I am finding all kinds of ways to connect with my internal compass and feeling empowered to follow my instincts. Nourishing and caring for myself. Not because of some tired old trope like how caring for myself better enables me to care for others, but simply because I am worthy of such care. No explanation needed.
. . .
When I say ‘happy new year’,
I’m really wishing you more happy days,
than sad days,
more joy than misery,
more laughter than tears . . .
and the wisdom to accept,
that they all belong.
—Donna Ashworth
Love is experienced as attention. And taking pictures is one of the ways I give myself my own attention.
The paperwhites have bloomed and begun to topple over. Dirt scattered over the old brown table. The handmade wooden flowers found at the thrift shop slip into place on the shelf by the window, where the paperwhites stood. The days are cold and skies mostly gray. But not too cold for long drives in the car or patches of blue sky or hidden gems.
It’s wonderful to end the year with a little good news.
My photo book, A Virginia Summer, was chosen by the MILK photo book team as runner-up for book of the month.
AND, my story is featured on their website! I’d love it if you’d pop over and read the post.
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.
Snead’s Farm, Summer 2025