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SECONDS IN REVERSE | SF Bay Area Photography 🎞️✨

@secondsinreverse

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A mosaic of everything that’s ever loved me
📍 Bay Area, CA

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Last month, I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Media Studies. Though my time at Berkeley is not done, I take this opportunity to show my gratitude and appreciation for graduating from the #1 public university in the world. But this academic achievement is not for me. This is for the communities I come from and the ones I made a promise to. They’ve poured so much love into me, and I am honored to carry them every step of my life.

About 4% of former foster youth graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. This is for them: those who graduated, those still on their journey, and those who never got the chance. This is for my Berkeley Hope Scholars family. A community that gave me hope when I needed it most. They are my chosen family. This is who I am.

This is for the Latinx community. It is my culture, my traditions, and my family who taught me resilience, pride, and to never stop fighting for what I want. Despite the attacks on our community, we continue to spread love and compassion. It is because of that love that I stand here today, ready to support the community that raised me. Gracias por todo.

This is for the first-generation community. It is scary to step into spaces your family has never entered. We don’t know what we’re doing, constantly asking questions, and even deciding if this is worth it. But we show up anyway… we figure it out. We are opening the doors that were never opened for us, but leaving them open for those on their way.

I share this because without them, I wouldn’t be here. And as I continue to lead, advocate, and uplift, I will do so with these communities on my sleeve… always.🧸

*Special thank you to @secondsinreverse for these incredible photos. You’re an amazing friend and photographer💛 taken in University of California, Berkeley by @secondsinreverse

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4 months ago

one spicy famichiki please taken in Japan by @secondsinreverse

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4 months ago

Thank you for all the late night big sister talks, getting sold out concert tickets for me, and creating art together. You will forever and always be my favorite person to take photos with. I don’t even have any photos of us together because we’re just always enjoying the moment every time you visit NorCal. In another life, we will chase sunsets together again and get boba after the horizon turns blue.

You’re so full of life, I’m grateful that you’re running free and I don’t need to manifest a kidney donation for you anymore. I just know you’re dancing away to Avicii up there and living your best life. Fly high and rest in peace my princess Bobasaur 🕊️💛 by @secondsinreverse

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9 months ago

📸: @secondsinreverse  (English at the end)
Người Việt Nam yêu xuân lắm. Tình yêu mùa xuân này là nhiều thứ; nó là những dịp mình ngắm đường hoa Nguyễn Huệ, hòa vào làn người đến ngắm cả ngàn sắc hoa xanh tươi. Nó là những khi nhà nhà chạy mua và trưng những chậu hoa mai, hoa cúc vàng kim. Nó là lúc lấy ra bộ áo dài và dắt tay với những đứa bạn đi dạo quanh hồ Gươm hay hồ Xuân Hương, bước qua mọi ngõ phố mình biết, đón chúc những con người và nơi quen thuộc cho một năm sau tươi sáng hơn. Nhưng với mình bây giờ, tình yêu mùa xuân là cơ hội được cuối cùng bỏ lại mọi buồn phiền ngày trước, và tận hưởng trong mắt ánh nắng mùa xuân đầu tiên sau màn đêm mùa đông tối tăm.

Và sau một mùa đông dài 690 ngày, và sau 2112 ngày lạnh giá từ khi rời cái xuân của Việt Nam, mùa xuân đó cũng đã đến và quay lại với mình.

Mình đã có thể đem chính mình và mùa xuân đó, từ bông hoa vàng ngày Tết, bộ áo dài và cành hoa hồng xanh thẳm, đến những lời chúc và kỷ niệm cả 2 nơi, qua sân khấu đó để bước đến một năm mới, một con đường mới tốt đẹp hơn. Mình đã có được những bước chân đầu tiên đó với những người bạn mình níu chặt hơn bao giờ khi có được những tấm hình này, bước qua những nơi mà trong 2 năm qua, mình đổ hết mọi thứ vào.

Không ai ngoài mình sẽ bao giờ biết được 2 năm đó, hoặc 5 năm qua lạnh đến đâu. Nhưng nhờ những đứa bạn và nơi đầy sự ấm áp, nó đã giúp mình có lại trái tim đã bị đông cứng từ bao giờ. Gửi đến chị Amy, em cảm ơn thật nhiều vì những tấm hình này và cho em biết được một ngôi nhà thật đầm ấm như @sjsufsc . Đến @myismidas , @kylailism , @shuviii831 , @ad.tg ,cảm ơn vì ở bên Thiện khi chụp hình hôm đó, và khi mình cần nhất. Ngoài ra, mình thật quý mến mọi người đã và vẫn luôn giúp đỡ mình, từ @queanh.day và @vrclub.sjsu mà đã cho Thiện gia đình mới, @sjsuclimbs vì là những người đầu tiên nâng mình trở lại, và bạn trong lớp như @anniee_.png mà đã cho mình những lúc thật vui trong trường mà mình tưởng rằng đã mất.

Đến tất cả những người mà mình đã được cơ hội biết đến và được ở bên cạnh, dù ở Việt Nam hay ở đây, mình mong rằng một mùa xuân thật rạng rỡ và đầy hoa sẽ đến, và mình mong rằng mình vẫn còn có thể đón chào và tìm được mùa xuân đó mà giữ mãi bên đời🌼 taken in San Jose State University by @secondsinreverse

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9 months ago

hearing siren sounds 🐚

photographer: @secondsinreverse
designer: @keevonareynolds @shopdollface
mua: @katya.rich.makeup taken in SF Bay Area, California by @secondsinreverse

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a year ago

6 degrees, 8 years.

Last week, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Jose State University with a BA in Business Management. This is my 6th degree, with 4 degrees from De Anza College and 1 from FIDM.

These past 8 years have taught me something beautiful: not fitting into neat little boxes isn’t a flaw—it’s a gift. That struggling kid failing high school never could have imagined working with people around the world, building something meaningful across different institutions and continents.

Every detour I took, every unexpected path that seemed like a mistake at the time, has actually been exactly what I needed. These wandering roads showed me grace I didn’t know existed and built a strength I never thought I had.

I’m not sure where the wind will take me next, but I know I’m ready for the many more adventures to come ✨

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I’ve photographed hundreds of clients over the years, but I rarely get photos of myself taken. Thank you @alexchan_photo for working your magic 🫶 taken in San Jose State University by @secondsinreverse

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a year ago

Sunny days in Singapore and Japan, Summer 2024 by @secondsinreverse

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2 years ago

My heart is like the ocean,
Full of colors, depth, and dreams taken in Marina, California by @secondsinreverse

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2 years ago

La vie en rose 🌹

I don’t usually share grad shoots since it all looks kinda the same (lol), but this set is too cute to not share 🥺 thank you Rose and Max for trusting me with your graduation photos! taken in Berkeley, California by @secondsinreverse

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2 years ago

Peekaboo !

@yvetteyoung by @secondsinreverse

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3 years ago

A garden for just you and me

I was at Pulgas with @ireneeccx and ran into this lovely couple taking their wedding photos on a phone. Offered to take a couple photos for them since I had my camera on me. Beautiful strangers 💛 taken in Pulgas Water Temple by @secondsinreverse

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3 years ago

I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on every one that you'd be mine

In frame: @heyjudywai @phil.in.da___ taken in Mori Point by @secondsinreverse

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3 years ago