Brion Hopkins Photography and Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

NEW BLOG!

2009-08-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

This is my new blog www.brionhopkins.com/blog you can subscribe there. Hope you enjoy the new blog and hopefully I will post more on it :) I won't be posting here anymore.

Blackbird - TLR

2009-08-03T13:25:00.001-07:00

This has to be one of my new favorites. Blackbird fl y, twin lens reflex camera. It takes 35mm film and you can shoot square or with the sprockets being exposed. Pretty sweet little camera and I love the opening of the website!

Film is not dead

2009-07-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Canlas just had his workshop in San Francisco and of course he killed it. It was amazing hanging out with everyone Leo, Micah, and the rest of Jon's extended family. I think I might have to move to Lehi. It was also great meeting everyone who attended the workshop uber talented people. Anyway, here is a photo to show you what it was like. Sorry Callie.

Lizeth + Rafter

2009-07-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

Lizeth and Rafter are very creative people. You can check out Lizeth's photographs here and Rafter's music here. We shot these in Oxnard, CA.

Julia

2009-06-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Back from NY, good times and a lot more photos to come.

Lucy + Aaron peak a boo

2009-06-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

Redstone, CO

Infrared Ilford SFX200

Brooklyn, NY

2009-06-12T00:29:00.000-07:00

These are from last trip to NY a couple months ago. I will be going there again today to visit some of the same great people and shoot. Last time I got to meet some amazing photographers like Mel Barlow, Allan Zepeda, Karen Mordechai, Carlos Andres, and J-Dog Judith Weinberg

I will be back on June 21st.

Some of the best food I have ever had. Diner

BANKSY!?

More amazing food! Moto

The famous Rebecca Crumley and Mel Barlow

This is one of the coolest galleries I have ever seen. Rob Ryan check him out.

Most of these are out of Mel + Rebecca's view from their window! Unreal.

Babysit = Scan your face.

2009-06-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

My nieces and nephew.

Utah

2009-06-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Leaving Utah. This is from a while back.

Pola to the Roid

2009-05-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is when I was tagging along with Jon in Curacao. If you want to be rocked and make friends for life check out his workshop.

Joey Ryan

2009-05-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

Some of the sweetest music to hit your cochlea, check out his work here and if you have a chance go see him live! Many more photos coming soon!

Mimi Giboin

2009-05-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

This was shot about 4yrs. ago, the rest are a little more recent.

I think Mimi's work is BOSS, we went to school together and she is re-doing her website... maybe? She is located everywhere! Keep up the amazing work MIMI!

Banksy...?

2009-04-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Shot in LA last year. Is it really you?

Rafter

2009-04-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

Rafter came to Santa Barbara a couple weeks ago and did an amazing show. I also get to shoot his wedding in June which will be awesome! You can hear him here.

Where are you?

2009-04-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

I don't know, but I am back.

Julianne + Denny Sneak

2009-02-27T11:27:00.000-08:00

A special thanks to Michael + Anna Costa for letting me do a wedding in his family and a HUGE gracias to Corey (the grape smuggler) Nickols. More to come.

Scanner

2009-02-09T10:43:00.000-08:00

It went a little crazy on me, but I kind of like it...

Dentist

2009-02-05T23:39:00.000-08:00

Sorry, more photos coming soon, for now you can watch this. Something my Dad would have done to us. Don't smoke weed... I'm looking at you Michael Phelps.

Film is not...

2009-02-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Canlas just announced his new workshop today, go check it out if you want your mind blown with photo magic! BOOM ROASTED!

Super Bowl Commercials

2009-02-01T23:19:00.000-08:00

That was a pretty great super bowl, I can't complain, except for the fact that I didn't really care who won. This was probably the funniest commercial of the night.

It still had nothing on this one from last year

I also feel I should post a photo, happy Monday! BOOM ROASTED!

Ventura

2009-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of us went to the old Ventura Oil refinery. It isn't really legal to shoot there anymore, but it is one of my favorite spots. Jason, Jamie (+ friend), and Christine who was wearing a funky hat that seemed oddly familiar...

