Chris Hopkins (b.1977) is a freelance photojournalist based in Melbourne, Australia.

Born and raised in rural Victoria, Australia, Chris travelled extensively internationally for six years before embarking on a photographic career. After graduating from college in 2010, Chris’ creative and intuitive eye saw him hired by Australia’s largest mastheads, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

 In 2012 he documented the lives of second-generation Agent Orange victims in Vietnam and was awarded the Walkley slideshow prize. Covering this story would lead to a deeper sense of purpose for his photography. He has since gone on to cover humanitarian issues globally and nationally with an intent to bring human rights issues to the forefront of public awareness.

Chris aims to open a dialogue into the issue he is documenting. His imagery seeks to challenge the audience’s comfort level whilst providing an empathetic connection to the subject. His long-term projects examine the relationship between those living with mental health issues and their environmental culture, exploring how systemic and societal custom inform our perception of these marginalised groups.

Chris is a two-time Walkley Award winner (Australia’s highest honour for Journalism) and has been recognised by Pictures of the Year International (POYi) most recently in 2021.

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.

Chris currently resides in Melbourne, Australia.


For commissions or quotes email Chris at:

chris@chris-hopkins.com.au


Clients and Publications

The New York Times, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, SBS, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age,  Der Spiegal, NRC, Australian Financial Review, Getty Images, The Irish Times, AFR Magazine, Amnesty International, UNHCR, Creative Victoria, Cabrini Health, Deutsche Bank, Victorian State Government, ANZ, Good Weekend Magazine.

His written work has been published in Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.


Awards & Commendations

2024: Melbourne Press Club "Quill Awards" - Winner - 'News Photograph' – ‘Nazi’s on our Doorstep’ (Melbourne)

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)

Sinchi Indigenous Cultural Photography Award - Finalist - 'Mentawai' (International)

Siena International Photography Award 'Reportage' - Finalist - 'Mentawai' (International)

Featured Image 'Of Kin and Kind' Exhibition – 'My Streets' (from series Race Riots) (Melbourne)

2016: Getty Images for Fairfax - 3rd Place - 'Folio of the Year' - (Australia)

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)

2014: HeadOn Photographic Festival - Finalist - ‘Multimedia’ – 'The Last Dairy Farmer' (Australia)

2012: Walkley Prize - Winner - ‘Best Slideshow’ – 'The Village of Friendship' (Melbourne)