friendly. No one wants to work with or around someone in a mood or with a big ego. No matter how successful you become, just remember, a wedding is more than about capturing award winning photographs, you’re part of a bigger whole to ensure your clients has the best and most memorable day of their lives. Treat everyone who’s part of the wedding day with respect.
Also, never stop learning! As photographers, we should never settle with our skills, there’s always room to improve. Keeping up with the latest trends, technology, and personal growth will help improve our skills beyond taking a great photograph.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Thuy Pham Photography – what should we know?
I specialize in weddings, mainly South Asian weddings. It’s a fantastic niche market to be in because the community is so close knit. I worked hard to understand a South Asian culture and tradition. It’s very difficult to photograph these type of weddings if you’re unfamiliar with the customs. It’s easy to miss an important moment or offend someone else’s culture. I’m proud the community has taken me in and been so open to sharing their beliefs and traditions.
I would describe my style as bright, vibrant and timeless. I want my couples to look back at their photographs and remember every detail exactly as they were. I capture most of the wedding day as a photojournalist. I capture moments as they unfold and wait for the exact second when someone beams with happiness and delight or sheds a silent tear of happiness. These moments stitched together tells a story of the wedding day.
Capturing authentic moments is critical as a wedding photographer, but what I love the most is the time I get to spend with just the bride and groom. It’s when I get to have the most fun and be the most creative. My portrait style is a mix of fun, candid moments and fashion-forward portraits. I believe I’m most known for these fashion-forward portraits. I absolutely love using light to shape these stunning photographs of the bride and groom. My couples are so stunning on their wedding day, I want to make them look like royalty!
Which women have inspired you in your life?
I’m sad to say, when I was teaching myself photography and just starting off, I didn’t have too many female photographers to turn to. While I didn’t have many women to turn to on the photography front, my inspirations and strength really came from personal growth and drive.
It was my first year of being a full-time photographer when I lost my mom. I was photographing a three-day wedding when she was dying. I couldn’t afford to pass this wedding off to another photographer, I needed to make a name for myself and to instill trust in my clients. Somehow, she was able to hold on until I can come back home to peaceful pass away. Before she got sick, she was so proud of the work I was doing. She loved seeing and hearing how happy I was pursuing my dreams.
It saddens me that even though I’m a professional photographer, I didn’t have one good photograph with my mother. I never even took a decent photo of just my mom. While her death came unexpectedly, I regret never capturing our moments together.
Her memories and my regret drives me to capture as many precious moments for my clients as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thuyhpham.com
- Phone: 917-379-9787
- Email: info@thuyhpham.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thuyhpham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thuypham.photographer/
Image Credit:
Thuy Pham Photography
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