Rincon Classic

2009-01-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

Rincon surf classic was a couple weekends ago, and had a ton of awesome talent!

Gooooooo Sarah!

2009-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

You may be asking yourself, "who is that 12yr old girl?" That is my little sister! She was on extreme home makeover on Sunday! She lives in Kansas and they had a pretty bad Tornado go through a nearby town. She said she did this to help a family, but we all know the real reason.
She isn't 12 though, she is a mother of two beautiful girls and even though she is my little sister I definitely look up to her. She has so much strength and is always willing to help, that is why she was voted friendliest in high school. Scott + Sarah I love you both!
If you feel like crying you can watch the episode here. Why do they have to make you cry?

Alexis + Andrew Round Two

2009-01-27T14:32:00.000-08:00

When Alexis + Andrew got married in San Diego we didn't have time to go to the beach. So we took another go at it, and Andrew added some pretty sweet Ray Bans to the mix. Also, Alexis is very humble and never told me she has music on itunes!!! You can check it here, pretty great stuff! Alexis + Andrew thanks for the good times!

Teri + Tony + Girls

2009-01-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

This is my cousin Teri and her family. They are some of the coolest people I know and really sweet. Their girls crack me up and are adorable, one is really shy and quiet and the other is a bundle of fun... can you tell which is which? Teri is really crafty with flowers and invitations too, craftiness runs in our blood.

*Side note what happened to joaquin phoenix?

Billy Joel

2009-01-23T00:08:00.000-08:00

Some old work.

Jarett + Amber

2009-01-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Jarett and Amber I love you guys! I was in the wedding so I couldn't shoot the whole thing, but here are a couple I took for them.

LOST!!!!

2009-01-21T00:12:00.001-08:00

I can't wait! This is one of the benefits of the FILM IS NOT DEAD workshop. Grant took this photo, you can here some of their music HERE (the gatsbys) It was taken right after John Locke and I killed a boar! Honestly though, he was a really nice guy.

***Spoiler Alert***
Terry O'Quinn(John Locke) told me this season that his character turns into a cannibal and eats Jack's face off!

HOPE

2009-01-20T00:42:00.000-08:00

Later skater...

¡Bienvenidos!

Also, if you would like to make yourself look like the famous Shephard Fairey poster(as seen above) you can! You just have to have a Mac and OS X 10.5 for it to work :( Here it is though.

Also, it might help if you are half black and have ears that are a little too large for your head.

FAVICON

2009-01-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

What is a favicon? It is this...instead of this.

Really easy to do and it adds a little Flavacon to your blog... maybe.

1. Go to photoshop and design your favicon I did mine 2x2 inches at 72dpi.

2. Then save it and go to www.iconj.com this is free and the best website I found so far for this.

3. Upload your image and add a little sharpen to it.

4. Now you can either Download it (for your website) or if you are using it for blogger I would just copy the link and use it. Make sure to select the entire link and then copy it.

5. Log into your blogger account and go to layout----- Edit html

6. Find the code right at the beginning that says head and then find the second title and paste it right after it.

7.Save it and boom goes the dynamite!!!

*****

Side note I just realized it wasn't working in safari... so the website gives you a code that looks like this...

and it should look like this for it to work in safari, the last part is important...(type='image/x-icon/>) I think. Best of luck!

More Polaroids...

2009-01-06T17:25:00.000-08:00

for you.

Laci + Brian's Girls

2009-01-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Thanks guys!

Stormy Weather

2008-12-31T23:17:00.000-08:00

Santa Barbara rain clouds, but here comes a new year!

I would really like to see this movie

I'm not sure why it is rated "R" , but it is rated 12 in Sweden, that has got to count for something! I will wait for clearplay... hopefully.

Also, this one...

WHAT!!! Who is that playing Gambit? Tim Riggins from 'Friday Night Lights' please don't question my manhood I "hear" it's a really good show.

