Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Nguyen.
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?
I’d like to share my story of what brought me out to Atlanta, the loving people I’ve met, and the empowerment that comes with having a voice.
In college, was a Biochem major headed towards pharmacy; I took business classes to learn how to start a photography venture; once they found out, they wanted me to switch to accounting to do my own books and find a stable accounting job, but I couldn’t imagine myself looking at spreadsheets my whole life. I was curious about working with people making an interpersonal impact. Signing up for my last semester of school, I saw classes on: Leadership and Motivation, Culture and Diversity, Training and Development; in comparison to Tax Accounting, Cost Accounting, and Auditing. I knew I had to switch my major to Human Resources, aligning myself with learning how to work with people.
Post college, I found myself doing what I told myself I would not do…I was looking at spreadsheets as an administrative assistant and project manager however, it was the people and the work environment that made work worth it. Learning gems from all the moms on moving and navigating through life, feeling a loving and uplifting community in the workplace, and serving everyone we encountered and came across. It inspired me to be seeking and building this vibe wherever I went. In the fold of undergrad and the corporate world, I was working with the FEELGOOD Collective as an event photographer and coordinator – shining light on the cultures we represent and providing a safe haven for all to enjoy the arts: from the sounds of Hip-Hop and R&B to the sound we created in Downtown Santa Ana, all happened to be in our pocket of the world. Creating and inspiring through our shared experiences, founders Donovan Demerin and Peter Le shared their knowledge with me, giving me opportunities to grow as a creative, individual, and human being. They and the team have pushed me to grow a diligent work ethic and put my knowledge and skills into movement.
Work. is about the people and connections made, to share something that’s felt, and to build community.
I am a first-generation Vietnamese-American with parents that fled from the war, building a life from scratch with their parents; a lot of living is survival. Coming from an Asian household in America, the cultural and generational differences are real: from a heavy emphasis on how we should move with an ideal life plan (to become a doctor, pharmacist, or computer engineer, just to name a few) to the invalidations (that come from love) of being creative or doing something that has never been done before. Over the years, I witnessed my brother navigate our Asian-American family dynamic with his expertise as a psych-nurse; I was intrigued and wanted the tools to navigate and build a healthy family life. Noticing that this isn’t my own experience but everyone that struggles with the cultural and generational divide within their families. My middle school years was coming together with friends on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) to listen in and be there for and with each other – extending that same space of safety to everyone experiencing these struggles – you are not alone, we can get through this together.
I always felt like something was lacking when I was working in the 9-to-5 workspace. All this data entry corporate politics, I could be utilizing my time and my skills to bring to life projects that I wanted to see happen. Reflecting back on my craft, that my foundation in photography is different, more focused on the individual, their story, and reflecting their essence. I found early on that I wanted my photos to speak with emotion. It wasn’t about memorizing poses, angles, or which ISO’s were “the best” but being present and enjoying the moment with everyone – the beauty of art is that we all bring ourselves our experiences into the fold. 2019, I started a series called Day in the Life: where I would follow a professional in their field to document what they do on the daily and listen in on the story of what got them to where they are today while venturing into proposal, engagement, and wedding photography; stepping away from the commercial side of it and diving into the love story that bonds relationships – being witness to a love that brings life.
2020. March 12th. Covid-19. Lockdown. My brother’s first-hand experience, his hospital running out of supplies for their staff, the mental weight of seeing hundreds of people dying on the daily, the overwhelming fear that he could be one of those hundreds. In the midst of this, going through a career and identity crisis: my parents were at-risk, I had to put a pause on the projects that had been set out for the year; out of the initial unknown and safety, my wedding gigs were getting postponed or canceled – I couldn’t do photography, and I spiraled hard with the unknown that this career may be unsafe for my future family. I’m not one to stay in the same situation for too long and with the help of my friends. I broke down, piece by piece, what I share with photography: connection, conversation, listening, understanding, empathy, affirmation, reflection, discovery, exploration, empowerment, hope. From the months of despair, I was being called to translate the work I do and find a way to be of service, to be a part of the movement that brings us “back to normal”. Therapy. It was always in my timeline given my love for meaningful conversation connection; witnessing how we all experienced this struggle together, the pandemic had just sped up the process of me becoming a therapist. Given my experience as a First-Generation, Third culture kid, I worked on applying to three schools to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).
