Quit Nguyen: Year One - Part 2

Part 1 was about me on the outside looking in. Part 2 will be more about my life this past year.

Wanderlust hit hard this year. KC, STL, ATX, HOU, Denver, and even random towns in OK.

What do we travel for? Food, duh.

Plenty of things happened in my own back yard too. Oklahoma City is growing faster and faster each day. I don't know how long it'll be til I hate this place, but for now, it's been treating me damn well.

Oklahoma City

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I consider myself an ambassador of this city. People are always visiting Linda and I, and we feel it is our responsibility to show them it's not (completely) red necks and white haired oldies.

Work.

I try not to be a one trick pony. This is why it's not Quit Nguyen Photography.com or something like that. I bettered my design, drawing, tastes, and hobbies on top of improving in photography.

Toy collecting, record collecting, coffee drinking, cocktail sipping, hero drawing. These are a few of my favorite things. Such a fucking "hipster."

The Plaza District.

I got a sweet gig working for the neighborhood that showed me OKC was cool in the first place. This job lets me flex the part of my brain no agency would hire me for as a new graduate. Being apart of one of the coolest districts in OKC is really something I'm proud of. Working with this lady is pretty fun too.

I think the biggest thing lacking in OKC are "my" friends. The homies I went to school with. The homies I grew up with. My goal is to get everyone to move here. >:]

The Reason.

The reason why I'm here. The reason I have the confidence to do things. Her.

Never have I met someone as crazy, emotionally unstable, and pure of heart. (I lied, Mama Bui is just like her.) Her family took me in and made me one of their own.

It's been an awesome 1st year in business, 2nd year in Oklahoma, and 3rd year with you.

I love you.

And I luh all y'all too.

Here's to 2015, staircases in the air, and taking in a feral cat!

Bye, Felicia.

Black Friday Shopping

Went around to a bunch of places today for Black Friday. Managed to get some fun shots while I was out.

Got some shirts from Tree & Leaf and walked the rest of the Plaza District with Linda.

Then we headed over to the Holiday Pop Up Shops in Midtown.

After midtown, we headed to Guestroom Records and got some stuff. Then Super Cao Nguyen to buy some ramen.

After taking this photo, the security guard told me cameras weren't allowed. I said I'd put it away in my bag, but he insisted I put it in my car. What do you have to hide Cao Nguyen? What secrets could your store possibly hold?

Plaza District Festival

I worked a 16 hour shift at this year's Plaza District Festival, but I felt like everyone worked a lot harder than me. Shrugs.

I mean, I guess there's value in my photos, and I served as an information relay center. Also, social media coverage was important.

It was weird "working" instead of waiting around and looking for moments to happen. Whenever I got a break, I took the chance to find moments.

Out of 16 hours, these were my keepers. Balancing the photo thing with the marketing thing can be difficult, but it keeps things fresh.

Mid-September Update

Since last time

Made some portraits of some cool kids. Go check out RJSupperClub.com

Need to find these good looking kids. Seen at H&8th

And the holy grail of street photography. The Oklahoma State Fair: Where your child will leave in tears.

Then you take them to Wiggle Out Loud so they can smile again.

I'm off to Austin, TX for Mondo-Con this weekend. I'll try and update more often. Blogging has become a little tough since picking up the new part-timer at The Plaza District. We've been busy busy gearing up for The Plaza District Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27th.

I'm also planning some cool stuff for the rest of the year including an art show at Tree & Leaf, some more #WesternScout stuff, and more personal work. Stay connected: Follow me on Twitter & Instagram.