Chris Hopkins (b.1977) is a freelance photojournalist based in Melbourne, Australia.
Chris’ work is an examination of the effects of systemic and embedded societal inhumanity that is not often covered in mainstream media. His intention – to bring these human rights issues to the forefront of public awareness – is to ‘use photography to show intimate commonalities despite our differences, to create empathy and inspire a different, more benevolent way of thinking’.
Born and raised in rural Victoria, Australia, Chris began his photographic career after travelling extensively internationally across a six-year period.
After two years of commercial photography, in 2012 he documented the lives of abandoned Vietnamese children living with the genetic consequences of Agent Orange and was awarded Australia’s Walkley slideshow prize. Covering this story would lead to a deeper sense of purpose for his photographic practice.
Chris is currently producing work for: ‘They Teach Us to Sing but there Are no Songs About Us’ – which led to the landmark High Court of Uganda decision in March 2022 finding the Ugandan Government guilty of human rights abuses on children living with intellectual disabilities – and ‘Windows’ – a profound visualisation of the ingrained racism that permeates his hometown of Melbourne, specifically its public housing residents.
He is a three-time Walkley winner (Australia’s highest honour for Journalism), two-time National Photographic Portrait Prize Finalist and in 2025 was the winner of Pictures of the Year International (POYi) in the World Understanding Award category.
His photographs are included in collections at The Australian War Memorial, State Library of Victoria and the Victorian State Archives.
Chris has completed the RedR Personal Safety, Security and Communications course for aid workers in hostile environments. He is also accredited by the Australian Government for major visits.
For commissions or quotes email Chris at:
chris@chris-hopkins.com.au
Clients and Publications
The Guardian, The Observer (UK), Al Jazeera, The New York Times, SBS (Aust), The Sydney Morning Herald (Aust), The Age (Aust), Der Spiegal (Ger), NRC Hadelsblad (Ned), Australian Financial Review (Aust), Getty Images, The Irish Times, AFR Magazine (Aust), Amnesty International, UNHCR, Creative Victoria, Cabrini Health, Deutsche Bank, Victorian State Government, ANZ, Good Weekend Magazine (Aust).
His written work has been published in Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Awards & Commendations
2025: Pictures of the Year International (POYi) - Winner - ‘World Understanding Award’ - ‘They Teach Us To Sing…’ (International)
Pictures of the Year International (POYi) - Finalist - ‘Issue Reporting Picture Story’ - ‘They Teach Us To Sing…’ (International)
Melbourne Press Club "Quill Awards" - Winner - 'News Photograph' – ‘Riot’ (Melbourne)
Melbourne Press Club "Quill Awards" - Winner - 'Feature Photograph' – ‘They Teach Us To Sing…’ (Melbourne)
2024: Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Winner - ‘Portrait of the Year ‘- ‘Scars of Regret’ (Australia)
Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Finalist - ‘Press Photographer of the Year‘- (Australia)
Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Finalist - ‘Feature Photographic Essay’ - ‘They Teach Us To Sing…’ (Australia)
Melbourne Press Club "Quill Awards" - Winner - 'News Photograph' – ‘Nazi’s on our Doorstep’ (Melbourne)
World Report Awards, Festival della Fotografia Etica - Shortlisted - Master Category - ‘They Teach Us to Sing…’ - (International)
World Report Awards, Festival della Fotografia Etica - Shortlisted - Short Story - ‘They Teach Us to Sing…’ - (International)
2022: World Report Awards, Festival della Fotografia Etica - Shortlisted - Short Story - ‘Windows’ - (International)
Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Finalist - ‘Press Photographer of the Year‘- (Australia)
Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Finalist - ‘News Photography‘- (Australia)
2021: Pictures of the Year International (POYi) - 2nd Place - ‘Daily Life’ - ‘I Want to Hold Her Hand’ (International)
Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Finalist - ‘Press Photographer of the Year ‘- (Australia)
National Photographic Portrait Prize - Finalist - ‘Pride’ (Australia)
National Photographic Portrait Prize - Finalist - ‘Evie and Ruby at ‘the Bend, 2019’ (Australia)
Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Finalist - ‘Humanitarian Storytelling Award’ - ‘It Takes a Village to Kill a Child’ with Beau Donelly
2020: Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Winner - ‘Photograph of the Year ‘- ‘I Want to Hold Her Hand’ (Australia)
Melbourne Press Club "Quill Awards" - Winner - 'Feature Photograph' – ‘I Want to Hold Her Hand’ (Melbourne)
Australian Photography Awards ‘ Documentary’ - Winner - ‘I Want to Hold Her Hand’ (Australia)
Simon Cumbers Media Fund Grant, Recipient - (Ireland)
Australian Photography Awards ‘ Stories - Shortlisted - ‘They Teach us to Sing but there are no Songs About Us’ (Australia)
2019: Australian Photography Awards ‘Documentary’ - Finalist - ‘Piltenggi’ (Australia)
Australian Photography Awards ‘Portrait’ - Highly Commended - ‘Mick’ (Australia)
World Press Photo - Nominee - Joop Swart Masterclass (International)
World Press Photo - Nominee - 6 x 6 Global Talent Program (International)
2018: Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism - Winner - ‘Feature Photographic Essay’ - ‘My Name is Yunus’ (Australia)
2017: World Press Photo - Nominee - 6 x 6 Global Talent Program (International)
Australian Photography Awards - Winner - 'Documentary' - 'A Day at the Races' (Australia)
United Nations Australia Media Awards - 2nd Place & Commendation - 'Home[Less]' (Australia)
United Nations Australia Media Awards - 2nd Place & Commendation - 'Mentawai' (Australia)
Amnesty International Media Awards - 2nd Place - 'Home[Less]' (Australia)
Siena International Photography Award 'Reportage' - Finalist - 'Mentawai' (International)
2016: Siena International Photography Award - Finalist - 'Portrait' - 'Eveline' (International)
2015: United Nations Australia Media Awards - Finalist - 'Trauma' (Australia)
PANPA Newspaper Awards 'National News Image' - Finalist - 'Reclaim Australia' (Pan Pacific)
Siena International Photography Award - Finalist & Honourable Mention - 'Genocides Curse' (International)
2012: Walkley Prize - Winner - ‘Best Slideshow’ – 'The Village of Friendship' (Melbourne)