Hawaii

2008-12-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

This trip was one of the greatest by far of my life... more to come later this week. For now here are some of the polaroids. Jon Canlas has one of the greatest workshop known to mankind and his wife can COOK, like the kind of cooking that would make Mary-Kate Olson chunky. Not to mention she is one the nicest people ever, Jon must have seduced her with his mufi magic. EVERYONE there was awesome, I'm serious, I would hang out with any of those people again. Especially JOHN LOCKE(picture proof to follow)!!! Anyway, I didn't officially attend the workshop, but I'm grateful I had the chance to go hang out and hold a reflector now and then.

Jon has a very funny camera video on his workshop blog right now. Check it.

Lomo it up!

2008-12-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

New Zealand is CRAZY!!!!

2008-12-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

I would still like to go there someday.

TWILIGHT!!!!!!!

2008-12-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why most women (every mormon woman I know, besides my mother) are obsessed with Twilight. I have to say that I think it is kinda creepy that so many people are in love with a vampire, super white shiny dude, who is made of marble and seems really bossy. (am I a little jealous?... maybe) Edward and I have two things in common we both drive really fast(I am working that) and I kinda glisten in the sun. Will I see the movie? Probably. The reason I talk about this is that Peggy Sirota is a great photographer and lives in Thousand Oaks and I really like the story she did with Vanity Fair HERE.

Also this is kind of funny.

Please don't ask how I know so much about twilight...

GOBBLE GOBBLE

2008-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

Old School photo somewhere in texas... Happy T-Day!!!

Alexis + Andrew

2008-11-24T15:14:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you put one of the coolest families from Washington with one of the coolest families from California. Sweeeeeeeeeeeetness!

A very BIG thanks to Corey Nickols for his help and shooting skills!

Birdie + Matt 10/03/08

2008-10-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

This crew was a lot of fun, I really respected their mustaches and Andrejka always has the best looking people for her weddings. Here are some of my shots from the day.

Best Pizza + Hearst Castle 9/21/08

2008-09-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

If you are ever in Olympia, WA you need to go Old School Pizzeria! Amazing pizza and atmosphere. Hearst Castle... this dude had way too much money, I just wish the tour let you see more rooms. Christine + Paul are getting married soon and they always make for good times, thanks guys!

Sarah + Scott Wellman 9/19/08

2008-09-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Love you guys!

Malina Moye 8/28/08

2008-08-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

I had to take down the last shot because this shoot is top secret, but I will post the Polaroids because they are just cool to look at and nothing like the digital files. I'm not sure when the CD comes out, but keep a look out for her.

Julianne + Denny 8/27/08

2008-08-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

This couple is sweet! First, the are just awesome and second she is the sister of the great Michael Costa. Also, Julianne can sing like an American Idol Angel. If you can't tell... they are Catholic. Thanks Michael + Anna!

Cool Cats 8/26/08

2008-08-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Canlas & Leo Patrone made their way to sunny CA. Jonathan had an amazing wedding up here and we all got to hang and shoot together. The wedding was gorgeous and the images Jonathan captured are even better. I can't wait to see them. The next morning they drove down the coast for a little shoot. Thanks to the talented Christine Hardy ( who just snag the wild stallion Paul as her eternal companion) we got a studio at Brooks to shoot around in. Check out Christine's post she has some very funny pictures of the shoot here and a pretty cute shot of Nicole.

These guys are some of the most genuinely nice, talented dudes I know and I'm pretty sure we knew each other in the pre-existence. Although in the pictures below Jonathan looks like the Notorious B.I.G and Leo looks like an Argentinian P-Diddy. See you guys next weekend!

Alexis + Andrew Sneak Peek 8/25/08

2008-08-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

The Tramp 8/20/08

2008-08-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is my families third trampoline. So many good times!

Mitzi+Cameron 8/15/08

2008-08-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

More to come. Mitzi and Cameron CONGRATS! Cameron welcome to the family brotha.

