This week we are showing off some of the talented photographers and writers that contribute to the content found inside the 5th Edition Discovery Guide.
Allow us to introduce you to one of our Belleville-based photographers, Mark Hopper. You might have seen his wildlife or scenic photography in publications like National Geographic and Toronto Life; you can also flip to his swan photo at the back of the Discovery Guide.
Keep scrolling to learn about his start in photography and his unique career path that led him to the Quinte region.
Behind the Camera: Belleville Photographer Mark Hopper
How did you get started as a photographer?
I wanted to paint but I was no good at it; I knew that I had art in me, and photography was the best way to share it.
What do you like most about living in the Bay of Quinte?
The Bay of Quinte is a buffet for the eyes, and there is something to do around every corner. I’ve been living here for 13 years since I moved from Toronto to take a job at the Belleville Cemetery. My camera and the photos are all extra pluses with the job.
Tell us about your work at the cemetery.
I am the general manager of the Belleville Cemetery, and I ensure that our community is taken care of after their lives have ended. I have been working in the cemetery business for 32 years. A major misconception about my work is that people think it’s scary; it’s far from scary, and helps me look at things different everyday and how lucky we are. It also gives me landscape and wildlife to photograph right in my backyard.
Share your top five favourite photos and why you chose them.
This photo, with the colourful sky and tree in the water, shows what happens in early morning on the Bay most days. Beauty is all around us.
These swans captured the hearts of many across Canada, with this photo placing as the first runner up in the ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Pssst: This was shot right here on the Bay.
I met this fella while we were both hiding under the bridge and enjoying the rain. We took selfies, and now we follow each other on Instagram. (Hurray, BoQ community)
This winter picture of the tree and swan shows the season and its beauty.
This last one is of Belleville City Hall along the river, which I took this week. It’s my new favourite photo because of the ‘wow’ factor of the morning light.
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