Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Nguyen.
Hi Justin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Justin Nguyen, and I live in the vibrant city of San Jose, California. My journey into the world of photography began long before I ever picked up a camera. As a child, I would often sit for hours poring over my mom’s old photo albums. Each photograph was a portal to a different time and place, sparking my imagination as I wondered about the stories behind each captured moment.
The seeds of my passion for photography were planted in those quiet moments of reflection, but it wasn’t until 2016 that they truly began to grow. That year, I got married, and the experience of my own wedding ignited something deep within me. The joy of flipping through our wedding album and seeing the emotions, the love, and the memories preserved in those images was indescribable. I wanted to ensure that my future kids could look back on those photos and feel the same sense of connection to our special day.
This newfound purpose drove me to pick up a camera and dive headfirst into the art of photography. I immersed myself in learning everything I could, from the technical aspects of operating a camera to the creative process of capturing a moment in time. The more I learned, the more I realized that photography was not just about taking pictures; it was about telling stories, preserving memories, and capturing the essence of life’s most precious moments.
As I honed my skills, I began to see the world differently. Every smile, every tear, every glance held a story waiting to be told. I started photographing weddings, driven by the desire to give others the same gift my wedding photos had given me. Each wedding was a new adventure, a new story to be told through my lens. I aimed to capture not just the big moments, but the small, intimate ones that truly define a wedding day.
Today, as a wedding photographer based in the Bay Area, I am privileged to be a part of so many couples’ most important days. My goal is to preserve all the memories, to tell their stories through the photos I take. When I see the joy on a couple’s face as they look through their wedding album, I am reminded of why I started this journey in the first place.
Every time I look back at my mom’s photo albums or our own wedding photos, I am filled with gratitude for the path that led me here. Photography has become my way of connecting the past with the present, and I am honored to be able to create lasting memories for others, one photograph at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Eight years might sound like a long time, but when you’re building a business and pursuing a passion, time flies by in the blink of an eye. My journey has been filled with both challenges and triumphs, and looking back, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come.
The first two to three years were all about learning the ropes and understanding the true scope of wedding photography. It wasn’t just about taking beautiful pictures; it was about capturing the essence of one of the most important days in a couple’s life. I spent countless hours honing my craft, studying different styles, and perfecting my techniques. Each wedding taught me something new and helped me grow as a photographer.
Just as I felt like I was gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing everything to a sudden halt. Weddings were postponed, and my business, like many others, faced an uncertain future. The world seemed to stop, and it was a challenging time both personally and professionally.
However, rather than letting this setback defeat me, I decided to use the time to my advantage. I focused on improving my skills, delving deeper into the art of wedding photography, and learning more about the business side of things. I took online courses, attended virtual workshops, and practiced relentlessly. This period of forced downtime became an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
One of the most important lessons I learned during this time was the value of connection. Weddings are deeply personal events, and building a genuine connection with my clients became a cornerstone of my approach. I realized that understanding their stories, their dreams, and their personalities allowed me to capture their wedding day in a way that was uniquely meaningful to them. This connection transformed my work from mere photography to storytelling, preserving the essence of their love and celebration in each frame.
As the world began to reopen and weddings resumed, I found myself better equipped than ever before. The skills and knowledge I had gained during the pandemic allowed me to provide an even higher level of service to my clients. My business started to grow again, fueled by the trust and relationships I had built with the couples I worked with.
Looking back, these eight years have been a whirlwind of experiences, challenges, and growth. From the early days of learning and discovery to the struggles and resilience during the pandemic, each moment has shaped me into the photographer I am today. I am grateful for the journey, for the lessons learned, and for the incredible couples who have allowed me to be a part of their special day.
The road hasn’t always been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. As I continue to grow my business, I remain committed to preserving memories and telling stories through my photos, knowing that each connection I make and each moment I capture is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
my work is all about capturing the essence of life’s most precious moments. Specializing in wedding photography, I have the privilege of documenting the beautiful journey of love and commitment. my passion extends beyond weddings—I also love photographing families and maternity sessions, seizing all the moments and memories that define our lives.
Through my lens, I strive to save these great moments for my clients, and this dedication is embodied in the name of my business: “Just in Pic,” with the slogan “The Right Moments.” Every photograph I take is a testament to my commitment to capturing those fleeting, magical instances that tell a story and evoke deep emotions.
What sets me apart from others in my field is my approach to building strong rapport with each of my clients. I believe that to truly capture the essence of a moment, you need to understand the people within it. I take the time to listen to their unique stories, learn about their dreams, and see the world through their eyes. This connection allows me to see each and every moment while they are together, ensuring that my photographs are not just images, but reflections of their lives and love.
To me, photography is not just about pointing a camera and clicking a button; it’s about putting my heart into my work and letting it beat in harmony with the people I am photographing. This emotional connection enables me to create photographs that save the right moment, capturing the feelings, the joy, and the love in every shot. When my clients look at these photographs, I want them to feel all the emotions, to be transported back to that exact moment, and to relive the experience as if it were happening all over again—”just in pic.”
I am most proud of the relationships I build with my clients and the trust they place in me to document their most significant moments. Seeing their reactions when they first see their photos, the tears of joy, the smiles, and the heartfelt thank yous, is the most rewarding part of my job. It reaffirms why I do what I do and motivates me to continue striving for excellence.
In a world where moments pass by in the blink of an eye, my mission is to ensure that these moments are never forgotten. Through “Just in Pic,” I am dedicated to preserving the right moments, creating timeless memories that my clients can cherish for a lifetime. This is not just my job—it’s my passion, my calling, and the heart of everything I do.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality I feel is most important to my success as a photographer is being genuine and enjoying the craft of photography with passion.
Being genuine means building real connections with my clients, listening to their unique stories, and truly understanding their vision. This authenticity allows me to capture moments that are deeply personal and meaningful to them. When clients feel understood and comfortable, it reflects in the photos, making each shot a true representation of their emotions and experiences.
Equally important is my passion for photography. I approach each project with enthusiasm and a desire to create something special. This passion drives me to continually improve my skills, experiment with new techniques, and go the extra mile to get the perfect shot. It’s this love for the art of photography that keeps me inspired and dedicated, ensuring that I deliver high-quality, heartfelt images every time.
In essence, being genuine and passionate about my craft allows me to connect deeply with my clients and create photographs that capture “The Right Moments” – moments filled with emotion, authenticity, and beauty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justinpic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinpic.wedding
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinpic.wedding
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-nguyen-90485b78/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/justinpic-san-jose-3
Image Credits
all photo are taken by me Justin, justinpic.com