Papa Hopkins 8/15/08

2008-08-15T15:33:00.001-07:00

I am very sorry I have been away for so long. My little sister got married and my Dad had a double bypass... so I spent some extra time with the fam. in WA. This is my Dad smiling only a couple days after surgery. He is a great man and someone I admire very much, I'm grateful everything went well.

Check out this view from his room... only in WA.

Here is a better picture of him from the wedding.

He is only 61 and is already having a double bypass I know that is not a good sign for me, but my Dad LOVES ice cream! I blame you Ben&Jerry's! It was a great trip and thanks to everyone for the phone calls and prayers! Here's to another 61yrs Dad!

On Black 8/01/08

2008-08-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

More pics on black... I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of these.

Lake San Antonio 7/31/08

2008-07-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

Went to Lake San Antonio with some of Nic's family. Good times were had by all, I have a lot more images from weddings and personal shoots to post so stay tuned. Thanks for the fun trip Rick + Trudy! The only downside was a dead deer next to our day spot, but you can't win them all!

Lifferth Family 7/25/08

2008-07-25T23:41:00.000-07:00

Kickin it with the Lifferth family. Always a good time, I got the salad next time. If you would like to see the slideshow larger go HERE.

Of Kings and Cowboys

2008-07-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the chance to be on the set of a polo/cowboy movie... not really sure what that even is, but it was called "of kings and cowboys". I do know movies take waaaay longer than photo shoots. I managed to snap a few shots and the ranch (Rancho Santa Barbara) was beautiful and had some amazing wild horses.

Jonathan (the man) Canlas

2008-07-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Finally had some time to scan in my Polaroids. The first two are Polaroids the last one is digital. This guy is the man and I can't wait to shoot with him again. Curacao was awesome thanks again!

Carpinteria Beach

2008-07-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

This beach is usually pretty empty, but on the 4th it was a different story. I have never seen this beach that pact before... except for the last 4th of July. Can you find the Albino?

FONTS

2008-07-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

Some people have asked me, "brion where did you get your font for your logo?" (by some people I mean two) To that I say, "FONTIFIER." It is a company that will let you scan in your handwriting and then let you buy it as a font for $9 bucks! Pretty sweet. This is an old picture for a windex ad we did in school.

Light it Up!

2008-07-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

My buddy Corey Nickols and I did some lighting test with the new gear he got. Corey did the photoshop work on these and made me look like a new born babe. Actually, a lot of it has to do with the lighting, because it was such a huge lighting source it makes it look nice and creamy. The catch lights in the eyes also kind of make you look like the devil. For the three of you reading this... stay tuned for more.

Foggy Summer

2008-07-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

It is extremely nice everywhere else in CA, but here. It's all good though it makes for some nice Polaroids.

HULU

2008-07-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

I love this site, but be careful it can be a time waster . You can watch streaming TV and MOVIES with very few commercials. The reason I love it is they have some of my favorite shows! Arrested development! Colbert Report! and ALF!!!! Okay, not so much Alf, but still they have a lot and it keeps growing. Check it out HULU.

Evans Family

2008-07-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

I love you sister and your family!

POOH

2008-07-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite shoots from my first year in school. I didn't have models so I hired some day laborers, I know they aren't smiling, but I swear they were laughing and had a good time.

Sweet Commercial

2008-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love this commercial and I really like Jose Gonzalez who sings this song. Plus it reminds me of someone cute I know.

Curacao

2008-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

What an awesome place and wedding! Many, many more images to come. I love flying, it's something about the clouds... reminds me a movie called Saturday's Warrior! It was a sweeeeeeeeeet trip and I'm really grateful to Jonathan Canlas for letting me tag along he's a great person and great photographer! More images soon!

Jim + Ashley

2008-06-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Jim + Ashley! Jim and I worked together back in the day, he and Ashley are great guys and deserve the best. Thanks for letting me be there.

REGULATORS, MOUNT UP!!!