2021. I was met with rejection after rejection, funneling voices of doubt and despair. Even if I was not accepted this round, I knew that I would continue on to be a part of this impact, this movement. And then the Homie came through, I was accepted by Mercer School of Medicine in Atlanta. I moved out of California and found home across the country, in Atlanta.
The people and communities I have met all build from love. It is a beautiful environment to be in when you’re surrounded by people providing opportunities for the upcoming younger generations – not about being dope or being on top, but uplifting your community. Me, to be a new person in town, an outsider, and to be treated as family from day one. I am grateful for all the love and affirmations that have been shared. Being in Atlanta is where I could finally see what has been reflecting back at me all of these years: that I hold a peaceful presence; create space for people to feel comfortable, safe, and feel free to come as they are; that I can be unapologetically creative; my creativity lights up the room, inspiring people – I have a voice. I find myself in a position to intentionally share my voice, to uplift, impact, and bring peace to everyone around me – there’s an empowerment in using my voice, where it’s not just for me, it’s to empower others that they have one too, that they have the power to move mountains too.
I have much gratitude to give to God, putting me into motion and connecting me with everyone. How smooth, swift, and filled with life everything has been.
Kash Da Great – “You set the tone in how you move.”
AV Hamilton – “I want to be spreading the message of Love in everything I do.”
$ee $antana – “I’ve had my success doing things alone but being able to move with a group, a family, it’s fulfilling to be able to celebrate each other.”
Dre Jones – “different textures, different pockets, I am not defined by one sound.”
Liz Jones – “I wrote Beautiful Things in response to the person I wanted to become.”
Ramsteez – “To be constantly evolving, exploring, and discovering new ways of expression; to grow.”
Libra Bop – “Our art can be appreciated by different people, sometimes we are not the key to fit every lock, but we can do our best to bring everyone to feel safe feeling the funk.”
Africano – “To enjoy the process, no matter how short or long, fast or slow; when you enjoy it, you invite everyone around you to enjoy it.”
Staik – “Find the ground that gives you energy and move from that energy.”
Dr. Albrite – “The beauty that it takes a village to create movement, I choose to notice and acknowledge all the people that have worked together to bring forth progress. We’re all moving and impacting each other.”
Everyone in my cohort – from being strangers five months ago to family we all can lean on, thank you.
Everyone back home supporting me – love.
From all of the little details to the big movements: they all have shared love and gems, opening up their hearts and homes, building and collaborating together.
This chapter, I am being called to be a blessing.
I moved out of California to Atlanta to get my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and found home across the country.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road however I would not have it any other way. A major pivot point in my journey was learning how to create for myself. The photos I make, the poems I write, the ukulele I play, the movement I dance, and the words I sing all come back to hope. There were a few years in the middle of my development, where I got lost in the sauce confused with exploring a photographic style caught between making photos that were trendy or mine. Circa 2016, I was heavily into black and white photography thanks to the blogs and YouTube videos of Eric Kim. I enjoy how black and white photography brings me right to the emotion: it is front and center, articulated by the different shades of light, a dance to shine light on the subject(s). But I struggled and doubted myself because what I was releasing, sharing, was different than the landscape – I was putting my validation in the hands of others and it stunted me from freely creating, freely expressing, freely sharing. Questioning my worth, am I good enough?
