Catherine Nguyen Photography - Blog

“When I fell in love with black, it contained all colors. It wasn’t a negation of color. It was an acceptance. Because black encompasses all colors. Black is the most aristocratic color of all. … You can be quiet and it contains the whole thing.”– Louise Nevelson read more

We sold our house! Let’s face it, buying and selling a home is a stressful, exhausting experience, but crossing the finish line feels exhilarating. Now that Jeremy and I are preparing for our move, a flood of memories is rushing back to me, becoming even more vivid after I recently photographed our home for Walter magazine. I have photographed countless homes for the art and culture magazine for years, bringing readers into the impeccably designed spaces of owners who graciously share their style inspirations and the designers who bring those ideas to life. Turning the lens on my own space was truly a full-circle moment for me, in fact, the title of my November feature is “Full-Circle Style”.  read more

I’ve itched to travel for as long as I can remember; the inspiration I find in faraway places is incalculable; however, there's no single place that ignites my love for art and architecture. Rather, the collective experience of exploring different places itself sparks my creativity. read more

A collage is not just a grade school project involving magazine scraps and Elmer’s glue, though that is what most of us tend to think of first. It can be anything that is pieced together to make a whole. A finished photo is a collage, one that is comprised of all the details within that space. However, it’s very easy for the details to get lost in an overall shot. When I zoom in on those details, I find that the pictures tell a different and more intimate story. They enhance the subject’s beauty and bring the space to life. Contact Catherine Nguyen Photography today and let’s discover your collage together! read more

Our culture is fascinated with the concept of inspiration. As we clamor for the next original, incredible, out-of-the-box idea, we constantly analyze what it means to be inspired. I surround myself with my artistic passions, the food I love, the music that moves me, the magazines and books that enlighten me, antiques that enrich my life, and the art that energizes me. Travel inspires me, too, allowing me to experience beauty in many different corners of the world. Most importantly, I find inspiration in the people who are part of my life as well as those I meet along the way. All these things help enrich my growth as an interior and exterior photographer. read more

Photographs capture beautiful scenery, indescribable emotion, and of course memories of all kinds. My interiors work preserves a space in a particular moment in time. It brings the homeowner’s vision to life. My images capture the expression of style in the most important places of your life: your home and your work. For more information on my travels, my inspiration, and my photography, check out the rest of my blogs at CatSpace and explore my website! read more

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” This quote by Wassily Kandinsky speaks to me on several different levels. As a photographer, it reminds me of how color can affect what I am seeing through the lens. As an Asian American, it reminds me of how color can be a window into someone’s history. read more

Several months ago, I decided that one of my goals would be to reflect on my own image, the impression that I share with the world. As a photographer, image is everything to me whether it be images I see through a lens or my own personal image. In today’s digital age, it felt natural to begin this journey with my website, the image that tells my story and the stories of my clients. If I wanted people to find me when searching for interior and architectural photographers in Raleigh or San Francisco, I needed to take the leap. read more

Perspective has been the central theme of my blog this year—maybe that’s inevitable, considering the events of the past 10 months. It’s surreal to think that only a year ago, I was traveling through Japan, soaking in its natural beauty and reveling in the tranquility. Now, of course, the very notion of travelling seems strange and scary. read more

South African poet and philosopher Gift Gugu Mona once said, “Never apologize for being alive—find your purpose, and embrace life.” With each incredible experience I stumble upon, I continue to find my purpose. I haven’t done much blogging lately, because I have been indulging in life, cultivating relationships, and creating art. But I also realize that perspective is a gift—one I want to share. read more

I have had the pleasure of photographing many portraits over the years. Following is a sample of some of my favorites. Click on the right of the image to scroll through the gallery. read more

Decluttering in life is difficult. Decluttering your website is a true feat. I have spent days going over the design of and images on my website. My head is spinning. So many projects and images lay on the cutting room floor. read more

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the home of fort@3512's owner, Pam Clark. As luck would have it, one of my images from the shoot made the cover of Walter Magazine! I am particularly honored since it is the House and Garden issue. read more

On a sunny 91-degree day, I head out northwest from Raleigh past Durham to a little town called Roxboro. As I head down an offshoot of the main street, I locate the house I know must be Gaye's: It is a little brick charmer, inviting and unique, much like the owners. read more

A rug: Any designer will tell you that they ground and help to separate living spaces. What they won't tell you is how hard it is to pick one out. There are so many choices. There are so many things to consider: the fabric, texture, colors and patterns in the room. How these pieces that pull a room together when done right, can really set the mood. When done wrong, they can be distracting or just downright annoying. read more

I won't lie. I am very excited that my work is appearing on modern home goods site, Dot&Bo today! Our project, designed by client Julie Momchilov Johnson of JMJ Studios, is part of the Dream House collection (filed under their Design District Blog Tab). More excitingly, it is the first featured banner on their site's home page today. read more

On an early grey day in March, I joined Art Director Jesma Reynolds and Editorial Director Liza Roberts on a jaunt to the small town of Washington, NC, for Walter Magazine's May "Story of a House" feature. Our destination: a former hospital, now the home and design studios of the VanCollier design team, Beth and Chris Collier. read more