2008-06-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

Leaving out of the country to CURACAO.I will be meeting up with my famous photography friend Jonathan Canlas his work is amazing and I'm really grateful for the invite! Thanks Jonathan, mount up son! If you need to contact me please email me at brion.hopkins @ gmail . com I'll be back in town on June 29th.

April+Eddie

2008-06-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to shoot this wedding with Kacie Jean. Thanks Kacie it was a blast! Eddie and April congrats and best of luck in the future! Side note - Every wedding should have a mariachi band.

Tyson

2008-06-13T11:12:00.001-07:00

This is both sad and funny, but mainly sad. I couldn't help but think of my little brother though. Tyson "took" my Grandmas car at the age of 4 and then said, "a mouse did it." My parents didn't believe him... I don't know why? Then he said, "the devil made me do it." For some reason they bought that, and he has been using that line ever since. Watch the video, this little kid is NUTS! Tyson, stop doing hood-rat things! You know I love you!

Dodgers Game

2008-06-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

Paul, a good hommie(2 m's or 1) got us really great '"free" seats to the dodgers game. They beat the Cubs and fun was had, 29th Cafe. Paul has two faces, he is the one in the green. Christine (his mistress) is a very talented photographer going to the same school I went to.
His photographer skills are improving... thanks for the picture Paul!Honestly, it was a blast and Mormon night will be even more nuts!!! ¡Gracias Pablo!

On Black

2008-06-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics. to my series of images on black... work in progress.

WPPI LAS VEGAS

2008-06-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

I am the worst blogger known to man. I promise to do better, I just feel like every time I sit down to write something it has to be witty. Too much pressure. I will do better though witty or not!

Vegas was amazing!!!

The WPPI is probably the largest photo conference in the woooooorld and I wouldn't even have gone if it hadn't been for Michael + Anna. Thank you guys SO much you aren't just lovecats, but LOVETIGERS! (read the book, I promise it's not weird) They were speaking at the conference and snuck me in for free so I could help them out and mingle with their high class photo friends, they even fed me a couple times. Wedding photographers are hipper than most fashion photographers I've met... which is weird because I was honestly expecting a lot of Mom's with mom pants,but It was just the opposite. Michael + Anna killed the presentation and have a lot of great stuff coming out, so you should check it out. I met SO many great people there, but two of the coolest dudes ever were at M+A presentation Jonathan Canlas + Leo Patrone!!! At first I thought they might be in the mafia or something, but turns out they are just Mormon. They are such talented guys and extremely nice, they have an open invitation any time to La Conchita. I am helping Jonathan with one of his weddings in Curacao at the end of this month. I'm stoked and really grateful for this opportunity. He also has a great workshop that looks like a blast and they both shoot ALL film. They have skills son!

Good times were had in Vegas, I will for sure go next year. This time maybe I will be able to actually stay in a hotel that cost more than $29 a night... I know sketchy right? I was only hit on by one shemale, just kidding, but seriously. M+A (your names are too long) a million gracias's!

Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood!

2008-03-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, for the most part I have never been a HUGE country fan. Don't get me wrong I don't mind it, but I probably wouldn't have ever gone to a show(shebear). This one blew me away! Keith Urban is like a New Zealand snake charmer with that guitar!!! I had no idea he could rock that hard. One of my favorite parts was when one Miss Underwood covered Guns&Roses - Take me down to the paradise city. When Keith and Carrie did a duet I thought they might be having an affair, but then we noticed Nicole Kidman was in the audience. In the last photo Keith went into the stands, he was singing, and getting molested by everyone and then he gave his guitar away!!! Pretty sweet moves, and definitely good times.

The Blog

2008-03-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure who besides my Mother will want to read this, but here it goes. I will try and post my photography and things that make me say, " ¡Sweet Moses!". I have been inspired to do this by Michael+Anna Costa who are not just lovecats, but lovetigers! Here are some shots with my point and shoot from when it rained, made me miss Washington and fear for my life(La Conchita)

2007-09-23T18:39:00.000-07:00