On the Shoot with Thomas Hopkins

YMM Parent spoke with Thomas Hopkins of Thomas Hopkins Photography to discuss his career in real estate, nature and family photography.

YMM Parent: OK, Thomas! We want to know what enticed you to start a professional photography business and what you enjoy most about your line of work?

Thomas Hopkins

Thomas Hopkins: I was inspired by the moments my wedding photographer captured and wanted to explore that as a creative outlet and focus on capturing memories for other people. I love all of the people I have had the opportunity to meet through my business and all the places photography has physically taken me! My love for photography has led to some special opportunities through my work with the Canadian Cadet Program. I went to the Yukon twice in 2019 and Ottawa as a direct result. It has also forced me out of my comfort zone in pursuit of ‘the shot.’

YP: That sounds adventurous. Do you have a most memorable ‘the shot’ moment to share? We want to know about these unfamiliar places.

TH: Last summer, I did two hikes in Canmore starting at 3 a.m. by myself. So, I could see the sunrise from the top of the mountain. And then, I did it again the next day! It was amazing to see, and then I hiked back down in time to have breakfast with my family. I’m not sure if that is something I would have even thought to try and do if not for photography. It certainly lit a bit of the adventure fire within me.

YP: You shared with us that this is your first magazine cover photo. What was it like to be on-location for an exclusive shoot with the Pilgrim Family at The Alley YMM?

TH: After months of restrictions during the second wave of the pandemic, it was really special to be a part of something so seemingly simple – that many of us likely took for granted before COVID. Seeing the Pilgrims just get to have some fun as a family was amazing. Within minutes, it was easy to tell the nerves of a photoshoot melted away into pure, family fun focused on one another.

And as a result, I had so much fun with the shoot! Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Thomas Hopkins has lived in Fort McMurray for the past four years. As a full-time Mining Engineer, Canadian Forces Reserve Captain, husband and father, the world of photography is his passion.

In 2017, he launched his self-titled business Thomas Hopkins Photography. His portfolio includes awe-inspiring backdrops, up-close portraits, eye-catching real estate opportunities and much, much more. Explore his vision collection at www.thomashopkinsphoto.com.

About the author

Dawn Booth

Editor-in-Chief at YMM Parent | dawn@balsom.ca

Dawn Booth is the Editor-in-Chief of YMM Parent Magazine and Your McMurray Magazine. She has actively worked in the Wood Buffalo region's media industry since residing in Fort McMurray in 2007.

Her passion is writing poetry and puts it at the forefront of the community through her volunteer work as the President of NorthWord Magazine. Most important, Booth puts her family of five first, which includes her husband Ryan and their three children, Landon, Dawson and Tessa.