About Justin
Hello. My name is Justin Hankins, and I think you look great today! I’m an award-winning photographer based in Virginia Beach who travels around the world documenting the happiest moments in people’s lives. It’s one of the most rewarding jobs I could ever imagine (besides ice cream taster), and I’m thankful every day for the amazing couples who hire me to do what I love. Here’s a little bit more about me…
How I got into photography
I didn’t have a camera when I was young, and therefore didn’t take many photos as a kid. When I got into my early 20s, I realized I only had a handful of photographs from high school, and even fewer from college. This absence of tangible memories from the most significant moments of my life helped me realize the importance of photography – I bought my first camera to better document my life.
Since then, I’ve grown even more enamored of the documentary power of photography, and I’ve centered my life on making important photographs.
Work
In addition to weddings and portraits, I provide artwork and stock imagery to clients around the world as a contributer to Getty Images and through my own successful fine-art photography business. Since 2002, I’ve traveled up and down the east coast to present my work in shows and exhibitions. I’ve also had the opportunity to outfit America’s busiest airports with my artwork, hopefully curtailing a bit of air rage in the process.
Before photography, I spent 10 years as Partner and Creative Director at Meticulous Design Group, a design firm I co-founded in Washington DC. My primary work involved helping non-profit international health organizations communicate their messages visually through interactive and print projects.
Edumacation
My college career began at Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!), where I played hockey, served as a Resident Advisor, and studied philosophy. It wrapped up at the University of Virginia, where I refused to wear a bow tie but still managed to graduate with highest distinction after producing my capstone thesis on economic and human prosperity within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Professional associations
I’m very proud to be a member of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International, quite literally the best wedding and portrait photographers in the world.
Professional Photographers of America is an incredible association of photographers, and I’m humbled to be in their company.
I’m also very happy to be part of the Pictage family of photographers. Nobody helps me provide a better quality experience for my customers than Pictage does.
Giving Back
When I’m not photographing weddings, I spend much of my free time volunteering for nonprofit organizations in the community. I’ve recently been involved with organizations like the American Red Cross, Jewish Family Services of Tidewater, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Dominion Derby Girls, and the YWCA of South Hampton Roads. I’ve also spent time volunteering around New Orleans, where I’ve provided complimentary family portraits to those affected by hurricanes and flooding.
Social Networks OMG!
I’ve been involved in online design and development since 1998, so I’m embarrassingly plugged-in to social media. You may find me wasting my precious life away on the following networks:
Anything else?
When I was in sixth grade, a classmate of mine threw a Crayon and hit our substitute teacher in the face. The substitute thought I was the one who threw it and yelled at me from across the room:
“Boy! You’re so stupid, I bet you can’t even spell ‘potato.’”
I replied by spelling the word correctly, and she simply shrugged and went back to reading. Since then, I’ve spent my life trying to discern the correlation between classroom mischief and the incapacity to spell “potato.” Do you know?
Wow, that was a lot of info about me. Hey, you should tell me something about you!
