Portrait Photographer in Los Angeles

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Hopkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a very tender age I have always been attracted to the arts as an experiential situation and as a beneficiary of its healing and uplifting characteristics. Early on my affiliation with the arts was the ballet and the magic of the theater and music. Later in life I studied art history at Loyola Marymount University and after graduation I began working at some prestigious art galleries in Los Angeles. And, finally looking for something that I could be as passionate about as I was for the ballet, I found photography. Discovering photography as another passion with what to carve out a career, and something that I am good at doing, I took great strides to learn as much as I could about the art of photography. As I delved deeper into this chosen field I realized that I could not only contribute to society but also do something that will affect people’s lives in a positive way. Consequently, I wake up every morning grateful and itching to accomplish as much as possible in every aspect of this chosen career path.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Every person brings their own story to society that then influences how they take action in and how they see the world. I, not unlike others, have my story that very much has influenced what I photograph and how I see and interpret the world through my photographer’s lens. My background as a professional ballet dancer, and one who interpreted dance choreography, initiated my love of visual forms and my excitement for describing them in a photograph to the world. A major in art history has further instilled a visual strength in finding and describing beauty. My daily involvement with photography as a professional and the many people who I photograph allows me to hear other’s stories and understand their needs. Knowing business people’s need to be represented in their images as professionals and how much that could help them succeed propels me on. Seeing when how families (including their fur babies) view their portraits and cry tears of joy and tell me how their portraits will be part of their family heirlooms gives me faith. And, finally meeting brand new parents with their newborns and all of the possibilities ahead for their newly formed family warms my heart to creating photographic mementos for them. Now, knowing how to photograph professionally, and being passionate about it, is not a recipe for success. The business of photography is challenging, to say the least. Investing time in networking with other business professionals, reading books and watching webinars, about sales, marketing and business success has been a key to meeting the daily business challenges and keeping me very busy professionally.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles is filled with such a variety of cultural interests that I would have no trouble in finding great places to visit and show off to visitors. The week would be filled with the following activities: I’d start the week off with a hike in Griffith Park from Ferndell up the hill to the Observatory so that I could give them a view of the city and point out places where we will visit and have them get a taste of the beautiful California fauna. For one lunch date we would head downtown to the Central Market and enjoy some of the local eateries. A visit to the Broad Museum and a tour of the Disney Music Hall could be on the itinerary for beginning of the week as well. The later days of the week would entail a visit to LACMA, a little shopping at the Grove; Farmer’s Market for another lunch; a happy hour glass of wine at the Viceroy Hotel Avec Nous Restaurant in Beverly Hills; a walk along Venice boardwalk, Santa Monica 3rd Street, Malibu Beaches, Will Roger’s State Park, and a hike in the Santa Monica mountains with a little detour to some wineries nearby. And, finally, to top off the week, an excursion to the Getty Museum and if time allowed another day, we would most definitely see a concert at the Disney Hall. And, of course, if we are still living with Covid-19 we would leave some of the restricted indoor activities for another visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
How can I single out one person to thank who has offered me their encouragement, support and love? My journey has afforded me many people and circumstances for whom, and for what, I am grateful. For the business side of what I do I have found encouragement, camaraderie and personal growth, that have been invaluable tools to my success as a photographer, within weekly networking groups such as BNI and Le Tip. My friends Ellen Katzman, Diana Brown, Lisette Morris, and B.J. Miller have helped me in so many ways to keep strong while life’s challenges continue within business as usual. My aunt Astrid Colon has always had my back from childhood to adulthood and encouraged me to stay strong. And, finally my mom and dad for all of their sacrifices and belief in my possibilities, even when I was struggling. All were, and continue to be part of where I am today as a photographer.

Website: https://cameracreations.net
Instagram: @julie_hopkins_camera_creations
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameracreations/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CameraCreations
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameracreationsphotography
Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/camera-creations-llc-los-angeles
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CameraCreationsImage
Other: Blog: https://blog.cameracreations.net Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cameracreations/_created/

Image Credits
© Camera Creations – Julie Hopkins