We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghan Hopkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghan below.

Meghan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Practice! Practice! Practice!
If you want to become a good photographer, learn and understand your camera; that means going out and photographing. I could’ve and should’ve taken photography a little more seriously when I was attending classes in college. My efforts were half hearted in the beginning, due to me just wanting to get a grade and exit. But finding your niche in this field would have you never wanting to put your camera down.
In my opinion, the most important skill is understanding your camera and its settings. It’s essential for photographers to know how to shoot in Manual mode, and not constantly use the other settings as a crutch. Take the training wheels off and just go for it, you will be amazed by what you learn on your own.

Meghan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Art for me has been nothing more than an oasis from a world that is unimaginative. Art is the embodiment of who I am. I come from a family of artists: sculptors, photographers, painters etc. Growing up I was a dedicated portraiture artist; a poet when I wanted to divulge my interiority to my peers who care to listen. Now I find myself capturing a picture within a frame with a release of my shutter. Art is my passion—art is vital for human endurance. When I find myself thinking of the arts, I think of solitude. A dreamer who can only sit and vision of the work he/she can forge with the gifts they were given. I was lonelier with a vision and her solitude.
Majority of the time I could never find the words to describe my work; I have no words to describe it. There’s never a deep philosophical meaning behind the images I choose to display. The conspicuous rawness of my photos seem to have many of my contemporaries sharing with me the meaning behind my work; or rather, the feeling in which my photographs evoke. I find myself to be a visual storyteller. I have no words, but I have a camera. I capture anything that can fit within my compositional frame. I sit and I observe every aspect of my image; hoping I can manage to bring it to life. I believe that is my job when it comes to photography; to rebirth our daily surroundings in a way that allows the viewer to have a sense of perception.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Knowing that my work speaks to people—even if it’s just a select few; it truly does matter. I just have the gift of noticing, and my peers have the gift of giving meaning and perception to one’s work. It’s such a meaningful transaction.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building your social media presence is not easy, and it can be quite frustrating. I have been photographing since 2019 and I’m just starting to get noticed. Keeping up with the trends can take the enjoyment away when it comes to your love for photography. My best advice for new and upcoming photographers is to put yourself out there; not just on social media, but within your community. Go to photography events, engage with people, learn from those who are experienced within this field, collaborate, and be sure to be your true authentic self. When I began to share my work that’s when I started to get noticed by other artists who shared the same passion for the arts. An art event that I was invited to show my work at—Artbloc Empowered 2.0—provided me with a new perspective. I had no sense of community. Art for me was very black and white, but I was amazed by what my peers can cultivate. The multimedia/mixed media artists were very intriguing to me. When I thought my imagination and message behind my work were starting to lose their light; it began to flicker once again. Like their work, the artists that surround me were vastly unique. Their art spoke for itself; no words were needed. They reminded me of my uniqueness, and what I can bring to my community and the future generations who may stumble across my work one day. 
You must remember that being consistent can provide you with knowledge and humility. It’s a problem when your talent becomes a chore.
Just keep doing what you love, your time will come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://meghanhopkins.darkroom.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_arrtist_/profilecard/?igsh=MjZqdzZxaDJuaWkx