Seeing the Light in all Life

Photography is an artistic expression. A willingness to see the world through color and light and your own personal view of the world. For Vicki Francis, photography is a way of life.

“I think I have been a photographer forever,” Francis said. “It has always come very natural to me, but now I want to know more. Everyone has a camera nowadays, and they are regularly snapping away, but I really wanted to learn and master photography and tell stories through my lens.”

Francis, a Hopkinton resident, comes from a long line of photographers and inherited her first equipment from a father she never knew. She rarely says no to an opportunity to take pictures around town. Actively involved in the HPTA you can find her pictures throughout the area. She has taken photos for HCAM-TV, this paper and many other local organizations.

“About a year ago, I decided I wanted to started to focus on my business,” Francis said. “I would purposely do one thing everyday to make the business move forward.”

In the course of focusing more on her business, she learned to focus more on the life around her.

“I see things differently,” Francis said. “I am constantly aware of the light and thinking about how to capture what I’m seeing. I’ve grown as a person and an artist by focusing more on these things.”

With a background in computer information systems and a business degree in hand, digital photography has allowed Francis to mesh her love of business, technology and art to help her business grow.

“The digital age has really helped me to see the computer as my new darkroom,” Francis said. “All the time I used to spend in a darkroom, I now spend editing on the computer. It’s been a great mix for me.”

Focusing on  infants, children, high school seniors and life events, Francis wanted to grow the business slowly and purposely.

“I wanted to grow slowly,” Francis said. “I wanted to add to my equipment and learn all I could before jumping in full force. I am very comfortable with the pace and excited about the success of my first season.”

Moving forward, Francis would like to expand her business and have an in-home studio.

“I was incredibly inspired by a garage studio I saw,” Francis said. “I have an equally perfect space in my home, and I would love to get to the point where I could use that space.”

Francis believes that great photos are a combination of great equipment and skill.

“You can learn anything at home in front of your office computer,” Francis said. “I am always seeking knowledge - calling the makers of my equipment, reading the Nikon manual cover to cover - but there is nothing like practicing.”

And being willing to take a risk or two helps.

“Years ago I received a fortune cookie that read, ‘it’s never to late to become what you would have been.’ I would have been a photographer, and I am so glad that I am”

Learn more about Vicki Francis Photography and view some of her work by visiting her website or her Facebook page.

“I do take appointments, but don’t expect to come in all stiff and formal, we want to make memories,” Francis said.  My goal is that years from now when you are sharing your past, your essence will shine through.  I look forward to helping you tell your story."