I first encountered Nguyen, Long, Chi, Bobby, and Thao by chance while we were all living in New York, each in our early twenties and navigating the uncertainties of independent adulthood for the first time. Though our backgrounds in Vietnam were markedly different, we found common ground in the shared challenges of adolescence and self-discovery. At that particular moment and place, circumstances aligned in a way that allowed us to form connections that might not have been possible elsewhere.

Photography became a medium through which I could bridge the gap between observer and participant. Looking at them through the lens of my camera, I sought not only to document but to immerse myself in that moment – capturing their gaze as both photographer and friend. In those fleeting moments, marked by the sound of the shutter click, our shared experiences of joy and vulnerability became palpable, crystallizing a bond that was as intimate as it was transient.

As time passed, our lives diverged. We left New York, and the friendships that once defined that period gradually faded. I no longer photograph them as frequently, yet the images endure as a testament to those shared moments. These photographs serve as a reflective archive of change, capturing not only our individual transformations but also the ephemeral nature of connection itself.