We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tommy Dang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tommy, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I think for me at the current moment, the most meaningful project I’ve produced is my first solo exhibition show while I was attending San José State University. It was called “Peaks and Valleys” and it was held at the Herbert Sanders Gallery, which is a small room in the hallways of the Industrial Studies building on campus that had no ventilation- haha.

I think for most of my time trying to pursue being a visual artist I struggled with the fact that I could even consider myself as one, let alone the idea of others viewing me as an artist. However, holding this exhibition began to move the internal needle within me of viewing myself as one.

“Peaks and Valleys” is a series of images that I documented from everyday life over the span of 4-5 years from the ages of 19-23. It featured moments pre-pandemic and post-pandemic which I would define as challenging yet transformative years of my life. I was experiencing a lot of personal family grief that was exacerbated by the isolating experience of the pandemic. During that time I stumbled upon McNair Evan’s “Confessions for a Son” which juxtaposes photographs in a way that visually demonstrates and explores a complex relationship between father and son. I found it visually cathartic as it helped me process and find peace in my past while also inspiring me to view my images in a new light.

Heavily inspired by Todd Hido’s nighttime suburban imagery and the emotions of McNair Evan’s “Confessions of a Son,” Peaks and Valleys aims to explore the journey of loss and grief. I think we can forget in the battle against nihilism that we can find meaning in our story and journey. It is important to remember that we all share human experiences of loss and grief, which made me want to explore my isolation and battle with acceptance and forgiveness. During these past few formative years, I learned a hard reality of life and what it means to be here. To be living, to be a being on this earth, and the human condition. And I believe a lesson in the human experience is about learning to lose. We all suffer & grieve in our own ways and I think these past few years have really brought that lesson home for me.

As corny as it sounds, photography has given me so much. It has given me the ability to discover new perspectives, and a platform to show the world mine. It’s a portal, a permission slip to explore when I was stuck in a place of solitude. Through these photographs, you will see me explore the darkness and learn how to use it, as much as I seek to find light and the hope it brings. These photographs narrate my journey of building an existentialist philosophy at a time when nihilism had devoured my perception of the world. It is my way of sharing my emotions post-mortem, learning to process loss and grief, and building a life around it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tommy Dang, a visual artist and commercial photographer based in the Bay Area. As a proud Spartan alumnus of San José State University with a BFA in Photography, I’ve had the privilege to learn from industry veterans, shaping my unique approach to photography.

I specialize in product, food, and architecture photography, but I’ve recently expanded into music, portrait, and event work.
My approach to photography goes beyond just taking pictures; it’s about storytelling, understanding my client’s vision, and translating that into compelling visuals. I work closely with my clients from the initial concept stage to the final product, ensuring that every detail aligns with their brand and message. I believe in building long-term relationships with my clients, understanding their needs, and bringing their visions to life.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I believe the most impactful resource as a creative on their journey is to collaborate with other creatives you are inspired by. Having the opportunity to work with experienced creatives allows you to view various workflows that you can tailor for yourself while bouncing ideas. Also, befriending other creatives who go through similar challenges really validates some of the feelings you experience as you navigate the space.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I think at the moment I’m still trying to figure this out as I’m only in my first few years of business, but so far all of my funding began by working other jobs which jumpstarted the capital to purchase equipment, software, and skills to land more gigs. I purchase courses and workshops to learn new software, tools, and workflows which I view as a business investment.

A big lesson I learned from veterans is to keep overhead costs to run your business low, which I do by only purchasing the equipment and software that is absolutely necessary. Everything else I just rent as it’s more cost-effective in the long run. When I create estimates I just expense the rental to the client or bump my creative fee to factor in rentals. I only carry the most basic tools for my business, in fact, most of my portfolio is shot with a Canon 6D that I borrowed from volunteering as a photo lab monitor at San José State University. I believe we don’t need the newest equipment unless those specs are required by our client’s needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: tommyvandang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommyvandang/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-dang-8685b513a/