I continued on making and enjoying black and white photography because it was meaningful to me, the impact unmatched. It was from the different avenues in my life that I began to connect the dots and feel empowered. Working with the FEELGOOD Collective, we were never building towards a cutthroat industry. Although we all fit in different pockets, we all believe that we all can eat, there’s room for everyone at the table; here to bring each other, the people around us up. Working with the moms at IPM (Institute of Pastoral Ministry), we found love and light in sharing our South American and Asian cultures. Laughing and appreciating the similarities and differences – learning about our experiences and the world around us. And as a dancer, it doesn’t matter if you are new or seasoned, stepping into a cypher (dance circle) we exchange and share our stories – that’s a beautiful thang. Through the experience of being able to appreciate, support, and uplift each other in our own lanes, I learned that I can shine in my own way, in my own light.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson
Through the struggle of doing something different, finding my own style, my own voice, I was able to find freedom and hope to create, express, and share.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a storyteller.
I am a documentary photographer. I love listening in and telling stories: from the love in weddings and the personal essence in portraits to documenting the process completing a project, the unfolding of events, and energy that comes from music. I am known for my peaceful inviting presence: listening and holding an open safe space for people to feel comfortable in their own skin; we are more than just a double tap like, we paint the world with color and season life with flavor. I aim to create and collaborate stories that can be felt with our hearts. Exploring various creative outlets, from my curiosity to ask questions and desire to understand. Painting our human experience with poetry, playing peace with the ukulele, connecting body and soul with dance. My growth in all of these creative avenues set me apart as I continue to diversify my ability to connect to different feelings, thoughts, ideas – I’m a big nerd when it comes to exploring expression and creativity.
I am a musician. I was working in one of my stressful corporate jobs with discouraging politics and overwhelming deadlines, I started playing the ukulele to find peace. I have been on a journey to fuse Soul classics with the island ukulele sound: starting off with songs like You Send Me by Sam Cooke, Stand By Me by Ben E King, and Let’s Stay Together by Al Green. After playing for three years, I understand that I’m not just strumming chords to beat, I share a vibe, I create a mood that brings people peace and serenity, calmness and relaxation. I can’t wait to share this good vibration with everyone.
I am a dancer. I grew up learning Poppin’ and Animation in Long Beach, CA from Can Nguyen. Since 2006, I have connected with dancers from around the world. Sharing our culture and history from each city, state, country, continent, and how our environments influence the way we move, feel, and understand music. Dance as body language, communicating what words cannot. Dance invited me to find comfort in being openly vulnerable, it’s daunting stepping into a cypher (dance circle) for the first few times – once I understood that we’re all sharing ourselves in that space. No longer am I conscious about what I look like or if I messed up but focused on what is being communicated, shared, built upon in the cypher.
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in training – I have just finished my first semester of grad school and will be starting my practicum in Summer / Fall 2022. Finishing the semester, In an environment where we as a cohort can learn from our experiences, surrounded by staff that supports and empowers our learning, and challenged through our course content – I am exactly where I need to be. This semester had me assess all of the intersections in my life and how they will influence my approach in therapy. Given my creative background, I hope to integrate artistic expression as a way for us to further understand what we’re going through. I am thrilled to continue learning and help others heal throughout the process.
I am not in this alone, I am walking with community.
That I am all of these and more.
I am proud that I am myself. – reaching out, extending with, and uplifting each other.
Upcoming projects
– I am collaborating with various artists, documenting the process of their projects coming to life. No words can describe my gratitude and excitement for the releases in the upcoming year with Kash Da Great, AV Hamilton, $ee $antana, Dre Jones, Liz Jones, and Ramsteez.
– I will be continuing Day in the Life with artists, creatives, chefs, and passionate professionals in Atlanta. Expanding with a podcast-interview series to share insight on the projects we bring to life: an in-depth look at the meaning behind the way we move and the direction we’re headed towards.
– And lastly, I am recording a ukulele project to share my peace that’s been building over the past three years. It’s time to share the sound we’ve been working on~
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Atlanta has shown me so much love and affirmation. I will continue the same energy and give back and build opportunities for the future generations of artists, creatives, and professionals.
Contact Info:
- Email: mrtimothyn@gmail.com
- Instagram: @_timothynguyen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNfi0Pz-ZZfL2f-cdHGjSw
