A collection of nostalgic summer imagery
Storyteller: Donna Hopkins, United States
There’s a particular kind of beauty found in unhurried days—moments that unfold softly, without expectation or agenda. In her thoughtfully crafted MILK Photo Book, Donna Hopkins documents a season shaped by stillness, familiarity, and the subtle shifts of everyday life. Created effortlessly using our MILK Design Studio, her collection of images brings together personal photography, natural light, and lived-in landscapes to form a cohesive visual narrative. Rather than chasing spectacle, Donna’s images focus on the moments that often sit between special milestones throughout her explorations in Virginia. Here, she shares her approach to photography, the stories behind her images, and why making a creative photo book became an essential way to preserve her photos with intention.
What format did you choose to create your keepsake and why?
I chose a Large Square Premium Photo Book format for my project. I wanted this collection of images to be presented in a quality book with a handmade album aesthetic. I selected the textured paper type; the images print in a slightly more subtle way, and the texture adds a lovely tactile element to the reading experience. I wanted the photographs to be large in size but still intimate, as though the reader could walk into the scene and feel the summer sun's warmth.
Why did you create your keepsake?
At age 65, I am in a new season of life, where my children are grown, and my time is mostly my own. Summer looks different to me now, and I wanted to celebrate the slower pace and the sweet moments, where my husband and I meander through the days.
I used to see summer as something that needed to be planned. As though long stretches of doing nothing were unacceptable. I do not think this idea grew from within; more likely, some outside influence or pressure produced this directed drive. A reinforcing message that my worth lies in what I can accomplish, like thread woven into fabric.
But this summer was different. Bucket lists abandoned. Nothing on the checklist. Instead, there was idleness, naps, and laziness well-spent. No focus on an extraordinary life. Just the opposite. Making sure to take note of the ordinary. Breathing deeply and pressing the shutter. Documenting everyday moments. Appreciating beauty without the need to style or perfect the view.
What image do you love most from your keepsake?
My top image, near the front of the book, is of two folding beach chairs sitting side-by-side against lush dark trees. The light is golden and soft, and the chairs are slightly askew. They are vintage style, with webbed straps and aluminum frames. This picture feels like an invitation. To sit down and relax. Just out of the frame, in front of the chairs, is the Potomac River. This is where we sat, watching the fisherman cast their lines, the children wading in the water, the seekers looking for shark's teeth along the shore. We have a whole host of memories associated with this place, Wakefield (birthplace of America’s first president, George Washington). We got married here 44 years ago!
Do you have an interesting story behind a single shot in the book?
This must be our photograph of the vintage orange Oldsmobile. This is my top story to tell, as I’ve told over and over again! I have taken many photos of this car, in different seasons, with different cameras, from different angles over the last several years. That car never moves!
I love the orange car against the shade of orange on the old fast-food restaurant. This particular place used to be called "The Circle." It marks the spot where we were almost home on our travels to and from our small town to the nearest city. I have traveled this road, through this intersection, thousands of times in my lifetime, and it will always be the path to my childhood home. The picture tells the story of how we mark our lives with familiar landmarks. The photo was taken with my medium format Pentax 645 camera and Kodak Portra film. I love it because in a world where things are rapidly changing, this one thing has stayed the same for years.
What does your keepsake mean to you and your family?
A few years ago, I read a really important book, Ageism Unmasked by Tracey Gendron, PhD. This book changed my view of aging and gave me a positive perspective. The author talks about a strengths-based approach to aging, where successful aging is defined differently for each individual. Where elders are revered for their roles and contributions as peace makers, wisdom givers, and legacy creators. Embracing these roles has given meaning and joy to my life.
My MILK Photo Book is a part of my legacy; making something can pull us back from the brink of despair with hope and love and kindness. My husband, while not a photographer in the strictest sense of the word, is in every picture I take. He is often by my side, or nearby, cheering me on. We savor our memories in the pages of this book.
What inspires you to take photos in general?
Photography is, for me, a daily healing practice. Not necessarily taking a photograph every single day, but living an artful life, where inspiration is everywhere. Taking pictures is how I process my feelings: how I make sense of pain, sorrow or grief; how I hold onto joy; how I figure out where to go next and which steps to take. Photography is a form of mindful awareness with a soft focus, where I can pay attention and still feel relaxed. This kind of work is its own inspiration.
What inspires you creatively?
Tones, light, lines and shapes. Stories waiting to be shared. Little pockets of kindness. Overheard conversations. Familiar places and routines studied deeply over time. Analog film cameras and the process of wait-and-see photography. My sweet husband who thinks every picture I take is the BEST!
What bit of advice would you offer to someone creating their own MILK memento?
Study the gallery of other photo books and stories on the MILK website. Pick whatever inspires you most and follow Austin Kleon's advice, Steal Like an Artist! Copy what you love and make it your own. Study photo books from professional photographers you admire (the library is a great resource). Keep in mind the old adage. When everything matters, nothing matters. Edit your photos ruthlessly! Add interest to your book with a poem, a variety of page layouts, something unexpected.
If you have an ongoing project, build your book over time. It's much less overwhelming to build as you go. You can make changes and watch the evolution of your project, even shifting the theme or content as things unfold. Most importantly, have fun! There are no "good" or "bad" pictures. Shoot from the heart and be proud of your story!
What Donna has created is not just a photo book, but a considered photo album that gives everyday moments the space to be seen and remembered. Through careful photo sequencing, specific material choices, and an unforced photographic style, her MILK Photo Book becomes a lasting keepsake, one that reflects both her creative eye and her commitment to documenting life honestly. Her story is a reminder that meaningful photography doesn’t require grand occasions, only attention and care. By using the MILK Design Studio to turn her images into a permanent, archival-quality book, Donna has preserved a personal history of her summer in Virginia that can be returned to, shared, and passed down.
