Hopkins Fine Portraits Blog

Welcome to Hopkins Fine Portraits!

Hopkins Fine Portraits is low-volume studio offering a totally custom experience.  The studio specialty is creating art of children and we have been blessed to work with some of the most wonderful families!  Furthering the craft is a constant endeavor and as a part of that we enter print competition several times each year at state, regional and international levels.  As a member of the Professional Photographers of America, we have been awarded the title of "Photographer of the Year"9 times and have had 28 prints accepted into the prestigious "Loan Collection" since 2003. We have also been blessed with Canon's "Par Excellence Award" for the body of work submitted to competition in 2010 and again in 2012.

Our portraiture is generally time-intensive and that limits the number of clients we can serve each year.  Because of that, we often schedule weeks and months ahead. However, always contact us if you have a need...we deal with children and because of that there can be unexpected openings that arise.  We also keep a waiting list for cancellations and are happy to contact you should the opportunity occur!

It is our feeling that children are the greatest blessing in life.  To be given the task of creating art that forever captures childhood is a high calling and one we do not take on lightly.  We do not follow trends and want our portraiture to transcend the latest fads.  Please email if you need anything or if you just want to give feedback on our portraiture.  Thanks so very much!!!

 

Timeless and Pretty

Again, this client came to the studio to create "timeless" and "classic" portraiture of her beautiful children.  The two girls are 3 and are twins.  The little one is not yet two.  She chose clothing carefully.  It needed to fit well and not detract from  the primary focus of the portraits - her precious children.  I do not pose children - I put them in the best light possible and suggest things to them (like which way to face, etc...).  But, what they do is so much sweeter than what I could come up with, that I just watch and capture their little movements.  Usually, they are talking or playing or dancing, and these moments just happen.  So, I have to be ready!  For example, the portrait below of the little girl with her fingers to her lips... just plain sweet.  What a blessing our families are!!!

Summery Color

...and momma wanted "color"!  After a few sessions over the years of classic, we did some fun imagery.  But, just because it is colorful and fun doesn't mean I don't employ the use of light and composition....those elements are always important.  Darling children, huh?

Sweet Dancers!

More to follow, but this has been a crazy busy couple of days and I just had to get this one posted.  Don't all tutu-clad ballerinas look for bugs?  Soooo cute.

What a Girl!

Had the privilege of working with this brave, spunky and smart little girl again.  For those of you who know her, I am sure you will agree that she is an inspiration.  She's just awesome.

We worked in an older, quaint urban area that was developed, in part, by her family years and years ago.  The path where she is walking runs behind her grandparents' historic home.  The faint building in the background of the post bears the name of her family and the year marker "1904".  Love it!

Her is a quick sneak peek for her family and the hundreds who adore her!

Big Sister, Little Brother

The mommy of these two little ones came to the studio for "timeless" portraits.  We chatted for a little bit about the value of such images of our children.  Trends are fun, but these were supposed to be portraits that could be displayed forever without much to date them.  She summed it up when she said, "I just want the focus to be on my children.  I want it all about them."  Perfect!

This style of portraiture generally requires a decent knowledge of lighting, composition and color relationships.  Lighting is my "thing" and I love to teach it to other photographers.  And, as much as I appreciate perfect composition and posing, I don't always appreciate contrived images of children.  My goal is to get the best lighting pattern on them I can and to give gentle suggestions, but then capture how they react.  After all, their little movements and unique body language does so much more to endear a portrait.  Those are the elements that are personal.  They make the image special.

So, you won't always see a perfectly turned hand or a foot in the "ideal" place to follow the "rules of posing" or such, but they are perfect for the person in the portrait!  I just have to be ready to forever capture what these children share! 

Hope the family of these precious children enjoys the sneak peek!

Another New Painting

Beautiful little one!  Such a privilege to do this painting.  She and her mommy came a long way to create this keepsake, and I hope that it touches the hearts of all those who love her.  Thank you for the opportunity to work with you!

Precious Girl

I have had the privilege of creating portraits of this precious girl for a few  years now.  Everything we have done has been classic studio (and gorgeous), so we opted for a different look this time.  She is five, and darling, and her portraits are wonderful.  They showcase her beauty and her personality.  She is a delightful subject!

Welcome, Spring!

Spring is almost here.  The weather has teased us - giving us 80 degree days followed by 40 degrees and sleet.  But, it cannot hide the fact that you can just feel spring.  Azaleas are beginning to bloom and trees are budding everywhere.  In fact, my allergies are awful and would put me in a terrible mood except for the fact that I love spring!

Here is the latest piece for the studio - a welcome to spring.  Everything is new again.  Isn't this fun?

 

Sweet and Shy Times Two

These three year old twins came in this morning and hardly made a peep!  They were so very quiet and very sweet.  Their mom wanted some timeless portraits, so we had a good time creating them.

Here is a tiny sneak peek for their mom, dad and everyone who loves them!

Growing Too Quickly

Okay - when I began working with these children, they were so much smaller.  The oldest was just a peanut - and now she is taller than I am!  Not fair. 

Anyway, we hadn't done more classic images in a while. So, we did a "casual classic" in the studio.  They cannot stay serious for too very long!  So precious.