Everyone needs a once in a lifetime experience. You know the kind. One that leaves a lasting impression and even changes how you look at life, how you look at your surroundings.
I wrote that in a book I published in 2009, 'Riding the Chisholm Trail: Once in a Lifetime' after I had that experience that changed the way I looked at the world around me. Now 10 years later, that single day and the two years it took me to edit the images and write the stories in that book, I realize it continues to impact me. It's given me a new appreciation of our country's history and what it took for our pioneers, my ancestors, to forge what we now enjoy and many times undervalue.
While it took me most of my life to appreciate these things, reflection reveals I've always had an interest in the founding of our country. My parents were older, already in their 50s when I came along, so I grew up hearing stories of the Depression, of how hard life was but if you worked hard, you could achieve your dreams. One of my favorite stories was of them packing mules into the Grand Canyon. Only in recent years have I discovered that my father actually owned and operated a mule packing company in California and that he was considered one of the great cinematographers of his day in the 1930s-mid 1940s.
I hope as you browse my images you see a bit of that wonderful western legacy. You'll also see my eclectic and creative side. Enjoy and thank you for taking just a few minutes to look.
My travels began at birth in San Francisco, CA; and over the years, stops in Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Oregon and a few other places.
Fine Art America groups I serve as administrator/curator:
Spirit of the West Photographs only, founded July 14, 2018
https://fineartamerica.com/groups/spirit-of-the-west--photographs-only.html?tab=overview
Women Photographers since March 2018
https://fineartamerica.com/groups/women-photographers--one-a-day.html?tab=overview
HDR Photography April 2018 - 2019
https://fineartamerica.com/groups/hdr-photography-.html?tab=overview
Awards/Shows:
http://toni-hopper.pixels.com/index.html?tab=about
Published:
Cowboys & Indians Magazine, American Cowboy magazine, Oklahoma magazine (work related), Local and national level (news, photojournalism, commercial and real estate)
Displayed: Applebee's Restaurants, Pizza Hut, BancFirst of Duncan, Private Corporate Offices and Homes
Book: Riding The Chisholm Trail: 'Once in a lifetime' - the stories and images of the cowboys of the Oklahoma Centennial Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive in 2007; (2009) Along with an exhibit at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Duncan, Oklahoma
http://toni-hopper.pixels.com/index.html?tab=about
Please note: My work is not available for fair trade use or on personal blogs, social media platforms, etc. Feel free to share by using the proper links that direct back to my work posted here. Images purchased here are for personal or office decor. Thank you for visiting.
Toni Hopper joined Pixels.com Licensing on August 20th, 2010.
