Paul Hopkins: Memphis Street and Documentary Photographer: Memphis Photographer Feature

Paul Hopkins is a dedicated documentary, and street photographer. Paul thinks like a purist when it comes to his photography. He loves the naked mood of black and white photography that mostly comes straight out of his camera. He shows the stark reality of what his vision captures. He has spent many hours in the searing heat and the bitter cold of street life in Memphis Tennessee. Paul is a mid-south native. He was born in Southaven MS. and spent most of his life in Memphis TN. He has also lived in Dallas TX, and Portland Oregon. He has made Memphis his home and base of operations.

He began his interest in photos when he was five years old with his dads National Geographic Magazines. He started taking pictures of his friends and neighbors in 1998 after he bought his first DSLR. He never went to art school. Instead he spent a lot of time looking at magazines such as Life, National Geographic, and Playboy. It was there that he saw really high quality photography that piqued his interest in becoming a photographer. 

He loves capturing the world as it is with no sugar coating or high color saturation. His photos of Memphis are moving, showing all sides of street life in Memphis. He also spends a lot of time photographing New Orleans, and is published in a book about that city. He has sponsored several Photography Groups on Facebook such as Documentary Photographers and Monochrome Photography, and you can see more of his work on Viewbug. Click the link to see his work.

Here is a sample of his photos...

He documents movements in Memphis

He exposes the problems

And he celebrates the culture.

In the rain

street activities

The historical beauty and the tourists.

The enterprising during summer heat

People at work

And simple artistic beauty

I'm sure you agree that Paul is a talented photographer with a unique vision. You can spot his images easily as he has developed his own personal style. Thank you Paul for sharing with us!